English proficiency is a key requirement for studying abroad, especially in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. Most universities require standardized tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo as proof of English language skills. However, there is an alternative option known as the Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, which is widely accepted if your previous education was in English.
For students from Bangladesh, this becomes even more relevant because many universities abroad accept MOI from UGC-approved universities. If you have completed your education in English from a recognized institution, you may be able to apply without taking IELTS.
In this guide, we will explain what MOI is, how it works, who is eligible, and how you can use it to apply for higher studies abroad.
What is MOI and How Does it Work?
MOI stands for Medium of Instruction, which refers to the language used to deliver education in schools, colleges, or universities. If your academic courses were taught in English, you can request an MOI certificate from your institution.
This certificate confirms that your entire course or program was conducted in English and that you have sufficient proficiency in the language. For students in Bangladesh, especially those from English Version or English Medium backgrounds, obtaining an MOI certificate is usually straightforward.
Many international universities accept this certificate as an alternative to IELTS, considering it valid proof of English proficiency. This means you may not need to sit for additional language tests if your university is eligible.
MOI Acceptance for UGC-Approved Universities in Bangladesh
Students who have graduated from universities approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh often have an advantage. Many foreign universities recognize degrees from these institutions and are more likely to accept MOI certificates issued by them.
Saves Cost and Effort of Taking IELTS
IELTS is one of the most popular standardized tests for checking English proficiency. It is almost compulsory to apply to most universities in the UK. However, IELTS costs a hefty fee and takes time to prepare. You can avoid spending your precious time and money by obtaining an MOI certificate instead. Schools or colleges present MOI and do not require extra exams, so it is also easier to get.
However, acceptance depends on:
- The ranking and reputation of your university
- The course you are applying for
- The specific requirements of the destination university
That’s why it’s important to check whether your university is UGC-approved and accepted by your target institution.
Benefits of Applying With MOI
Save Time and Money
Preparing for exams like IELTS requires both time and financial investment. By using an MOI certificate, you can avoid exam fees and lengthy preparation.
Faster Application Process
Since you don’t need to wait for test dates or results, you can apply earlier and speed up your admission process.
Easier Documentation
MOI certificates are usually issued by your institution and do not require additional exams, making the process simpler and more convenient.
Accepted for Many Courses
Many universities accept MOI for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, especially if your previous education was fully in English.
Eligibility Criteria for MOI
To apply using an MOI certificate, you generally need to meet the following conditions:
- Your previous education must have been conducted in English
- Your institution should be recognized (preferably UGC-approved in Bangladecademic programs have not yet startedsh)
- You must obtain an official MOI certificate from your institution
UGC-Approved Public Universities
UGC-Approved Private Universities
| SL |
University |
Website |
| 1. |
North South University
|
www.northsouth.edu |
| 2. |
University of Science & Technology Chittagong
|
www.ustc.edu.bd |
| 3. |
Independent University, Bangladesh
|
www.iub.edu.bd |
| 4. |
Central Women’s University
|
www.cwu.edu.bd |
| 5. |
International University of Business Agriculture & Technology
|
www.iubat.edu |
| 6. |
International Islamic University Chittagong
|
www.iiuc.ac.bd |
| 7. |
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
