🇧🇹 IELTS in Bhutan

IELTS in Bhutan — the fee, the Thimphu test centre and the scores Australia, the UK and Canada ask for

IELTS costs INR 15,500 in Bhutan, priced in Indian rupees, at IDP's centre at IMSL Serbithang in Thimphu, for Academic or General Training. The computer venue also sells IELTS for UKVI at the same INR 15,500, and a separate listing at the same site offers IELTS on paper (checked 11 October 2026). Thimphu is the only IELTS city in Bhutan.
  • Fee (IDP): INR 15,500
  • IELTS for UKVI: INR 15,500
  • Test city: Thimphu
  • Melbourne Level 1: IELTS 6.5
Take a free scored mock →PTE in Bhutan compared
Fee (IDP)
INR 15,500
IELTS for UKVI
INR 15,500
Test city
Thimphu
Melbourne Level 1
IELTS 6.5

IELTS fees in Bhutan

TestFee (IDP, Thimphu)
IELTS Academic or General Training on computerINR 15,500
IELTS for UKVI on computer (Academic or General Training)INR 15,500
IELTS Academic or General Training on paperINR 15,500
The fee is listed in Indian rupees on the official IELTS test centre finder; confirm the amount and payment currency at booking. IELTS is withdrawing paper tests worldwide from mid-2026, market by market; where a paper option is still listed, confirm it at booking.

BandLadder pricing in BTN for Bhutan

BandLadder in BTN

One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.

PlanAccessPrice
Sprint Pass7 daysBTN 499.00
Quick Pass15 daysBTN 799.00
Boost30 daysBTN 1,399.00
Professional60 daysBTN 2,299.00
Professional90 daysBTN 2,999.00
See everything each plan includes

Start preparing for Bhutan

AI-scored mock tests built around your target score. Free account, no card.

Practice IELTS Academic →

Test centre and format

IDP runs both listings at IMSL in Serbithang, Thimphu, next to the Biodiversity Centre. The computer venue is UKVI-approved and offers One Skill Retake; the paper listing offers Academic and General Training only. No IELTS venue is listed in Paro, Phuentsholing or elsewhere in Bhutan.

The band each destination needs

RouteIELTSPTE equivalent
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker, degree-level studyIELTS for UKVI 5.5 each (B2)PTE Academic UKVI 59 each
Australia: Competent English (skilled visa eligibility)IELTS 6.0 eachPTE 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 (L/R/W/S)
Australia: Proficient English (+10 points)IELTS 7.0 eachPTE 58 / 59 / 69 / 76
Canada: Express Entry CLB 7IELTS General 6.0 eachPTE Core L60 · R60 · W69 · S68

Australia's Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) adds 10 points and Superior (8.0 each) adds 20, achieved within three years of the visa application. Canada accepts only IELTS General Training for Express Entry, and the result must be under two years old. UK universities usually ask 6.0 to 6.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate study.

Score requirements change and vary by program and institution. Always confirm the current requirement with the visa authority and the institution you are applying to before you set a target.

What universities ask for

University / levelIELTSPTE Academic
University of Melbourne (Australia), English Level 1IELTS 6.5, at least 6.0 in each skillPTE Academic 64, at least 60 in each skill
UNSW Sydney (Australia), engineeringIELTS Academic 6.5, at least 6.0 in eachPTE Academic 64, at least 54 in each
UNSW Sydney, business (undergraduate and coursework)IELTS Academic 7.0, at least 6.0 in eachPTE Academic 65, at least 54 in each
University of Auckland (New Zealand), undergraduateIELTS Academic 6.0, no band below 5.5PTE Academic 50, no communicative score below 42

Melbourne gives every course an English level on its course page; Level 1 is the lowest in its table, and it accepts IELTS One Skill Retake taken within 60 days. UNSW accepts IELTS for UKVI and One Skill Retake, but not IELTS Online. Auckland accepts IELTS One Skill Retake taken within 60 days of the original test, and asks you to authorise it to verify PTE scores.

Score requirements change and vary by program and institution. Always confirm the current requirement with the university and programme you are applying to before you set a target.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the IELTS fee in Bhutan in 2026?+

INR 15,500 for IELTS Academic or General Training, on computer or paper, at IDP in Thimphu. IELTS for UKVI on computer is also INR 15,500.

Where can I take IELTS in Bhutan?+

Only in Thimphu, at IMSL Serbithang, run by IDP.

Which UK visa English test can I take in Bhutan?+

IELTS for UKVI, at INR 15,500 in Thimphu. Pearson's finder does not offer PTE Academic UKVI in Bhutan.

What IELTS score does UNSW ask for?+

It depends on the faculty: engineering asks 6.5 with 6.0 in each skill, business 7.0 with 6.0 in each. UNSW does not accept IELTS Online.

Official sources

Reviewed 11 October 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Take a free scored mock