By persmind team Scholarships to Study Medicine Without IELTS 2025
Last updated: 23 October 2025
If your dream is to study medicine at a reputable university but the IELTS test is standing in your way, there are realistic pathways you can benefit from. Today, some universities and funded programs (fully or partially) offer recognized alternatives to IELTS, such as TOEFL, Duolingo, or PTE, or even a language exemption for those who can prove that their previous studies were in English (Letter of Medium of Instruction). This opens the door for ambitious medical students to apply for highly competitive scholarships in different countries, with clear academic requirements and selection criteria that focus on merit and a holistic profile.
In this guide, we will explain how to find medical scholarships without IELTS, what the common conditions are, and how to prepare strong documents (academic CV, recommendation letters, a convincing motivation letter, and voluntary/research activities), in addition to tips to avoid mistakes that weaken your chances.
What Is Meant by “Without IELTS” in Medicine? (Four Practical Paths)
Recognized alternatives for English: many universities accept TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge instead of IELTS.
A funded preparatory language year within the scholarship (for example: Turkish through a government scholarship) — after that you start studying medicine.
Medical programs in English with a national entrance exam (such as IMAT in Italy), where the core focus is the entrance test, and language requirements are set by each program (IELTS may not be specifically required).
Proof of previous study in English or internal language tests at the university (according to the policy of the funding/host institution).
Scholarships to Study Medicine Without IELTS
1) Türkiye: Türkiye Scholarships (No IELTS + Funded Turkish Language Year)
Why is this pathway strong?
It is an official national scholarship offered through a single portal, and it includes securing university admission and basic coverage (coverage details are on the official website).
For health fields (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy), the scholarship requires very high achievement (a 90% threshold is mentioned for applicants to health sciences).
Language: if you do not speak Turkish, the scholarship grants you a one-year Turkish language course before entering medicine, and this eliminates the need for IELTS altogether because your studies will be in Turkish.
Application: free via the portal, with an annually announced application window.
Check the International Students page of the government body (YTB) to see the annual application window, the excellence requirement for health sciences, and the Turkish language year.
When should I choose it?
If you are ready to study medicine in Turkish at public universities in Türkiye, and you feel comfortable with a language year before medical school.
Scholarship benefits:
Tuition fee exemption + living support and insurance + language year… (check the “What the Scholarship Covers” page and policy files on the official website when the call opens).
2) Italy: Medicine in English via IMAT + Regional Living Support (DSU)
Italy offers medical pathways in English at public universities, and admission is through the national unified IMAT exam. English language requirements are set by each program; many faculties do not specifically require IELTS if proficiency is demonstrated by other means. What matters to you in practice is passing IMAT first, then completing the university’s requirements (language/documentation).
Official source: the Universitaly portal brings together information on IMAT and admission for international students, with updated guides for the 2025–2026 academic year and instructions on “entry, residence, and enrolment.”
In addition to relatively affordable tuition fees at public universities, there is regional living support known as the Right to Education (DSU/EDISU), which provides waivers/living grants for students of different degrees, including medical students, depending on income and documents. (Search for the “Right to Study/DSU” page at the university/region you choose — links vary by region.)
When should I choose it?
If you want to study medicine in English in Europe with one main entrance test (IMAT), and you are prepared to search early for DSU in the region of your target university.
3) Hungary: Stipendium Hungaricum (Medicine in English + Language Alternatives Defined by Universities)
Why is it important?
A well-established government program run by the Tempus Public Foundation, offering full tuition exemption, accommodation/living support, and available to students from specific partner countries.
Hungary has well-known medical universities (such as Semmelweis, Szeged, Pécs…) with programs in English. Language requirements are set by each university’s admission, and alternative tests to IELTS or school certificates/internal tests are often accepted.
To see the nature of the coverage (tuition exemption, housing/living support) and the application procedure, refer to the program’s official website. Stipendium Hungaricum+1
When should I choose it?
If you are targeting medicine in English in the European Union under a relatively comprehensive government scholarship, and are ready to meet the language requirement as defined by the university (not necessarily IELTS).
How Do You Choose Your Path?
Language of study: Turkish (language year then medicine) or English via IMAT/Hungarian universities?
Method of proving language: funded language year (Türkiye), or an IELTS alternative (TOEFL/PTE) or a policy set by each university (Italy/Hungary).
Strength of your academic record: very high high-school grades are required especially for the Turkish route in health sciences, or readiness for the IMAT exam, or meeting admission requirements at Hungarian medical universities.
Living support: comprehensive scholarships (Türkiye/Hungary) or regional/university support (Italy – DSU).
Timeline planning: application windows are relatively fixed (Türkiye often 10 January–20 February annually, Italy announces IMAT by annual ministerial decree, Hungary according to the annual call).
Scholarship opportunities to study medicine without IELTS 2025 – fully funded medical programs for international students
Roadmap (Timeline) from 9–12 Months Before Studies
Choose the country/path: Türkiye (Turkish language year + medicine), Italy (IMAT), Hungary (medicine in English at partner universities).
Read the official page: application window, eligibility, documents, and any conditions specific to medicine (such as a high passing threshold).
Language: choose an IELTS alternative (TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge) or a language plan (ELICOS is not for this context; here it is the Turkish language year in Türkiye, or English requirements at the university in Hungary/Italy).
Entrance tests: prepare for IMAT (Italy), or university tests/interviews (Hungary). IMAT details and registration are via Universitaly once the announcement is released.
Academic file: CV (one–two pages), motivation letter tailored to each path, two academic recommendation letters, and certified translations of certificates.
Online application:
Türkiye: via the YTB portal (free).
Hungary: via the program portal + the university.
Italy: Universitaly for admission/pre-enrolment + follow-up on the university’s website.
After acceptance: student visa/residence depending on the country, and medical tests/vaccinations if required.
Settlement: university/private housing, health insurance, opening a bank account, and course registration.
Essential Requirements for Medical Documents (May Vary by University/Country)
Very strong high-school transcript (high achievement in biology/chemistry/physics/mathematics).
Proof of language (IELTS alternative or Turkish language year depending on the path).
Passport + personal photos, bank statement/financial commitment if needed.
Motivation letter that highlights ethical suitability and professional commitment.
Two recommendations from science teachers/school principal.
Entrance test (IMAT/university test/interview).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there “fully funded medical scholarships with no language requirement”?
No, there is no such format as “no language” in medicine; it is either an IELTS alternative or a language year before entry (as in Türkiye), or proof of proficiency through methods recognized by the university. Avoid any promise of “guaranteed admission.”
Can I study medicine in English without IELTS?
Yes, in practice via alternatives (TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge) or via IMAT where admission focuses on the test and each program sets its own language policy (IELTS may not be specifically required). Always check the faculty page.
What is the acceptance rate?
There is no general percentage; admission is highly competitive and changes according to available seats, grades, and exam results (IMAT, for example, uses a national ranking).
Can I combine a language scholarship with a medical scholarship?
In Türkiye, for example, the Turkish language year is included in the national scholarship before starting medicine; in other countries, language is defined by both university and scholarship criteria.
Legal note: Conditions and dates may change annually; the final reference is the official pages above and the websites of host faculties.
Conclusion
Start early, prepare your language through alternatives, and focus on a strong academic profile and a convincing motivation letter. There are no guaranteed promises—but proper planning, along with official sources, puts you on a realistic path towards a medical seat.
Disclaimer: Professional licensing for doctors is a separate matter from academic admission, and licensing conditions after graduation may differ from one country to another. Always check with the licensing authorities in your target country before making a decision.