Many Nepali students can study in the UK without taking IELTS, using a Medium of Instruction letter. Here is how the MOI route works, which of our partner universities accept it, who qualifies, and the one visa rule that decides everything.
- Yes, you can study in the UK without IELTS if your degree was taught in English and the university accepts a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter
- 16 of finduni.ai's UK partner universities accept the MOI route for eligible students
- Eligibility: a Bachelor's degree taught in English from TU, KU, PU, or Purbanchal, usually with 60 percent or higher in English
- The UK visa rule: at degree level, universities with track-record sponsor status can self-assess your English and confirm it on your CAS, no SELT needed
- MOI is not automatic. The university's CAS team makes the final call and can still ask for a test
- MOI does not work for below-degree courses (foundation, pre-sessional), which require a SELT at CEFR B1
- 1Can you study in the UK without IELTS?
- 2What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter?
- 3How the UK visa English rule actually works
- 4Who qualifies from Nepal?
- 5Partner universities accepting MOI
- 6How to get your MOI letter
- 7Important limits and risks of the MOI route
- 8MOI vs Duolingo, PTE, and IELTS
- 9Step-by-step: applying without IELTS
- 10Frequently asked questions
Can you study in the UK without IELTS?
Yes, many Nepali students study in the UK every year without taking IELTS. The two routes are a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter, if your degree was taught in English, and approved English tests like Duolingo, PTE, or IELTS. This guide focuses on the MOI route: who qualifies, which universities accept it, and the one UK visa rule that makes it possible.
Figures and rules on this page are verified against GOV.UK and 2026 university sources, current as of June 2026. MOI acceptance is set by each university and changes from time to time, so always confirm with the specific university before you apply.
What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter?
An MOI letter is an official document from your college or university registrar confirming that your degree was taught and examined entirely in English. UK universities use it as evidence of your English ability instead of an IELTS score. Many of them phrase the requirement as "a degree taught in English with a confirmation letter."
To be accepted, an MOI letter should:
- Be printed on official college or university letterhead
- State the program name and your dates of study
- Confirm English as the sole medium of instruction and assessment
- Be signed and stamped by an authorised official (usually the registrar)
- Include verification contact details (phone, email, address) so the university can check it
A vague one-line letter is the most common reason an MOI is rejected. The more specific and verifiable it is, the more weight it carries with the university's admissions and CAS teams.
How the UK visa English rule actually works
This is the section that decides everything, so it is worth reading carefully. For degree-level study (Bachelor's, Master's, and above), UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires English at CEFR level B2. However, universities that hold track-record sponsor status are permitted to assess your English ability themselves and confirm it on your CAS, without you taking a separate Secure English Language Test (SELT). This is what makes the MOI route possible.
The official basis for this is the UK government Student visa English guidance, which sets out when a university can confirm your English itself and when a SELT is required.
- Degree level (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD): a track-record sponsor university can self-assess your English. MOI works here.
- Below degree level (foundation, pre-sessional English): a SELT at CEFR level B1 is required by UKVI. MOI does not work here.
One point students often get wrong: the MOI letter is evidence the university uses to satisfy itself about your English. It is not sent to UKVI. The CAS is what UKVI relies on. So if your university accepts your MOI and reflects it on your CAS, the visa English requirement is met, even though UKVI never sees the letter.
Who qualifies from Nepal?
Eligible students have typically completed a Bachelor's degree in English medium at a college affiliated with Tribhuvan University (TU), Kathmandu University (KU), Pokhara University (PU), or Purbanchal University, usually with 60 percent or higher in English. Some universities also look at your NEB Grade 12 English marks. The degree should usually have been completed within the last 2 to 5 years, as a very old qualification is more likely to be questioned.
- You hold an English-medium Bachelor's degree from a TU, KU, PU, or Purbanchal affiliated college
- You scored 60 percent or higher in English
- Your degree was completed within the last 5 years
- Your college registrar can issue an official MOI letter on letterhead, signed and stamped
If you are unsure whether your profile fits, the free finduni.ai visa eligibility checker and AI counselor can give you a quick read before you contact any university.
