Study in Italy without IELTS: which universities really accept an MOI letter?
We checked the official English-language rules of 18 Italian public universities for 2026/27. Some accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter, some only for certain programmes, and a few say clearly that they don’t. Here’s the honest list for students from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
- Most universities ask for English at B2 level; a few programmes ask for C1.
- Duolingo is rarely accepted, so don’t count on it.
- Always check the call for your exact programme. Rules change by course.
Italian universities and MOI letters: the 2026/27 list
Your degree must be taught entirely in English. Submit a transcript or diploma supplement stating the language, or an official university letter. B2 level.
Official rule ↗For Master’s: English must have been the medium for at least 3 years of your Bachelor’s, with a university document stating at least 75% of courses were in English. Duolingo not accepted.
Official rule ↗A university statement or degree certificate showing your degree was officially taught in English is accepted (e.g. Cognitive Science, Data Science).
Official rule ↗A letter stating your programme was taught entirely in English is accepted for any nationality, at the committee’s discretion. They may hold a short online interview; a paid €30 online English interview is also available.
Official rule ↗Exempt if your degree was “taught entirely in English”. If not, you can take the university’s paid B2 test instead of IELTS.
Official rule ↗B2 certificate or a certificate showing English was the medium of instruction for your whole undergraduate degree. Required only for some courses.
Official rule ↗“Those who have completed an entire course of study entirely in English are also exempt.” Otherwise B2 (IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 72).
Official rule ↗Decided per programme. For example, Statistical Sciences accepts a degree with English as the medium of instruction; other programmes need a certificate or the internal test.
Example rule ↗The general waiver covers English-taught degrees from the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and NZ. Some programmes (e.g. MSc Biochemistry) accept any degree where English was the main language. Duolingo not accepted.
Official rule ↗Studies completed entirely in English are “usually, but not always” accepted. Check your course page before applying.
Official FAQ ↗Some Master’s programmes accept a certificate from your university saying your Bachelor’s was taught in English; others need a B2 or C1 certificate. Duolingo is never accepted.
Official rule ↗An MOI statement counts only for qualifications from exempt countries (e.g. US, UK, Canada, Australia) or from countries on PoliTo’s list. Check whether your country is listed.
Official rule ↗MOI letters are “never accepted, even if coming from English fully-taught programmes”. You need a certificate or the university’s own entry test.
Official rule ↗“Do not upload MOI certificates.” Master’s programmes ask for a B2 certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, Trinity or Pearson).
Official rule ↗The exemption applies only to English-taught degrees from listed (mainly English-speaking) countries, so students from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh need IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson or Cambridge.
Official rule ↗Florence’s Financial Risk Management and Federico II’s MSc TEAM state that MOI certificates are not accepted (TEAM accepts Duolingo). Other programmes may differ.
Florence ↗ · Federico II ↗Checked against official university pages in October 2026, mostly for Master’s admission. Rules are set per programme, so always confirm in your programme’s call for applications. Browse all options on our Italian public universities page.
How to get an MOI letter that universities accept
An MOI (Medium of Instruction) letter is an official statement from your university confirming that your degree was taught in English. Italian universities look for very specific wording, so a generic letter is often rejected.
Sample MOI letter wording
This is to certify that [Full name as in passport], Registration No. [number], was enrolled in the [Bachelor of Science in Computer Science] programme at [University name] from [2020] to [2024].
The medium of instruction and examination for the entire programme, including all courses, assessments and the final project, was English.
[Name, designation]
Controller of Examinations / Registrar
[Signature, stamp, date]
Your university will use its own format. The important parts are the words “entire programme” and “medium of instruction and examination … English”.
No MOI? Other ways to skip IELTS
Can you get an Italy student visa without IELTS?
Usually yes, if your university accepted your English proof. For India, the latest VFS study visa checklist (2026) accepts an English B2 certificate or an MOI declaration; see our Italy study visa from India 2027 guide. For Pakistan and Bangladesh, follow your consulate’s current checklist and carry the same MOI letter you used for admission. Our Pakistan study visa guide explains the full file. Consulates also hold an interview, so be ready to answer simple questions in English.
Plan the rest of your application
Planning your budget? See the full cost of studying in Italy 2027: tuition fees, living costs by city and example budgets in PKR, INR and BDT.
Want a Data Science or AI master’s? See Data Science & AI master’s in Italy that accept an MOI letter, with 2027 deadlines.
Study in Italy without IELTS: FAQ
Can I study in Italy without IELTS?
Yes. Many Italian public universities, including Padua, Politecnico di Milano, Trento, Siena, Ca’ Foscari, Genoa and Milano-Bicocca, accept proof that your previous degree was taught entirely in English instead of IELTS. Rules differ by programme, so check each call.
Which Italian universities accept an MOI letter?
Based on official 2026/27 pages: Padua, Politecnico di Milano, Trento, Siena, Ca’ Foscari, Genoa and Milano-Bicocca accept it; Bologna, Sapienza, Pavia and Turin accept it for some programmes; University of Milan (Statale) and Camerino do not.
Is an MOI letter from Pakistan, India or Bangladesh accepted in Italy?
Yes at universities that accept English-taught degrees from any country, as long as the letter states the entire programme was taught and examined in English. Some universities, like Messina and Politecnico di Torino, only accept it from listed countries.
Is Duolingo accepted by Italian universities?
Rarely. University of Turin and Politecnico di Milano say Duolingo is not accepted. A few programmes, such as Federico II’s MSc TEAM, do accept it.
Do I need IELTS for an Italy student visa?
Not necessarily. India’s 2026 VFS study visa checklist accepts an English B2 certificate or an MOI declaration. For Pakistan and Bangladesh, follow your consulate’s checklist and carry the MOI letter you used for admission.
Can I do a Bachelor’s in Italy without IELTS?
Sometimes, but it is harder. Most English-taught Bachelor’s programmes ask students applying with 12th-class results for a B2 certificate, while some accept an English-medium school certificate or their own test.
Going for a master’s? Our MS in Italy for Pakistani students guide lists English-taught programmes and when an MOI letter is enough.
Skip IELTS, not your Italian dream
EuroPath Consulting helps students from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh find universities that accept their MOI letter, then handles admission, DSU and visa step by step.
Last checked: October 2026, against official admission pages of each university listed. Requirements are set per programme and can change; always confirm in your programme’s call for applications.
