MOI Accepted Universities in UK 2027: Updated List

Several UK universities may consider a Medium of Instruction certificate for 2027 entry when your previous qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English. Acceptance is not automatic. It may depend on your country, awarding institution, graduation date, study level and chosen course.

This guide reviews MOI accepted universities in UK for 2027, explains the conditions behind an English-language waiver and shows how MOI relates to admission, CAS and the UK Student visa.

Quick answer: A UK university may accept MOI when your previous qualification was taught and assessed in English. The university may also check your institution, country, school-level English result, graduation date and course. An MOI letter can support an English-language assessment, but it does not independently guarantee a CAS or Student visa.

List of MOI Accepted Universities in UK for 2027

The universities below publish a route for considering an English-taught qualification, a Medium of Instruction letter or a country-specific English waiver. “Conditional” means that the university may request further evidence, such as a school-level English result, a recognised awarding institution, recent graduation or an interview.

University	Typical level	Published approach	Main condition
University of Southampton	UG and PG	Considers eligible degrees taught and assessed in English	Evidence depends on when the degree was completed, and the course sets the final standard.
University of Brighton	Selected taught courses	Accepts MOI from certain institutions in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan	Applicants must confirm their institution and course. Brighton does not accept MOI as an IELTS alternative for PhD applications.
University of Portsmouth	Selected PG courses	Some course pages consider degrees taught solely in English	Applicants from non-majority English-speaking countries are assessed case by case.
University of Wolverhampton	Mainly PG and online courses	Considers recent degrees taught and assessed in English	The qualification normally needs to have been completed within the previous five years, subject to country rules.
University of Dundee	UG and PG	May consider MOI with an accepted school-level English qualification	The issuing institution must confirm that the degree was taught and assessed fully in English.
University of Stirling	PG	Publishes postgraduate English-waiver routes	Country, recognised institution, school-English and five-year recency conditions may apply.
University of Leicester	Selected PG applicants	Considers MOI through approved country and institution routes	Its published Pakistan route assesses eligible four-year bachelor’s degrees and MOI letters case by case.
Nottingham Trent University	Selected PG applicants	Accepts MOI only through specifically published routes	Its current Pakistan route covers named institutions and qualifying four-year bachelor’s degrees.
University for the Creative Arts	Mainly PG	Considers qualifying degrees taught and assessed in English	At least two years of English-medium degree study and a three-year or five-year recency rule may apply.
University of Suffolk	Mainly PG	May waive an English test after reviewing an MOI letter	The qualification must meet or exceed UK bachelor’s degree level, with course and country restrictions.
University of Bristol	UG and PG, profile-dependent	Accepts qualifying university study taught and examined in English	An official MOI letter and a seven-year qualification-validity period normally apply.
University of Exeter	UG and PG, country-dependent	Considers eligible degrees taught and examined in English	The applicant may need an official MOI letter, an accepted school qualification and a recent degree from an eligible institution.
Heriot-Watt University	Mainly PG	Publishes country-specific English-waiver routes	School-level English, recent graduation and an official MOI letter may all be required.
Cardiff Metropolitan University	Mainly PG	Publishes country and institution-specific MOI routes	Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka have defined conditions involving school English, approved institutions or an interview.
Aston University	Mainly PG	Accepts qualifying MOI routes for selected South Asian applicants	A recent UK-equivalent degree, an official MOI letter and a specified school-English result may be required.
University of Edinburgh	Mainly PG	Accepts English-taught degrees from approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries	The degree must normally be no more than five years old, and evidence of teaching and assessment in English may be required.
Goldsmiths, University of London	UG and PG, course-dependent	May accept a UK-equivalent degree where English was the medium of instruction	Applicants need an official MOI letter and must still meet the English profile for the programme.
University of East London	Country and course-dependent	Publishes MOI options for selected countries and institutions	India and Nepal have published MOI routes, while other countries follow different evidence rules.
University of Roehampton	Selected country routes	Accepts MOI as evidence for applicants from certain countries	Current country pages include MOI routes for Nigeria and Ghana rather than a universal waiver.

The table reflects conditional routes, not university-wide guarantees. Professional programmes in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, teacher training, social work and other regulated fields may require an approved English test even when another course at the same university accepts MOI.

Official policies show how varied these decisions can be. Southampton considers eligible degrees taught and assessed in English, while Brighton accepts MOI from selected South Asian institutions. Nottingham Trent publishes a restricted institution-based route, Cardiff Metropolitan University combines MOI with country-specific conditions, and Aston sets qualification, recency and school-English requirements. Edinburgh uses an approved-university list for degrees from non-majority English-speaking countries.

Always check the exact 2027 course page. Policies may differ between January, May and September entry and can change during an admissions cycle.

What Is an MOI Certificate?

