How to Get a Chinese Government Scholarship Without IELTS as a Pakistani Student

Studying in China on a fully funded scholarship is an attractive option for Pakistani students, but many applicants worry about the IELTS requirement. The good news is that a Chinese Government Scholarship Without IELTS may be possible in some cases, depending on the university, degree program and previous language of instruction.

IELTS is not automatically required by every Chinese university. Some institutions allow applicants who completed their previous degree entirely in English to submit an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) or English-medium certificate instead of an IELTS score. However, this is decided by the individual university and program.

Can Pakistani Students Get a Chinese Scholarship Without IELTS?

Yes, in some cases. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) itself does not establish one single IELTS score that applies to every university and every program. Applicants must meet the admission and language requirements of their selected Chinese university.

For Pakistani applicants applying through HEC, the Higher Education Commission states that candidates must meet the admission requirements of their chosen institutions, including language proficiency where applicable. HEC also lists IELTS, TOEFL and HSK among possible language-proficiency documents depending on the program.

This means an applicant should not assume that IELTS is compulsory for every Chinese Government Scholarship application.

1. Choose a University That Accepts an English-Medium Certificate

The most important step is selecting a university whose admission rules allow an alternative to IELTS.

Several Chinese universities state that applicants who completed their highest degree in English may be exempt from submitting IELTS or TOEFL if they provide an official certificate confirming the language of instruction.

For example, China University of Geosciences-related scholarship information states that applicants with a previous degree taught in English may submit a Medium of Instruction Certificate, subject to university approval.

Similarly, Shandong University states that applicants whose highest-level education was taught in English can be exempt from IELTS or TOEFL by providing proof of the language of instruction.

Therefore, Pakistani students should check the exact language requirements published by their selected university before submitting an application.

2. Get an Official Medium of Instruction Certificate

If your bachelor's or master's degree was taught completely in English, contact your university and request an official Medium of Instruction Certificate.

The certificate should clearly state that the program was taught and examined in English. It should normally be issued on official university letterhead and carry the relevant signature, stamp or verification required by the institution.

The certificate can be particularly important when a Chinese university specifically allows English-medium graduates to replace IELTS with proof of previous English-language education.

Some universities explicitly require this document as evidence that the applicant's previous degree was delivered in English.

3. Check the Exact Requirements of Your Program

A common mistake is assuming that an IELTS waiver at one university automatically applies to every Chinese university.

It does not.

Language requirements can differ according to the university, degree level and field of study. For example, some English-medium programs specify IELTS or TOEFL scores, while others accept alternative English qualifications or an English-medium certificate.

China's universities may also set different requirements for undergraduate, master's and doctoral applicants.

For Chinese-taught programs, applicants may instead need an HSK certificate. HEC's current Chinese Government Scholarship information says that applicants for Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programs must meet the specified HSK requirements.

Before applying, carefully read the admission notice of the university and the specific department offering your desired program.

4. Apply Through the Correct Scholarship Route

Pakistani students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through different routes, depending on the scholarship category.

For the HEC-nominated Type-A route, HEC states that applicants must complete both the HEC application and the Chinese Scholarship Council application. The HEC instructions identify the CSC application portal and Agency Number 5861 for HEC/Pakistan.

HEC's 2026–27 Chinese Government Scholarship program offered 75 seats for Pakistani students, including places for bachelor's, master's and PhD applicants.

Applicants should therefore follow the instructions for the specific scholarship route rather than relying on information from an unrelated university or scholarship category.

5. Prepare Your Academic and Scholarship Documents

An IELTS waiver does not mean that other application requirements are waived.

Pakistani students generally need to prepare academic documents, transcripts, a passport, a study plan or research proposal and other documents required by HEC, CSC and the selected university.

HEC's published document requirements include notarized educational documents, language-proficiency proof where applicable, a valid passport, a Foreigner Physical Examination Form, a police clearance certificate and recommendation letters for master's and PhD applicants. A pre-admission letter from a Chinese university is listed as optional but preferred for master's and PhD applicants.

Undergraduate applicants also need to pay attention to the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA). HEC states that the CSCA requirement applies to applicants seeking undergraduate admission under the relevant 2026 scholarship process.

Is IELTS Completely Unnecessary?

No. Saying that you can study in China without IELTS does not mean IELTS is unnecessary for every applicant.

If your selected university requires IELTS for your particular program and does not accept an English-medium certificate, you will need to meet its stated language requirement.

For example, some Chinese Government Scholarship university programs specify IELTS scores for English-medium programs while allowing exemptions for applicants who completed their previous degree in English. Chang'an University and Dalian Maritime University are examples of institutions that publish specific English-language requirements and exemptions based on previous English-medium education.

The key point is that the IELTS requirement depends on the admission rules of the university and program.

What Should Pakistani Students Do If Their Degree Was Taught in English?

Students whose previous degree was completely taught in English should first obtain an official Medium of Instruction certificate from their university.

They should then check whether their target Chinese university accepts this certificate instead of IELTS. If the university confirms the exemption, the applicant can use the certificate as evidence of English proficiency.

Students whose previous education was not taught in English should carefully check whether IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo or another accepted qualification is required.

Chinese Government Scholarship Without IELTS: Final Checklist

Before submitting an application, Pakistani students should verify these points:

• The selected Chinese university accepts applicants without IELTS.
• The university allows an English-medium or MOI certificate.
• The previous degree was genuinely taught in English.
• The Medium of Instruction certificate is official and properly issued.
• The selected program has no additional English-language requirement.
• HEC eligibility requirements are satisfied when applying through HEC.
• Both required application portals are completed for the HEC Type-A route.
• Academic documents and transcripts are prepared correctly.
• The study plan or research proposal meets the required word count.
• Any required HSK, HAT, USAT or CSCA requirement is fulfilled.
• All documents are uploaded before the applicable deadline.

Conclusion

A Chinese Government Scholarship Without IELTS can be possible for Pakistani students when the selected Chinese university accepts an alternative form of English-language proof. In many cases, applicants who completed their previous degree entirely in English may use an official Medium of Instruction certificate instead of an IELTS score.

However, there is no universal IELTS waiver covering every Chinese university or every program. The final decision depends on the admission requirements of the selected institution and degree program.

For Pakistani applicants, checking the university's official scholarship notice alongside the HEC requirements is essential before submitting the application. This ensures that the applicant meets both the scholarship and university admission conditions.