What the letter must contain
Weak MOI letters get rejected. A strong one includes:
- 1The university's official letterhead
- 2Your full name, roll or ID, and programme name
- 3Dates of enrolment and completion
- 4The explicit sentence: *"The medium of instruction and examination for this programme was English."*
- 5The registrar's or controller of examinations' signature, name and designation, with the institutional seal
- 6The letter's date and reference number
⚠️ The most common weakness is a letter saying only "instruction" and omitting "and examination". Many universities specifically check that examinations were in English too. Ask for that exact wording when you request it.
Who can get one
| Your institution | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Private university (English medium) | ✅ Straightforward |
| Public university, English-medium department | ✅ Available, sometimes slow |
| National University / colleges | ⚠️ Depends; check NU's rules |
| Madrasah stream | ❌ Usually not (medium is Bengali) |
| Any Bengali-medium programme | ❌ No |
Where it works
| Country | Position on MOI |
|---|---|
| Italy | Accepted on many master's programmes |
| Cyprus | Usually accepted, often alongside the university's own test |
| Malta | Programme-dependent |
| Hungary | Some programmes, often with an interview |
| Bulgaria | The university's own online test is more usual |
| Greece | Limited |
| Finland | Conditional waivers exist; the conditions are specific |
| Sweden / Denmark | Generally not — a test is required |
Three real limits
1. It rarely works at bachelor's level. The logic of MOI is "the previous degree was in English", and after higher secondary that argument is weak.
2. It is weak in competitive programmes. Where applicants outnumber places, IELTS holders are ahead even if MOI is technically accepted.
3. It often fails for scholarships. Most scholarships specify a test score. You can be admitted on an MOI and then be excluded from the funding — and you find that out late.
Practical advice: an MOI costs nothing, so get one if you are eligible — there is no downside and it occasionally proves useful. But do not decide to skip IELTS on the strength of it unless every programme on your list has confirmed in writing that it accepts MOI.
How to be certain
One email to the admissions office:
"My Bachelor's degree from [University], Bangladesh was taught and examined entirely in English. Do you accept a Medium of Instruction certificate in place of IELTS for [Programme]? And is it also accepted for the residence permit application?"
The second question is the one people forget, and the one that causes the most trouble later. Keep the reply in writing — if anyone says otherwise afterwards, that is your evidence.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
How do I get an MOI certificate?+
From your university's registrar or controller of examinations, usually free or for a nominal fee. Insist the letter states that the 'medium of instruction and examination' was English — a letter saying only 'instruction' is rejected by many universities.
Can an MOI replace IELTS?+
Only where every programme on your list accepts it and the country's immigration authority does too. It is free so worth having, but skipping IELTS on the strength of it is risky, particularly in the Nordics and for scholarship applications.
Does MOI work for bachelor's admission?+
Rarely. The logic of MOI is that a previous degree was taught in English, and that argument is weak straight after higher secondary.
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