IELTS
International English Language Testing System
IELTS Academic is accepted for university admission in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA and Europe; each university sets its own English-language requirement and minimum band score, so check its official admissions page. At a test centre it is taken on computer — the paper-based test is being withdrawn from mid-2026, with timing varying by market — and some countries offer a handwritten Writing on Paper option. In some countries IELTS Academic can also be taken as IELTS Online, at home with remote proctoring; each university decides whether to accept an online result, and IELTS Online is not accepted for immigration purposes. The IELTS partners recommend that institutions accept a result for a maximum of two years.
Frequency
Year-round (test dates and session times vary by test centre)
Duration
2 hours 45 minutes
Format
Computer-based
Score range
Band score 0–9
Eligibility
No academic prerequisite; bring valid photo ID (passport or national identity card, depending on the country). Under-18s need parental consent, and IELTS Online is for ages 18 and above
Conducting body
British Council / IDP IELTS / Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Registration fee
IELTS Academic and General Training: set by country and centre, e.g. USA USD 325–330 from 1 Oct 2026 (USD 285 before), India INR 19,000 and most Australian centres AUD 490 (2026), UK GBP 235 (Bristol); IELTS for UKVI is priced separately (e.g. India INR 19,250)
Source: British Council / IDP IELTS / Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: IELTS — Academic test format; IELTS — verifying IELTS results (validity period); IELTS — about IELTS (joint owners); IELTS — updates to IELTS test delivery (paper-based test withdrawn from mid-2026); IELTS — ways to take IELTS (computer, Writing on Paper, IELTS Online); IELTS — IELTS Online (Academic only, 18+, not for immigration); IELTS — understanding IELTS scoring (0–9 band scale); IELTS — who accepts IELTS; IELTS — US test centre fees (USD 285; USD 325 from 1 Oct 2026), ELS Houston; IELTS — US test centre fee (USD 330 from 1 Oct 2026; USD 285 before), ELS Cleveland; IELTS — IELTS in the USA (test dates and times each month); IELTS — UK test centre fee (GBP 235), British Council Bristol; IDP IELTS India — IELTS test fee 2026 (INR 19,000; UKVI INR 19,250); IDP IELTS India — FAQ (available throughout the year); IDP IELTS Australia — how much does IELTS cost? (AUD 490, 2026); IDP IELTS Australia — who can take IELTS; British Council IELTS — FAQs (fee varies by location); British Council IELTS — how to book (photo ID; consent under 18); UC Admissions — English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test among the accepted routes).
Last verified: 29 September 2026. Content updated 30 September 2026, without a full re-check.
Universities that accept IELTS
Acceptance can differ by level and programme — confirm on the programme’s own page.
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Toronto
McGill University
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London
ETH Zürich
Delft University of Technology
University of Melbourne
Related / Next steps
Guides that cover the IELTS
7 min read
IELTS and TOEFL for European Universities
Using IELTS and TOEFL for English-taught degrees in Europe — what each test is, how they are accepted, and why minimum scores differ by university.
6 min read
IELTS and TOEFL for Gulf Universities
How IELTS and TOEFL are used to prove English proficiency for English-taught programmes at universities across the Gulf, and why every minimum score must be confirmed on the official university source.
7 min read
IELTS for UK and Ireland Study and Visa
How IELTS is used for study in the United Kingdom and Ireland — the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS for UKVI, how the band scoring works, and why required bands and the accepted version vary by university and visa use.
7 min read
IELTS vs PTE for the Australia Student Visa
IELTS and PTE Academic for studying in Australia — test format, how each is scored, results timing, and where each is accepted. Both are widely recognised; verify exact score requirements on the official sources.
7 min read
IELTS and TOEFL for Russian Universities
How IELTS and TOEFL fit into applications to English-medium programmes at universities in Russia — what they test, why minimums vary by university, and how to confirm the requirement on the official source.
6 min read
IELTS vs TOEFL: Which to Take?
IELTS and TOEFL for Indian students — what each tests, who accepts them, and how to decide which English test fits your plans.
7 min read
IELTS for Australia and New Zealand: A Student Guide
How IELTS Academic fits into university and visa applications for Australia and New Zealand — test format, who accepts it, why band requirements vary, and where to confirm the minimums.
7 min read
IELTS for Canada: Requirements Explained
How the IELTS Academic test is used for studying in Canada — who needs it, how it is scored, why minimum bands vary by university and program, and where to confirm the exact requirement.
Need prep advice for the IELTS?
Ask GSB for a personalised study plan.
Ask GSB →Popular topics · India
Popular guides
View all →