IELTS vs MOI: Can Pakistani Students Study in the UK Without IELTS?

What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letter?

A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is an official document issued by your Pakistani university confirming that your undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme was taught entirely in English. It is issued by the university's Registrar's office on official letterhead and signed by the Registrar or the Principal.

In practical terms, it serves as evidence — accepted by many UK universities — that you have already studied for 3 or 4 years through the medium of English and therefore do not need to prove your English proficiency through a standardised test like IELTS or PTE.

The MOI letter is free of charge. You simply submit a formal request to your university's Registrar or Examinations Controller, specifying that it is required for a UK university application. Most Pakistani universities issue it within 2–4 weeks, though some — particularly larger institutions like NUST or COMSATS — may have faster processes if you apply through the official student portal.

Which UK Universities Accept MOI?

MOI acceptance policies vary significantly between UK institutions. Some have broad acceptance for all English-medium Pakistani degrees; others maintain an approved list of specific Pakistani universities; and a few require IELTS regardless. Below is a summary for UVC's UK partner institutions:

Which Pakistani Universities Are Recognised for MOI?

The good news for Pakistani students is that the vast majority of HEC-recognised Pakistani universities that teach in English are on one or both accepted lists. The University of Wolverhampton's list alone covers over 50 Pakistani institutions.

Commonly recognised universities include:

• Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
• Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi
• University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore
• National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad
• FAST National University (FAST-NUCES) — all campuses
• University of Central Punjab (UCP), Lahore
• Bahria University — Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad
• COMSATS University Islamabad — all campuses
• Government College University (GCU), Lahore
• University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore
• University of the Punjab, Lahore
• Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
• Aga Khan University
• Superior University, Lahore
• Forman Christian College (FCCU), Lahore
• And 35+ additional HEC-recognised institutions

How to Get Your MOI Letter

The process is straightforward but must be done carefully — the letter must meet specific formatting requirements to be accepted by UK universities.

1. Submit a formal written request to your university's Registrar's office. Write a formal application (typed, on plain paper or your university's student request form) addressed to the Registrar. State your full name, student ID, degree programme, and that you require an MOI letter for a UK university application.
2. Specify the exact content required. The letter must include: your full legal name (as on passport), your degree programme (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science), your enrollment period (e.g., 2019–2023), and an explicit statement that "the medium of instruction for the above programme was English throughout."
3. Ensure it is on official university letterhead. The letter must be on your university's official headed paper, bearing the university logo and address. A photocopy or plain-paper version will not be accepted by UK universities.
4. Obtain the original signature of the Registrar or Principal. The letter must be signed — not stamped only — by either the Registrar, Controller of Examinations, or Principal/Rector. Some Pakistani universities also affix the university seal in addition to the signature.
5. Keep original + certified copies. Submit the original to your UK university application. Keep certified copies (attested by a gazetted officer or the university itself) for your VFS visa application documents.

When You Still Need IELTS

MOI is not universally accepted. There are specific situations where IELTS (or an equivalent test such as PTE Academic or TOEFL) remains mandatory regardless of your Pakistani educational background:

• Healthcare and NHS-regulated courses: Nursing, medicine, dentistry, midwifery, and allied health professions require IELTS with specific band scores (usually 7.0+) as a condition of professional registration with the NMC, GMC, or GDC. MOI is not accepted for these courses under any circumstances.
• University of Law and similar professional programmes: The University of Law requires IELTS 6.5 overall for all programmes, regardless of prior education medium. Similarly, LSBF and LCCA require IELTS 6.0.
• Pre-sessional English courses: If you have a conditional offer with a language condition, you will need to meet it — either with IELTS or by completing a pre-sessional English course offered by the university.
• Your specific university does not accept MOI: Always confirm the policy directly with your university's admissions team, or let UVC confirm it for you.
• IELTS for Visa Extension: In some rare circumstances, IELTS may be required for a visa extension, though this is separate from the initial study visa application.

IELTS Requirements If You Do Need It

If your chosen university requires IELTS, here are the standard requirements for UK study:

IELTS tests are available at British Council and IDP testing centres across Pakistan — in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Multan. The fee for IELTS Academic is approximately PKR 36,000–40,000 (as of 2026). Results are typically available online within 13 days of the test date and are valid for 2 years.