MBBS in China without IELTS is possible at some universities, but not at all of them. There is no single national rule. Each Chinese university sets its own English requirement, and the choices usually are an IELTS or TOEFL score, a medium-of-instruction (MOI) certificate from your school, or no English test at all. Never accept a blanket "no IELTS needed" promise. Ask for the written policy of the specific university and intake.
This guide explains what different universities ask, how to get an MOI letter, which other tests may be accepted, and what to do if your schooling was in Urdu. For the full eligibility picture, see our guide on MBBS in China eligibility for Pakistani students.
Is IELTS required for MBBS in China?
It depends on the university. The Shanghai municipal government explains the rule in general terms: Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes need HSK Level 4, while for programmes taught in a foreign language, universities must state their own language requirements, and they set their own enrolment standards (Study in Shanghai FAQ, February 2026). So an English-taught MBBS has no HSK condition by default, but the English condition is left to each school.
In practice you will meet three kinds of policy:
- Universities that ask for a test score, with a school MOI certificate as an alternative.
- Universities that ask for a higher test score and exempt only native speakers or English-medium high school graduates.
- Universities whose directory entry says no IELTS or TOEFL is needed, with the application judged on transcripts and other documents.
The point to remember is that all three exist at the same time. A student who hears "China does not need IELTS" and a student who hears "China needs IELTS 6.5" may both be repeating something true about one university.
What English scores do Chinese medical universities ask for?
These examples come from the universities' own admissions pages. They are a snapshot, not a rule for everyone. Dates matter, because the figures change between intakes.
| University | English requirement stated | Alternative or waiver | Source year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiamen University | IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 | MOI certificate from a high school taught mainly in English. Applicants from countries where English is the official language are exempt. The MBBS FAQ also lists Duolingo 100 or above. | Fall 2026 intake |
| Tongji University | IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 85 | Native English speakers and graduates of English-taught high schools need not submit a certificate. Shortlisted applicants attend an admission interview. | 2024 plan |
| Jilin University | IELTS 6.0 (at least 5.0 in each section) or TOEFL 70 (at least 15 in each section) | English proficiency certificate from a recognised secondary school, per our directory page. | Per our directory |
| Capital Medical University | No IELTS or TOEFL listed | Directory page says no English test or interview is required. CSCA transcript is asked for. | Per our directory |
| China Three Gorges University | No IELTS or TOEFL listed | Directory page says no IELTS, TOEFL or on-campus interview is required. CSCA is the academic qualifier. | Per our directory |
| China Medical University | No IELTS or TOEFL listed | Directory page lists "No IELTS or TOEFL required". | Per our directory |
Sources: the Xiamen University MBBS admissions page and the Tongji University School of Medicine recruitment plan. The Jilin, Capital Medical, Three Gorges and China Medical rows are from our directory, not from the universities' own pages, so confirm each one with the university before you rely on it.
Two cautions on the table. Tongji's page is the 2024 plan, and the 2026 plan changed the age limit, so the English line may have changed as well. And Sun Yat-sen University's older guide asked for TOEFL iBT 105 or IELTS 7.5 for English-taught medicine, which shows how high the bar can go at some schools. That guide is from 2020 and Sun Yat-sen is not MOE-listed in our directory, so treat it only as an example of a strict policy, not a current figure.
Can I use a MOI letter instead of IELTS?
At some universities, yes. Xiamen University's admissions page lists an English medium-of-instruction certificate from a high school where English is the main language of instruction as one of the three accepted proofs. Tongji exempts graduates of English-taught high schools from submitting a certificate. Jilin's directory entry mentions a certificate from a recognised secondary school.
That is not the same as every university accepting an MOI letter. Some ask for a test score regardless. Always check the wording on the admissions page: is the MOI certificate listed as an alternative, or only as a waiver for native speakers?
How do I request an MOI letter?
An MOI letter is a short document signed by your school or college stating that English was the language of instruction. Our separate guide covers the format in detail: English proficiency certificate and MOI letter guide. In short:
- Write a short application to the principal or registrar asking for an MOI certificate.
- Ask that it states your name, years attended, the level (matric, O level, FSc or A level) and that the medium of instruction was English.
- Ask for it on official letterhead, with a signature, stamp and date.
- Scan it clearly. Keep the original for the embassy and for any later verification.
- Check with the university whether it also wants the letter attested or apostilled. Policies differ.
An honest MOI letter is only possible if your school really taught in English. Do not ask an agent for a letter your school did not issue. A false document can lead to rejection of the application and a visa problem later.
Does Duolingo work for Chinese medical universities?
Sometimes. Xiamen's MBBS FAQ for the fall 2026 intake lists Duolingo English Test 100 or above next to IELTS and TOEFL. The Fudan application list we found gives a Duolingo figure too, though it did not clearly say it applied to MBBS. Other universities do not mention Duolingo at all.
The safe approach is to ask the admissions office in writing: "Will you accept the Duolingo English Test for the MBBS programme, and what score?" Do not book the test before you have that answer. Our comparison of tests is in IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo.
What about TOEFL?
TOEFL iBT is accepted wherever IELTS is listed on the pages we checked: Xiamen asks for 80, Tongji for 85, Jilin for 70 with section minimums. Xiamen also gives its TOEFL institution code (C310), which you will need when ordering score reports. If both tests are accepted, take the one you are more comfortable with. IELTS is often easier to book in Pakistan, but check test centre availability near you.
Do A-level and O-level students need an English test?
Many applicants assume they do not, and some are right, but the answer comes from the university. An O-level and A-level record is taught in English, so you may be able to ask for an MOI letter or use your school's confirmation. Xiamen and Tongji both name English-medium high school as a basis for waiver or alternative proof.
