Do I need to prepare for IELTS or PTE exams for admission to international relations or political science courses abroad for a Master's?
Yes, non native English speakers almost always need IELTS or PTE Academic for international relations or political science masters, since these fields are writing and discussion heavy. Top programs often demand IELTS 7.0 to 7.5 overall. Exceptions exist if your prior degree was fully English taught.
Yes, if English is not your native language, you will almost certainly need to prepare for and take IELTS or PTE Academic for a Master's in International Relations or Political Science abroad. These programs are intensely reading, writing, and discussion heavy, so universities set demanding English thresholds to match.
Typical Score Expectations
| Test | Typical Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic overall | 7.0 to 7.5 | Sub scores usually no lower than 6.0 to 6.5, especially Writing and Reading |
| PTE Academic | Accepted by most universities that take IELTS | Ensure you take the Academic version, not General |
| Comparison field | Some technical fields accept 6.5 | IR and political science lean toward the higher end |
When You Might Be Exempt
- Your previous Bachelor's or Master's degree was taught entirely in English at a recognized institution.
- You hold citizenship or a passport from a recognized majority English speaking country such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, or New Zealand.
- Even in non Anglophone Europe, many IR programs are taught fully in English and still require IELTS or PTE from international applicants.
My Advice
Check the exact writing sub-score requirement on your target university's admissions page before you book your test, since IR and political science programs scrutinize your Writing band closely as a proxy for handling dense policy essays.
IELTS, PTE or Duolingo: which should you take?
Find out which test your universities accept, and which is easiest for you.
More IELTS questions
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- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?
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- Is it possible to get an IELTS exemption if my transcript states that my medium of instruction was English?
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