Study in China Without IELTS — 2026 Guide for Pakistani Students

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."

Other English-proficiency alternatives

Besides the MOI letter, some universities also accept Duolingo English Test scores, PTE Academic, or a short video-call English interview conducted by the international admissions office. These alternatives are less universal than MOI, so confirm acceptance directly with your target university before relying on them.

Does skipping IELTS affect scholarship chances?

For the vast majority of CSC and university scholarships, an MOI letter carries equal weight to IELTS in the application checklist. What actually differentiates scholarship applicants is CGPA, the quality of the study plan/research proposal, and recommendation letters — not whether English proficiency was proven via MOI or IELTS.

Building a strong application without IELTS

• Write a detailed, university-specific study plan
• Get recommendation letters from professors who know your academic work well
• Keep your MOI letter, transcripts and CNIC/passport scans organised early
• Apply to multiple universities to increase your scholarship chances

What if your institution refuses to issue an MOI letter?

Some Pakistani colleges are unfamiliar with MOI letters and may initially decline. In that case, request to speak with the Controller of Examinations directly, show them a sample template (many universities publish one on their admissions page), and explain it is a standard requirement for international applications — not an unusual document.

Applying to multiple universities with one MOI letter

A single MOI letter can generally be used across multiple university applications as long as it is not addressed to one specific institution. If a particular university insists on a letter addressed directly to them, you may need a second copy with their name included — ask your institution for multiple originals or certified copies in advance to save time.

In short: do not let the absence of an IELTS certificate stop you from applying to China. For the overwhelming majority of Pakistani applicants, a properly issued MOI letter is both accepted and sufficient for a strong, scholarship-eligible application.

If in doubt about any specific university's policy, the safest step is always to email their international admissions office directly and keep a copy of their written reply for your records.

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

MOI vs IELTS: quick comparison

Step-by-step: getting your MOI letter approved

1. Request the letter from your college/university's Controller of Examinations office
2. Ensure it is on official letterhead with signature and stamp
3. Check the exact wording your target university expects (some provide a template)
4. Get it attested if your university specifically asks for attestation
5. Submit along with your transcript and other admission documents

Before you rely on an English proficiency letter

Whatever you decide, keep one simple rule: treat our pages as a starting point and the university's own international admissions page (or campuschina.org for CSC) as the final word. Save a screenshot or PDF of the notice you relied on, with the date, so you can show it if anything changes later.