Proving your English proficiency can be difficult if you’re planning to study abroad. There are several ways to do it- language certificates, proof of registration, or proof of taking language classes. However, a more commonly accepted document is medium of instruction certificate.

As an educational consultant with several years of experience under my belt, I’ve been helping students with language proficiency.

A medium of instruction (MOI) certificate is an official document which states the language in which you completed your degree education. The language of instruction does not have to be compulsorily the official language of the country or state. Additionally, medium of instruction can be provided for multiple languages.

What Does MOI Stand For? (Full-form)

MOI stands for Medium of Instruction. In other words, the first language of any student during his schooling is the medium of instruction. Bilingual or multilingual education programs may involve using more than one language of instruction.

What Is A Medium Of Instruction Certificate?

MOI certificate is commonly used as an official document which can be used by international students to prove their English proficiency when applying for higher education abroad.

In our country, the medium of instruction varies among English, Hindi, and the respective states’ official languages. Private schools usually prefer English, and government schools may use the official language of the state.

The MOI certificate is an official document stating the medium in which one has studied. This official letter may be required for admission to specific programs, qualifying for scholarships or funding, assessing your language skills.

Here are some reasons why the medium of instruction is important:

1. Official Recognition In Language Of Instruction

The MOI certificate is an official recognition of the language in which you have completed your education. It helps demonstrate that you are proficient in the language which is necessary to have a successful academic or professional career. This is important for students who want to complete their education abroad or want job opportunities in another country.

2. Admission In Universities

Many universities require international students to have an MOI certificate as a part of their admission process. This ensures the universities that the student has the ability to understand lectures, participate in discussions, and complete the course in the language of instruction.

3. Scholarships Or Funding

There are some scholarship or funding programs which require students to have an MOI certificate in order to be qualified for the application. This certificate ensures that you will be able to make full use of the scholarship with your proficiency in the language of instruction.

4. Employment Opportunities

The MOI certificate can help in getting great employment opportunities. Some multinational organizations require an MOI certificate as a prerequisite for certain positions. The certificate proves that you are proficient in the language required for the position, giving you an edge in the competitive job market.

The MOI certificate shows your skills and ability in a particular language which can help you succeed and get further academic or professional opportunities in your career.

MOI Certificate: Best Alternative To English Proficiency Test?

MOI certificate is a great alternative to English proficiency test. An educational institution might ask you to provide an medium of instruction certificate instead of IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo or other language tests.

While taking admission to universities abroad for postgraduate undergraduate degree, specially in English-speaking countries, the requirement of proving your instruction language is necessary for most cases. International students who do not receive the required band score in English proficiency tests or decide not to attempt them also choose MOI certificate as an alternative.

Who Gives A Medium Of Instruction Certificate?

A medium of instruction certificate is issued by your school, college, or university.

Many colleges provide diplomas and degrees which specify the medium of instruction on the documents themselves making it easy for their students. But if it is not specifically mentioned in your documents, then you can obtain an MOI certificate by sending a formal request to your educational institution.

The certificate is generally issued by the registrar or the principal of the college and mentions the language of instruction in which you have completed your education. (Scroll down for MOI certificate sample)

Documents Required For Medium Of Instruction Certificate?

To get an MOI certificate, one must apply for the same along with the necessary documents. An educational institution will send you the list of documents that you need to submit via mail or in person to get the MOI certificate. Some of the common documents that you will have to submit include:

1. Letter of Intent or Application form
2. Copy of your mark sheets /Academic certificates
3. Copy of Degree certificate
4. ID proofs
5. Address Proof

It is important to note that the requirements for a medium of instruction certificate can differ between countries and educational systems. Thus, applicants should always check the specific rules and guidelines of the institutions and organizations they are applying to.

Consult with appropriate authorities or seek guidance from the institution’s admin or HR departments to ensure that all necessary documents are provided correctly.

How To Obtain A Medium Of Instruction Certificate?

Obtaining an MOI certificate involves different processes depending on whether you are obtaining it from school or college.

Obtain MOI Certificate From School

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your school:

1. Contact the school – Reach out to your school’s administrative office or department through mail or physically to inquire about the procedure for getting an MOI certificate. They will guide you with the specific list of documents required. Sending an official application to respective universities is the best approach that you should follow.
2. Gather your documents – Typically, you will be asked to provide an academic degree, IDs, address proof and any other official record that indicates your language of instruction during that period. You will also be asked to submit an application form or a letter of intent.
3. Request for the letter – Ask the school to issue a formal letter explicitly stating the medium of instruction they used during their education. The letter should be on the school’s official letterhead and signed by an authorized person.

Obtain MOI Certificate From College

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your college or university:

1. Check with the college or university: First, check with the college or university where you completed your degree education to see if they issue MOI certificates. Some universities may not issue MOI certificates, in which case you will need to procure the document from your college or reach out to a third-party service provider.
2. Submit an application: If the college or university issues MOI certificates, you will need to submit an application to obtain the certificate. The application process may vary depending on the institution, but you will likely need to submit certain documents such as academic transcripts, degree certificates, ID proof, and address proof.
3. Wait for processing: The processing time for MOI certificates may vary depending on the institution. Some universities may issue the certificate immediately, while others may take several weeks or months to process the request
4. Receive the certificate: Once your application has been processed, you will receive the MOI certificate. The certificate will state the language in which you completed your degree education.

Medium Of Instruction Format

There is no fixed format for this certificate and every university follows its own format. But some of the important information that should definitely be put on the certificate are:

1. Your name and your degree name
2. Period of study
3. Medium of instruction for the course
4. Your unique ID or registration number
5. Declaration of genuineness.
6. Signature of the registrar along with contact details of your university

There are several universities in the UK, USA and Canada that accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates for admission purposes. Here are some examples:

MOI Accepted Universities in the UK:

• University of Portsmouth
• University of South Wales
• University of Brighton
• University of Essex

MOI Accepted Universities in the USA:

• Drexel University
• California State University
• University of New Orleans
• University of Colorado at Boulder

MOI Accepted Universities in Canada

• Brock University
• Carleton University
• Brandon University
• McGill University
• Memorial University of Newfoundland

NOTE: This is not an exclusive list and there are more universities that accept MOI certificate.

It is important to keep in mind that the requirement of an additional online tests score like the IELTS or any other English proficiency test is entirely at the discretion of the concerned university’s admission committee and is subject to change.

MOI Certificate Sample

Read This Before Obtaining An MOI Certificate

Demonstrating your English language proficiency for a student visa is a crucial aspect for studying abroad. While most international students use standardized test scores of English proficiency like IELTS, Medium of instruction certificate is a great alternative.

What Is MOI Certificate: FAQ

How Long Does It Take Get MOI Certificate?

It takes 25-30 days to get an MOI certificate from your college or university. However, obtaining the certificate from your college can be faster if you’ve all the required academic documents to fast track your verification.

What is MOI instead of IELTS?

An MOI certificate acts as an alternative to IELTS. It is a certificate that states the language in which you completed your education. Many UK, US as well as Canadian universities accept MOI in place of English proficiency scores for the admission process.

What is the use of a Medium of Instruction certificate?

The MOI certificate is used for various purposes, including admission to certain programs, qualifying for scholarships or funding, and ensuring equal access to education. The certificate is issued by the school or university where the student has attended, and it states the language in which the student has been instructed during their course of study.

What is the Medium of Instruction?

A Medium of Instruction (MOI) is the language used by a teacher to teach students. It is a means of conveying information to students and may or may not be the official language of the country or territory. If the first language of students is different from the official language, it may be used as the medium of instruction for part or all of schooling.