Here’s your list of top countries accepting IELTS this year

IELTS is an English language test designed to help you work, study, and potentially settle in another country where English is a commonly spoken language. You don’t have a choice – you need to demonstrate high knowledge and skills in English. The most popular IELTS-accepted countries include the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States of America (USA). 

We have approximately 11,000 professional organizations – including schools, offices, universities, and government centers – accepting IELTS results as a warrant of your knowledge in English. 3,400 of the 11,000 are based in the USA alone. The IELTS exam is designed to gauge the student’s ability to communicate in English in an academic environment. Four skills are primarily tested during this examination, i.e., writing, listening, speaking, and reading.

A closer look at countries that accept IELTS

Eleven thousand professional organizations are accepting IELTS spans across 140 countries. We already spoke about the top countries accepting IELTS at the beginning. We will talk in length about these countries and their procedures/requirements around accepting IELTS – 

United Kingdom (UK)

The UK immigration identifies IELTS Academic and General Training as an acceptable form of English language exam. They also accept the Life Skills test performed by IELTS in exceptional cases. Per their requirements, you must score at least 6.5 in all four sections, i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking. An average score will not be taken, as you will be accounted for each section.

Some standard universities accepting IELTS in the United Kingdom –

• University of Oxford
• University College, London
• Imperial College, London
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh.

Canada

IELTS is recognized by Canadian immigrants. You can work, study, and even apply for residency or citizenship based on the IELTS score. Their primary purpose is to be able to gauge your ability in English. In addition, they may interview their own to understand your ability. The minimum score required to be considered accepted is an average of 6. Otherwise, you are required to score at least 5 in all modules each. 

Some standard universities accepting IELTS in Canada –

• McGill University
• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• University of British Columbia
• University of Alberta.

New Zealand

New Zealand visa permits do not come easy. There are a bunch of criteria you are required to meet before you can enter the country. First off, you are required to be a skilled migrant to apply for a New Zealand work or study permit. Since the requirements are already so high, an IELTS overall band score of 6.5 is required. Furthermore, you must not score lesser than 5.5 in each module individually. 

Following are the universities in New Zealand accepting IELTS –

• University of Auckland
• University of Canterbury
• Lincoln University
• Auckland University of Technology
• University of Otago
• Universal College of Learning (UCOL).

United States of America

English language proficiency is naturally required in the world’s most powerful countries. IELTS is accepted by nearly 3000 colleges and universities based in the USA. The tricky part about the USA is that not all universities and colleges have the same criteria. The minimum requirement at any average US-based university is anywhere between 6 to 7. What we know for sure is that 5.5 is considered very low by the majority of universities in the USA.

Following are some of the universities that accept IELTS in the USA –

• Columbia University
• Yale University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
• Stanford University
• University of California.

Australia

IELTS makes up a critical component in Australia’s point-based immigration system. The government of Australia requires at least a 5.5 score in all modules as part of your visa application with them. Your IELTS is only valid for two years from the date you receive your scores. In other words, it is highly encouraged that you connect with immigration and apply for your visa within two years from appearing for the IELTS exams. 

Following given are some universities that accept IELTS in Australia –

• University of Sydney
• Monash University
• University of Melbourne
• University of Adelaide
• UNSW Sydney.

Ireland 

You wouldn’t expect a country like Ireland to make it to the IELTS accepted countries list. Still, it so happens that their criteria are among the strictest. You require an average bandwidth score of at least 6.5 in all four modules. When considering the modules individually, you require a bandwidth score of at least 6.0. They sure do make it challenging for you to enter the country. However, once you are in, it becomes easy for you to navigate your way through. 

Here are some universities accepting IELTS in Ireland –

• Trinity University
• University College Cork
• University of Limerick
• Dublin City University. 

Tips to get into countries where IELTS is accepted 

There is a list of requirements you must fulfill before considering migration. The first step is sorting the initial exams, including the IELTS English exams. Here are some handy tips for you to sort out your entry into top countries —

• Practice till you are perfect

The test itself will take up to 3 hours. Put in a minimum of 3 months of training, and you will score high marks. 

• Make sure your responses are fresh

You must refer to online guides but avoid copying everything word to word. Sometimes, thoughts coming straight from your heart are what will win you marks. 

• Make sure your vocabulary is impeccable

IELTS holds high regard for those who have a stellar vocabulary. After all – that is a sign of a well-read professional individual, right? 

• Grasp the structure of the exam well

Before you head into the exam hall, be sure that you have taken enough time to grasp the structure of the exam well.

Key takeaways

• IELTS is an English language test designed to help you work, study, and potentially settle in another country where English is a commonly spoken language.
• Eleven thousand professional organizations were accepting IELTS span across 140 countries.
• The most popular IELTS-accepted countries include the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States of America (USA). 

FAQs

1. Does Ireland accept IELTS?

Yes, Ireland recognizes and accepts IELTS. You require an average score of 6 in all modules.

2. What is the acceptable IELTS band score for New Zealand?

The acceptable score for New Zealand is 6.5 in all modules.

3. How many countries accept IELTS across the globe?

A total of 140 countries accept IELTS across the globe.