IELTS scholarship | A Comprehensive Guide for 2025!

Looking to study abroad but worried about exam fees and tuition costs? The IELTS scholarship for Indian students can ease your financial burden by covering your IELTS test fee and even part of your tuition and living expenses. Whether you’re applying for undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs, these scholarships are your gateway to global education.

Top IELTS Scholarships for Indian Students

To support aspiring international students, several reputed organizations offer IELTS exam scholarships that help cover the cost of the test or provide financial assistance for studying abroad. These scholarships offer a valuable opportunity for students to reduce the financial stress associated with language proficiency exams and international education.

British Council IELTS Awards

This prestigious award recognises top-performing IELTS candidates with a grant of up to INR 11 lakhs. It can be utilised for English language skill enhancement or to support further education in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Non-UK citizen
  
  
• Minimum score of 6.5 in each IELTS section
  
  
• Must hold an offer from a recognised UK institution
  
  
• Proof of financial need and commitment to education required
  
  

IDP IELTS Prize

Awarded annually, the IDP IELTS Prize provides a one-time grant of INR 5.3 lakhs and may include assistance with flights, accommodation, and other essentials.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Minimum 7.5 score in each IELTS component
  
  
• Must not be a citizen of Australia, Canada, the UK, USA, or New Zealand
  
  
• Must be pursuing higher education at a recognised institution
  
  

IELTS Australia Scholarship

Aimed at students heading to Australia, this scholarship offers INR 12 lakhs to cover tuition, living expenses, and related costs. It is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Non-Australian citizen
  
  
• Minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 in each section
  
  
• Valid admission offer from an Australian institution
  
  
• Demonstrated financial need and academic dedication
  
  

IDP Education Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship, worth up to INR 16 lakhs, helps cover tuition fees, accommodation, learning resources, and even IELTS preparation costs.

Eligibility Criteria:

• IELTS score of 7.0 or above in all sections
  
  
• Must not be a citizen of the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand
  
  
• Offer from a recognised educational institution
  
  
• Outstanding academic performance and strong educational goals required
  
  

IELTS Fee Waiver Scholarship

This scholarship provides a complete refund of the IELTS exam fee within 45 days, especially aimed at students with financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Annual family income below 250% of the poverty line
  
  
• Maximum age limit of 32 years
  
  
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate studies
  
  
• Minimum 75% score in high school
  
  
• First-time IELTS test taker

Scholarship Name	Offered By	Scholarship Value
British Council IELTS Awards	British Council	£10,000 (Approx. INR 11 Lakhs)
IDP IELTS Prize	IDP Education	£5,000 (Approx. INR 5.3 Lakhs)
IELTS Australia Scholarship	IDP Education Australia	AUD 15,000 (Approx. INR 12 Lakhs)
IDP Education Excellence Scholarship	IDP Education	AUD 20,000 (Approx. INR 16 Lakhs)
IELTS Fee Waiver Scholarship	Scholarship Council Canada	Full Reimbursement of IELTS Test Fee

Scholarships for High IELTS Band Scores (8.0 and Above)

If you score exceptionally well on the IELTS (band 8.0 or 9.0), you may qualify for exclusive merit-based scholarships.

IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship

Offered jointly by the British Council and IDP Education, this award recognises top IELTS scorers and academically excellent students.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Minimum 7.0 in each IELTS section
  
  
• Offer from a university in an English-speaking country
  
  
• Strong academic record
  
  
• Proven dedication to education

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

One of the most prestigious postgraduate awards, this scholarship covers full tuition, living costs, and travel expenses for students accepted to the University of Cambridge.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a citizen of a country outside the UK
  
  
• Demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential
  
  
• Strong commitment to societal development
  
  
• IELTS score of at least 7.5 in all components

 

Scholarship Name	Offered By	Scholarship Value
IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship	British Council & IDP Education	£2,000 (Approx. INR 2.1 Lakhs)
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Gates Cambridge Trust	Full tuition, living expenses + airfare

Learn More: IELTS material | Get a Band 8 with these study materials!

IELTS-Based Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Several government-funded scholarships also consider IELTS scores while selecting students for undergraduate programs abroad:

Chevening Scholarship

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, this scholarship supports one-year master’s programs in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Indian citizenship or other eligible Chevening country
  
  
• Minimum 2 years of work experience
  
  
• Academic excellence and leadership skills
  
  
• IELTS band score of 6.5 or above
  
  
• Must return to home country for at least 2 years after study

Commonwealth Scholarships

These scholarships help students from Commonwealth nations, including India, to pursue master’s or PhD degrees in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country
  
  
• Undergraduate degree with at least upper second-class honors (2:1)
  
  
• Financial need
  
  
• IELTS band score of 6.5 or higher

GREAT Scholarships

A joint effort by the UK government and participating UK universities, this scholarship supports postgraduate study.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Indian nationality
  
