Europe rarely advertises a scholarship as "no IELTS". The award page points to the host programme, and the programme decides which English proof it accepts. A stamped English-medium instruction (EMI) letter or an institutional language certificate can replace a test score at many universities.
| Scholarship | Country | What you get | English proof | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETH Zürich Excellence Scholarship | Switzerland | Full tuition waiver + CHF 12,000/semester | Programme sets C1; an EMI letter is accepted by many ETH master's programmes | 30 Nov 2026 |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | France | €1,181–€1,800/month + travel and insurance | Host institution sets the rule; an EMI letter or internal test can replace IELTS | 6 Jan 2027 |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | United Kingdom | Full fees + £20,000/year stipend | Cambridge usually asks for IELTS or TOEFL; waivers are case-by-case | 6 Jan 2027 |
| Swiss Government Excellence (ESKAS) | Switzerland | CHF 2,450/month + insurance and travel benefits | Supervisor and programme decide; an English research plan is normal | 30 Nov 2026 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | Full tuition + about €1,400/month | Each consortium sets its own rule; EMI letters are often accepted | January 2027, consortium-dependent |
What "without IELTS" actually means
It means the university accepts a different document, not no English evidence. The strongest substitute is an EMI certificate: a signed, stamped letter on university letterhead that names your degree and states that the language of instruction and assessment was English.
The three documents that work
- EMI certificate from your registrar, using the exact phrase "medium of instruction was English".
- Official transcript showing English-medium modules, only when the programme accepts transcripts.
- Institutional language test or an interview, offered by some programmes.
Gates Cambridge is the exception. Cambridge sets English requirements centrally, so plan for IELTS or TOEFL unless your department confirms a waiver in writing.
Sequence the applications
Start with ETH and ESKAS because both close on 30 November 2026. Eiffel and Gates follow in early January. Erasmus Mundus consortia publish their own windows, usually between December and January, so check each consortium's page.
Check your eligibility before you write
An EMI letter does not fix a low CGPA or a missing research proposal. Build your ScholarMatch profile to see which awards match your degree level and field, then read the full no-IELTS guide for the wording your registrar should use. Browse every 2027 scholarship before you commit to a shortlist.