How to Get a Medium-of-Instruction (MOI) Letter from a Ghanaian University
An MOI (Medium-of-Instruction) letter is one of the most useful documents a Ghanaian student can obtain — and one of the most commonly requested too late. It is an official statement from your university confirming that your degree was taught and assessed in English. European universities and some visa routes accept it in place of IELTS or TOEFL, because Ghana’s entire public and private higher-education system operates in English, Ghana’s official language. Getting the letter right — and getting it early — is the difference between a smooth application and a delayed one.
This guide walks through what the letter must say, where to request it, what to expect, and exactly which destinations and institutions accept it for an English-language waiver.
Why the MOI Letter Matters for Ghanaian Students
Ghana’s official language is English, and English is the medium of instruction across all accredited Ghanaian universities (our Ghana destination research, 2026). This means Ghanaian graduates are in a strong position to claim a language-test waiver at European universities — but the waiver is not automatic. You have to prove it with paperwork.
The MOI letter is that proof. Without it, many European universities will simply require an IELTS or TOEFL score. With it — if it meets the receiving institution’s requirements — you can avoid the cost and preparation time of a language test entirely.
In January 2026, Ghana’s government formally requested that the UK Government waive IELTS requirements for Ghanaian applicants as a matter of policy. As of June 2026, that request had not been granted, and standard IELTS requirements remain in place for UK universities that require a test — the MOI route operates through individual university policies, not a national exemption.
What an MOI Letter Must Contain
There is no single standardised format for an MOI letter across all European universities, but a letter that is missing key information will be rejected. Every MOI letter from a Ghanaian university should include:
Mandatory elements:
- The full official name of your university (as registered with Ghana’s Tertiary Education Commission)
- Institutional letterhead with an official stamp or seal
- Your full name (exactly as on your passport)
- Your student ID or registration number
- The name of your degree programme
- The start and end dates (or expected end date) of your studies
- A clear statement that the language of instruction and assessment was English throughout your programme
- The name, title and signature of the authorised signatory — typically the Registrar, Deputy Registrar or Dean of the Faculty
- The date the letter was issued
Commonly requested additions:
- A statement that English is also the medium of examination
- Confirmation that all coursework, assignments and dissertations were submitted and graded in English
- Contact details for the signatory (email/phone) for verification
If the receiving university has its own MOI letter template, use it. Many European institutions provide a downloadable form — check the admissions page of each university you are applying to before you contact your Registrar.
Which Universities and Visa Routes Accept an MOI Letter
United Kingdom
UK universities operate their own English-language policies. A commonly cited example is the University of Leeds, which waives a language test for Ghanaian applicants who have studied for at least two years at undergraduate level or at least one year at Master’s level at an English-medium institution in Ghana, and accept WASSCE English at grade C6 as sufficient evidence of language competence (University of Leeds, 2026).
Other UK universities have similar but not identical thresholds. Some require three years of prior study in English; some specify the level of degree; some have no waiver at all. You must check each university’s own page — do not assume that because one UK university accepts an MOI letter, all do.
For the UK student visa itself, the Home Office allows a degree taught and assessed in English to satisfy the language requirement under Appendix ST, but the sponsoring university (your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies holder) must confirm this. The MOI letter supports that confirmation; it is not submitted directly to UKVI as a standalone document.
Germany
German universities — particularly those offering English-taught programmes — generally require an IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–95, or evidence of prior English-medium education. DAAD Ghana’s guidance notes that no German-language test is required if your programme is fully English-taught, but English-language evidence is still required (DAAD Ghana, 2026).
An MOI letter can satisfy this requirement at universities that accept it — but check the individual admissions office. German universities vary significantly in what they accept.
Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Hungary and Poland
For Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Hungary and Poland, the MOI letter functions in the same way: it is a supporting document for a language waiver that each institution decides individually. English-medium institutions in these countries generally set an equivalent of IELTS 6.0–6.5 as the standard, and accept an MOI letter plus prior English-medium study as a substitute. Always confirm in writing with the admissions office before submitting your application without a test score.
Step-by-Step: How to Request an MOI Letter
Step 1 — Check whether the university has a template
Before contacting your Registrar, visit the admissions page of the European university you are applying to. Some provide a fillable PDF for your home institution to complete and stamp. Download it first if one exists.