  
• Admission offer from a participating university in the UK
  
  
• Strong academic background
  
  
• IELTS score of 6.5 or above

Scholarship Name	Funded By	Scholarship Value
Chevening Scholarship	UK Government	Full tuition and living expenses
Commonwealth Scholarship	UK Government	Full or partial funding
GREAT Scholarship	UK Government	Up to £10,000 (Approx. INR 11 Lakhs)

 

Read More: IELTS preparation | Best way to prepare for the IELTS exam

IELTS Eligible Countries

The five countries that are eligible for IELTS admissions in the post-graduate programs are as follows-

• UK
• Canada
• USA
• Australia
• New Zealand

How to Apply for the IELTS Fee Waiver Scholarship 

The IELTS Fee Waiver Scholarship helps students reduce the cost of taking the IELTS exam. It can also support other study-related expenses like tuition, accommodation, and IELTS preparation. 

Do Your Research

Start by looking for scholarships on the official IELTS website or trusted scholarship platforms. Look for scholarships that cover the IELTS exam fee or support your study plans abroad.

Check Eligibility

Once you find a suitable scholarship, carefully read the eligibility criteria. Make sure you qualify based on:

• IELTS score requirements
• Nationality restrictions
• Age, academic background, and course criteria

Gather the Required Documents

Make sure you collect all the necessary documents. These typically include:

• IELTS scorecard
• A personal statement or essay about your goals and background
• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or professors
• Proof of financial need (like income certificate or bank statement)
• Offer/admission letter from a recognised university

Submit the Application

Once your documents are ready, fill out the scholarship application form—usually available online. Provide accurate personal, academic, and financial details. 

Prepare for an Interview (If Required)

Some scholarships may require an interview to finalize the selection. Be ready to talk about:

• Your academic achievements
• Why you chose your course
• Your career goals and motivations

Wait for the Results

After submission, the scholarship committee will review all applications. The selection process may take a few weeks or months.

Required IELTS Band Scores for Scholarship 

To qualify for most IELTS scholarships, you typically need to meet the following minimum band scores:

IELTS Test Component	Required Band Score
Listening	8.0
Reading	7.5
Speaking	7.5
Writing	7.0
Overall Score	7.5

Read More: How to determine a good IELTS score?

Key Benefits of the IELTS Scholarship for Indian Students

The IELTS Scholarship not only supports individual students but also helps strengthen educational ties between India and other countries. Here are some major benefits of the IELTS scholarship for Indian students:

• Promotes Global Education Opportunities:
  The scholarship opens doors for Indian students aiming to build a successful career abroad by supporting their higher education journey.
  
  
• Encourages Strong IELTS Performance:
  It motivates students to aim for higher scores in the IELTS exam, with a minimum score of 6.5 often making them eligible for funding.
  
  
• Flexible for Postgraduate Aspirants:
  The British Council offers flexibility by allowing both current and aspiring postgraduate students to apply for the scholarship.
  
  
• Equal Opportunities for All:
  The program ensures that students from economically weaker backgrounds also get fair access to global education opportunities.
  
  
• Financial Support and Security:
  The scholarship provides substantial financial assistance, helping cover IELTS fees and, in some cases, additional academic or living expenses—removing financial stress from your study abroad plans.

Key Takeaways

• The IELTS scholarship is a valuable opportunity that helps reduce the financial burden of taking the IELTS exam and pursuing international education.
  
  
• Designed to support merit and need-based applicants, the IELTS scholarship for Indian students opens doors to top global universities across the UK, Australia, and other countries.
  
  
• By meeting the required band scores and eligibility criteria, Indian students can take full advantage of these scholarships to turn their study abroad dreams into reality.
  
  

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, or assistance with your IELTS preparation, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

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FAQs

Question 1. Can I get a scholarship through IELTS in Canada?

Answer. If you wish to apply for an IELTS scholarship in Canada, you must have an IELTS score of 6.5 to be eligible.

Question 2. What IELTS score is required for scholarship?

Answer. To be eligible for most IELTS scholarships, students generally need a minimum overall band score of 6.5 to 7.5, with no individual section scoring below 6.0. However, top scholarships may require higher scores like 7.5 or 8.0, especially for postgraduate programs or highly competitive funding.

Question 3. What is the scholarship for IELTS from 6 to 9?

Answer. Several scholarships accept IELTS scores ranging from band 6 to 9. For example:

• A score of 6.5 or above can qualify you for scholarships like the British Council IELTS Awards.
• A band 9 score significantly boosts your chances of getting top-tier scholarships like the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Question 4. Can I get scholarship through IELTS?

Answer. Yes, you can absolutely get a scholarship through IELTS. Many universities and organizations offer scholarships based on your IELTS performance, especially if you demonstrate strong academic records and meet other eligibility requirements such as financial need or leadership potential.