- Skilled Worker
- B2 · 5.5 each
- Student, degree
- B2 · 5.5 each
- Student, below degree
- B1 · 4.0 each
- Valid for
- 2 years
Which IELTS the Home Office accepts
For a visa that requires a Secure English Language Test you must book IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) or IELTS Life Skills at an approved centre; a standard IELTS is not accepted for those routes. The exception is degree-level study: a Higher Education Provider may assess your English itself and accept a standard IELTS Academic result, as long as it meets B2.
Results are valid for two years from the date the test is awarded, and IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted for UKVI purposes on computer-delivered tests in selected locations.
IELTS for UKVI band by visa route
| Route | CEFR level | IELTS for UKVI |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (new applicants from 8 Jan 2026) | B2 | 5.5 in each skill |
| Skilled Worker extension, visa held before 8 Jan 2026 | B1 | 4.0 in each skill |
| Student visa, degree level or above | B2 | 5.5 in each skill, or a test your university sets if it assesses English itself |
| Student visa, below degree level | B1 | 4.0 in each skill |
| Partner or spouse, first application | A1 | IELTS Life Skills pass (speaking and listening) |
| Partner extension after 2.5 years | A2 | IELTS Life Skills pass (speaking and listening) |
| Settlement or citizenship | B1 or higher | 4.0 in each skill |
A1, A2 and the two-skill B1 are met with IELTS Life Skills, a pass-or-fail speaking and listening test. The four-skill bands are 4.0 for B1, 5.5 for B2 and 7.0 for C1, in every component.
What UK universities ask for
All UK universities accept IELTS. Typical entry bands are 6.0 to 6.5 overall for undergraduate courses and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate, usually with no skill below 5.5 or 6.0. Examples from the universities' IELTS listings: Greenwich 6.0 undergraduate and 6.5 postgraduate, UCL 6.5, Nottingham Trent 6.5 with 6.0 in writing. Competitive courses in law, medicine and journalism go to 7.0 or 7.5.
Score requirements change and vary by program and institution. Always confirm the current requirement with UK Visas and Immigration and your university's admissions office before you set a target.
Cost and results
In the UK, IELTS Academic and General Training start around £190 and IELTS for UKVI around £257; centres set the exact fee, so check yours when booking. Computer-delivered results are released in one to five days, paper in up to 13 days.
BandLadder pricing in GBP for United Kingdom
BandLadder in GBP
One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.
| Plan | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Pass | 7 days | GBP 4.99 |
| Quick Pass | 15 days | GBP 7.99 |
| Boost | 30 days | GBP 14.99 |
| Professional | 60 days | GBP 23.99 |
| Professional | 90 days | GBP 31.99 |
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Practice IELTS Academic →Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?+
CEFR B2, which is IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each of the four skills, for applications from 8 January 2026. If you held a Skilled Worker visa before that date and are extending it, B1 (4.0 in each skill) still applies.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI to study at a UK university?+
Not always. For degree-level courses the university can assess a standard IELTS Academic result itself, provided it meets B2. Below degree level, or if the university asks for it, you need IELTS for UKVI at B1 or above.
How long is IELTS for UKVI valid?+
Two years from the date the result is awarded.
Is IELTS or PTE easier for a UK visa?+
Both are approved SELTs and both map to the same CEFR levels. PTE Academic UKVI is computer-scored with results in about 48 hours; IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test. Take a scored mock of each and use the one where you score higher.
Official sources
Reviewed 22 September 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.
- IELTS One Skill Retake: accepted by UKVI
- How long an IELTS result stays valid
- PTE for the UK compared
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