IELTS score guide
How bands are calculated, what each band means and what universities ask for. This guide is part of our full IELTS guide.
How IELTS scores work
| Score | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | Full operational command of the language |
| 8 | Very good user | Occasional inaccuracies in unfamiliar situations |
| 7 | Good user | Operational command with occasional errors; the typical requirement for competitive UK master's and health programmes |
| 6.5 | Competent to good | The most common requirement for UK, Irish and Australian postgraduate study |
| 6 | Competent user | Typical requirement for undergraduate study and many master's |
| 5.5 | Modest user | Accepted for foundation and pre-sessional courses |
| 5 and below | Limited user | Pre-sessional English required |
Universities publish their own requirements; the bands above show the typical range. Ask a counsellor for the exact score your shortlisted courses need.
Questions
Which IELTS should I take for a UK university?
IELTS Academic for degree-level study. IELTS for UKVI Academic only if your university or visa route requires it, typically for pre-sessional English or below-degree courses.
What is a good IELTS score?
6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 satisfies most universities. Health, law and teaching programmes ask for 7.0.
How long are IELTS results valid?
Two years from the test date. Universities usually require the score to be valid on the course start date.
Can I study in the UK without IELTS?
Many universities accept Medium of Instruction letters, school English marks or alternatives like PTE and Duolingo. Check each course.
How many times can I take IELTS?
As many as you like. Results from different sittings cannot be combined.