Three fully funded 2027 awards will accept a certificate instead of an IELTS score. The certificate has to say the right thing, come from the right office, and reach the right portal before the deadline. Here is the short version.
| Scholarship | Country | What replaces IELTS | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAIST International Graduate Scholarship | South Korea | English-medium instruction certificate for a degree taught in English | 15 Dec 2026 |
| MEXT Scholarship | Japan | University letter or official transcript showing English-medium instruction | October 2027 embassy round |
| DSU Regional Scholarship | Italy | Self-declaration or university letter confirming an English-taught degree | Usually August–September 2027 |
What the certificate must prove
It is not a note from a friend. The paper needs three facts: your name, the degree you completed, and a clear statement that the language of instruction and assessment was English. Ask your registrar for the exact phrase "medium of instruction was English" and have it stamped and signed.
Step 1: Request it early
Registrar offices slow down around exams and summer. Ask for two signed copies now, then scan both. KAIST and MEXT accept a scanned copy at application stage, but Italy's DSU offices often ask for a legalised or apostilled version later.
Step 2: Match the wording to the award
KAIST wants the certificate to cover the degree that qualifies you for the programme. MEXT usually wants the letter on university letterhead. DSU accepts a self-declaration in some regions, but a university letter is safer. Read the English requirement on the provider's own page before you send anything.
Step 3: Submit the waiver with the application
Do not wait for an admission offer before proving your English. Upload the certificate in the English-proficiency section, and keep the original for enrolment. If the portal asks for a test score, write "waiver requested — certificate attached" in the notes field and email admissions with the file.
Check what you qualify for
An EMI certificate is only one part of the file. Your degree level, CGPA, field and nationality decide whether the award is realistic. Build your ScholarMatch profile and the matching engine will score these three awards against your record before you spend weeks on the forms.