MOI stands for Medium of Instruction. An MOI certificate is an official letter from your previous school, college or university confirming the language used to teach and assess a qualification.

For most Master’s applications, the relevant document comes from the university that awarded your bachelor’s degree. A transcript may show modules, credits and marks without stating whether lectures, assignments and examinations took place in English. The MOI letter provides that missing evidence.

The wording taught and assessed entirely in English matters. A letter stating only that English was “used” at the institution may not prove that the whole programme, including examinations and coursework, was completed in English.

A suitable MOI certificate should normally include:

• Your full name and student or registration number
• The exact qualification title and dates of study
• Confirmation that the programme was taught and assessed entirely in English
• The institution’s official letterhead
• The name, role and signature of an authorised officer
• An official stamp or seal
• A working institutional email address or telephone number

The issuing institution may charge an administrative fee, but there is no standard UK-wide price for an MOI certificate.

MOI Acceptance Requirements for UK Universities

Universities assess the qualification behind the letter. They do not approve every MOI certificate simply because it carries a signature and stamp.

Recognised Awarding Institution

Some universities maintain approved institution lists. Others review the awarding university individually. Two applicants with similar degrees can therefore receive different decisions because their institutions have different recognition or verification status.

The institution must also be contactable. If an admissions team cannot verify the letter, it may request another English qualification or arrange an interview.

Graduation Date and MOI Validity

Recency limits vary. Published policies commonly use periods of two, three, five or seven years, although some universities consider older qualifications alongside recent professional or academic use of English.

The completion date of the underlying qualification usually matters more than the date on the MOI letter. Requesting a newly dated certificate does not make a degree completed ten years earlier a recent qualification.

School-Level English Results

MOI may form only one part of the waiver. Applicants can also need a specified grade in HSC English, HSSC English, Standard XII English, WAEC, NECO or another school qualification.

This combined approach appears frequently in country-specific postgraduate policies. Meeting the MOI condition alone may not remove the school-level requirement.

UK Universities That Accept MOI for Master’s Degrees

MOI routes are most common for Master’s applicants because a completed bachelor’s degree can demonstrate several years of English-medium study.

The university may check whether the degree is comparable to a UK bachelor’s qualification, whether the full programme was taught and assessed in English, how recently it was completed and whether the awarding institution appears on an approved list. It may also review school-level English results or conduct an interview.

A general postgraduate waiver does not override the course requirement. Nursing, medicine, teaching, law and other professional programmes can ask for a recognised test even when a business, computing or management course accepts MOI.

Course and Study Level

Undergraduate applicants often rely on school-leaving English qualifications rather than an MOI letter. Foundation, pre-sessional and below-degree programmes can require a Secure English Language Test because different visa rules may apply.

The exact course page always takes priority over a general university or country page. Applicants can compare the different forms of English evidence used by UK universities before choosing the most suitable route.

MOI Requirements by Applicant Country

MOI acceptance differs by country because universities evaluate national qualifications, school-English results and awarding institutions differently.

Applicant background	What universities commonly check	Examples of published routes
Bangladesh	HSC English grade, approved awarding institution, recent bachelor’s degree and confirmation of teaching and assessment in English	Aston, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Brighton
Pakistan	Four-year bachelor’s degree, HSSC English, named university and graduation within the stated period	Stirling, Leicester, Nottingham Trent and Cardiff Metropolitan University
India	Standard XII English, recognised university, course level and degree recency	Aston, Heriot-Watt, Brighton, Bristol, Exeter and UCA
Nepal	School English or intermediate result, approved university and an official MOI letter	Aston, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of East London
Nigeria and Ghana	WAEC, WASSCE or NECO English, recognised degree-awarding institution and country-specific MOI evidence	Goldsmiths and Roehampton

These examples do not mean that every applicant from the named country qualifies. Check both the country guidance and the programme requirement, then ask admissions to confirm your awarding institution.

MOI Accepted Universities in London and Scotland

MOI Accepted Universities in London

London options with published MOI or English-taught degree routes include Goldsmiths, the University of East London and the University of Roehampton. Each uses different country, institution and course conditions.

University for the Creative Arts also has campuses within reach of London, but applicants must check the location of the chosen course and the specific English-language policy.

MOI Accepted Universities in Scotland

Scottish universities with published English-taught qualification routes include the University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee, University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt University.

Their policies are not interchangeable. Edinburgh uses an approved-university list and a five-year degree limit for many applicants, while Stirling and Heriot-Watt combine MOI with country-specific evidence.

Can You Study in the UK Without IELTS Using MOI?

Yes. You can study in the UK without IELTS when the university formally accepts your MOI certificate or another form of English evidence for the chosen course.

