Study Abroad Education Consultants Explain MOI Accepting Universities
Proving your ability in the English language is usually a core part of your applications to study abroad. Sitting for the IELTS or TOEFL adds a couple more weeks and extra steps to the timeline. But what about MOI (your qualifications under a learning system where the Medium of Instruction is English) as an alternative to English test scores? We asked our study abroad education consultants to explain what Medium of Instruction is and how you may be able to waive the English test requirement with it.
What is Medium of Instruction (MOI)?
MOI stands for Medium of Instruction – i.e., the primary language of learning and teaching in the classroom. If the Medium of Instruction at your current or most recent institute of learning is English, you might be able to waive the English test requirements at certain overseas universities.
When applying to study abroad in countries like the UK, proving your English ability is a must. English is the main language of learning as well as the language you will need in everyday scenarios in and outside the classroom. Both universities and immigration authorities use indicators of your English proficiency as a sign of your success as an international student.
Universities worldwide accept test scores from English proficiency exams like the IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic. However, in some cases, universities may also accept an MOI certificate that outlines your ability in the English language!
So, what is the perk of getting an MOI certificate? The biggest advantage is that it saves you from having to book, practice for, and sit for an English language test. Studying abroad involves a bunch of requirements you need to check off. Not needing to worry about an additional English test gives you extra breathing room to focus on the rest of your application.
Eligibility for the MOI Certificate
Note that whether or not an MOI certificate will satisfy the English language requirement depends completely on the university you are applying to. If their requirement for the IELTS or other English test scores is non-negotiable, an MOI certificate may not cut it. If you are working with study abroad education consultants for your application, they will be able to point you towards universities accepting MOI certificates that meet your program requirements.
Outside of English language test scores, a university’s metric for English ability can also include:
• A high school diploma or degree from a country where the primary/native language is English
• A high school diploma or degree from an institution where the primary language of learning is English
• English as the applicant’s first/native language
• The student agreeing to enroll in an English pathway program before starting their full-time degree program
How to Apply for the MOI Certificate
First things first, you will need to shortlist programs that do accept Medium of Instruction as English as an alternative to English test scores. Our study abroad education consultants rounded up a few such MOI-accepting universities for you later in this blog!
If your chosen program accepts current or prior learning in English as proof of English ability, you will need to apply for a formal document validating this from your school, college, or university. So, for example, if you are applying for a Bachelor’s program, you will need to apply for an MOI certificate from your secondary school. This is a formal document certifying your qualifications and the language of instruction under which you completed them. Other details would include your subjects and corresponding grades.
If you already hold a degree and are applying for further education, you will need a formal document from your university stating your medium of instruction.
The process to apply for an MOI certificate will vary from school to school and university to university. Some universities, for example, will state the medium of instruction during conferment of degree awards and certificates. Because the MOI certificate is an official document that serves as proof of your English ability, study abroad education consultants recommend that the document has:
• Applicant’s name
• Program details, including confirmation that the MOI is in English
• Date of commencement and completion
• The official institutional letterhead
• Certified true stamp
• Details of the official signing off on the document, including name, designation, and signature
• Date of issuance of the certificate
Universities that Accept MOI as an Alternative to English Test Scores
Here is a quick round-up of universities that accept MOI as an alternative to English test scores by our study abroad education consultants!
| University Name | Destination | MOI Alternatives to English Test Scores |
|---|---|---|
| University of New South Wales | Australia | Proof of prior study in English for students who: • Are from English-speaking countries, as citizens, permanent residents, or residents of at least 10 years who completed secondary or tertiary schooling there • Hold senior-secondary qualifications from an English-speaking country • Hold country-specific Senior Secondary Qualifications (e.g., the Indian School Certificate with 70% - 80% in English)* *exceptions may apply • Completed a minimum of one year of a bachelor’s in a recognized institution in English |
| Macquarie University | Australia | Recognized qualifications with English as the language of instruction, either from: • A primarily English-speaking country • Regions where English is the language or medium of instruction • Qualifications from non-English speaking countries with English as an approved subject |
| University of Waterloo | Canada | You will need to submit English test scores if: • Your four most recent years of education experience were not in an English-language schooling system • English is not your first language |
| University of Iowa | USA | Alternatives to IELTS test scores include English qualifications under: • Cambridge International Exams • Cambridge GCSE and IGCSE Exams • International Baccalaureate • Advanced Placement Exams • ACT • SAT Or completing the Iowa Intensive English Program |
| University of Saskatchewan | Canada | • Secondary school completion in English from an approved English medium school • Post-secondary study completion in English from a recognized higher education provider Alternative qualifications: • Advanced Placement (AP) English • International Baccalaureate (IB) English • GCSE, IGCSE or GCE O Level English, English Language, or ESL • GCE A, AS, or AICE Level English/English Language |
| Coventry University | UK | University-approved result in English from India at: • Undergraduate Level: HSSC 60% or higher • Postgraduate Level: 65% or higher |
| Nottingham Trent University | UK | Aside from English language test scores, NTU accepts: • IGCSE • O and A Levels • International/European Baccalaureate • Home country qualifications of various countries |
| University of Portsmouth | UK | Alternatives to English language test scores include: • AS or A Level in English • GCSE in English Language • International Baccalaureate Diploma or Middle Years Program in English Language • Pearson and Cambridge IGCSE in English • Overseas programs with English as the MOI – proof of MOI is compulsory Country-specific requirements: • India – HSC/Standard 12 – 75% or higher in English |
| Drexel University | USA | To be eligible for the English proficiency test waiver, the student must be: • A citizen of a primarily English-speaking country • Hold a degree from an English-speaking country • Have work experience in the USA of 5 years or more • Hold a full-time bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program where the MOI was English |
If You Are Not Eligible for the MOI Waiver
The list above is just a sample of the universities out there that accept current or previous qualifications in English as proof of your language ability. It’s also important to note that there can be exceptions to every rule – for example, score boundaries and English language requirements can vary across programs in the same university. Always check through your program’s eligibility requirements before applying – our study abroad education consultants are also always happy to help.
If you don’t qualify for an MOI exception, an English proficiency test is the universal answer to meeting the language requirements of your application. The most population options include:
• IELTS Academic
• Duolingo English Test
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic
Some universities also conduct their own English language tests. These options, alongside pathway programs into your full-time degree with an English component, are also open for consideration.
Rounding Up
Proving your ability in the English language is a near-universal component of applications to study abroad. However, you don’t always have to sit an English language proficiency test to meet this requirement. We hope the pointers from our study abroad education consultants about MOI certificates as an alternative to English language test scores cleared up the difference!