IELTS Exam Eligibility 2024
IELTS IDP India has not announced any eligibility criteria for the IELTS exam officially. However, IELTS experts recommend that you should be at least 16 years of age when you sit for the exam. There is no upper age limit for the IELTS.
There is no academic qualification that is mandatory for writing the IELTS Exam. If you wish to move to an English-speaking nation for higher studies, or you wish to migrate to one for work or other reasons, you can go ahead and take the IELTS exam.
However, keep in mind that passport is mandatorily required for taking the IELTS exam. IELTS has a strict no passport no exam policy, and you should provide a valid passport for identification during the registration and at the test Centre.
IELTS Exam Eligibility for One-Skill Retake 2023-2024
The newly implemented IELTS One Skill retake allows you to retake just one part of the IELTS exam. For instance, if your score is the lowest in IELTS Reading, but you’ve done well in the other sections, you have the option to retake just the IELTS reading exam and improve your score.
It is mandatory to meet the following requirements to take IELTS One Skill Retake:
- You must have completed a full IELTS test taken at the test centre
- Your full test should be computer-based
- You must apply for the One Skill Retake within 60 days of taking the test
FAQs
Q. Is there any age limit for IELTS?
A. No, there isn’t any age limit for the IELTS exam. However, the experts recommend that you are at least 16 years of age when you take the IELTS exam. The official body of IELTS has not set any upper age limit for writing IELTS.
Q. Are 12th marks important for IELTS?
A. No. High school grades or any other exam score does not matter in IELTS. IELTS is an English proficiency exam and only aims to evaluate your English language skills. You can apply for the IELTS exam irrespective of what your grades in 12th are. We can, however, recommend that if your grade is particularly low in English, you might want to put in a lot of preparation before you actually write the test.
Q. How soon should I apply for an IELTS One Skill Retake in India?
A. If you wish to apply for the IELTS One Skill Retake in India, it is mandatory to apply within 60 days of the test. IELTS One Skill Retake allows you to retake just one part of the IELTS exam to improve your score. Previously, if you applied to rewrite the exam, you had to retake all four sections of the IELTS exam instead of the one you scored the least in. This new addition will boost your chances of getting a score.
IELTS Exam Eligibility: Passing Score for Countries
IELTS is accepted across 140 countries worldwide, including popular study destinations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The minimum IELTS exam requirements varies depending on why you’re taking the exam. If you’re applying for universities, typically, the minimum requirement falls between 6.0 for undergraduate courses and 6.5 for post-graduate courses.
For visa and immigration, you will require a minimum band score of 4.0 to 6.0.
Below is an overview.
| Country | Minimum IELTS Score Range | Minimum IELTS Score for Student Visa |
| USA | 6.0 - 6.5 | 6.5 (Also depends on university) |
| UK | 6.0 - 6.5 | 4.0 (Below degree level) 5.5 (Degree level and above) |
| Canada | 5.5 - 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Ireland | 6.0 - 6.5 | 6.5 |
| New Zealand | 5.5 - 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Australia | 6.0 - 6.5 | 5.5 |
Minimum IELTS Scores for Top Universities
The minimum IELTS Score for universities depends on various factors, including the ones listed below.
- Course level: The IELTS score may vary depending on whether your course is of degree level or below. Typically, postgraduate-level courses require higher band scores than undergraduate-level courses.
- University: If you’re applying to top universities, you must produce an excellent IELTS score. Universities such as the Ivy League or Russell Group often ask for an IELTS score of 7 and above due to the increased competition. Mid-ranking universities, however, require scores in the range of 6.0 and 6.5.
- Course difficulty: Advanced-level courses such as Psychology, Literature, or Medicine require higher levels of English proficiency. The reason is simple; they cover complex subjects and lead to jobs which may demand professional language skills and regular human interactions.
Below is a list of top universities worldwide and their average minimum IELTS score requirements.
Note: Remember that these scores will vary depending on your course, degree level and other factors. Check the official university website and confirm the specific IELTS requirement before you start your prep or file an application.
IELTS Score for Top Universities in the USA
| University | Minimum IELTS Score |
| Johns Hopkins University | 7.0 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 7.0 |
| Duke University | 7.0 |
| Brown University | 7.0-8.0 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 6.5-7.0 |
IELTS Score for Top Universities in the UK
| University | Minimum IELTS Score |
| Oxford University | 6.0 |
| Cambridge University | 7.5 |
| Imperial College London | 7.0 |
| University of Edinburgh | 6.5 |
| King’s College London | 7.0 |
IELTS Score for Top Universities in Canada
| University | Minimum IELTS Score |
| University of Toronto | 6.5 |
| McGill University | 6.5 |
| University of Alberta | 6.5 |
| McMaster University | 6.5 |
| University of British Columbia | 6.5 |
IELTS Score for Top Universities in Australia
| University | Minimum IELTS Score |
| Australian National university | 6.5-7.0 |
| University of Melbourne | 6.5 |
| University of Sydney | 6.5 |
| University of Western Australia | 7.0 |
| University of Queensland | 6.5 |
IELTS Score for Top Universities in New Zealand
| University | Minimum IELTS Score |
| University of Auckland | 6.5-7.0 |
| University of Otago | 6.5 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 6.5 |
| University of Waikato | 6.5 |
| University of Canterbury | 6.5 |
IELTS Score for Top Universities in Ireland
| University | Minimum IELTS Score |
| Trinity College Dublin | 6.5 |
| University College Dublin | 6.5 |
| University College Cork | 6.5 |
| National University of Ireland, Galway | 6.5 |
| Dublin City University | 6.5 |
FAQs
Q. Which countries accept IELTS for work?
A. IELTS test scores are accepted worldwide by universities, organisations and immigration authorities. However, the type of exam required may change depending on which organisation you’re applying to. You must also keep in mind that minimum scores will also vary. Some of the top countries that accept IELTS for work and immigration are:
- USA
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
Q. What is the minimum IELTS score for UK student visas?
A. The minimum IELTS score for UK visas depends on your degree level and is given below. It’s important to understand that when applying for a UK student visa, the specific requirements can vary based on the university's IELTS score requirements. If you have an acceptance letter from the university, you can apply for a student visa, even if your IELTS score falls below the typical visa requirements.
| Student Visa (below degree level) | 4.0 |
| Student Visa (Degree level and above) | 5.5 |
Q. Are 5.5 bands eligible for US universities?
A. Typically, US universities have a requirement of 6.0 for bachelor’s and 6.5 for master’s courses. However, a few universities in the USA may accept an IELTS band score of 5.5. However, you must remember that this may not be the case for all courses and degree levels. Some universities accepting a score of 5.5 in the USA include,
- California State University, Los Angeles
- University of Hawaii, Hilo
- University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
- Central Michigan University
- University of Mississippi
