IELTS Cut Off: Required IELTS Score for Top Universities
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
Many students ask, “What score I need to pass IELTS?” Actually there is no pass or fail. IELTS gives band score 1 to 9. The cut-off depends on your goal. Each university or country has own IELTS band requirement. Some need 6.0 or 6.5. Top universities like MIT or Oxford want 7.0 or 7.5.
For Indian students going abroad, countries like US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand usually ask 6.5 or more. Getting just minimum makes you eligible. To have better chance for admission, aim higher IELTS score.
There is no pass or fail in the IELTS exam. Students taking the IELTS exam are graded on their performance in the IELTS test using Bands from 1 – 9 for each skill of the test: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Candidates would also receive an overall band score which would be the average of all the individual scores received by the candidate and rounded to the nearest half band. The IELTS exam does not have a passing score. Universities abroad would have an IELTS minimum score requirement which is often referred to as the IELTS cut-off. This is the minimum score that candidates need to achieve to apply to the university. Candidates should note that getting the minimum IELTS score does not guarantee admission to the university. Candidates are required to score higher than the expected IELTS cut-off.
The minimum IELTS score depends on the university or country where you are applying. Most universities ask for an overall IELTS score of 7.0.
The IELTS cut off does not change every year, but universities may update their admission requirements. It is a good idea to confirm the latest cut off (minimum IELTS score requiremnets) for the year you are applying with the universities.
- What is the Passing Score in IELTS?
- What is the Minimum IELTS Score to Study Abroad?
- IELTS Cut Off Scores for Top Universities in 2025
- Country-wise IELTS Cut Off for Top Universities
- What are IELTS Band Scores?
- How IELTS Band Score is Calculated in 2025?
What is the Passing Score in IELTS?
There is no pass or fail in IELTS exam. You get band score 1 to 9 for every part – Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. Then the four scores get average for overall IELTS band score.
The score you need depend on your goal like study, work or immigration. Different schools, countries, or visa rules have own minimum score, also called IELTS cut-off. Some colleges take 5.5 or 6.0, most want 6.5 or more, top schools like Harvard or Oxford need 7.0 or 7.5.
Commonly asked questions
The IELTS Score is declared on a 9 band score and getting a score of 6.5 in IELTS will indicate that the test-taker is competent and will cope better in a classroom-based environment although there may be a few minor misunderstandings or slip-ups with the language. A band score of 6 or 6.5 is often needed by many foreign universities for filtering applicants.
Getting 7 band in IELTS is good in English. It can be hard if you don’t know the test or practice. But if you study daily, practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking, many students can get 7 score and go study abroad or do jobs.
Some universities give conditional admission if your IELTS score is less than required. They may ask you to do an English course first before starting your main program. This helps you improve English and be ready for studies at the university.
What is the Minimum IELTS Score to Study Abroad?
Each country and college has its own IELTS cut-off. One can check the degree wise general IELTS cutoff.
| Course |
Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s |
6.0 overall |
| Masters |
6.5 or more |
| Top Universities Abroad |
7.0 or 7.5 |
Commonly asked questions
Countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK need IELTS for immigration. They check your English skills using IELTS scores.
IELTS exam score is accepted in more than 140 countries including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada. Whether it is for study, work or immigration, you can sit for IELTS and with a good score apply to your favourite country. It is advisable to check the university/country requirements for IELTS before sitting for the exam.
An IELTS Score 6 is neither good nor bad, it varies on the universities requirements. It will aways depend on the IELTS score requiremenst for the university you are applying for.
IELTS Cut Off Scores for Top Universities in 2025
The IELTS exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 9. Universities accepting IELTS scores usually pre-define the overall and sectional IELTS Cut Off for various programs to monitor the candidate's English language proficiency. The minimum IELTS score required by the university is the IELTS Cut Off. It may vary from university to university and differ for different programs. Check also, IELTS band scores and how they are calculated.
IELTS Cut Off for Top Universities 2025
| University |
IELTS Cut Off - Overall Score |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.0 - 8.0+ |
| University College London (UCL) Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| University of California, Berkeley Campus Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
You should check the official website of your chosen university or speak to a study abroad counselor. Shiksha Counselors can help you in finding the best courses on the basis of your IELTS score.
The IELTS cut-off score for a US student visa is not same for all. Most universities need 6.0 to 6.5 band to join. Top universities may need higher score. Always check the college website for exact IELTS requirement. Visa approval also needs documents and other requirements.
A 6.5 IELTS score is usually good for many UK universities. But some programs or universities may need higher or lower score.
Country-wise IELTS Cut Off for Top Universities
Check the country wise cutoff score from below.