|
www.aust.edu |
| 8. |
American International University-Bangladesh
|
www.aiub.ac.bd |
| 9. |
East West University
|
www.ewubd.edu |
| 10. |
University of Asia Pacific
|
www.uap-bd.edu |
| 11. |
Gono Bishwabidyalay
|
www.gonouniversity.edu.bd |
| 12. |
The People’s University of Bangladesh
* |
www.pub.ac.bd |
| 13. |
Asian University of Bangladesh
|
www.aub.ac.bd |
| 14. |
Dhaka International University
|
www.diu.ac |
| 15. |
Manarat International University
|
www.manarat.ac.bd |
| 16. |
BRAC University
|
www.bracu.ac.bd |
| 17. |
Bangladesh University
|
www.bu.edu.bd |
| 18. |
Leading University
|
www.lus.ac.bd |
| 19. |
BGC Trust University Bangladesh
|
www.bgctub.ac.bd |
| 20. |
Sylhet International University
|
www.siu.edu.bd |
| 21. |
University of Development Alternative
|
www.uoda.edu.bd |
| 22. |
Premier University
|
www.puc.ac.bd |
| 23. |
Southeast University
|
www.seu.edu.bd |
| 24. |
Daffodil International University
|
www.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd |
| 25. |
Stamford University Bangladesh
|
www.stamforduniversity.edu.bd |
| 26. |
State University of Bangladesh (SUB)
|
https://www.sub.ac.bd |
| 27. |
City University
|
www.cityuniversity.ac.bd |
| 28. |
Prime University
|
www.primeuniversity.edu.bd |
| 29. |
Northern University Bangladesh
|
www.nub.ac.bd |
| 30. |
Southern University Bangladesh
(1) |
www.southern.edu.bd |
| 31. |
Green University of Bangladesh
|
www.green.edu.bd |
| 32. |
Pundra University of Science & Technology
|
www.pundrauniversity.ac.bd |
| 33. |
World University of Bangladesh
|
www.wub.edu.bd |
| 34. |
Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
|
www.smuct.ac.bd |
| 35. |
The Millennium University
|
www.themillenniumuniversity.edu.bd |
| 36. |
Eastern University
|
www.easternuni.edu.bd |
| 37. |
Metropolitan University
|
www.metrouni.edu.bd |
| 38. |
Uttara University
|
www.uttarauniversity.edu.bd |
| 39. |
United International University
|
www.uiu.ac.bd |
| 40. |
University of South Asia
|
www.southasiauni.ac.bd |
| 41. |
Victoria University of Bangladesh
* |
www.vub.edu.bd |
| 42. |
Bangladesh University of Business & Technology (BUBT)
|
www.bubt.edu.bd |
| 43. |
Presidency University
|
www.presidency.edu.bd, www.pu.edu.bd |
| 44. |
University of Information Technology & Sciences
|
www.uits.edu.bd |
| 45. |
Primeasia University
|
www.primeasia.edu.bd |
| 46. |
Royal University of Dhaka
|
www.royal.edu.bd |
| 47. |
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
|
www.ulab.edu.bd |
| 48. |
Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology
|
www.adust.edu.bd |
| 49. |
Bangladesh Islami University
|
www.biu.ac.bd |
| 50. |
ASA University Bangladesh
|
www.asaub.edu.bd |
| 51. |
East Delta University
|
www.eastdelta.edu.bd |
| 52. |
European University of Bangladesh
|
www.eub.edu.bd |
| 53. |
Varendra University
|
www.vu.edu.bd |
| 54. |
Hamdard University Bangladesh
|
www.hamdarduniversity.edu.bd |
| 55. |
BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology(BUFT)
(2) |
www.buft.edu.bd |
| 56. |
North East University Bangladesh
|
www.neub.edu.bd |
| 57. |
First Capital University of Bangladesh
|
www.fcub.edu.bd |
| 58. |
Ishakha International University, Bangladesh
|
www.ishakha.edu.bd |
| 59. |
Z.H Sikder University of Science & Technology
|
www. zhsust.edu.bd |
| 60. |
Exim Bank Agricultural University, Bangladesh
|
www.ebaub.edu.bd |
| 61. |
North Western University
|
www.nwu.ac.bd |
| 62. |
Khwaja Yunus Ali University
|
www.kyau.edu.bd |
| 63. |
Sonargaon University
|
www.su.edu.bd |
| 64. |
Feni University
|
www.feniuniversity.ac.bd |
| 65. |
Britannia University
|
www.britannia.edu.bd |
| 66. |
Port City International University
|
www.portcity.edu.bd |
| 67. |
Bangladesh University of Health Sciences
|
www.buhs.ac.bd |
| 68. |
Chittagong Independent University
|
www.ciu.edu.bd |
| 69. |
Notre Dame University Bangladesh
|
www.ndub.edu.bd |
| 70. |
Times University, Bangladesh
|
http://www.timesuniversitybd.com |
| 71. |
North Bengal International University
|
www.nbiu.edu.bd |
| 72. |
Fareast International University
|
www.fiu.edu.bd |
| 73. |
Rajshahi Science & Technology University (RSTU), Natore
|
www.rstu.edu.bd |
| 74. |
Brahmaputra International University
|
www.sfmu.ac.bd |
| 75. |