A separate issue is eligibility. A-level applicants must usually have an IBCC equivalence certificate, and the subject rules matter. Read the eligibility guide and confirm with the university before you assume your papers qualify.
What if my school was Urdu medium?
Then an MOI letter is not an option, and you should plan for one of the following:
- Take IELTS or TOEFL, and start at least two to three months before the deadline so you can retake if needed.
- Apply first to the universities that list no English test, and compare their other requirements, including CSCA.
- Ask the university whether Duolingo or an internal English test or interview is accepted.
Do not assume that a no-IELTS university will go easy on your English in class. The MBBS is taught in English, and lectures, textbooks and exams will all be in English from the first year. If you struggle with English, a university with no entry test will not fix that. Practising now with free resources is a better investment than hunting for the lowest bar. See also whether you need Chinese for MBBS in China, because hospital years often involve some Chinese with patients.
Does the English requirement change for scholarship applicants?
It can. At Xiamen the scholarship application window closes earlier than the self-funded window: scholarship applicants from 1 December 2025 to 10 April 2026, self-funded applicants to 10 May 2026. The English requirement on the page is the same for both, but scholarship committees can look harder at test scores because they rank candidates.
Government scholarship programmes such as CSC have their own conditions. Sources disagree on whether CSC funds MBBS at all, so check campuschina.org before you plan around it. Our overview of China scholarships covers what to look for.
Does MDCAT or the PMDC notice change anything about English?
No. English proficiency is a university admission matter. The PM&DC rules are a separate step. Since PM&DC public notice No. Exam-59/2026/350 of 5 October 2026, MDCAT is not required for Pakistani students seeking admission to foreign medical institutions; details are in our notice summary. You still need MDCAT only for colleges inside Pakistan, and you still need to graduate from a PM&DC-recognised institution and pass the registration exam (NRE) to practise at home. Other conditions reported in May 2026, such as FSc marks and registration, are unconfirmed after the notice, so check pmdc.pk.
Checking recognition is a separate task from choosing based on English rules. Use the steps in how to verify PMDC-recognised universities in China.
How to check a university's English policy before you apply
- Open the international admissions or MBBS page of the university for the exact intake year. Old pages stay online and mislead.
- Find the line on English proficiency. Note the test, minimum score, section minimums and any waiver.
- Email the admissions office with your school type, board and year. Ask: "Do I need an English test, or will an MOI certificate be accepted?"
- Save the reply. A written answer protects you if an agent says something different.
- Compare with the application steps in how to apply for MBBS in China so English proof fits your document timeline.
Titans Abroad does not charge a consultation fee, and we will tell you if the English policy of a shortlisted university does not match your papers. If you want help requesting an MOI letter or comparing universities, you can start an application here.
Red flags when someone promises MBBS in China without IELTS
- They promise admission to every university with no English proof, with no written policy to show.
- They ask you to pay before you see the university's admission page.
- They offer an "English certificate" from an unknown centre for a fee.
- They say the MOI letter can be arranged without your school's involvement.
Any of these is a reason to walk away. Our guide on spotting fake study-abroad consultants lists more warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS required for MBBS in China?
Not always. Each university sets its own rule. Xiamen asks for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 but also accepts a school MOI certificate. Tongji asks for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 85 with exemptions for English-medium high school graduates. Some universities list no English test in our directory. Check the admissions page for your intake year.
Can I use a MOI letter instead of IELTS?
At some universities, yes. Xiamen lists a high school English MOI certificate as an accepted proof, and Tongji exempts English-taught high school graduates. Others still want a test score. Ask the admissions office whether the letter counts as an alternative or only a waiver for native speakers, and get the answer in writing.
Does Duolingo work for Chinese medical universities?
Only at some. Xiamen's fall 2026 MBBS FAQ lists Duolingo 100 or above. Many universities do not mention it. Email the admissions office before booking the test and ask whether it is accepted for the MBBS programme, and at what score.
What IELTS score do top Chinese universities ask for?
Published figures vary: 6.0 at Xiamen, 6.5 at Tongji (2024 plan), and as high as 7.5 in Sun Yat-sen's older 2020 guide for English-taught medicine. There is no standard score. Look at the current admissions page for the intake you are applying to, because scores and rules change between years.
Do A-level students need an English test?
Often an MOI letter from the school can replace the test, since A levels are taught in English. Xiamen and Tongji both recognise English-medium high school. You also need an IBCC equivalence certificate, and the university must accept your subject combination. Confirm both points with the university.
Does the English requirement change for scholarship applicants?
The stated English requirement at Xiamen is the same for self-funded and scholarship applicants, but the scholarship deadline is earlier and committees rank candidates, so a stronger score helps. Government scholarships like CSC have their own rules, and sources disagree on whether they fund MBBS. Check campuschina.org.
What if my school was Urdu medium?
You cannot use an MOI letter, so plan to take IELTS or TOEFL, or apply to universities that list no English test. Start preparation early. The MBBS is taught in English, so weak English will cost you in class even if the entry rules are easy.
Is MDCAT required if I apply to China?
No. Since the PM&DC notice of 5 October 2026, MDCAT is not required for Pakistani students seeking admission to foreign medical institutions. You still need to graduate from a PM&DC-recognised institution and pass the NRE to practise in Pakistan. Confirm the latest conditions on pmdc.pk.
The short answer on MBBS in China without IELTS
MBBS in China without IELTS depends on the university and the year. Some accept a school MOI certificate, some ask for IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or a TOEFL equivalent, and some list no English test in our directory. Pick two or three universities, read their current English line, email the admissions office, and keep the reply. Then build your document set around what they actually require, not what an agent promised.