Doing your PhD abroad is a wonderful thing and making this dream come true is what every prospective PhD candidate looks up to. Studying for a PhD abroad as an international student comes with some challenges. These challenges range from funding to housing, visa application, academic document requirements, and other school-specific requirements you must meet to be admitted. The IELTS – International English Language Testing System Exam is among the academic document requirements.
Now the thought of taking the IELTS exam makes prospective PhD students panic and many wish that there is a way this exam can be waived or skipped. But what if I tell you that you could skip this particular exam, yes the IELTS? Well, there are several countries offering PhD without IELTS exam scores. In many countries including the United States, Germany, and the UK, some universities allow you to pursue a PhD without writing this standardized English test.
To narrow your search for universities offering PhD without IELTS, we have made a list of top European countries offering doctorate programs without IELTS. This guide will give you alternative pathways to prove your English language proficiency, and tips to strengthen your application for PhD studies in these countries.
Why Skip IELTS for Your PhD?
The IELTS exam is quite demanding in terms of finance and the preparation for this exam is equally time-consuming making it a heinous task for prospective PhD students. Those with a solid foundation in English language and those whose first language is English also find it abnormal to prove what they already know. Apart from this set of students, candidates whose undergraduate and master’s programs were taught in English also find it challenging to sit for the IELTS exams.
Many universities now recognize this and offer alternative ways to demonstrate English language proficiency. This saves time and allows international PhD students to focus on preparing a stronger application, writing a convincing statement of purpose, and acing other PhD qualifying exams.
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Without IELTS
The awareness that you can pursue a PhD abroad without necessarily writing the IELTS has come as a welcome development. Thanks to universities offering alternative ways for prospective PhD candidates to meet the English language proficiency requirement. This means that doctoral students must meet every eligibility criteria involved by demonstrating unrivaled academic excellence, qualitative research experience, and the motivation to carry out research independently and collectively. Below is a detailed outline of the eligibility criteria for PhD without IELTS abroad.
IELTS English Proficiency Alternatives
Recently, many universities abroad have agreed that the IELTS is truly not the only way to ascertain a candidate’s proficiency in English language, they are now devising English proficiency alternatives to IELTS. Some of these alternatives to IELTS are:
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English as Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate
An MOI certificate is a written document issued by the previous institution the student attended stating that his/her previous study was conducted and taught in English language. This document is usually obtained from the office of the registrar (exams and records units) of the university and is widely accepted in countries like Hungary, Germany, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, and many other European countries when PhD programs are taught in English. It assures universities that you already have the necessary language skills to succeed in an academic environment.
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Interviews
In some countries like France, Canada, Spain, and many more, some institutions prefer to invite candidates to a one-on-one interview segment, either online or face-to-face, to evaluate the candidates’ proficiency in spoken English. This way the students do not need to present any qualifications in English to prove their fluency in English.
- Waivers for English-speaking countries or English-medium graduates
This is another English proficiency alternative to IELTS that is given to candidates who studied in an English-speaking country or graduated from an institution where English was the primary medium of instruction. Most students from English-speaking countries in Africa like Nigeria and Ghana always get waivers for English-speaking countries when they travel to the UK, the US, and other countries offering PhD in English. Many universities will waive language test requirements entirely for these candidates.
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Conditional Admission
In this case, some universities offer PhD students conditional admission which allows them to enroll in a doctorate program while at the same time, taking some English language courses to improve their proficiency. The classes in English usually last 6 – 12 months as pre-course, just as students who travel to countries offering PhD in French are given preparatory classes in French.
Top 10 Countries for PhD Without IELTS
As you are looking for countries offering PhD without IELTS to pursue your PhD dreams, then you are at the right place for every PhD information you need. We have helped you compile the list of the top 10 countries where you can pursue world-class doctorate degrees with alternative language requirements. These destinations offer affordable tuition, exceptional academic programs, and welcoming policies for international students, ensuring a seamless path to your doctorate.
#10. Germany
Germany has over the years made a name for itself among the cheapest countries to study for a PhD degree thanks to its economy as one of the highest economies in Europe. Most German universities offer PhD programs without IELTS requirements and PhD students in the STEM and humanities fields are backed with funding such as the DAAD and Helmholtz scholarships. Prospective PhD students seeking to do PhD without the IELTS requirement are welcome as many universities accept the Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate as proof of English proficiency.
