MBBS in Europe Without IELTS: 2026 University-Wise Guide

Yes, you can study MBBS in Europe without IELTS at several universities. Comenius University in Bratislava, Semmelweis University, the University of Pécs and Charles University’s First Faculty of Medicine say in writing that no English certificate is needed. Others, such as Poznań and Nicosia, ask for IELTS 6.5. The rule is set by each university, not by Europe.

Key Takeaways

• No certificate needed at four universities. Comenius Bratislava, Semmelweis, Pécs and Charles University First Faculty of Medicine judge your English through their own entrance exam and interview.

• University test instead of IELTS at four more. LSMU Kaunas, Palacký Olomouc, Victor Babeș Timișoara and UMF Cluj accept a certificate or run their own English test.

• Your school can be your proof. Rīga Stradiņš, Debrecen, UMF Cluj, Palacký and Victor Babeș excuse applicants whose secondary schooling was taught in English, usually with a school letter as proof.

• Hard score at five. Poznań (IELTS 6.5), Nicosia (IELTS 6.5), University of Latvia (IELTS 6.0), Łódź and Białystok (B2 certificate) ask Indian applicants for a test result.

• The NMC rule is about the course, not you. India’s regulator needs the degree itself to be taught in English. It does not ask for IELTS.

What Does "Without IELTS" Mean for MBBS in Europe?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are paid English tests. Many universities use them to check that a foreign student can follow lectures. Scores are given as bands. IELTS 6.5 means a capable user of English.

Many European universities also describe English in CEFR levels. CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Level B2 means "upper intermediate". A B2 student can follow a lecture, take part in discussion and write a clear answer. Most of the universities below expect B2 or higher.

"MBBS in Europe without IELTS" therefore means one of three things. The university needs no certificate at all. Or it runs its own English test. Or it accepts your English-medium schooling as proof. Each of these is covered below, university by university, for the 23 partner universities across our 9 partner countries in MBBS in Europe. The full list sits on our partner universities page.

Two English Rules for MBBS Abroad: NMC vs the University

Indian families often mix up two separate rules. Keeping them apart saves a lot of confusion.

1. The NMC rule is about the course. Under the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021, the foreign degree must be taught in English. It must run for at least 54 months, with a 12-month internship at the same foreign institution. After passing FMGE, the screening exam for foreign medical graduates, you also complete a 12-month supervised internship in India. The NBEMS FMGE Performance Report 2025 shows 10,264 of 42,868 candidates passing the December 2025 FMGE, a pass rate of 23.94%, so roughly one in four. Strong English helps here too, because FMGE is set in English.

2. The university rule is about you. Each university decides how you show it that you can study in English. That may be a certificate, its own test, an interview, or your school records. This is the rule people mean when they ask about IELTS.

So a university can teach a fully English-medium course, which meets the NMC rule, and still skip IELTS. Comenius and Semmelweis do exactly that. Their entrance exams and interviews are held in English, so they test your English along the way. Our MBBS abroad eligibility guide covers the NEET UG and Class 12 conditions that apply on top of this.

Which European Universities Need No IELTS Certificate for MBBS?

Four partner universities state on their own admissions pages that you do not need an English certificate. Your English is judged through the entrance exam and, in most cases, an interview.

Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia: no IELTS

The Comenius University Faculty of Medicine admission page for 2026/2027 says: "We do not require English language proficiency certificate." The General Medicine entrance exam is run with the testing partner SCIO. In 2026 it was held on 19 March, 2 June and 6 August. The faculty asks applicants from outside the EU to register only for the March or June date, because the student visa takes several weeks. Read more on our Comenius University Faculty of Medicine page.

Semmelweis University, Hungary: no IELTS

The Semmelweis University General Medicine page says: "obtaining a language certificate is not required." It expects English at an "upper intermediate" level, which is CEFR B2. The online written test has four parts: Medical Biology, Medical Chemistry, General English and Biomedical English, with 20 questions each. An interview then checks your spoken English. The application deadline for the next intake is 31 May 2027. See our Semmelweis University page.

