Top 10 Scholarships With No Application Fee (IELTS Not Always Required)

Paying to apply for a scholarship should never be necessary - every legitimate government-funded program on this list charges zero application fee. What trips most students up is the second part of the search: IELTS. Many international scholarships genuinely do not enforce a fixed IELTS score at the scholarship level, even though the host university may still ask for proof of English ability later in the process. Understanding that distinction is the key to applying with confidence instead of getting rejected at the paperwork stage.

This guide walks through ten verified, fully-funded scholarships - covering Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD study - where you won't pay a cent to apply, and where an IELTS certificate is either optional, replaceable, or not centrally required. Where a program does expect a language test, that's flagged clearly so you're not caught off guard.

You may also want to check our guide on Scholarships in Norway Without IELTS or Study in Finland Without IELTS if Nordic Europe is on your list.

 

How to Get Admitted Without an IELTS Score

Skipping IELTS doesn't mean skipping proof of English ability altogether - it means using an accepted alternative. The most common routes are:

1. A Medium-of-Instruction (MOI) letter / English Proficiency Certificate from your previous school or university confirming that your degree was taught entirely in English.
2. Coming from an English-majority country, where many institutions waive the test automatically.
3. An admissions interview, which some universities use instead of a standardized score.
4. Alternative tests such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test, which are frequently accepted in place of IELTS.
5. A strong academic transcript and statement of purpose, which can sometimes offset a missing language certificate for merit-based awards.

Even so, always confirm directly with your target university's international admissions office, since requirements can vary by department and by intake year. If you're building your application documents, our Europass CV Guide is a useful next stop.

 

List: Top 10 Scholarships With No Application Fee

1. Japan MEXT Scholarship

The Japanese government's MEXT Scholarship is one of the most established fully-funded programs in Asia. There is no application fee at any stage - from the embassy recommendation to the university-recommended route. English proficiency requirements depend on the track: students applying through the embassy route typically do not need a fixed IELTS score, while some university-recommended, English-taught programs may ask for TOEFL or IELTS depending on the host institution.

1. Degree Programs: Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral, Research Student (non-degree), Teacher Training, College of Technology, Specialized Training College, and the Young Leaders Program.
2. Yearly Deadline: The embassy-recommended route typically opens in April and closes between May and June, depending on your country's Japanese embassy. University-recommended deadlines are set individually by each institution, generally between October and December for the following academic year. Always confirm exact dates with your local embassy, since they vary annually by country.
3. Benefits: 100% tuition waiver; a monthly stipend (roughly ¥117,000-145,000 depending on study level); round-trip international airfare; no repayment obligation.
4. Tip: Apply through the embassy route first if you're not yet enrolled anywhere - unlike the university-recommended route, it doesn't require a prior university acceptance letter.

Apply through your local Japanese Embassy or the official Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) portal: studyinjapan.go.jp

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2. Türkiye Bursları Scholarship

Türkiye Bursları is one of the largest government scholarship programs in the world, awarding around 5,000 places annually. There is no application fee, and IELTS or TOEFL is not mandatory for the central application - the Türkiye Bursları system itself does not require a language certificate, though a specific university or program may ask for one during placement.

1. Degree Programs: Associate degree, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD, plus complementary language/research programs.
2. Yearly Deadline: Applications open around January 10 and close on February 20 each year.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly stipend (amount varies by degree level); free dormitory accommodation; one full year of Turkish-language preparation; health insurance; a return flight ticket.
4. Tip: You can list up to 12 program/university preferences on a single application - spread your choices across a realistic mix of universities rather than only the most competitive ones to improve your placement odds.

Apply here: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr OR Read Full Guide on Turkey Scholarships  OR Want to know how to apply? Read Turkiye Burslari Scholarship Guide

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3. Azerbaijan Government Scholarship (Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant)

This scholarship, established by presidential decree, funds Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, and Medical Residency studies at Azerbaijani universities for citizens of OIC and NAM member states. There is genuinely no application fee at either stage of the process. English proficiency (IELTS 5.0 for undergraduate, 5.5 for postgraduate) is only required for English-taught programs - if your previous education was already conducted in English, or you choose an Azerbaijani, Turkish, or Russian-taught program, a language certificate isn't necessary.

1. Degree Programs: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Medical Residency, and preparatory language courses.
2. Yearly Deadline: A two-stage process - nomination through your home country's government authority runs roughly mid-February to mid-April, followed by the SIACAS online application window in late May to early June.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly allowance of 800 AZN (10 months a year); annual round-trip flights; a yearly medical allowance of 200 AZN; visa and residence permit support.
4. Tip: You cannot apply to SIACAS directly - start by contacting your country's Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Azerbaijani Embassy several months in advance to secure nomination for Stage 1.

