IELTS score for university - minimum bands by institution

Most universities ask for an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.0–6.5 for undergraduate study and 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate (Master's) study, with no individual section below 5.5–6.0. Competitive programmes such as Law, Medicine, Nursing and Teaching usually require 7.0–7.5. The exact minimum - and any per-section floor - is set by each university and programme, so check your target institution in the directory below.

Undergraduate courses typically require an overall band of 6.0–6.5. Postgraduate taught (Master's) courses usually require 6.5–7.0, and research degrees (PhD) 6.5–7.0. Higher-stakes professional programmes (Law, Medicine, Teaching) commonly require 7.0 or above. Many universities also set a 'no band below' floor that you must meet in every section.

An overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 meets the entry requirement for the majority of undergraduate and many taught postgraduate courses in the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It may fall short for the most competitive universities or for Law, Medicine and Teaching, which often require 7.0+. Check the specific university's page in the directory for its exact threshold.

Many do. Alongside the overall band, universities commonly set a 'no band below' minimum - for example, overall 6.5 with no section below 6.0. Some courses set higher per-section minimums for Writing or Speaking. Each university's detail page lists its per-section thresholds where they differ from the overall minimum.

A number of universities accept an overall 6.0 for undergraduate entry, and foundation or pathway programmes often accept 5.0–5.5 with the option to progress. Use the directory below to compare minimum bands across institutions and find ones that match your current level - and remember most universities also offer pre-sessional English courses if you're just short.

Most UK work visas (Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker) require English at CEFR level B1, equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in each of the four sections. The IELTS for UKVI test must be booked at an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) centre. Professional licensing routes go higher: the Nursing and Midwifery Council asks for IELTS 7.0 with Writing 6.5 and the GMC asks for IELTS 7.5 overall with no band below 7.0. Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship also require B1 English plus a Life in the UK test.

Canada's IRCC scores IELTS results against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). CLB 7, the minimum for the Canadian Experience Class, requires Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0. CLB 9, the practical target for a competitive Federal Skilled Worker Express Entry profile, requires Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0. The Student Direct Stream study permit accepts IELTS Academic at CLB 7 or higher in each section.

The Department of Home Affairs awards points based on IELTS band in each of the four sections. Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each section) is the floor for most skilled-migration routes (subclass 189, 190, 491) and earns 0 visa points. Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 in each section) earns 10 points and Superior English (IELTS 8.0 in each section) earns 20 points. The subclass 500 student visa generally accepts IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 depending on the course and provider.