You can apply to some European universities without IELTS, but “without IELTS” almost always means another English proof. The usual one is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your own university, stating that your degree was taught in English. It works only where the university or programme says so.
The visa is a second check. Some embassies ask for language proof even when the university accepted your MOI letter, so get both answers in writing before you pay any fee. This guide names universities that publish their rule, then gives the costs.
Amounts are in each country’s currency because the rupee rate changes every day. Multiply by your bank’s rate on the day you pay to get the rupee cost.
Can You Study in Europe Without IELTS?
A university can accept one of four things in place of IELTS: a MOI letter, a transcript that shows English as the teaching language, another test such as TOEFL or the Oxford Test of English, or a degree from an English-speaking country. Each university picks its own list, and a single university can differ by programme.
Treat any agent claim of “no English proof at all” with suspicion. For the universities below, the English proof is still there, just not IELTS.
Universities that publish an MOI rule
These are the pages I could read. Check the page for your own programme, because rules change by faculty and by year.
- Technical University of Munich (TUM): TUM accepts earlier instruction in English if English was the language of instruction for at least 50% of your bachelor’s or master’s programme. You submit the transcript or degree certificate, or an official confirmation from your university if those do not state the language.
- University of Bonn: Bonn exempts applicants whose secondary school or completed bachelor’s was taught in English. It asks for official confirmation from that school or university.
- TU Dresden, Tropical Forestry and Management master’s: this programme lists a “Certificate of English language as medium of instruction during your bachelors education” next to TOEFL and IELTS. It must come from your university, signed and stamped with the official seal.
- University of Bologna, Italian Studies master’s: Bologna lets you meet the B2 requirement with a bachelor’s or master’s degree taught in English. This page covers one programme only.
Universities that do not accept MOI for some programmes
Do not assume a letter works everywhere. The University of Stuttgart WAREM master’s page says “English as a medium of instruction is not accepted” and asks for a test such as IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or the Oxford Test of English at Advanced level.
RWTH Aachen’s International Academy page exempts only applicants with a school-leaving certificate or first degree in English from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the US. A degree from a Pakistani university taught in English is not on that list.
What a valid MOI letter contains
Universities describe the same basics. The letter comes from your own university on its letterhead, is signed, carries the official seal, and states that the language of instruction for your named degree was English. TU Dresden asks for signature, affiliation and the seal. TUM accepts the transcript if it already names the language.
Ask your university for the letter before you apply, and send it to the programme’s admissions office to confirm it is in the form they want.
Will the Embassy Still Ask for IELTS?
The embassy follows its own rules. The German embassy page I read (the Nairobi mission) says you need proof of German or English skills, usually at B2 level. You can skip it if the German university already tested your language during admission and the admission letter says so explicitly.
The visa is a separate check. The Italian embassy in Islamabad’s study visa checklist for 2026/27 asks for B2 in the language of the programme. For English-taught courses it wants a certificate from a recognised body, such as IELTS or TOEFL, or an equivalent certificate from an Italian university that covers all four skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. A letter saying your degree was taught in English is not on that list. So even when the university waives IELTS, ask the embassy (or the Karachi consulate, if you live in its area) whether your proof will do before you book an appointment.
The UK is the same idea. GOV.UK says a university can assess your English itself for degree-level study, but the standard must match B2. A non-UK degree taught in English can be proved through an Ecctis assessment. See the country comparison for the UK visa funds.
How Much Does Studying in Germany, Italy or France Cost?
The full figures for all three countries, with the official page for each, are in the country comparison. In short:
- Germany: most state universities charge no tuition, but the visa needs €11,904 for one year in a blocked account opened before you apply.
- Italy: the Islamabad embassy asks for €10,179.85 a year in the student’s name, and you must pre-register on the Universitaly portal first. Bologna’s reduced fee for non-OECD citizens starts at €1,000 plus €157.04.
- France: public-university tuition for non-EU students is €2,902 for a licence and €3,950 for a master’s, and Campus France Pakistan interviews you before the visa section decides.
One cost the comparison does not cover is Italy’s DSU (“diritto allo studio”), the regional right-to-study scholarship. Each region runs its own call. EDISU Piemonte’s 2026/27 call used a university ISEE ceiling of €26,306.25, and its window has closed, so check the next call. Families outside Italy must prove income the way the call asks, so read it before you count on the money.
Before you pay any application fee
- Open the programme’s admission page and find the English requirement for your degree.
- Email admissions with your degree name and ask if a MOI letter is accepted. Keep the reply.
- Check the embassy or consulate page for the language proof it wants with the visa.
- Price the funds in euros: blocked account, bank certificate or monthly statement.
- If either answer is no, decide between TOEFL, the Oxford Test of English or IELTS, using the university’s list.
For the cost of card payments and sending money abroad, read the country comparison. It explains the 236Y tax on card payments abroad, now 0.5%.
Common questions
Is a MOI letter the same as IELTS?
No. It is proof that your degree was taught in English. A university decides whether it counts, and some programmes refuse it.
Do I need IELTS for the German visa?
Not always. The German embassy page I read says you can skip language proof if your admission letter states the university tested your language. Check with the embassy that handles your application.
Does Italy ask for IELTS?
For the visa, usually yes. The Islamabad embassy’s checklist asks for B2 from a recognised body such as IELTS or TOEFL, or an equivalent Italian university certificate covering all four skills. Some universities accept an English-taught degree for admission, but the embassy’s list does not include it, so ask the embassy before you rely on it.
Can I use a MOI letter for the UK?
For a degree-level course, GOV.UK says the university can assess your English itself. A non-UK degree taught in English can be proved with an Ecctis assessment.
What if only part of my degree was in English?
It depends on the university. TUM asks for English in at least 50% of the programme. Other universities set their own share, so ask admissions in writing.