IITM BS Medium of Instruction Letter: Proof of English for MS Abroad

Yes, there is an official medium of instruction (MOI) letter for the IITM BS. A letter from the Dean (Academic Courses), IIT Madras, dated 14 June 2024, certifies that English is the medium of instruction in all IIT Madras BS degree programmes. IIT Madras does not issue a personal MOI certificate with your name on it. You download this common letter from the programme's important documents page and send it with your application.

What the letter says

The letter is signed by Prof. Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses), and has the file number F.No.Acad/Cert./2024. It is printed on the letterhead of the IIT Madras Academic Section (Courses) and is addressed to whomsoever it may concern.

Its first point is the one you need for an MOI request: English is the medium of instruction in all IIT Madras BS degree programmes. That covers both Data Science (DS) and Electronic Systems (ES).

The same letter also says:

• Only cumulative grade cards are issued, not term-wise grade cards.
• No class, division or rank is awarded, and percentage is CGPA x 10.
• There is no provision for backlog certificates.

A note at the bottom says there is no provision for personalised certificates. It says this letter can be downloaded from the DS important documents page (study.iitm.ac.in/ds/archive.html). The letter is also listed on the ES important documents page.

What the letter does not say

Know its limits before you rely on it.

• It has no name on it. It is a general letter about the programmes, not about you. Your grade card or transcript is what links you to the programme.
• It says nothing about English tests. It does not mention IELTS, TOEFL or any score. It does not say any university will accept it in place of a test.
• It is not addressed to any university. It is a general statement for anyone who needs it.
• It does not list the levels. It speaks of the BS degree programmes as a whole. It does not name the foundation, diploma or BSc stage.

Is it enough for a university abroad?

That depends on each university. Universities often ask applicants to show that their earlier degree was taught in English, and many ask for an MOI letter. Each university decides whether a letter like this meets its rule. Some may want a letter that names the student, or one sent straight from the institute. This letter does neither, so check before you apply.

What you can state with confidence is what the letter says: English is the medium of instruction, on the authority of the Dean (Academic Courses). For admits and data on higher studies, see MS abroad after IITM BS and how foreign universities view the IITM BS.

How to use the letter in an application

1. Download the PDF from the official important documents page. Save the Drive link as well.
2. Open the university's English language requirement page. Look for the words "medium of instruction" or "MOI" and read exactly what they ask for.
3. Check whether they need a personalised letter. If they do, email the admissions office. Say that IIT Madras does not issue personalised MOI certificates, and attach this letter.
4. Upload the letter together with your grade card or transcript, so the reader can match the letter to your record.
5. Save the admissions office's reply. It helps if the question comes up again later.

Other records that point to English

A few other records back up the letter:

• The foundation level in both DS and ES includes two English courses, English I and English II. They appear on your grade card once you complete them.
• The original Ordinances and Regulations from 2020 said instruction, assignments, exams and reports would all be in English.

If a university wants a document with your name on it, the handbook lists an official transcript and a bonafide certificate. Both are issued on request, every Thursday. The handbook does not say whether either one mentions the medium of instruction. You must also have submitted your medical certificate, or the programme office will not issue a bonafide certificate or other official letters. The steps are in academic documents for IITM BS students.

Common questions

Can I get an MOI certificate with my name from IIT Madras?

The note on the letter says there is no provision for personalised certificates. The common letter is what IIT Madras offers. Send it with a document that carries your name, such as your grade card.

Is the MOI letter valid for Electronic Systems students?

Yes. It covers all IIT Madras BS degree programmes, so it applies to ES as well as DS. The ES important documents page also lists it.

Will this letter get me an IELTS or TOEFL waiver?

The letter does not mention English tests at all. Whether an MOI letter can replace a test score is each university's own rule. Only the university can tell you.

Can I use it while I am still at the diploma level?

The letter describes the programme, not your stage in it, and it does not name any level. If you apply before you finish the degree, check whether the university accepts records from a programme still in progress.