Step 2 — Identify the correct office at your Ghanaian university
The authorised issuer varies slightly by university:
- University of Ghana (Legon): Academic Affairs Directorate / Registrar’s Office
- KNUST: Registrar’s Office, Directorate of Academic Affairs
- University of Cape Coast: Registrar’s Office
- Other public universities: Registrar’s Office as the starting point
For private universities, the Registrar or Academic Dean is typically the right contact.
Step 3 — Submit your request in writing
Send a formal request letter or email. Include:
- Your full name and student ID
- The degree programme and years of attendance
- The name and address of the European institution requiring the letter
- Any template or format requirements from the receiving institution
- The required date by which you need the letter
- Whether you need the original hard copy only, or whether a scanned copy will be accepted initially
Step 4 — Pay any administrative fee
Most Ghanaian public universities charge a small administrative fee for official letters. The amount varies by institution. Confirm the fee before submitting your request so that processing is not delayed.
Step 5 — Allow adequate processing time
Most Ghanaian public universities process official letters within 5–15 working days under normal conditions. During examination periods, semester start/end, or public holidays, processing can take longer. Request your letter at least four weeks before the application deadline of your target institution.
Step 6 — Verify the letter meets the destination’s requirements
When you receive the letter, read it against the checklist above. If any mandatory element is missing — for example, the signatory’s title is absent, or the date range of your studies is not included — return to the office and ask for a corrected version before submitting. A letter missing key information will be rejected by admissions offices without appeal.
Step 7 — Keep certified copies
Make certified copies of the signed original before submitting. Some institutions accept scans for initial applications but require the original before enrolment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Requesting the letter too late. Four weeks minimum. Six weeks if you are close to an exam period.
- Using the wrong signatory. A letter signed by a lecturer or head of department may not be accepted; Registrar or Deputy Registrar level is generally required.
- Missing the date range. The letter must confirm the years during which instruction was in English, not just that the university uses English.
- Assuming one letter works for all universities. If you are applying to three institutions in three countries, you may need three slightly different letters. Check each admissions page.
- Forgetting the destination-university’s own template. Many European universities have their own form that must be used. Submitting a free-format letter when a template exists may delay your application.
When an MOI Letter Will Not Be Enough
An MOI letter does not help you if:
- The university or visa authority requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT), regardless of prior education. Some UK universities have no MOI waiver.
- You did not complete a full degree in English — for example, you studied at a Ghanaian university for one semester only, or your programme included modules in another language.
- The receiving institution requires English at a specific CEFR level that they are not willing to assess from an MOI letter alone.
In these cases, you will need IELTS (Academic) or an equivalent accepted test. See the full guide to IELTS alternatives at /guides/ielts-alternatives/ for a breakdown of which tests are accepted where.
How World Study Africa Can Help
Getting the language requirement right is one of the most frequently misunderstood parts of a European application. World Study Africa can tell you whether your target university requires IELTS, accepts an MOI letter, or offers another route — before you spend time and money preparing a test you may not need.
Our core advisory is free to students. Check your eligibility and get a realistic picture of your options at /eligibility-check/, or message us on WhatsApp with a question about your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
A Medium-of-Instruction (MOI) letter is an official document from your university stating that your degree was delivered in English. European universities and some visa authorities accept it in place of IELTS or TOEFL to satisfy English-language entry requirements, because it proves your prior education was conducted in English rather than requiring a new standardised test.
Any accredited Ghanaian university can issue an MOI letter, because English is Ghana's official language and the medium of instruction across all recognised public and private universities including the University of Ghana, KNUST, University of Cape Coast, University of Professional Studies and others. The letter must come from an authorised officer — typically the Registrar or Dean.
Not automatically. Each UK university sets its own English-language policy. The University of Leeds, for example, waives a language test for applicants who have studied for at least two years at undergraduate level, or at least one year at master's level, at an English-medium institution. You must check the specific admissions page of every university you apply to and confirm their waiver conditions in writing.
Yes, under the UK points-based system, English can be demonstrated through a degree taught and assessed in English, which your MOI letter supports. However, the Home Office requires this to be verified against the Secure English Language Test (SELT) provider list or, for degree-level English, assessed by the university — not just presented as a standalone MOI letter. Confirm the exact evidence format your sponsoring university will use before relying solely on the MOI route.
Processing times vary by institution. Most Ghanaian public universities process administrative letters within 5–15 working days when all required information is submitted correctly. Allow at least three to four weeks to be safe, especially if academic offices are handling end-of-semester workloads. Some private universities can turn around letters faster, often within a week.
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