How to Get an English Proficiency Certificate for Scholarship Application in 2026

1. What is an English Proficiency Certificate?

An English Proficiency Certificate is an official document from your school or university confirming that your previous education (degree or high school) was taught entirely in English. Many scholarship programs and universities accept this as an alternative to standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

Essential Requirements:

Official letterhead from your institution
Signature and stamp from the department head or registrar
Clear statement that English was the "medium of instruction" (MOI)
Your full name and period of study

Some institutions call this document a "Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate" - it's the same thing!

2. How to Get Your Certificate

Step-by-Step Process:

Contact your institution:
- University students: Visit your registrar's office or department administration
- High school students: Approach your principal or school examination office
Submit a formal request:
- Some schools have ready forms, others require a written application
- Be prepared to pay processing fees (varies by institution)
Receive your certificate:
- Verify it contains all required elements (signature, stamp, date)
- Request multiple copies for different scholarship applications

Apply at least 2-3 months before deadlines to avoid last-minute stress. Some institutions take weeks to process requests!

3. When Might the Certificate Not Be Accepted?

Some programs and countries still require IELTS/TOEFL, especially:

Highly competitive programs (Ivy League schools, top European universities)
Certain countries: USA, Canada, and Australia often require standardized tests
Prestigious scholarships: Fulbright, Chevening may have stricter requirements

Always Check Requirements

Visit the official scholarship website

Email the admissions office if unsure

Look for recent successful applicants' experiences

4. Alternative English Proficiency Proofs

Option	Details	Accepted By
IELTS Academic	Typically requires Band 6.5-7.0	Worldwide
TOEFL iBT	Preferred in North America	Global (especially USA)
PTE Academic	Computer-based test	UK, Australia
Duolingo English Test	Affordable online option	Growing acceptance
WAEC/NECO English	Minimum C6 grade	UK, Germany, Eastern Europe

5. Country-Specific Acceptance

Country	Accepts School Certificate?	Accepts WAEC/NECO?
United Kingdom	✅ Yes (MOI Letter)	✅ Yes (C6 or above)
Germany	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Cyprus	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Finland/Sweden	✅ Yes (some programs)	✅ Yes
USA/Canada	❌ Rarely	❌ No

6. Sample Certificate Template

If your institution doesn't have a standard format, use this template:

[University/School Letterhead]

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that [Your Full Name], with student ID [Your ID], completed their [Degree Name/Secondary Education] at [Institution Name] from [Start Date] to [End Date] with English as the sole medium of instruction.

All lectures, examinations, assignments, and official communications were conducted exclusively in English throughout the program.

This certificate is issued upon the student's request for scholarship application purposes.

Date: _______________

Registrar/Principal: _______________

Official Stamp:

7. Essential Tips for 2026 Applicants

Application Checklist

Start the process 3-4 months before deadlines

Get 3-5 certified copies of your certificate

Verify country-specific requirements

Have backup test scores (IELTS/TOEFL) if possible

Keep digital scans of all documents

Scholarships That Often Accept MOI Certificates:

Chevening Scholarships (UK)
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Eastern European Government Scholarships
Many Commonwealth Scholarships

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