University of Pécs, Hungary: no IELTS

The University of Pécs Medical School entry requirements ask for "B2 level/upper intermediate English knowledge (no language examination certificate is needed)". The Pécs admissions FAQ explains the written exam. It has 20 Biology, 20 Chemistry, 40 General English and 20 Medical English questions, over 1 hour 40 minutes. So 60% of the questions test English. Our University of Pécs page has the wider admission picture.

Charles University First Faculty of Medicine, Prague: no IELTS

The First Faculty of Medicine admissions page for 2026/2027 states that "no English language proficiency certificates or personal statement are required". Round 1 is a 90-minute written test in Biology, Chemistry and General Science. Round 2 is five online mini interviews of 10 minutes each, all in English. See our First Faculty of Medicine page.

Where a University English Test Replaces IELTS

Four partner universities accept a certificate but give you a second route. You can sit the university’s own English test instead.

• Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), Kaunas. The LSMU Medicine admission page accepts IELTS above 5.5, PTE Academic 55 to 67, Duolingo 95 or another B1-level certificate. It then adds: "If applicants are not able to present a certificate proving the knowledge of English language..., they must sit the English language test, prepared by the University." B1 is one level below B2, so this is the lowest bar on the list. See our LSMU page.

• Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic. The Palacký General Medicine page asks non-native speakers for a certificate (Cambridge FCE, IELTS 6, TOEFL 87 or PTE Academic 59) or for the faculty’s own English test. Applicants who prove their secondary or university education was in English are excused from the test. See our Palacký University page.

• Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania. The Victor Babeș 2026 admission methodology for non-EU applicants makes an online English test, graded pass or fail, compulsory before the admission exam. The test fee is 150 euros. You skip it if you hold a B2 certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL iBT, or if your high school taught in English. See our Victor Babeș University page.

• "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMF Cluj), Romania. The UMF Cluj international admission page asks for a B2 certificate for its English-taught Medicine programme. It is not needed "if the candidate has fully followed and completed his/her secondary studies in English". The page also states that the university "will organize language proficiency examinations".

Can English-Medium Schooling in India Replace IELTS?

For many Indian students, yes. Five partner universities excuse applicants whose secondary schooling was taught in English. This is the route most CBSE and ICSE English-medium students can use. The proof is usually a medium of instruction letter, which is a short signed letter from your school confirming that classes were taught in English.

Two points matter here. First, the exemption covers your whole secondary schooling, not just your English marks. Second, ask your school for the letter early, on its letterhead, signed and stamped. For Rīga Stradiņš, the RSU English proficiency page adds that it "cannot process applications from citizens of non-EU/EEA countries without" proof. So a missing letter can hold up the whole application. See our Rīga Stradiņš University page.

Which European Medical Universities Ask for an IELTS Score?

Five partner universities ask Indian applicants for a test result, with no school-based exemption for India.

• Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland. The Poznań admission requirements list IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 94, PTE Academic 60, TOEIC 900, Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency, or LanguageCert C1. The deadline for Fall 2027 entry is 20 July 2027. See our Poznań University page.

• University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus. The Nicosia admissions page asks for IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in every other part, or TOEFL iBT 79. The same bar applies to the 6-year MD and the Graduate Entry MD. Only native speakers from the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and New Zealand are exempt. See our University of Nicosia page.

• University of Latvia. The University of Latvia language proficiency page asks for IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First. The English-medium exemption covers only schooling in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the UK and the USA.

• Medical University of Łódź, Poland. The Łódź admission criteria require a certificate from its accepted list for any applicant who is not an EU, EFTA, Swiss or UK citizen.

• Medical University of Białystok, Poland. The Białystok admission requirements ask for an English certificate of at least B2 level from applicants outside the EU and EEA. Its entrance exam also scores "knowledge of the English language for medical studies".

