PhD Scholarships 2025 Fully Funded Without IELTS (With Stipend)
Last updated: August 18, 2025 • Editor: Chgr Team
Looking for a fully funded PhD in 2025 with a monthly stipend and no IELTS? Many top programs accept IELTS alternatives such as TOEFL iBT, PTE, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge C1/C2, or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter—sometimes combined with an internal assessment. Below is a curated list of global PhD scholarships and paid doctoral positions. Always verify exact English rules on the official page for your department.
Quick Comparison Table (2025)
| Program | Country/Region | Stipend/Coverage | IELTS Policy (2025) | Deadline Window | Fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD Doctoral Scholarships | Germany | ≈€1,300+/mo + insurance + travel | Program‑specific; TOEFL common; MOI sometimes | Dec–Mar (varies) | STEM, Social Sci, Dev Studies |
| MSCA Doctoral Networks | EU (multi‑country) | Employment salary + living/mobility allowances | No fixed IELTS; host rules; many accept alternatives | Calls year‑round | STEM, Data/AI, SocSci |
| CSC — PhD | China | Tuition + housing + ≈CNY 3,500/mo | MOI often accepted for English‑taught | Feb–Apr | All majors |
| MEXT — PhD | Japan | Tuition + ≈¥145,000/mo + airfare | English proof varies; alternatives/MOI often ok | Embassy: spring–summer | All majors |
| KAUST PhD | Saudi Arabia | Tuition + USD ≈2,000–3,000/mo + housing | TOEFL/IELTS or waiver for English‑medium degrees | Rolling | STEM |
| MBZUAI PhD | UAE | Full tuition + competitive stipend + housing | IELTS/TOEFL/EmSAT; waivers in cases | Multiple rounds | AI/ML/Data |
| SINGA | Singapore | S$2,200–2,700/mo + fees support | IELTS/TOEFL optional; strong English/MOI helps | 2 intakes/yr | STEM (A*STAR + unis) |
| Gates Cambridge — PhD | UK | Tuition + ~£20k+/yr maintenance + extras | Meet Cambridge English; waivers/alt tests possible | Oct–Jan | All Cambridge fields |
| Commonwealth PhD | UK | Tuition + stipend + flights + allowances | Host uni English rules; alternatives often accepted | Sep–Dec | Priority areas |
| HBKU PhD | Qatar | Tuition + stipend + housing + travel | IELTS/TOEFL; waivers sometimes | Rounds per year | STEM, Policy, Health |
| KAU PhD | Saudi Arabia | Monthly stipend + housing + health | English test or MOI (program‑dependent) | Calls open periodically | Multiple |
| ANU HDR | Australia | AUD ≈30k–40k/yr stipend + tuition offset | IELTS alternatives (TOEFL/PTE/C1) accepted | Rounds per year | All research fields |
| ETH Zurich Doctoral | Switzerland | Paid salary (employment contract) | No fixed IELTS; supervisor/department decides | Rolling | STEM |
DAAD Doctoral Scholarships (Germany)
Covers: Monthly stipend (around €1,300+), health insurance, travel allowance; some programs include family/child benefits.
English policy: Depends on host department/course. Many accept TOEFL or a MOI letter for English‑taught programs. Verify on the specific call.
Notes: Includes DAAD Research Grants & Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP).
Official: daad.de
MSCA Doctoral Networks (EU)
Covers: Full employment contract with salary plus living/mobility allowances; secondments across EU partners.
English policy: Set by host; many accept alternatives to IELTS or assess English during interviews.
How to apply: Search “MSCA Doctoral Networks” vacancies on EURAXESS and host university sites.
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — PhD
Covers: Tuition, on‑campus housing, monthly stipend (≈CNY 3,500), medical insurance.
English policy: For English‑taught PhDs, many universities accept MOI letters; department rules vary.
Official: campuschina.org
MEXT PhD (Japan)
Covers: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend (~¥145,000 for doctoral), airfare; potential language prep.
English policy: Embassy/University tracks commonly accept TOEFL/IELTS or MOI where allowed; confirm with target lab.
Official: mext.go.jp
KAUST PhD Fellowship (Saudi Arabia)
Covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend (≈USD 2,000–3,000), on‑campus housing, health insurance.
English policy: TOEFL/IELTS accepted; waivers may be granted for prior English‑medium degrees (program‑dependent).
Official: kaust.edu.sa
MBZUAI PhD (UAE)
Covers: Full tuition, competitive monthly stipend, housing, health insurance, and research support in AI/ML.