Cox’s Bazar International University
|
www.cbiu.ac.bd |
| 76. |
R. P. Shaha University
|
www.rpsu.ac.bd |
| 77. |
German University Bangladesh
|
www.gub.edu.bd |
| 78. |
Global University Bangladesh
|
www.globaluniversity.edu.bd |
| 79. |
CCN University of Science & Technology
|
www.ccnust.ac.bd |
| 80. |
Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology (BAUST), Saidpur
|
www.baust.edu.bd |
| 81. |
Bangladesh Army University of Engineering and Technology (BAUET), Qadirabad
|
www.bauet.ac.bd |
| 82. |
Bangladesh Army International University of Science & Technology(BAIUST) ,Comilla
|
www.baiust.ac.bd |
| 83. |
University of Scholars
|
www.ius.edu.bd |
| 84. |
Canadian University of Bangladesh
|
www.cub.edu.bd |
| 85. |
N.P.I University of Bangladesh
|
www.npiub.edu.bd |
| 86. |
Northern University of Business & Technology, Khulna
|
www.nubtkhulna.ac.bd |
| 87. |
Rabindra Maitree University, Kushtia
|
|
| 88. |
University of Creative Technology, Chittagong
|
www.uctc.edu.bd |
| 89. |
Central University of Science and Technology
** |
www.cust.edu.bd |
| 90. |
Tagore University of Creative Arts, Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh
|
www.tuca.edu.bd |
| 91. |
University of Global Village
|
www.ugv.edu.bd |
| 92. |
Rupayan A.K.M Shamsuzzoha University
|
|
| 93. |
Anwer Khan Modern University
|
www.akmu.edu.bd |
| 94. |
ZNRF University of Management Sciences
|
www.zums.edu.bd |
| 95. |
Ahsania Mission University of Science and Technology
|
www.amust.ac.bd |
| 96. |
Khulna Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah University
|
www.kkbau.ac.bd |
| 97. |
Bandarban University
|
www.bubban.ac.bd |
| 98. |
Shah Makhdum Management University, Rajshahi
|
|
| 99. |
Trust University, Barishal
|
www.trustuniversity.edu.bd |
| 100. |
International Standard University
|
www.isu.ac.bd |
| 101. |
University of Brahmanbaria
|
www.uob.edu.bd |
| 102. |
University of Skill Enrichment and Technology
|
www.uset.ac.bd |
| 103. |
Microland University of Science and Technology
|
. |
| 104. |
R.T.M Al-Kabir Technical University
|
www.rtm-aktu.edu.bd |
| 105. |
Dr. Momtaz Begum University of Science and Technology (MUST)
|
www.must.ac.bd |
| 106. |
Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology
|
www.cbuft.edu.bd |
| 107. |
Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology, Khulna
|
www.baustkhulna.ac.bd |
| 108. |
Teesta University, Rangpur
|
www.teestauniversity.ac.bd |
| 109. |
International Islami University of Science and Technology Bangladesh (IIUSTB)
|
www.iiustb.ac.bd |
| 110. |
Lalon University of Science and Arts
|
https://lusa.ac.bd |
| 111. |
Justice Abu Zafar Siddiquie Science and Technology University, Kustia
|
. |
| 112. |
Grameen University
|
|
| 113. |
IBAIS University
*** |
|
| 114. |
The University of Comilla
*** |
|
| 115. |
Queens University
** |
|
| 116. |
America Bangladesh University
*** |
. |
Who Can Apply With MOI?
You can apply with an MOI certificate if:
- You completed your HSC, O Level, A Level, or university degree in English
- You studied in English Medium or English Version
- Your institution can officially certify English as the medium of instruction
Keep in mind that requirements may vary depending on the university you are applying to.
Required Documents
To obtain an MOI certificate, you typically need to apply to your institution’s registrar or administration office. In most cases, the process is simple and requires minimal documentation.
Common requirements may include:
- Academic transcripts or certificates
- A formal application request
- Identification documents
Conclusion
The Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate is a practical alternative to English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL for students who have studied in English. For Bangladeshi students, having a degree from a UGC-approved university can increase the chances of MOI acceptance by international institutions.
However, it’s important to remember that not all universities accept MOI, and some may still prefer IELTS. Always check the specific requirements of your chosen university before applying. For a smoother admission process, consult with an experienced counselor who can guide you on whether MOI or IELTS is the better option for your goals.