MOI is only one route. A university may instead accept a school qualification, an English-taught degree, an internal assessment, a pre-sessional course or another recognised test. Applicants can compare alternative routes that do not require IELTS, including universities that consider PTE as English evidence or allow Duolingo for selected programmes.

Do not book a test before checking the course requirement. Accepted tests, validity periods and minimum component scores can differ within the same university.

Is MOI Accepted for a UK Student Visa?

An MOI certificate can support the English-language assessment used for a UK Student visa, but the letter does not independently guarantee visa approval.

For degree-level study, an eligible Higher Education Provider can assess an applicant’s English ability and record the method on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS. Under the current Student visa English-language guidance, degree-level students normally need English at CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The university may use an English-taught qualification, an MOI letter, a school result, an interview or another accepted form of evidence. Where an overseas degree is used directly under the immigration rules, an Ecctis assessment may be required. The UKVI English-language rules explain the available evidence routes.

The process normally works in this order:

1. The university checks the academic and English requirements.
2. It accepts the MOI evidence or asks for further proof.
3. Once all offer conditions are met, the university issues the CAS.
4. The student submits the CAS and the remaining evidence with the visa application.

MOI does not replace the academic, financial, credibility or document requirements of the Student visa. Applicants who need support can explore help with admission and visa documents.

How to Get an MOI Certificate

Contact the registrar, examinations office, academic records department or student services team at the institution that awarded your qualification.

Provide your full name, student number, programme title, dates of study and graduation year. The institution may also request a copy of your transcript, degree certificate, passport or application form.

Ask for wording that confirms both teaching and assessment. A clear statement could read:

This is to certify that [student name] completed the [qualification title] at [institution name] from [start date] to [end date]. The programme was taught and assessed entirely in English.

Your institution may use different wording. That is acceptable when the letter clearly identifies the student, qualification, teaching language and assessment language.

Before submitting the letter, check that:

• Your name matches your passport and academic records
• The qualification title and dates are accurate
• The document appears on official headed paper
• An authorised officer has signed it
• The institution has added a stamp or seal
• The contact details are current and verifiable

Processing times and charges vary because the issuing institution sets its own procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Universities Accept MOI in the UK?

Universities with published MOI or English-taught degree routes include Southampton, Brighton, Portsmouth, Dundee, Stirling, Suffolk, Bristol, Exeter, Aston, Edinburgh and others in the table above. Acceptance depends on the applicant’s institution, country, graduation date and course, so no university should be treated as accepting every MOI certificate.

Is MOI Accepted from Bangladesh for UK Universities?

Yes, selected UK universities consider MOI from eligible Bangladeshi applicants. Aston and Cardiff Metropolitan University publish defined conditions, while Brighton accepts MOI from certain institutions. Applicants may also need the required HSC English grade, a recent degree and approval of the awarding institution.

Is MOI Accepted from Pakistan for UK Universities?

Yes, several universities publish MOI routes for Pakistani postgraduate applicants. Stirling, Leicester and Nottingham Trent may require a recognised four-year bachelor’s degree, a named awarding institution, HSSC English and a Medium of Instruction letter issued within the stated period.

Which UK Universities Accept MOI for Master’s Degrees?

Southampton, Portsmouth, Dundee, Suffolk, Bristol, Exeter, Aston, UCA, Stirling, Heriot-Watt and other universities may consider a qualifying English-taught bachelor’s degree for Master’s admission. The applicant must still meet the individual programme requirement, and regulated courses may require an approved English test.

Can I Study in the UK Without IELTS If I Have an MOI Certificate?

Yes, if the university formally accepts your MOI for the chosen course and removes the English-test condition. It may still request a school-level English result, an interview, an internal assessment or another recognised test before confirming the waiver.

Can a University Issue a CAS After Accepting MOI?

Yes. An eligible university can assess a degree-level applicant’s English ability and record that assessment on the CAS. The MOI letter supports the university’s decision, but it does not replace the CAS or the other documents required for a Student visa.

How Long Is an MOI Certificate Valid?

There is no universal expiry date for the letter itself. Universities usually apply a validity period to the underlying qualification, commonly between two and seven years. Some may consider an older degree alongside recent study or professional work completed in English.

What Should an MOI Certificate Include?

It should include the student’s full name, qualification, dates of study and a clear statement that the programme was taught and assessed entirely in English. It should also carry official letterhead, an authorised signature, a stamp or seal and verifiable institutional contact details.

Choosing a UK University That Accepts MOI

MOI accepted universities in UK do not follow one national policy. A strong 2027 application matches the university’s published rule with the applicant’s country, awarding institution, graduation date and exact course.

Check the course page first, then review the international or country guidance. Ask admissions to confirm the English-language waiver in writing before paying a deposit or relying on MOI at the CAS stage.

Students can plan their studies in Britain or check their eligibility before applying when the published policy does not clearly cover their profile.