Planning to emigrate or work abroad?
IELTS Academic helps you to
One of the world's most recognised English qualifications and the gateway to undergraduate and postgraduate study in the UK. Discover everything you can achieve with your IELTS Academic Band Score.
Gain admission to undergraduate degrees
Enter Master's, postgraduate, and PhD programmes
Meet the English requirement for your UK Student visa
Accepted by every UK university, including the Russell Group
Required by Oxford, Cambridge, and other top UK institutions
Accepted by universities worldwide
IELTS Academic Exam Structure
The exam lasts around 2 hours and 45 minutes and evaluates all 4 language skills. Listening, Reading, and Writing are computer-based at an official test centre, while Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Writing
The Writing component lasts 60 minutes and consists of two tasks. It is recommended to spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2, as Task 2 carries more weight towards the final mark.
Task 1 (minimum 150 words): Describe, in your own words, information presented in a graph, table, diagram, or map. You must summarise and compare key data using a formal, objective register.
Task 2 (minimum 250 words): Write an argumentative essay in response to a point of view, problem, or statement. You will be assessed on structure, coherence, vocabulary richness, and grammatical accuracy.
Key tip: Balancing both tasks is essential: an overly short or off-topic answer directly penalises the Band Score for the entire module.
Speaking
The Speaking test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and takes place face-to-face in an interview with a certified examiner. It is the only component not taken on a computer.
Part 1 (Introduction & Interview, 4-5 mins): Questions about yourself and familiar topics such as family, work, studies, or interests.
Part 2 (Individual Long Turn, 3-4 mins): You receive a cue card with a topic; you have 1 minute to make notes and must speak for 1 to 2 minutes.
Part 3 (Two-way Discussion, 4-5 mins): A more abstract, in-depth conversation related to Part 2, requiring you to argue, compare, and speculate.
Assessment: The examiner evaluates fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation across all three parts.
Reading
The Reading module lasts 60 minutes and contains 40 questions across 3 long texts of increasing difficulty.
Authentic texts: Passages are drawn from books, journals, newspapers, and academic publications. They use a register appropriate for university study and cover general topics of academic interest.
Variety of task types: Questions include multiple choice, identifying information (True / False / Not Given), matching headings to paragraphs, sentence completion, summary completion, and short answers.
Time management: No extra time is given to transfer answers, so strategic reading techniques (skimming and scanning) are vital to locate information without reading every word.
Listening
The Listening module lasts approx. 30 minutes and consists of 40 questions based on 4 recordings of increasing complexity. Each audio is played once only.
Section 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context (e.g. booking accommodation or making enquiries).
Section 2: A monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a talk about local facilities).
Section 3: A conversation between up to four people in an educational or training context (e.g. a tutor and students discussing an assignment).
Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject, such as a university lecture, testing comprehension of complex details and arguments.
Understanding IELTS Academic Scoring
IELTS is scored using Band Scores from 0 to 9 (including half bands) assigned to each skill and overall. The Home Office sets CEFR B2 as the minimum for the Student visa, while universities set their own, often higher, entry requirements.
Band Score to CEFR Equivalency
| CEFR level | IELTS Band Score | Common usage in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | 3.5 | Basic level |
| B1 | 4.0 - 5.0 | Intermediate level |
| B2 | 5.5 - 6.5 | Student visa and most undergraduate courses |
| C1 | 7.0 - 8.0 | Top universities and postgraduate courses |
| C2 | 8.5 - 9.0 | Full mastery |
University entry requirements
Each of the four skills receives a Band Score from 0 to 9, and the Overall Band Score is the average. However, UK universities usually set both an overall minimum and a minimum in each component, so a low score in a single skill can leave you below the requirement even if your average is high.
For example, the University of Oxford requires an overall 7.5 with at least 7.0 in every skill. With 7.5 in Listening and Reading, 7.0 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing, your average would be 7.0, but you would still fall short because Writing is below 7.0. That is why balanced preparation across all four skills is key.
Note: Certificates are valid for 2 years. For pre-sessional courses and study below degree level the Home Office requires the IELTS for UKVI version, taken in person at an approved SELT centre, and top universities such as Oxford do not accept IELTS Online.
Course prices
A complete course including teacher support, materials and live class mock exams, at the most competitive price on the market.
IELTS Academic Intensive Course
Teacher support
Materials and resources
Individual corrections for Writing and Speaking
Mock exams in live classes
All modules
Live online classes
5 weeks duration
4 classes per week
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
At 10:00 or 19:00
Each class lasts 2 hours
¹ Intensive classes start on the first Monday every two months.
² Ongoing classes have no fixed duration or scheduled start date. You will start lessons within a week of enrolling at the most, and you can keep studying for as long as you wish until you feel ready to take the official exam. We don't require a minimum term or tie you into a contract: cancel at any time.
Everything you need to know about IELTS Academic in the UK
What is IELTS Academic and who organises it?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the world's most recognised English tests, jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The Academic version is aimed at university entry, postgraduate studies, and language certification for higher education.
How many parts does the exam have and how long is it in total?
It consists of 4 modules: Listening (30 mins), Reading (60 mins), Writing (60 mins), and Speaking (11-14 mins). In total, about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Listening, Reading, and Writing are computer-based, while Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Is the exam paper-based or computer-based?
Since mid-2026, paper-based testing has been phased out globally. Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are taken on a computer at an authorised centre, and only Speaking maintains the face-to-face interview format with a human examiner.
Can I take IELTS Online from home?
While IELTS Online exists, it is not accepted for UK Student visas or by most universities. For study below degree level and pre-sessional courses, the Home Office requires IELTS for UKVI, taken in person at an approved centre, and leading universities such as Oxford also require in-person testing. For UK purposes, take IELTS Academic on computer at an official centre.
How long does it take to get results?
With the computer-based format, results are available in your candidate portal within 1 to 5 days—much faster than the 13 days of the old paper-based format.
How is my level calculated and what is the "minimum score rule"?
Each skill and the overall score receive a Band Score from 0 to 9. UK universities usually require a minimum in each component as well as an overall minimum, so a single low skill can leave you below the requirement even if your average meets it. For instance, with 7.5 in Listening and Reading, 7.0 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing, your average is 7.0, but a university asking for 7.0 in every skill would not accept it because of the 6.5 in Writing.
What is its CEFR equivalency?
IELTS Academic covers levels A2 to C2: 5.5-6.5 equals B2 (meets the Student visa requirement and many undergraduate courses), 7.0-8.0 equals C1 (top universities and postgraduate courses), and 8.5-9.0 equals C2.
How much does the exam cost?
In the UK, the British Council fee for IELTS Academic is typically around £215 to £250. The IELTS Academic for UKVI version, used for visas and immigration, costs between £257 and £313 due to the additional SELT security protocols.
How long is the certificate valid for?
The certificate (Test Report Form) is valid for 2 years from the exam date. Universities and the Home Office may reject certificates issued outside this timeframe.
What score do I need for university admission in the UK?
It depends on the university and course. The Home Office sets a minimum of CEFR B2 (around 5.5-6.0) for the Student visa, but universities set higher bars: mid-ranking universities typically ask for 6.0-6.5 overall, the Russell Group 6.5-7.0, and Oxford and Cambridge 7.5 with at least 7.0 in every component (up to 8.0 for some Humanities courses). Medicine and Law are usually the most demanding, at 7.0-7.5 with high minimums in each skill.
Can I retake just one section if I do poorly?
Yes. With IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR), you can retake a single skill module within 60 days of your original exam, keeping your scores for the other three sections. It's an ideal solution if a single skill (such as Writing) pulled down your accredited level.