IELTS Academic (and IELTS for UKVI) for study abroad
IELTS is the English test most study-abroad routes accept. The version matters: UK visa routes that need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) want IELTS for UKVI, while most universities take IELTS Academic.
Which countries ask for IELTS, and at what level
Each line comes from that country's own guide on this site, where the official source is cited.
| Country | What it asks for | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Student visa: IELTS Academic or General 6.0 overall (5.5 with 10+ weeks ELICOS, 5.0 with 20+ weeks). 485 visa: 6.5 overall, 5.5 in each part | Country guide Visa 500 |
| Canada | For the PGWP later: CLB 7 in all four skills (university degree) or CLB 5 (college); admission scores are set by each institution | Country guide Study permit |
| France | English-taught programmes set their own score; language skills are part of the Etudes en France file | Country guide VLS-TS |
| Germany | English-taught courses set their own IELTS/TOEFL score on the course page | Country guide Student visa |
| Indonesia | KNB: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 53, TOEFL ITP 477 or TOEIC 510 (taken within 2 years) | Country guide Study visa |
| Ireland | Evidence of English ability with the visa; minimum for visas is set in the English language requirements document | Country guide Study visa |
| Japan | English-taught degree programmes set their own score | Country guide Student visa |
| Netherlands | Set by each institution for admission; the orientation year asks about IELTS 6.0 for some foreign-degree routes | Country guide Student permit |
| New Zealand | Your provider confirms in the offer that your English is enough for the course | Country guide Student visa |
| Singapore | Set by each university for admission | Country guide Student's Pass |
| United Arab Emirates | Set by each university for admission | Country guide Student visa |
| United Kingdom | IELTS for UKVI (a SELT) at CEFR B1 below degree level; at degree level the university may assess English (must equal B2) | Country guide UK Student visa |
| United States | Set by each university for admission | Country guide F-1 visa |
Academic, General Training or UKVI?
- Choose IELTS Academic for undergraduate or graduate study and for professional registration (for example doctors and nurses). [1]
- Listening and Speaking are the same in Academic and General Training; Reading and Writing differ. [1]
- For a UK Student visa below degree level you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR B1; at degree level a licensed university may assess your English itself, but it must still be equivalent to B2. [5]
- Australia does not accept English tests taken fully online ("at-home" tests such as IELTS Online) for visas. [6]
Band scores and validity
- Each section gets a band from 0 to 9. The overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band (.25 rounds up to the half band, .75 to the next whole band). [2]
- IELTS recommends treating results as valid for two years; a university or visa office can set its own window. [2]
- Australia accepts IELTS results with a One Skill Retake for the Temporary Graduate (485) visa, if the retake is done before you lodge. [7]
IELTS fee at Indian centres
An IDP centre in Jaipur lists computer-delivered IELTS Academic and General Training at INR 19,000 and the UKVI versions at INR 19,250. Prices can differ by centre and change during the year, so check your own centre when you book. [4]
Where to practise
Start with the free sample test questions on the IELTS website, which come from the test owners. Material that promises a guaranteed band is not from IELTS. [3]
Where these facts come from
Every fact above is read from the official pages below (government, embassy, regulator, test owner or university), last checked on 29 October 2026. Visa money, fees and work rules change several times a year — open the official page before you pay or apply.
- IELTS — IELTS Academic test (opens in a new tab) Who should take Academic; sections
- IELTS — How IELTS is scored (opens in a new tab) Bands, rounding, validity
- IELTS — Sample test questions (opens in a new tab) Free official practice
- IELTS — IDP Education India, Jaipur centre (opens in a new tab) INR fees, computer-delivered · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: knowledge of English (opens in a new tab) SELT, B1/B2 levels · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
- Home Affairs (Australia) — Student visa (subclass 500) (opens in a new tab) At-home tests not accepted · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
- Home Affairs (Australia) — Temporary Graduate visa, Post-Higher Education Work stream (opens in a new tab) One Skill Retake accepted · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.