Planning to study in Italy in 2027 but don’t have IELTS?
You may have another option.
Some Italian universities and individual degree programmes accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) document as evidence of English-language education. This can be particularly useful for Pakistani students whose previous education was delivered in English.
However, there is one important thing to understand:
MOI acceptance is not universal across all Italian universities or all programmes.
Some programmes accept an official MOI instead of IELTS, while others require IELTS, TOEFL or another recognised English-language certificate. Some programmes may also impose conditions on the country where the previous qualification was obtained.
This guide explains how Pakistani students can check Italy universities accepting MOI 2027 and what documents they may need.
What Is MOI?
MOI stands for Medium of Instruction.
An MOI certificate is an official document issued by your previous school, college or university confirming the language used for teaching your programme.
For example, an official document may state that:
The medium of instruction of the programme was English.
This document can sometimes be used to demonstrate English-language proficiency instead of submitting IELTS.
But the exact wording and acceptance criteria depend on the university or programme.
Can Pakistani Students Study in Italy Without IELTS Using MOI?
Yes, in some cases.
There are Italian universities and programmes where an official MOI can satisfy the English-language requirement.
For example, the University of Genoa currently states for its English-taught master’s admissions that applicants can provide a B2 English certificate or evidence that English was the medium of instruction. It specifically allows graduates of English-taught bachelor’s programmes to provide documentation confirming English as the medium of instruction.
The University of Parma also has programmes where students who completed education in English can provide an official English Proficiency Letter or MOI document instead of a standard language certificate.
So, Pakistani students should not simply search for “Italy without IELTS.”
Instead, search for:
“Italy universities accepting MOI for my programme.”
Italy Universities Accepting MOI in 2027
The following universities have current official programme-level evidence showing that MOI can be accepted in certain circumstances.
The University of Genoa (Università di Genova) is one of the clearest current examples.
For selected English-taught master’s admissions, UniGe states that students can demonstrate English proficiency through:
- B2 English certificate, or
- A certificate confirming that English was the medium of instruction.
The university specifically mentions that students with a bachelor’s degree in English can provide documentation confirming that English was the medium of instruction throughout their undergraduate studies.
Important: This does not mean every University of Genoa programme automatically accepts MOI. Always check the specific course requirements.
The University of Parma also has programmes where MOI can be used as evidence of English proficiency.
Its current guidance states that students who have completed at least one year of education in English can provide an English Proficiency Letter or an official Medium of Instruction document indicating the language in which the diploma or degree was obtained.
For some Parma admission routes, MOI is therefore an alternative to a formal English-language certificate.
Again, students should check the specific 2027 programme call.
The University of Bologna provides an important example of why students must check the programme rather than relying on a university-wide list.
Some Bologna programmes allow a certificate stating that a bachelor’s or master’s degree was taught in English as the medium of instruction.
However, other Bologna programmes have restrictions.
For example, some engineering programme requirements state that MOI certificates from universities in certain countries outside the listed countries are not admissible.
Therefore:
University of Bologna = MOI may be accepted for some programmes, but not necessarily for every programme or every Pakistani applicant.
This is exactly why checking the individual programme page is essential.
Important MOI Rule for Pakistani Students
Having an MOI certificate does not automatically mean that IELTS is waived.
The university may ask:
- Was your complete degree taught in English?
- Was the previous qualification obtained at university level?
- Does the MOI come directly from your institution?
- Does the document clearly mention English as the medium of instruction?
- Does the programme require B2 English?
- Does the university accept MOI from Pakistan?
- Does the programme accept MOI for international students?
These questions can make the difference between an accepted and rejected language document.
What Should a Pakistani Student's MOI Certificate Say?
A good MOI document should clearly identify:
Student’s full name
Degree/programme name
Institution name
Period of study
Statement confirming English as the medium of instruction
Official signature/stamp or authorised verification
For example, the document can clearly state that the degree/programme was taught and examined in English.
The exact wording should follow the requirements of the university you are applying to.
Can MOI Replace IELTS for Bachelor's Admission?
Sometimes, but this depends heavily on the programme.
For bachelor’s programmes, universities may have different rules regarding English proficiency.
