If a scholarship or university asks for proof of English proficiency and you don’t have an IELTS or TOEFL score, you may not need one. An English Proficiency Certificate — a letter from your previous school or university confirming that your education was conducted entirely in English — is accepted by many universities and scholarship programs as a direct substitute. Here’s exactly what it is, how to request one, a real sample letter you can adapt, and which current scholarships actually accept it.
What Is an English Proficiency Certificate?
An English Proficiency Certificate (sometimes called a Medium of Instruction letter, or MOI letter) is an official document, issued by your previous school or university, stating that:
- The language of instruction for your degree program was English
- You completed your coursework, exams, and assessments in English
- You therefore have demonstrated English proficiency through your academic record, not a separate standardized test
Universities and scholarship committees accept it in place of IELTS or TOEFL because your entire degree already serves as evidence of your English ability — sitting a separate test would be redundant for genuinely English-medium graduates.
Who Actually Qualifies for This?
This works if your most recent degree (or the specific level of education a program requires proof for) was taught entirely in English. It generally does not apply if:
- Your degree was taught in a language other than English, even if some individual courses were in English
- You’re applying to a program taught in a language other than English (a French-taught program in Belgium, for example, wouldn’t accept an English MOI letter as proof of French proficiency)
- The specific scholarship or university explicitly requires a standardized test regardless of your prior language of instruction — some do, so always check first
How to Request an English Proficiency Certificate
- Identify who can issue it. This is usually your Dean, Head of Department, Registrar, or International Office — check your institution’s specific process, since it varies.
- Ask if a template already exists. Many universities, especially ones that regularly send graduates abroad, already have a standard MOI letter template. Ask before drafting your own request from scratch.
- Provide the specifics the letter needs to include (see the sample below) — your full name, degree program, dates of study, and a clear statement that instruction was in English.
- Get it on official letterhead, signed by an authorized staff member, ideally with the institution’s stamp or seal.
- Request more than one copy, or ask whether digital reissuance is possible — you may need this letter for multiple applications over time.
Processing time varies by institution — some issue these within a day, others take several weeks, so request yours well before any application deadline.
Sample English Proficiency Certificate Letter
Use this as a starting template — adapt it to your institution’s own format and letterhead requirements:
[Institution Letterhead]
Date: [Date]
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that [Full Name], who was enrolled at [Institution Name] from [Start Date] to [End Date] for the [Degree Name, e.g., “Bachelor of Science in Computer Science”] program, completed the entirety of their coursework, examinations, and academic assessments in the English language.
The medium of instruction for this program at [Institution Name] is English, and all lectures, textbooks, examinations, and written assignments were conducted in English throughout the student’s period of study.
This certificate is issued at the request of the student for the purpose of demonstrating English language proficiency for university admission and/or scholarship application purposes.
Sincerely, [Name of Signatory] [Title/Position] [Institution Name] [Official Seal/Stamp] [Contact Information]
If your institution has its own required format, use theirs — this template is a fallback for institutions that don’t already have one.
Current Scholarships That Accept an English Proficiency Certificate
These are programs we’ve directly verified accept an EPC or equivalent alternative to IELTS/TOEFL, at least for some tracks:
- MEXT (Japanese Government Scholarship) — embassies conduct their own English/Japanese written exam rather than requiring a submitted IELTS or TOEFL score: MEXT Scholarship Guide
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at East China University of Science and Technology — accepts an English Proficiency Certificate for English-taught programs in place of IELTS/TOEFL: ECUST CSC Scholarship
- Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) — some Hungarian universities accept a certificate confirming prior English-medium education instead of a formal test score, though this varies by specific program: Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
Always confirm current requirements directly with your specific program — acceptance of an EPC can vary by university, department, and even individual degree track within the same institution.
Countries and Regions Where This Is Commonly Accepted
Based on programs verified across our guides, English Proficiency Certificates or similar alternatives are accepted by at least some universities or scholarship tracks in:
- Japan
- China
- Hungary
- Several other European countries, particularly for programs specifically seeking applicants from English-medium education systems
This list reflects programs we’ve directly verified — it isn’t exhaustive. Universities in many other countries accept similar alternatives on a program-by-program basis, so always check your specific target program’s official requirements rather than assuming based on country alone.
What If Your Institution Won’t Issue One?
Some institutions, particularly ones less accustomed to international applications, may not have a standard process for this. If that happens:
- Ask your Registrar’s office directly whether they can issue an official letter, even without a template — most can if given a clear, specific request
- If your institution genuinely cannot help, you’ll likely need to sit IELTS, TOEFL, or another accepted test instead
- Some scholarship programs also accept a signed statement from the applicant themselves, sometimes alongside supporting transcript evidence — check your specific program’s rules, since this is far less commonly accepted than an institutional letter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an English Proficiency Certificate the same as IELTS or TOEFL? No. It’s a letter from your previous institution confirming your education was conducted in English, used as an alternative to a standardized test score, not a test itself.
Who should sign my English Proficiency Certificate? Typically your Dean, Head of Department, Registrar, or International Office — check your specific institution’s process, since the appropriate signatory varies.
Does every university accept an English Proficiency Certificate instead of IELTS? No. Acceptance varies by university, program, and even specific degree track. Always confirm directly with your target program rather than assuming.
Can I write my own English Proficiency Certificate? No. It must be issued and signed by an authorized official at your institution, ideally on official letterhead with a stamp or seal. A self-written statement generally isn’t accepted as a substitute.
How long does it take to get an English Proficiency Certificate? It varies by institution — some issue it within a day, others take several weeks. Request yours well ahead of any application deadline.
What if my degree was only partly taught in English? Most institutions won’t issue an English Proficiency Certificate for a program that wasn’t taught entirely in English. If only some courses were in English, you’ll likely need to take a standardized test instead.
Can I use one English Proficiency Certificate for multiple scholarship applications? Yes, generally. Request multiple copies, or confirm with your institution whether they can reissue it if needed for future applications.
Is an English Proficiency Certificate the same as a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter? Yes, these terms are generally used interchangeably to describe the same type of document.
Related Reading
For help with other common scholarship application documents, see our guides to writing a strong recommendation letter and crafting your personal statement.: Recommendation Letter for Scholarship, Personal Statement for Scholarship / SOP Examples, TOEFL