Germany boasts a near-perfect graduation rate for PhDs, as the average duration of PhD programs in Germany is approximately 3-4 years which can be extended to a maximum of 6-7 years in rare cases. With over 350,000 international students studying at various levels in Germany, of course, a significant number are doctoral students, it is regarded as one of the top destinations for postgraduate students abroad. Germany is equipped with top-ranking universities globally, with the likes of the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and the University of Siegen offering PhD programs in numerous disciplines with global industry collaborations.
#9. France
France, though the official language is French is another European country with an IELTS exemption for doctoral programs in most of its universities. In a survey by the French Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research, MENESR, at the start of the 2015-16 academic year, there were nearly 75,600 PhD students in France with specialties in Biology, medicine and health, social sciences, human sciences and humanities, and other scientific disciplines with a total of 14,540 PhD degrees awarded in 2014.
French universities such as the Sorbonne University and École Normale Supérieure are globally recognized for their academic excellence, with a strong focus on mentorship and interdisciplinary research. The graduation rates for PhDs in France are high, thanks to the structured support systems provided by French universities. These universities accept the Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate as proof of English proficiency or invite students to a personalized interview with university committees.
In 2024, France’s gross domestic expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) was €63.5 billion, which is about 2.22% of its gross domestic product (GDP), putting it at number five among the 6 largest OECD countries in terms of volume of gross domestic R&D expenditure, ahead of the United Kingdom (1.7%). With this investment in Research and Development (R&D), France offers competitive tuition fees, with public universities charging as little as €1000 and even less per year for PhDs.
#8. Italy
Italy, the home of the Papacy is a country with a blend of academic heritage and cultural richness that creates a holistic environment for academics welcoming over 2000 international PhD students annually. Italian universities like the University of Bologna and Sapienza University of Rome are among the oldest universities in the world, offering high-quality PhD programs that meet current global academic requirements in terms of research and innovations.
Italy is a favored destination for international PhD students due to its academic heritage and affordability. It is best suited for doctoral candidates who wish to study in fields like archaeology, engineering, and biomedical sciences. For PhD students looking for countries to study abroad without IELTS, Italian universities accept MOI certificates or conduct interviews to evaluate English language skills. This makes Italy a top choice for doctoral studies, especially for those looking to avoid IELTS requirements.
#7. Poland
This is another country for those looking for countries to study abroad without IELTS as it has become a hotspot destination for international PhD students seeking affordable yet high-quality PhD programs. In a survey by the Global Student Living Index in 2024, Poland reported an enrollment of over 85,000 international students, drawn by its low living costs, vibrant academic environment, and welcoming policies for international scholars.
Most Polish universities waive IELTS requirements, granting waivers to students from English-speaking countries or English-medium graduates. Others also accept MOI certificates or conduct interviews to determine language proficiency, making the process accessible for international candidates. Universities like Jagiellonian University and the University of Warsaw provide extensive research opportunities in fields such as natural sciences, engineering, and humanities.
Poland is also a member of the European Research Area, allowing students access to international collaborations and funding opportunities while also providing scholarships, such as those offered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), available to ease financial burdens on doctoral candidates.
#6. Spain
Spain has a reputation for welcoming international students with extensive support networks making it a multicultural country. Doctoral students in Spain are not short of weekly entertainment ranging from football matches in La Liga featuring teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, to the second division and many more. With more than 100,000 international students at different study levels, Spain is one of the countries where you can study at any level without necessarily providing the IELTS English proficiency exam score. Some Spanish universities grant waivers to students from English-speaking countries or English-medium graduates while others accept MOI certificates or conduct interviews for international students
Another good thing about doing a doctoral study in Spain is the presence of world-class universities and research facilities equipped for research in different disciplines. This means you do not have to travel out of Spain to complete your doctoral research while in Spain. Universities like the Autonomous University of Madrid ranked #=198 in QS World University Rankings 2025 and the University of Barcelona deliver excellent doctoral programs across diverse fields, from renewable energy to humanities. So, you are not short of options for where to do your doctoral studies in Spain.