For example, the University of Bologna currently has an undergraduate programme where an English-medium high school diploma or higher-level qualification can be used to demonstrate English proficiency.
The University of Parma also has English-taught first-cycle programmes with specific rules regarding English proficiency and MOI.
Therefore, Pakistani students applying after FSc, FA, ICS, A-Levels or equivalent qualifications should check the exact bachelor’s programme requirements.
Can MOI Replace IELTS for Master's Admission?
MOI is often particularly relevant for master’s applicants because they already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Some English-taught master’s programmes accept evidence that the bachelor’s degree was fully delivered in English.
For example, the University of Genoa currently allows qualifying applicants to provide proof that English was the medium of instruction throughout their undergraduate studies.
But some programmes can impose additional conditions, including restrictions based on the country where the previous degree was obtained.
Documents Required for MOI-Based Admission
If you want to apply using MOI, prepare:
Academic Documents
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Previous qualification
- Detailed marksheets, where required
MOI Document
Your official Medium of Instruction certificate should clearly identify the language of instruction.
Personal Documents
- Passport
- CV
- Photograph, where required
Programme-Specific Documents
Depending on the university:
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Portfolio
- Entrance test
- Course syllabus
- Additional academic documents
The university may request additional documents during the evaluation.
How to Apply to an Italy University With MOI in 2027?
The process is relatively straightforward:
Step 1 – Choose an English-Taught Programme
First select a programme that matches your academic background.
Step 2 – Check the English Requirement
Look specifically for the section titled:
Language Requirements / English Proficiency
Step 3 – Look for MOI Acceptance
Check whether the programme says something similar to:
- Medium of Instruction accepted
- Degree taught in English
- Previous education in English
- English-medium qualification accepted
Step 4 – Prepare Your MOI
Request an official MOI from your school, college or university.
Step 5 – Submit Your Application
Upload your MOI together with the other required documents.
Step 6 – Wait for Evaluation
The university may verify your documents and determine whether your MOI satisfies its language requirement.
Step 7 – Continue With Universitaly
If you receive admission and require a visa, the next stage can involve Universitaly pre-enrolment. International students requiring a visa use Universitaly for the pre-enrolment process.
MOI vs IELTS – What's the Difference?
| MOI | IELTS |
|---|---|
| Issued by your educational institution | Issued by an English testing organisation |
| Confirms previous education was in English | Tests current English proficiency |
| Accepted only where the programme allows it | More widely recognised |
| Usually no separate international test required | Requires taking the test |
| Requirements vary by university/programme | Score requirements vary by programme |
The important point is that MOI is not a universal replacement for IELTS.
It is an alternative only where the specific university/programme accepts it.
Does MOI Guarantee Italy Admission?
No.
MOI only addresses the language requirement where it is accepted.
You still need to satisfy the programme’s:
- Academic requirements
- Subject requirements
- Degree requirements
- Admission test requirements
- Application deadline
- Document requirements
- Other eligibility criteria
Italy’s Ministry of University and Research explains that Italian universities have autonomy in assessing foreign qualifications and establishing the documentation required for their procedures.
Important Warning for Pakistani Students
Don’t trust a list saying:
“100% Italy Universities Without IELTS.”
The reality is more specific.
A university may accept MOI for:
Master’s Programme A
but require IELTS for:
Master’s Programme B.
Even within the same university, language requirements can differ between programmes.
For example, University of Bologna’s current programme pages show both situations: some programmes accept English-medium degree documentation, while another explicitly states that MOI certificates from certain countries are not admissible.
So before applying, always check the official programme admission page.
Final Thoughts
For Pakistani students planning to study in Italy in 2027, MOI can be a useful alternative to IELTS when the selected university and programme specifically accept it.
The safest approach is:
Choose programme → Check language requirement → Confirm MOI acceptance → Prepare official MOI → Apply.
Don’t assume that because one Italian university accepts MOI, every Italian university will accept it.
If you are exploring study abroad, study in Europe or foreign education opportunities and want to apply to Italy using your previous English-medium education, checking the programme-specific MOI rules before submitting your application can save both time and money.
You can also explore available scholarship opportunities after identifying programmes that match your academic profile.
AK Dream Destinations can assist Pakistani students with Italian university selection, admission applications, documentation and the overall study in Italy process.