Apply via the official SIACAS portal: portal.edu.az

4. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

Funded by the Hungarian government, Stipendium Hungaricum supports studies at Hungarian universities with zero application fee. Language requirements are set by each host university rather than by a single centralized IELTS rule, so many programs accept a Medium-of-Instruction letter or an internal English assessment instead of a formal test score.

1. Degree Programs: Bachelor's, Master's, one-tier Master's, Doctoral, non-degree, and postgraduate specialist training courses.
2. Yearly Deadline: Applications open in November and close on January 15 each year.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly stipend; free dormitory accommodation or a housing contribution; health insurance; access to roughly 900 study programs across some 30 Hungarian universities.
4. Tip: You must be nominated by a "Sending Partner" in your home country (often a Ministry of Education). Confirm your own country's internal nomination deadline - it's often earlier than the January 15 Stipendium Hungaricum deadline.

Apply here: stipendiumhungaricum.hu, You can check more Hungary Scholarships List

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5. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) coordinates fully-funded places at more than 200 partner universities. There is no application fee for the CSC scholarship itself. If you choose a Chinese-taught program, an HSK (Chinese proficiency) certificate is generally required instead of IELTS; for English-taught programs, some universities accept a Medium-of-Instruction letter in place of a formal English test.

1. Degree Programs: Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, plus non-degree General Scholar and Senior Scholar research tracks.
2. Yearly Deadline: Varies by application route - Type A (through your home country's Chinese embassy) deadlines generally fall between January and April; Type B (direct university application) deadlines are usually earlier, from December through March, with top universities closing first.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly stipend (roughly ¥2,500 - 3,500 depending on level); free or subsidized accommodation; comprehensive medical insurance.
4. Tip: Contact your target professor or department directly for a Pre-Admission Letter before applying - many Chinese universities prioritize CSC applicants who already have informal supervisor agreement.

Apply through your chosen university or the official CSC portal: campuschina.org, also read full guide on - Chinese Government Scholarship Process

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6. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

The MIS is a postgraduate-only award at 24 participating Malaysian public and private universities. It carries no application fee, and applicants who completed their previous degree entirely in English can apply without submitting an IELTS score - an official letter confirming English-medium study is accepted instead.

1. Degree Programs: Master's and PhD only.
2. Yearly Deadline: Opens annually around February; the closing date has fallen anywhere between April and July in recent cycles, so confirm the exact date on the official MOHE portal each year.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500; access to 24 participating universities (20 public, 4 private).
4. Tip: Apply for MIS funding before applying to a specific university - Malaysian universities charge their own admission processing fees, so securing the scholarship first can save you that cost.

Apply here: biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

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7. KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship

The Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship, funded by Indonesia's Ministry of Education, supports study at Indonesian universities. There is no application fee. Language requirements depend on the track: Indonesian-taught programs don't require an English test at all, while English-taught options may ask for supporting proof of proficiency rather than a fixed IELTS score.

1. Degree Programs: Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD.
2. Yearly Deadline: Opens in early February and closes on March 31 each year.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly living allowance; a one-time settlement allowance on arrival; return international airfare; a mandatory one-year Indonesian language course (BIPA); health insurance.
4. Tip: Secure your Letter of Acceptance (LoA) and your Indonesian Embassy recommendation letter early - both are mandatory documents that commonly take several weeks to arrange.

Apply here: knb.kemdikbud.go.id

8. UK Chevening Scholarship

Chevening funds one-year taught Master's degrees in the UK for early- and mid-career professionals. Since 2020, Chevening has removed its own standalone English-language requirement - you do not need to submit an IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE score as part of the Chevening application itself, and there is no application fee. The important caveat: you must still secure an unconditional offer from a UK university, and that university's own English-language requirement (often IELTS-based) still applies at the admissions stage.

1. Degree Programs: One-year taught Master's degrees only (Chevening does not fund PhDs or research-based programs, and MBA eligibility is capped at a higher tuition limit).
2. Yearly Deadline: Opens in early August and closes in early October each year (the 2026 cycle opened August 4 and closed October 6).
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; a monthly stipend; economy return airfare; arrival and departure allowances; additional grants toward a thesis or major assignment.
4. Tip: Secure your three unconditional UK university offers before the Chevening deadline - without one, you cannot receive funding even if your Chevening application itself is approved.

