IELTS level required by academic institutions for admission

Just over half (51%) of candidates take the test to enter higher education in a foreign country. The IELTS minimum scores required by academic institutions vary. As a general rule, institutions from English-speaking countries require a higher IELTS band.

AUSTRALIA
IELTS test is an integral part of the Immigration process under the Australia General Skilled Migration Visa (GSM). This test is required for the principal applicant as well as spouse and adult dependents above 18 years of age, unless you are lucky to be included in the category of people who are exempted to appear for the IELTS test. It is strongly recommended that the applicant take preparatory classes before taking IELTS test. The Australian immigration regulations identify seven English skill levels under (GSM) visas:

1. Proficient English – Minimum of 7 points in the IELTS test score in each of the 4 components of the test.
2. Competent English – IELTS test score of at least 6 points on each of the 4 components of the test.
3. Concessional Competent English – Average band score of 5.5 in their IELTS score.
4. “Vocational” or “Better than functional” English – IELTS score of at least 5 points in each of the 4 components of the test.
5. Functional English – Applicants who obtain an IELTS average band score of at least 4.5 points is listed under this skill level. These applicants do not get any points in the GSM points test.
6. Limited English – An IELTS average band score of at least 4 based on the 4 test components causes the applicant to be included under this skill level and not get any points benefit in the GSM points test.
7. No English – Applicants listed in this level usually have very limited understanding of English language skills. These applicants are not given any points in the GSM points test.

However, Teachers and other professionals are required to have a higher band score. i.e Teachers in the Academic Training test need to have a minimum band of 7 in each of the IELTS testing components while Engineers need to have a minimum band of 6 in each of the IELTS testing modules in Academic training test.
An IELTS report is normally valid for two years only and the Australian Immigration regulations require that the applicants undergo a fresh test if his earlier test report has expired and is more than two years old. For more information, contact us.

Student Visa
IELTS requirements for Student Visas vary according to the candidates’ nationality and education sector of their proposed study program. Minimum band score requirement ranges from 5.0 to 6.0. For more information contact us.

CANADA
IELTS is the only internationally available test of English proficiency recognised by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for immigration purposes. Immigration candidates are awarded points according to the score they achieve in the IELTS General Training module.

- Writing: 6.5 Band
- Reading: 6.5 Band
- Speaking: 6.5 Band
- Listening: 7.5 Band

UNITED KINGDOM
For international student, most IELTS requirements by universities fall between 5.5 and 7.0

The United Kingdom Border Agency is using IELTS for proof of English language requirements in the Points Based System (PBS). PBS allows migrants to apply to work or study in the UK via one of five ‘tiers’. If applying under Tier 1 or 2, migrants are required to provide proof of English language ability. IELTS is an approved English language test which can provide this proof.

1. United States of America
2. Unconditional Admission for international students
3. 7 in each component except for Speaking which is 6.5. Band score is 7
4. Provisional Condition: 6 in each component. Band score 6.5
5. The highest IELTS Band required by university is 8.5 by the Graduate School of Journalism
6. Columbia University, the only US institution to require this band.
7. It should be noted that while Ohio State University Moritz College of Law is listed as requiring an 8.5 on the IELTS website, the school lists an 8.0 8. For MIT the minimum score required is 7.
9. Note: Students who are on Conditional range must take IELTS exam upon arrival on campus