Universities Where the Entrance Exam Leads: Slovakia, Czech Republic and Croatia

At the remaining partner universities, the admissions page is built around the entrance exam. The application documents and exam format they list are below.

All of these exams are written and marked in English. So even where no certificate is listed, your English is tested on the day. Our guide to the MBBS entrance exams in Europe explains how each format works. Country overviews sit on our MBBS in Croatia page and the other country pages.

MBBS in Europe Without IELTS: All 23 Partner Universities at a Glance

How to Apply for MBBS in Europe Without IELTS: Step by Step

1. Qualify NEET UG first. Indian students who want to practise in India later need a qualifying NEET UG score, alongside Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

2. Pick the route that fits your English. Use the table above. If your school taught in English, you have the widest choice.

3. Ask your school for a medium of instruction letter. Get it on letterhead, signed and stamped, before you apply anywhere that offers the exemption.

4. Book IELTS only if you need it. Poznań, Nicosia, the University of Latvia, Łódź and Białystok ask for a result before they assess you.

5. Prepare for an English entrance exam either way. Semmelweis, Pécs and Szeged test English inside the exam. Charles University First Faculty uses mini interviews in English.

6. Note each deadline. Our MBBS abroad deadlines page lists them. Comenius asks non-EU applicants to sit the March or June exam because of visa time.

7. Check the degree against the NMC rules. Our guide to NMC-compliant medical colleges abroad explains the 54-month course and internship conditions.

What If Your English Is Not Ready for MBBS in Europe Yet?

"No certificate" does not mean "English does not matter". At Pécs, 60 of the 100 written questions are in English. At Charles University First Faculty, all five mini interviews are in English. An IELTS slot can be rebooked. A failed admission interview usually means waiting a year.

Clinical years add a second layer. Patients in Slovakia, Hungary or Poland speak the local language, so universities teach it alongside medicine. Our guide to the local language for MBBS in Europe covers what each country expects. For a quick country comparison, see our web story on the best countries for MBBS abroad in 2026.

If you do need a certificate, plan for a few weeks between booking the test and getting the result. Spend any spare time on biology and chemistry terms in English, because every exam above uses them.

Conclusion: Is MBBS in Europe Without IELTS Right for You?

For an Indian student from an English-medium school, IELTS is often not needed. Four of our partner universities ask for no certificate. Five accept English-medium schooling as proof, and four offer their own English test, with some doing both. Five do set a firm score. Choose your universities first, then match your English route to them. In every case, your English will still be tested, either on paper or in an interview.

Frequently Asked Questions About MBBS in Europe Without IELTS

Sources

• Comenius University Faculty of Medicine, Admission process 2026/2027

• Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Admission process

• UPJŠ Faculty of Medicine, Entrance examination

• Semmelweis University, General Medicine admission

• University of Pécs Medical School, Entry requirements

• University of Pécs Medical School, Admissions FAQ

• University of Szeged, Entrance examination

• University of Debrecen, Application and admission

• Charles University First Faculty of Medicine, Admissions 2026/2027

• Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Admission procedure

• Charles University Third Faculty of Medicine, Entrance exams

• Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine, General Medicine admissions

• Palacký University Olomouc, General Medicine (MUDr.)

• Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Admission requirements

• Medical University of Łódź, 6-year MD admission criteria

• Medical University of Białystok, Admission requirements

• Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medicine admission

• Rīga Stradiņš University, Admission Procedure 2026/2027 (PDF)

• Rīga Stradiņš University, Requirements for English proficiency

• University of Latvia, Language proficiency

• UMF Cluj, Admission 2026 for international candidates

• Victor Babeș University, 2026 admission methodology for third-country nationals (PDF)

• Victor Babeș University, Admission 2026 for non-EU citizens

• University of Nicosia Medical School, Admissions

• University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Information package 2025/2026 (PDF)

• University of Split School of Medicine, Call for applicants 2026/2027

• National Medical Commission, Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 (PDF)

• NBEMS, FMGE Performance Report 2025 (PDF)