Fully Funded Scholarships That Don’t Require IELTS or TOEFL in 2027 — For Africans Who Can’t Afford the Test
Let’s be honest about something first.
The IELTS costs around ₦130,000–₦160,000 in Nigeria right now. The TOEFL is in the same range. For many people, that’s more than a month’s salary, and you need to pay it before you even know if you’ll get a scholarship interview. Before they’ve even looked at your application.
That barrier stops a lot of qualified people from applying. Which is exactly why this post exists.
There are fully funded scholarships, real ones, with tuition, stipends, flights, and accommodation, that either waive the English test requirement completely or accept alternatives. You don’t always need a test score to prove you speak English.
Here’s what we found.
Why Some Scholarships Don’t Require English Tests
Most scholarship programmes that skip the IELTS/TOEFL do so for one or more of these reasons:
- Your previous degree was taught entirely in English (this is the most common waiver)
- English is your country’s official language of instruction (Nigeria qualifies for this on many programmes)
- The programme uses its own English interview or writing test
- The university conducts a conditional offer first and assesses language ability separately
This matters because it means you may already qualify, you just haven’t looked at the right programmes.
Scholarships That Don’t Require IELTS or TOEFL
1. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, runs multiple programmes for African students, and many of them do not require an IELTS or TOEFL if your undergraduate degree was taught in English. Since most Nigerian universities teach in English, this waiver applies to the majority of applicants. Some DAAD programmes are also taught in German with a language course included, meaning no English test is needed at all.
DAAD covers tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance, and sometimes accommodation. It is one of the most comprehensive funding packages available.
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programmes
Erasmus Mundus programmes are jointly run by universities across Europe. Many of them accept proof of prior English-medium education in lieu of an IELTS score. If you completed a bachelor’s degree in Nigeria, you can typically submit a letter from your university confirming the medium of instruction.
Coverage includes tuition, a monthly stipend (around €1,000+), travel costs, and visa support across multiple European countries. See our full breakdown here: Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships to Study in the USA, UK, Canada, and Other Top Countries in 2026
3. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The Japanese government’s MEXT scholarship does not require IELTS or TOEFL. There is a separate language screening process during the application, and many programmes are available in English. Nigeria is an eligible country, and the scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly stipend of around ¥117,000–¥145,000, and your return flight.
We’ve covered this in detail in the MEXT post coming later this week.
4. IHE Delft Scholarships (Netherlands)
IHE Delft in the Netherlands offers fully funded scholarships for water and environmental professionals from Africa and the Middle East. Many of their scholarship programmes do not require an IELTS score if your previous studies were in English. Monthly stipend is €1,220 plus full tuition and travel support.
5. KTU Scholarships (Lithuania)
Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania accepts proof of English-medium instruction in place of an IELTS or TOEFL score. Their scholarship covers full tuition and a monthly stipend, and the application process is more straightforward than most European programmes. If you want to study in Europe without the English test stress, this is one of the most accessible routes.
6. Slovakia Scholarships
Slovakia has two active scholarship programmes for international students, the National Scholarship Programme and the Studying in Slovakia Rewards Me award. Neither mandates IELTS as the core requirement if your medium of instruction was English.
Coverage goes up to €15,000 and includes mobility support for researchers, students, and artists.
7. SIDS Scholarship in Netherlands (€1,220/Month)
The SIDS scholarship at IHE Delft offers the same generous monthly stipend as the main IHE programme, covers travel, and does not require IELTS if you studied in English. It’s specifically for students from Small Island Developing States and other eligible developing countries.
8. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, offered through UK universities, does not require IELTS for Nigerian applicants. English is Nigeria’s official language of instruction, and the scheme recognises this. The scholarship covers full tuition, flights, and a monthly stipend.
9. GREAT Scholarships (UK)
The GREAT Scholarships programme, run by the British Council across multiple UK universities, does not universally require IELTS, individual university partners set their own requirements, and many accept English-medium study as sufficient evidence.
Awards go up to £10,000 and above. See: GREAT Scholarships 2026 UK – £10,000+ Fully Funded Masters for International Students (Ghana, Nigeria & More)
10. Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation scholarship for African students at SOAS University of London does not require a separate IELTS score if your previous degree meets the university’s English language standard through the medium of instruction. This is one of the few scholarships designed specifically for Africans that combines a fully funded UK master’s with a paid internship.
How to Get the English Waiver Letter
If you’re applying to any of these programmes and need to prove your medium of instruction, here’s what to do:
Visit your faculty officer or academic registry. Ask for an official letter on university letterhead stating that your programme was taught entirely in English. Some universities charge a small fee for this. Get it stamped and signed by the registrar.
That letter is your IELTS replacement for most of the scholarships on this list.
One Thing to Double-Check Before You Apply
Even when a scholarship waives the English test, individual universities hosting the scholarship sometimes have their own requirement. Always check both the scholarship page and the specific university’s admission requirements. If there’s a conflict, email the scholarship office directly and ask. Most will respond within a few days.