Apply here: chevening.org, Or you can read full guide on Chevening Scholarship, for apply guidelines you might be interested to read How to prepare Chevening Scholarship Application

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9. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS-D)

Note: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship was formally discontinued after its final competition in 2025. It has been folded into the new, harmonized Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS-D), jointly administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC - which, for the first time, is open to international students. There is no fee to apply, and the program itself does not set a centralized IELTS requirement - but since CGRS-D only funds students already enrolled in a Canadian doctoral program, the nominating university's own admission requirements (which often include IELTS or TOEFL) apply before you can be considered.

1. Degree Programs: PhD only (including joint programs such as MD/PhD, JD/PhD, DVM/PhD, and MA/PhD).
2. Yearly Deadline: Set by each university's internal deadline, generally between August and October, ahead of the national agency deadline in mid-to-late October each year.
3. Benefits: CAD $40,000 per year for up to three years; up to 20% of awards may be held at an eligible institution abroad for qualifying candidates.
4. Tip: International applicants must already be registered in a Canadian doctoral program at the time of application - this scholarship funds your ongoing PhD, not your initial move to Canada.

Apply through your Canadian university's graduate school office, or see the official program page: nserc-crsng.canada.ca

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10. Australia Awards Scholarship

Funded by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia Awards supports study for students from eligible developing countries across the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. There is no application fee. Unlike most entries on this list, Australia Awards does require documented English proficiency - typically an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0), or an equivalent TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic score - as a core DFAT eligibility rule, not something individual universities can waive.

1. Degree Programs: Undergraduate and postgraduate (Master's, PhD) - exact levels offered vary by participating country.
2. Yearly Deadline: No single universal date - each participating country's Australian High Commission or Embassy sets its own annual window, generally opening between February and April. Check your specific country's Australia Awards page for exact dates.
3. Benefits: Full tuition waiver; return economy airfare; a one-off establishment allowance; a fortnightly living stipend; Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC); pre-departure and in-country academic support programs.
4. Tip: Because a qualifying English test score is a firm DFAT requirement here (unlike most of this list), sit your IELTS or PTE Academic test well before your country's application window opens - this is the one scholarship on this list you should not leave until the last minute.

Apply here: dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards or check full guideline on Australia Awards Scholarships program!

 

Degree Programs and Additional Information

Between these ten scholarships, funding is available across every major academic stage:

1. Undergraduate/Bachelor's: Japan MEXT, Türkiye Bursları, Azerbaijan, Hungary, China CSC, Indonesia KNB, Australia Awards
2. Master's: All ten scholarships listed above
3. PhD/Doctoral: Japan MEXT, Türkiye Bursları, Azerbaijan, Hungary, China CSC, Malaysia MIS, Indonesia KNB, Vanier Canada, Australia Awards
4. Medical Residency: Azerbaijan Government Scholarship

Most of these programs are renewable annually for the full duration of the degree, provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress, so it's worth checking each host country's specific renewal conditions before you commit to a program.

Key Benefits of These Scholarships

While the exact package varies by country, applicants on this list can generally expect a combination of:

1. 100% tuition fee waiver
2. Monthly living stipend or allowance
3. Free or subsidized accommodation
4. Return international airfare
5. Health/medical insurance coverage
6. Pre-departure language or orientation courses (Japanese, Turkish, or the host language)

Because these are all bilateral or government-run programs rather than individual university awards, competition is high - a well-prepared Statement of Purpose and strong academic transcripts matter more here than a single test score. If you're also exploring options in North America, our guide to the 10 Best American Scholarships and DAAD Scholarship in Germany cover additional fee-free routes worth comparing.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

1. Start months in advance. Several of these scholarships require a nomination step (an embassy, a ministry, a "Sending Partner") that has its own internal deadline - often earlier than the scholarship's published date.
2. Prepare your English-proficiency alternative early. If you're relying on a Medium-of-Instruction letter instead of IELTS, request it from your previous university well before applications open, since institutional paperwork can take weeks.
3. Track two calendars for two-stage programs. Azerbaijan and CGRS-D, for example, both involve a nomination stage and a separate online-application stage - missing either one disqualifies you.
4. Tailor your Statement of Purpose to each program, rather than reusing one generic version - selection committees can tell the difference.
5. Apply for scholarship funding before university admission where the process allows it (Malaysia's MIS, for instance) to avoid paying a university application fee you may not need.
6. Never pay a third party or "agent" for guaranteed placement. None of the ten programs above charge an application fee, and no legitimate scholarship body sells guaranteed acceptance.