English policy: IELTS/TOEFL/EmSAT; waivers possible in specific cases.
Official: mbzuai.ac.ae
SINGA — Singapore International Graduate Award
Covers: Stipend S$2,200/month (rises to ≈S$2,700 after qualifying exam) + tuition support.
English policy: IELTS/TOEFL/GRE often optional; strong English via MOI and interviews can suffice (check the lab).
Official: a-star.edu.sg/singa-award
Gates Cambridge (UK) — PhD
Covers: University Composition Fee + generous maintenance (~£20k+/yr), and other allowances.
English policy: Meet Cambridge English requirement via IELTS/TOEFL/C1/C2 or approved waiver (e.g., recent English‑medium degree).
Official: gatescambridge.org
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (UK)
Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, flights, research/travel allowances for students from eligible Commonwealth countries.
English policy: Host university sets rules; many accept TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge or consider MOI cases.
Official: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
HBKU PhD Scholarships (Qatar)
Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and travel for select colleges (Engineering, HSC, CIS, Public Policy).
English policy: IELTS/TOEFL; waivers sometimes granted for English‑medium degrees.
Official: hbku.edu.qa
KAU PhD Scholarships (Saudi Arabia)
Covers: Monthly stipend, accommodation, healthcare, and other allowances.
English policy: Department‑specific; many accept TOEFL or MOI evidence for English‑taught programs.
Official: international.kau.edu.sa
Australia HDR PhD Scholarships (ANU example)
Covers: Stipend scholarships (≈AUD 30k–40k/yr) + tuition offset + insurance; multiple rounds yearly.
English policy: TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge widely accepted; some waivers for recent English‑medium degrees.
Official: anu.edu.au — Scholarships
ETH Zurich Doctoral Positions (Switzerland)
Covers: Paid employment contract (doctoral salary) with social security; effectively fully funded.
English policy: No fixed IELTS rule; supervisor/department decides. Strong English evidence accepted.
How to apply: Find a supervisor and a posted PhD vacancy on ETH job boards/department pages.
How to Apply Without IELTS (Accepted Alternatives)
- TOEFL iBT (Home/Center), PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge C1/C2.
- MOI letter from your university stating your previous degree was taught in English (accepted case‑by‑case).
- Internal assessments or interviews used by some labs/programs.
- Country/program rules differ—always check the exact policy on the department page.
PhD Application Tips (Supervisor + Proposal)
- Targeted fit: Shortlist labs publishing in your topic in the last 12–24 months.
- Cold email right: 120–180 words, 1–2 lines on your niche, 1 highlight (paper/competition), 1 proposed idea, CV + 1‑page research pitch.
- Show readiness: Methods, tools, datasets, or preliminary results. Link GitHub/Google Scholar.
- References: Secure detailed letters that compare you to your cohort.
- Deadlines: For scholarships (DAAD/CSC/MEXT/Commonwealth), prep 2–3 months early for docs and attestations.
Visa, Insurance, Banking (High‑Value Tips)
- Germany: Blocked account for proof of funds (amount changes; check embassy). Many scholarships exempt additional proof.
- Japan/China: Health insurance specifics vary; confirm what your scholarship covers.
- GCC (KSA/UAE/Qatar): University‑provided housing/insurance often included—confirm in offer letter.
- Banking: Open a local/student account; compare international transfer fees and cards.
- Connectivity: Consider an eSIM/SIM on arrival for immediate data and MFA codes.
FAQs: Fully Funded PhD Without IELTS (2025)
Can I really do a PhD without IELTS?
Yes—many programs accept TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo/Cambridge or MOI letters, or run their own assessments. Always check the department policy.
Which fully funded PhD has the highest stipend?
MSCA Doctoral Networks (EU) and ETH/Swiss doctoral jobs offer employment salaries. KAUST, MBZUAI, and SINGA also provide strong stipends.
Do I need a research proposal?
Often yes (Europe/Asia). The U.S. model may admit without a proposal, but a concise research plan and supervisor fit always help.
Are flights included?
Many national scholarships (MEXT, Commonwealth, some DAAD) include travel. University‑funded fellowships vary.
When should I start for 2025?
Shortlist labs and scholarships by September–October, contact supervisors, and prepare documents early for deadlines between November–March.
You can secure a fully funded PhD in 2025 with a stipend without IELTS by targeting programs that accept IELTS alternatives or offer waivers. Prioritize fit with supervisors, prepare a strong research pitch, and verify each department’s English policy. Explore more in our PhD, Fully Funded, and No IELTS labels.