How to determine a good IELTS score?

The IELTS exam consists of four sections. The candidate has to give a test for each section. Then, the examiners check the sections and give scores based on the candidate’s excellence in multiple aspects of the English language. At last, the candidate’s average of the bands achieved in all the sections is finalized as the resultant band. This band is the decisive factor that decides whether you are eligible to get admission to a particular college or a country or not. 

Top universities and their IELTS scores

Every university has different criteria for giving admission to overseas students. Let us now find out about the top universities are what band is required to get admission to them. 

• Oxford University

For admission to a few undergraduate programs at Oxford University, including mathematics, computer science, statistics, etc., the candidate must have a standard-level score. This means that the overall band should be 7 for the complete test and not less than 6.5 for each section. While for all the other undergraduate exams, a candidate should possess a higher level score of 7.5 bands or above, with a minimum of 7 bands in each section. 

• Cambridge University

To get admission into most of the programs at Cambridge University, the candidates must have an overall score of 7.5. The minimum band in each section should also be 7 bands to get admission to the undergraduate programs. However, for some specified programs, this requirement might vary. 

• Massachusetts Institue of Technology (MIT)

MIT’s minimum score for an undergraduate program is 7 bands. However, the recommended score is 7.5. For courses that require a higher level of proficiency in English proficiency. 

Thus, we can say that 7.5 is a good IELTS score for all famous universities. 

IELTS score for admission in different countries

Judging and identifying a good IELTS score is not easy. However, this can be done based on the candidate’s chosen country. We will now read about some of the native-English countries and what the IELTS score they consider to be good. 

• Australia

The Australian government decides the type of visa a candidate can get based on their IELTS score. The type of visa and their requisite bands are mentioned below- 

• Functional- An overall score of 4.5 bands.
• Vocational- Minimum of 5 bands in each category of the IELTS exam.
• Competent- Not less than 6 bands in each category.
• Proficient- A minimum of 7 bands in all sections of the exam.
• Superior- Not less than 8 bands in each category (this is considered a good IELTS score).

• Canada

In Canada, the minimum requirement for a skilled worker visa differs from a student visa. To analyze the visa based on your score, you need to use an official chart of the Canadian government. Some universities and their band requirements and good IELTS score for Canada are as follows- 

• The University of Alberta- To get admission to the graduate programs of this university, the candidates need to have an IELTS band of 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6 bands in each section of the exam. However, it is pretty flexible with the IELTS requirements; thus, the minimum requirements can alter based on the course you are opting for. 
• Queen’s University- Queen’s University states the minimum overall score for admission in graduate courses as 6.5, with at least 6 in all sections. On the contrary, the requirement for admission into the post-graduate courses is 7 bands. 

• New Zealand 

New Zealand is quite lenient and flexible in giving admissions to students. The University of Auckland, e.g., requires a minimum of 6 bands for undergraduate admissions with a score not less than 5.5 in each category. Some universities might have higher requirements based on their prestige and courses. 

For other visas, the minimum band requirements and good IELTS score for New Zealand are mentioned below- 

• Investor- An overall score of 3 bands or more.
• Entrepreneurs- 4 or more overall score.
• Parents- A minimum of 4 bands in at least 2 categories of the IELTS exam.
• Skilled migrants- An average score of at least 6.5 bands. 

• United Kingdom

For getting a work visa in the UK, the minimum band requirements depend upon the work you are applying for and the duration of your stay. Some universities and their minimum score requirements can be seen below- 

• University of Birmingham- Depending on the course you are applying for, the minimum requirement of the University of Birmingham might vary. For some easy courses, the requirements go down to 5.5 overall bands and a minimum of 5 bands in each section. On the other hand, some courses require an overall score of 7 bands along with a minimum of 7 in all the sections. 

• United States of America

While the US government does not necessarily demand an IELTS band for multiple visa types, there are a few requirements according to the famous universities of the US, as mentioned below- 

• University of South California- To get admission to this university, the Ph.D. applicants should have 7 or more bands, the master’s applicants should have 6.5 or more bands, and the undergraduate applicants should have a 7 or higher band. 
• UC Berkeley- For admission to this university, undergraduate students must have a minimum of 6.5 bands, and graduate students must have a minimum of 7 bands. 
• New York University- While NYU does not demand the IELTS scores of the students, it has been found that no student studying at their university has a band less than 7.5. 

Key takeaways

• A minimum all-over band of 6 is required to get admission to a university overseas. 
• While anything above 6 bands is a fair score that can get you admission opportunities in many countries, a score above 8 is considered an unbeatably good IELTS score. 
• A band of 7 in IELTS is a good score and can help you get admission to world-class universities such as Oxford University, the University of Birmingham, etc. 
• Getting a visa other than a student visa in the US does not require you to give and pass the IELTS exam. 

FAQs

1. Is getting 7.5 bands in IELTS easy?

You can achieve this score if you have a good command of the English language. But if not, you will need regular practice to achieve this score. 

2. Can a person get 9 bands in IELTS?

Getting 9 bands in the IELTS exam is challenging, although it is not impossible. 

3. How many attempts of IELTS can I take?

There is no limit to the number of attempts you can take for the IELTS exam.