Partner universities accepting MOI
These are the finduni.ai UK partner universities that accept the MOI route for eligible students. Fees and intakes are shown so you can shape a realistic shortlist.
| University | City | Annual Fees | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravensbourne University London | London | £11,500–£13,500/year | January, May, September, November |
| Roehampton University London | London | £12,950–£14,000/year | January, May, September |
| University of East London | London | £13,500–£15,000/year | January, May, September |
| BPP University | London, Manchester | £12,500–£16,500/year | Every month |
| University of the West of Scotland | London, Paisley | £10,950–£13,500/year | January, May, September |
| Buckinghamshire New University | High Wycombe, London | £12,500–£14,000/year | January, April, September |
| University College Birmingham | Birmingham | £12,500–£14,000/year | January, September |
| Coventry University | Coventry, London | £12,800–£14,500/year | January, March, June, September, November |
| University of Sunderland | Sunderland, London | £11,800–£14,000/year | January, March, June, September, November |
| OIEG | Multiple UK cities | £8,000–£12,000/year (pathways) | January, May, September, November |
| Regent College London | London | £12,500/year | January, September |
| University of Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton, London | £12,800–£14,000/year | January, May, September |
| York St John University | London, York | £11,800/year | January, September |
| University of Law | Multiple UK cities | £14,500–£18,000/year | January, March, June, September |
| Health Sciences University | London | £12,500/year | January, May, September |
| University of Huddersfield | Huddersfield | ~£15,500/year | January, September |
These 16 partner universities accept the MOI route for eligible students. MOI acceptance depends on your specific course and academic profile. finduni.ai confirms which universities accept your MOI before you apply, at no cost.
You can also use the free finduni.ai AI counselor and eligibility checker to match your profile against these universities in a few minutes.
How to get your MOI letter
- Visit your college or university registrar's office in person.
- Request an official Medium of Instruction letter on college letterhead.
- Ensure it states your program name, your dates of study, and that English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment.
- Get it signed and stamped by an authorised official, usually the registrar or campus chief.
- Ask for verification contact details (phone, email, official address) to be printed on the letter.
- Request both a physical original and a signed PDF scan, since universities often need a soft copy for your online application.
Some colleges issue the letter within a few days. Others take 2 to 4 weeks and may charge a small administrative fee. Request it early so it does not hold up your application.
Important limits and risks of the MOI route
The MOI route is genuine, but it is not a guarantee. Being honest about its limits will save you from an expensive surprise later:
- The university's CAS team makes the final decision and can still request an English test even after an offer is issued.
- Common rejection reasons: the letter is not on official letterhead, it is missing the institution address or a verification contact, the degree is too old, the institution is not recognized, or the wording does not clearly state English-only instruction.
- MOI is generally not accepted by top-tier Russell Group universities, and not for professional registration routes such as NMC nursing.
- Always get written confirmation from both the university admissions team and the CAS team before paying any deposit.
Template you can email the university to confirm MOI in writing:
"I completed my Bachelor's degree in [program] at [college], affiliated with [TU / KU / PU / Purbanchal], taught and assessed entirely in English, completed in [year], with [X] percent in English. Can you confirm in writing whether a Medium of Instruction letter is accepted for [course name] for my September 2026 intake, and whether this will be reflected on my CAS without a separate English test?"
MOI vs Duolingo, PTE, and IELTS
If MOI is not accepted for your course, or you want a safer backup, here is how the routes compare on cost and use:
| Route | Cost (NPR) | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOI letter | Free (small letter fee) | English-medium grads, eligible courses | Acceptance varies, confirm first |
| Duolingo | 8,500 (finduni.ai) | Quick, cheap backup | Accepted by a growing number of UK unis |
| PTE Academic UKVI | 31,000 (finduni.ai) | Universally accepted, fast results | AI-scored, results in 2 days |
| IELTS for UKVI | from 32,000 (finduni.ai) | Universally accepted, most recognized | Results 3 to 13 days |
If you are weighing a test, our guide to IELTS vs PTE breaks down which suits Nepali students, and the IELTS price guide shows the exact fees and how to book for less. For many students the MOI route is about speed and convenience rather than money, since the test fee is small next to total tuition and living costs.
Step-by-step: applying without IELTS
- Confirm your eligibility: an English-medium degree with 60 percent or higher in English, completed within the last 5 years.
- Get your MOI letter from your college registrar.
- Shortlist universities that accept MOI for your specific course (finduni.ai confirms this free).
- Apply and receive a conditional or unconditional offer.
- Confirm in writing that the CAS team accepts your MOI before paying any deposit.
- Receive your CAS reflecting the MOI.
- Apply for the UK student visa using your CAS.
Done in this order, the MOI route lets eligible Nepali students reach a UK university without ever sitting an English test. The key is to verify acceptance in writing at every step, because the CAS, not the letter, is what UKVI ultimately checks. If you want a second opinion on your profile before you start, the free finduni.ai AI counselor is the fastest way to check where you stand.