#5. The Netherlands
Known for its innovative research and teaching methods, the Netherlands attracts over 10,000 international students yearly, with many enrolling in doctoral programs at institutions like the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University. Dutch universities consistently rank among the best globally and some of these universities do not compel students to provide IELTS English proficiency test scores before they are admitted to study in the Netherlands. With just the Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, you can be admitted to a PhD program in most of the top Dutch Universities that offer exemptions for IELTS.
Doctoral programs in Holland are offered mainly by organizations outside of the universities. These organizations have contracts with the universities that have the prerogative to grant doctorate degrees. Candidates complete their studies at the organization, where they are also taught and supervised. The exact procedure and requirements of the doctorate program, like the language in which the thesis must be written or the duration of the program, depend on the rules and regulations of the organization in question.
#4. Ireland
With a strong focus on research and innovation, Ireland has built a reputation as a growing hub for research excellence. Ireland invests heavily in research and development, allocating over €3 billion annually to fields like information technology, biotechnology, and social sciences. The country’s academic infrastructure includes world-class research centers, providing students with opportunities to engage in remarkable research projects that have transformed Ireland economically over the years. Tuition fees for PhD programs vary, from €4,000 to €9,000 annually, but generous scholarships such as the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Program ease the financial burden for many candidates.
International PhD students have made Ireland a center of attraction due to the high graduation rate for PhD programs compared to other European countries and the strong post-PhD employment opportunities. Studying in Ireland without IELTS is possible because Ireland is a part of Great Britain and also an English-speaking country. It allows international students from English-speaking countries or English-medium graduates to study without presenting an IELTS certificate.
With over 35,000 international students currently studying in Ireland, the country offers a welcoming and multicultural environment. Ireland’s strong ties to global industries and a thriving academic community make it an excellent choice for PhD candidates seeking high-quality education without the IELTS requirement.
#3. Norway
Are you looking for a country where PhD program is free? Then Norway is a sure plug. Norway, a leader in higher education, offers free PhD programs to both domestic and international students. Universities like the University of Oslo and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology provide world-class research opportunities across various disciplines. With over 25,000 international students, Norway has become a hub for global academic talent.
IELTS is not mandatory for students who can demonstrate previous English-medium education or pass an institutional assessment. Doctoral candidates receive financial support through PhD stipends or funded research positions, effectively treating PhDs as paid positions. Norway’s high standard of living, combined with its strong emphasis on sustainability and research, makes it an excellent choice for ambitious scholars.
With its serene landscapes, location in Europe bordering Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, and supportive academic environment, Norway offers a unique blend of academic rigor and quality of life. International students benefit from comprehensive integration services, ensuring a seamless transition into the country’s educational and social systems.
#2. Australia
Australia is home to over 400,000 international students, making it one of the most popular study destinations globally for postgraduate studies. Universities like Macquarie University and the University of Melbourne are renowned for their cutting-edge research and high-quality PhD programs. Australia’s scientific research ecosystem is supported by significant government funding, particularly in fields like health sciences, engineering, and environmental studies. PhD candidates often receive financial aid through scholarships such as the Australia Awards and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships.
PhD programs in Australia usually take three to four years, with many universities accepting MOI certificates or conducting interviews as alternatives to IELTS. Beyond academics, Australia offers a high quality of life, with vibrant cities and natural wonders complementing its educational offerings.
#1. USA
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he United States hosts over 1 million international students, with many pursuing doctoral studies at prestigious institutions like Harvard University MIT, and Stanford University. These universities set benchmarks for education and research, offering doctoral programs across virtually every discipline. American PhD programs are globally recognized for their innovation, funding opportunities, and interdisciplinary approach. The quality of education and the high graduation rates of its programs make the USA a dream destination for researchers.
IELTS is not always required and is frequently waived for students with MOI certificates, and other proofs of English proficiency, or they are offered conditional admissions with English language support. This ensures accessibility for international candidates. Although tuition fees can be high, averaging around $20,000 to $40,000 annually, there are some cheap universities for doctoral programs in the USA and most PhD students receive full funding through assistantships or fellowships.
With many universities in different countries offering PhD without IELTS, it is not just possible but also practical to do a PhD without IELTS anywhere in the world today. All you need is to provide a valid IELTS English proficiency alternative and every other academic document requirement that is acceptable by your choice institution in the country you wish to study.
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