Medium of Instruction Certificate to Study Abroad

When applying to certain universities abroad, you may be asked to provide a Medium of Instruction certificate instead of IELTS or TOEFL as proof of English proficiency. A Medium of Instruction (MOI) may sound technical, but it’s not. The MOI is a certificate issued by schools or universities that confirms the language in which you have completed your degree, which in most cases is English. 

For example, if you have studied for a Bachelor’s degree in India and your lectures and coursework were in the English language, your university would issue an MOI certificate confirming English as your medium of instruction. Also, this is same for any country whose first language is not ENglish but the medium of instruction is.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of what a medium of instruction certificate is, who gives the certificate, and the importance of the certificate.

Who Gives the Medium of Instruction Certificate (MOI)?

Your school or university issues the medium of instruction certificate. You can apply for the certificate by submitting a formal application to your university or school. Some universities and schools issue degree certificates that state the medium of instruction within the certificate itself.

Standard Format of Medium of Instruction (MOI)

A medium of instruction certificate contains the following:

• Name of the applicant
• Enrollment number
• Institution name
• Official letterhead
• Contact details of the issuer
• Stamp and sign of the issuer
• Name of the course
• The date when the certificate was issued
• The language used for the medium of instruction

Medium of Instruction Certificate (MOI)- Sample

Institution Name: ABC University

Address: California, USA

Phone Number: xxx-xxx-0231

Email: [email protected]

Date: dd-mm-yy

To Whom It May Concern,

This is to certify that Mr. Alex, bearing the enrollment number – 123456 has completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from ABC University, from 2020 to 2024. The medium of instruction throughout the course, both written and spoken, was English. This certificate was issued upon the request of Mr. Alex to pursue higher studies. 

I hereby confirm that this certificate is legitimate and the above facts are true and correct to my knowledge. Should you require any additional information or clarification, please contact the university.

Signed by the Assistant Registrar

Name: Mr. Michael Jones

Designation: Assistant Registrar

Telephone Number: xxx-xxx-1234

Email: [email protected] 

Importance of Having a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate

Here are some of the key reasons to apply for a medium of instruction certificate:

• Study abroad requirements (Primary Reason): If you wish to study abroad in English-speaking countries, the universities in these countries typically require proof of English language proficiency. Most commonly, they ask for standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, but some universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate instead. This is where MOI becomes useful.
• Visa application: In some countries, the visa issuing authorities may ask for MOI to prove language proficiency. In such situations, MOI can come in handy.
• Jobs: Companies abroad usually do not ask for a Medium of Instruction certificate for jobs. However, when applying for academic roles, such as professors or other teaching professions, the educational institution may request a MOI certificate to verify whether you are eligible to teach in the desired language.
• Scholarship Applications: Some countries, particularly universities in Europe and Asia, may accept an MOI certificate for scholarship. While most universities require standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL for scholarship applications, some accept an MOI as proof of language proficiency. This offers students a chance to bypass the often costly standardized tests, particularly for those who have limited access to testing centers.
• Permanent Residency Applications: Some countries, particularly countries like Canada or New Zealand, allow students to include an MOI certificate as proof of language proficiency. However, using an MOI certificate for a permanent residency application is less common.

Final Thoughts

A Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate is an important document that confirms the language in which you have pursued your education. The certificate is issued by the school or university from which you have completed your degree. It can be useful for admission to foreign universities or when applying for visas. However, make sure to double-check the requirements of your target university to see if they accept an MOI certificate. Otherwise, you may have to take a standardized language proficiency test.

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