IELTS Cut Off for US Universities
In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS Cut Off scores for US Universities.
| Top Universities in US | IELTS Cut Off Scores for US Universities |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 7.0 - 7.5+ |
| Harvard University | 6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Stanford University | 7.0+ |
| University of California, Berkeley Campus | 6.5 - 7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0 - 7.5+ |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
Also Read: Minimum IELTS Score for USA
IELTS Cut Off for Canadian Universities
In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS Cut Off scores for Canadian Universities
| Top Universities in Canada | IELTS Cut Off Scores for Canadian Universities |
|---|---|
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A+ |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
| The University of British Columbia (UBC) Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| University of Alberta (U of A) Shiksha Grade A |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade B++ |
6.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade B++ |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
Also Read: Minimum IELTS Score for Canada
IELTS Cut Off for UK Universities
In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS Cut Off scores for UK Universities
| Top Universities in UK | IELTS Cut Off Scores for UK Universities |
|---|---|
| Cambridge University | 7.5+ |
| Oxford University | 7.0 - 7.5+ |
| Imperial College London | 6.5 - 7.0+ |
| University College London (UCL) | 6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
| The University of Manchester (UoM) Shiksha Grade A+ |
6.0 - 7.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A+ |
6.0 - 7.0+ |
| London School of Economics and Political Science Shiksha Grade A++ |
7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A+ |
6.0 - 7.5+ |
Also Read:
IELTS Cut Off for Australian Universities
In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS Cut Off scores for Australian Universities
| Top Universities in Australia | IELTS Cut Off Scores for Australian Universities |
|---|---|
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5-7.0 |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5-7.0 |
| The University of Sydney (USYD) Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5-7.5 |
| Australian National University Shiksha Grade A |
6.5-7.0 |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5-7.0 |
| Shiksha Grade A+ |
6.5-7.0 |
| The University of Western Australia Shiksha Grade A |
6.5-7.0 |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5 - 7.0 |
| University of Technology, Sydney Shiksha Grade A |
6.5-7.5 |
| Shiksha Grade B++ |
6.5-7.5 |
IELTS Cut Off for New Zealand Universities
In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS Cut Off scores for New Zealand Universities
| Top Universities in New Zealand | IELTS Cut Off Scores for New Zealand Universities |
|---|---|
| Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.0 -7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.0 - 6.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade C++ |
6.0 - 6.5+ |
| Victoria University of Wellington Shiksha Grade B++ |
6.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade C+ |
6.0 - 7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade B+ |
6.0 - 6.5+ |
| Lincoln University - New Zealand Shiksha Grade C |
6.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade C++ |
6.0 - 7.0+ |
IELTS Cut Off for German Universities
In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS Cut Off scores for German Universities
| Top Universities in Germany | IELTS Cut Off Scores for German Universities |
|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5+ |
| Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU) Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Heidelberg University - Germany Shiksha Grade A++ |
6.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A+ |
6.0+ |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Shiksha Grade B++ |
6.5+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
| Technical University of Berlin (TUB) Shiksha Grade B++ |
6.0 - 7.0+ |
| Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg Shiksha Grade A+ |
5.5 - 7.0+ |
| Shiksha Grade A |
6.0+ |
Commonly asked questions
In order to be eligible to study abroad, IELTS ecam scores will be required in majority of the English speaking countries. In total there are 140 countries which accept IELTS scores for admissions from international students. Some of these top countries are as follows:
The minimum IELTS score for USA depends on the university requirements. Tier 1 colleges and universities usually require a score of 7 and above.
IELTS is accepted by immigration authorities in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand for migration and work visa applications.
What are IELTS Band Scores?
The IELTS assesses your English language skills and maps them on a Band Score of 1 to 9. Below we have provided you with the IELTS band scores along with their corresponding skill level for you to be able to interpret your IELTS results better. Note: IELTS Cut Off for top universities like Harvard and Stanford is usually 7 or 8.
| IELTS Band score |
Skill Level |
|---|---|
| 9 |
Expert user |
| 8 |
Very good user |
| 7 |
Good user |
| 6 |
Competent user |
| 5 |
Modest user |
| 4 |
Limited user |
| 3 |
Extremely limited user |
| 2 |
Intermittent user |
| 1 |
Non-user |
| 0 |
Did not attempt the test |
Commonly asked questions
The IELTS result can be checked online on the IELTS official website. Also, you will get a paper copy of your result, it's called Test Report Form (TRF). IDP will mail it to you or you can collect from the test centre.
Generally, IELTS results are released within 13 days after taking the test. However, in some cases, if there are no issues with your test or if you took a computer-based test, you might receive your results slightly earlier.
How IELTS Band Score is Calculated in 2025?
IELTS Band Score Sample of Candidates A & B
| IELTS Sections | IELTS Band Score Candidate A |
IELTS Band Score Candidate B |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Listening Band Score | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| IELTS Reading Band Score | 7.5 | 4.5 |
| IELTS Writing Band Score | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| IELTS Speaking Band Score | 8.0 | 5.0 |
| IELTS Band Score Calculator (The sum of all sections divide by 4) | 29.0 / 4 | 19.5 / 4 |
| IELTS Score | 7.25 | 4.875 |
| Final IELTS Band Score (after rounding off) | 7.5 | 5 |
Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions abroad are advised to get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website.
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