Finding the right scholarship can already be challenging. The search becomes even narrower when you are also looking for opportunities that do not specifically require an IELTS certificate at the scholarship application stage.

The important point is that “IELTS not required” does not always mean “no English-language requirement.” A scholarship provider may not require IELTS, while the university or institution you eventually join may still ask for evidence of English proficiency.

The five opportunities below are currently open to eligible international applicants and have different approaches to English-language requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Chevening does not require IELTS for the scholarship application, although your chosen UK university may have its own English-language requirements.
• Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships do not require IELTS at the CSC application stage, but university admission requirements remain separate.
• Honjo International Scholarship does not specifically require IELTS, although applicants must be able to communicate in basic Japanese.
• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships do not have one universal IELTS requirement; language expectations depend on the scholarship type, host institution and research environment.
• Always check scholarship requirements and university admission requirements separately.

1. Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 – United Kingdom

Chevening is the UK Government’s international scholarship programme for emerging leaders from eligible countries and territories.

Applications for the 2027/28 cycle are currently open until 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

IELTS Situation

Chevening itself does not require IELTS. Its separate English-language requirement was removed in 2020.

However, applicants must still meet the admission requirements of their selected UK universities and eventually secure an unconditional offer from an eligible course.

A university may therefore require IELTS, another recognised English-language test or alternative evidence of proficiency.

Best For

Graduates from eligible Chevening countries seeking a fully funded one-year Master’s degree in the UK with a strong focus on leadership, networking and future impact.

Official Link:
https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/

2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 – United Kingdom

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship supports students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to undertake a full-time taught Master’s degree in the UK.

Applications for the 2027/28 cycle close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.

IELTS Situation

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not require IELTS or another English-language certificate to apply for a CSC scholarship.

However, individual UK universities may have their own English-language admission requirements. Applicants should therefore check the scholarship requirements and their chosen university’s requirements separately.

Funding

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships generally include:

• Approved tuition fees
• Return airfare
• Monthly living allowance
• Approved study-related support
• Additional allowances in certain circumstances

Official Link:
https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

3. Commonwealth PhD Scholarship 2027/28 – United Kingdom

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship supports eligible graduates who want to undertake doctoral research at a UK university, particularly where the proposed research contributes to sustainable development.

Applications for the 2027/28 cycle close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.

IELTS Situation

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not require applicants to submit IELTS as part of the CSC scholarship application.

However, the selected UK university may still require evidence of English-language proficiency for admission.

Who Should Consider It?

This scholarship is particularly relevant for applicants with:

• A strong academic background
• A clearly developed research proposal
• Relevant academic or research preparation
• Research goals connected to development priorities

Official Link:
https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-vulnerable-states/

4. Honjo International Scholarship 2027 – Japan

The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation supports international students who are studying or planning to study for a Master’s or doctoral degree at a graduate school in Japan.

The scholarship is open to non-Japanese citizens of all nationalities. The 2027 application period runs from 1 September to 31 October 2026.

Scholarship Amount

The monthly stipend depends on the duration of the degree:

• ¥230,000 per month for a 1–2 year degree
• ¥210,000 per month for a 3-year degree
• ¥180,000 per month for programmes lasting longer than three years

IELTS Situation

IELTS is not listed as a compulsory scholarship requirement. However, applicants should pay attention to an important language condition: candidates are expected to be able to conduct basic communication in Japanese.

The scholarship interview is also conducted in Japanese. Applicants should therefore be able to introduce themselves and explain their research in simple Japanese.

Official Link:
https://www.hisf.or.jp/en/scholarship/foreigner/

5. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 – Switzerland

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are offered by the Swiss Confederation to promote international research and academic cooperation.

The programme is available to applicants from more than 180 countries, although available scholarship categories and deadlines vary by country. For 2027/28, the programme primarily supports early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree.

Available routes can include:

• Research Fellowships
• PhD Scholarships
• Postdoctoral opportunities where applicable
• Art scholarships for applicants from selected countries

The standard research scholarship amount is CHF 2,450 per month.

IELTS Situation

There is no single universal IELTS requirement for all Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship applicants.

Language expectations depend on:

• The scholarship category
• Proposed Swiss institution
• Research environment
• Academic supervisor
• Requirements of the chosen programme

Research applicants normally also need support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

Official Link:
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships

Quick Comparison

What Does “Scholarship Without IELTS” Really Mean?

This is where many applicants get confused. There are usually three different situations:

• The scholarship provider does not require IELTS, but the university does.
• The university accepts alternative evidence, such as previous education in English, another recognised test or an institutional assessment.
• The programme has a different language expectation altogether, such as Honjo’s Japanese communication requirement.

That is why applicants should never rely only on a social-media claim saying “No IELTS.” First check the scholarship requirements. Then check the university or host institution requirements separately.

Which One Might Suit You?

• If you are looking for a taught Master’s degree in the UK, Chevening and the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are strong options for applicants from eligible countries.
• If your goal is doctoral research in the UK, the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship may be more appropriate.
• For Master’s or PhD study in Japan, Honjo International Scholarship can be valuable if you meet its graduate-school, age and Japanese communication requirements.
• If you already hold a Master’s degree and want to pursue advanced research in Switzerland, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship may be worth exploring.

The best scholarship depends on your nationality, academic level, field, experience and programme eligibility — not IELTS alone.

Final Thoughts

There are genuine scholarship opportunities where IELTS is not specifically required at the scholarship application stage, but applicants should understand what that actually means.

Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission do not require IELTS for their scholarship applications. Honjo does not list IELTS as a compulsory requirement but expects basic Japanese communication. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships operate according to the requirements of the scholarship category and host institution.

Always check both the scholarship rules and the university or institution requirements before applying.