Is an IELTS score of 6.5 mandatory for admission and visa approval?

No, a 6.5 IELTS score is not universally mandatory. Requirements vary depending on the university, course, and country. While most universities require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, some universities accept a score of 6.0 too, while some highly competitive universities or programs may require 7.0, or higher. Many UK universities offer IELTS waivers based on your 12th grade English scores or if the medium of instruction of your bachelors degree was English. For UK visas, the university generally confirms your English proficiency while issuing the CAS. So if the university accepts your IELTS score or another English qualification, it usually supports the visa process as well. IELTS scores are not explicitly required for visa applications.