No IELTS · 2026
Study in China Without IELTS — 2026 Guide for Pakistani Students
You can absolutely study in China without IELTS as a Pakistani student. This guide explains how MOI letters work, which top Chinese universities accept them, and the full English-medium scholarship pathway.
Most Pakistani students assume IELTS is mandatory for Chinese universities. It isn't. The vast majority of Chinese universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your Pakistani school or college, which proves your studies were conducted in English — and that is sufficient for English-taught programs.
What is an MOI letter?
A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is an official letter from your last attended institution (typically your college for FSc/A-Levels, or university for Bachelor's) certifying that the entire curriculum was taught and assessed in English. It must be on the institution's official letterhead, signed by the Principal / Vice-Chancellor / Controller of Examinations, and stamped.
Which universities accept MOI instead of IELTS?
Hundreds of Chinese universities accept MOI letters from Pakistani applicants, including:
- Most Project 211 universities (Jilin, Southeast, Hohai, etc.)
- Most provincial public universities (Zhengzhou, Hebei, Liaoning Normal, etc.)
- Most medical universities for MBBS
- Many engineering universities (with MOI + strong CGPA)
- A growing number of 985/C9 universities for Masters and PhD applicants from English-medium institutions
Some top C9 universities (Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Zhejiang) still prefer IELTS 6.5+ — for those, plan to sit IELTS.
Sample MOI letter content
"This is to certify that Mr/Ms [Full Name], CNIC [###], was a regular student at [Institution Name] from [Year] to [Year] in the [Programme]. The complete medium of instruction and examinations for this programme was English. This letter is issued on the student's request for further studies abroad."
Not sure if your target university accepts MOI?
Send us your university shortlist on WhatsApp and we'll confirm MOI acceptance for each one from their official admissions page.
When you DO need IELTS
- Top C9 / 985 universities (Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, etc.) — usually IELTS 6.5+
- Highly competitive English-taught Masters in Business / International Relations
- Certain provincial government scholarships explicitly listing IELTS as required
- Self-funded application with weak academic record — IELTS strengthens the file
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
ATTA Consultancy Editorial
China admissions & CSC scholarship mentors
We mentor Pakistani students applying to Chinese universities and CSC scholarships. Every guide is verified against official PMDC, CSC, China MoE and university sources.
Get personalised guidance
Free WhatsApp consultation with mentors who have placed 500+ Pakistani students.
Continue reading
CSC Scholarship 2026 — Complete Guide for Pakistani Students
CSC Scholarship 2026 application guide for Pakistani students — eligibility, deadlines, documents, top universities and step-by-step application strategy.
16 min read
HSK Requirements for Chinese Universities — 2026 Guide
Complete HSK level guide for Chinese universities — what HSK level you need for Bachelors, Masters, PhD, Chinese-taught and English-taught programs.
8 min read
MBBS in China 2026 — Complete Guide for Pakistani Students
Step-by-step MBBS in China 2026 guide for Pakistani students — PMDC-approved universities, fee structure, NLE prep, scholarships and visa process.
14 min read