English tests and waivers: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo and the MOI letter

Most programmes taught in English ask you to prove your level of English. There are several ways to do it, and the rules differ widely between countries, universities and even courses at the same university. The most important rule of this guide is simple: requirements vary, and you must check them for each programme on its official page. What follows helps you understand the options and ask the right questions.

Why proof is needed and who sets the rule

Two different bodies may set language requirements: the university (for admission) and the scholarship (for the award). They do not always agree. A scholarship might accept your university's decision, or it might set its own minimum. Visa rules can add a third requirement in some countries. Read all three before you book a test.

The main tests

• IELTS Academic. Scored in bands from 0 to 9, with a band for each of listening, reading, writing and speaking and an overall band. Many programmes set both an overall minimum and a minimum per skill. Make sure you take the Academic version unless told otherwise; the General Training version is meant for other purposes.
• TOEFL iBT. Scored out of 120, with four sections. Some universities also accept the at-home edition; check before you book.
• Duolingo English Test. Taken online at home, with results usually available within a few days. Accepted by a growing number of universities, but by no means all, and less often by government scholarships. Confirm acceptance for both the university and the scholarship.
• PTE Academic. A computer-based test accepted by many universities, particularly in some English-speaking countries.
• Cambridge English qualifications such as C1 Advanced. Accepted by many European universities.

Scores are usually valid for two years from the test date, and programmes often require them to be valid on the application deadline or at enrolment. Note the date carefully.

Waivers: when you may not need a test

Many universities waive the test in some situations. Common examples include:

• you are a citizen of a country the university lists as majority English-speaking;
• you completed a degree taught entirely in English, sometimes only in specific countries;
• you studied recently in an English-speaking country for a set period.

The details, such as which countries count and how recent the degree must be, are set by each institution. A waiver granted by one university does not apply to another.

The medium of instruction (MOI) letter

If your degree was taught in English in a country where English is not the main language, some universities accept a medium of instruction letter: an official letter from your university confirming that the whole programme was taught and assessed in English. Typical requirements are:

• issued by the registrar or the dean's office on letterhead, signed and stamped;
• naming you, your degree, the years of study and the language of instruction;
• sometimes sent directly by your university to the admissions office.

Many universities do not accept MOI letters at all, and scholarships often require a test even when the university does not. Ask before you rely on one.

How to check what a programme accepts

1. Find the programme's "entry requirements" or "English language requirements" page, not a general university page.
2. Note the accepted tests, the minimum overall score and any minimum per skill.
3. Check whether the scholarship has its own rule. For example, government scholarships may set a level or rely on the university's offer.
4. Check how recent the test must be and whether at-home tests are accepted.
5. If anything is unclear, email the admissions office and keep the reply.

Planning your test

• Book early: test dates in some cities fill up weeks ahead.
• Take a full practice test under time limits first to see where you stand.
• Leave time for a retake before the deadline.
• Send scores the way the programme requires: some want a copy uploaded, others want the score sent directly by the test provider.

Official sources

Information about each test is on the official sites: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic. Fees and formats change, so check them there rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.

Related guides: Chevening application guide, Erasmus Mundus application guide and how to find and choose a scholarship. If you plan to study in a language other than English, look at programmes in Türkiye, Hungary or Japan, several of which include a language preparation year or courses in English.