IELTS Eligibility: Age Limit, Qualification, Score Required
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
There are no fixed IELTS Eligibility for the students. Anyone who wants to study or work abroad can give IELTS test. There is no minimum educational qualification or specific marks required to register for IELTS. So, candidates from any educational background, age can appear for IELTS exam. However it is generally suggested that the candidate should be above 16 years of age to understand the test well. The most important thing is that you must hold a valid Passport to book your IELTS exam slot. To appear for the IELTS exam, one just needs to complete registration by paying IELTS fees of INR 18,000. So, anyone is eligible to appear, but you must score good band score to get into your dream college or country.
- IELTS Eligibility Criteria 2026
- Minimum IELTS Score Required by Top Universities
- Minimum IELTS Requirement for Top Countries
- FAQs about IELTS Exam Eligibility
IELTS Eligibility Criteria 2026
The IELTS eligibility in India 2026 is very simple. Any candidates 16 years or older can give the IELTS exam. There is no maximum age limit.
| IELTS Eligibility Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Not specific. |
| Required Document | Valid passport |
| Age Limit Criteria | No maximum age limit; open to all age groups, but not recommended for students below the age of 16 years. |
| Eligible Countries | The IELTS Exam is recognised globally by 140 countries, including the: |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | Not Required |
| Minimum Score Requirements | No universal score requirement |
Commonly asked questions
IELTS IDP has not set any 12th score requirements for taking the IELTS. You can take the IELTS irrespective of the marks you scored in the 12th standard. So, one can attempt the IELTS exam without worrying about their class 12th score.
Mostly Canada, UK, Australia and USA requires IELTS for admission purposes. Even European countries like Germany ask for IELTS if your course is in English medium. It is valid almost everywhere.
Minimum IELTS Score Required by Top Universities
Every university has a different set of requirements and its own set of guidelines as part of its admission process. Also, all the universities have set different IELTS exam Eligibility Criteria that candidates need to fulfil to get admitted. Know about the IELTS cut-off for top countries.
IELTS Eligibility for Top Universities 2026
| Top Universities |
IELTS Exam Eligibility 2025 |
|---|---|
| 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+ |
Commonly asked questions
IELTS Band Scores are widely accepted across universities in USA, Canada and other English speaking countries. Check: IELTS Scores at the Best Universities in US IELTS scores across popular universities in the US:
| S.no. | Universities | Required IELTS score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University | 6.0 |
| 2 | Washington University in State Louis | 6.5 |
| 3 | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign | 6.5 |
| 4 | Colorado State University | 6.0 |
| 5 | Saint Louis University | 6.5 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Arlington | 6.5 |
| 7 | Pace University | 7.0 |
| 8 | University of New Haven | 7.5 |
| 9 | Iowa State University | 6.0 |
| 10 | Northeastern University | 7.0 |
Minimum IELTS Requirement for Top Countries
Below-mentioned section highlights IELTS exam eligibility by Country across popular study-abroad destinations.
| Country |
IELTS eligibility |
Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|---|
| No |
6.0 - 7.0 |
|
| No |
6.0 - 6.5 |
|
| No |
6.0 - 7.5 |
|
| No |
6.0 - 7.0 |
|
| No |
5.5 - 7.0 |
|
| No |
6.0 - 7.0 |
|
| No |
6.0 - 7.0 |
IELTS Eligibility USA
Students with an average minimum IELTS band score between 6.0 to 6.5 are eligible to apply to most universities in the US. However, students who have the desire to enter some of the world’s top universities need to aim for a band score that is slightly above average.
IELTS Exam Eligibility Canada
| Program of Study | IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Courses in Canada [PG Diploma/Master's] |
Overall: Minimum Band 6.5 IELTS Each Band: No less than 5.5 or 6.0 depending on the institution |
| Undergraduate Courses in Canada [Bachelor’s, Diploma, or Short-term] |
Overall: Minimum Band 6 IELTS Each Band: No less than 5.5 |
IELTS Eligibility UK
Candidates looking to study in the UK can check out the IELTS requirements in the country below.
| Program of Study | IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Master's Diploma | Band 6.5 or more |
| Pre-Masters | Band score of 5.0 or more |
| Undergraduate Degree | Band 6.5 or above |
IELTS Eligibility Australia
Generally, to study in Australia, candidates are required to score a minimum IELTS Band of 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0 for their postgraduate degree. When you apply for your undergraduate options, you need to score a minimum IELTS Band of 6.0 overall in the IELTS exam.
| Program of Study | IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Degree | 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 |
| Undergraduate Degree | 6.0+ |
IELTS Exam Eligibility New Zealand
Candidates looking to study in New Zealand can check out the IELTS requirements in the country below.
| Program of Study | IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | Overall: Minimum Band 6.0 |
| Bachelor's Degree | Overall: Minimum Band 5.5 |
Commonly asked questions
Some universities accept you if you have very good marks in Class 12th English. They might ask for a letter from your college called MOI (Medium of Instruction). But for top rank colleges, IELTS score is usually compulsory.
There are no strict IELTS eligblity criteria. So, any candidates with 16 plus years of age can apply for IELTS and with better preparation can easily qualify for the test.
Over 140 countries accept IELTS scores, with more than 11,500 institutions recognizing the exam globally. This includes universities, colleges, businesses, and government agencies that require proof of English language proficiency for various purposes.
FAQs about IELTS Exam Eligibility
One can check the below mentioned FAQs on IELTS exam eligibility requirements.
Commonly asked questions
Indian students should note that most English speaking universities abroad would require you to prove your English language skills through one of the many English proficiency tests available such as your TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo to name a few. So candidates might not have to go ahead with the IELTS exam however, they would have to appear for some other English language proficiency exam as part of the admission process. Read: Which exam to give for which course to study abroad
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