The minimum IELTS band score requirements for studying in the UK range from 6.0 to 7.0. Most undergraduate programs in UK require a minimum score of 6.0, while postgraduate courses generally ask for at least 6.5. Some UK universities accept scores as low as 5.5, but top universities in the UK often demand higher scores for admission.
International students planning to study in UK should know that the IELTS requirement is important. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) serves as a crucial requirement for both university admissions and visa applications.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) accept IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training and IELTS Life Skills as proof of English proficiency for candidates who want to study in UK. Now, the queries among candidates must occur related to UK IELTS band requirements 2024.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
The IELTS score for UK will vary on various factors, such as the UK university or degree level. However, generally most UK universities accept a IELTS band score of 6.0 to 7. Candidates looking for IELTS score for UK, should check the article below, where we have listed the minimum IELTS score for top universities in UK, popular courses, how to score good marks, alternative tests to study and more.
Why is the IELTS Important for the UK?
Almost all UK universities accept IELTS score to ensure students possess a good English proficiency. Getting a required IELTS score for UK will help students in getting admission in a good UK university and even meeting visa eligibility criteria.
If you want to study in UK, you can take IELTS Academic to pursue higher education at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. On the other hand, if you plan to work, you can take IELTS General Training Test
More than 1,000 UK universities and colleges accept IELTS Academic results. The IELTS test comprises four major sections to assess the skill of candidates. The four sections of IELTS test are:
Every candidate who takes the IELTS score, will receive a band score between 0-9 on the basis of their performance in the exam. If the university's IELTS score requirement for UK meets, one can apply for any UK universities of their choice.
Minimum IELTS Score for UK Study
As aforementioned, IELTS score requirement to study in UK will differ for various courses, degrees, universities or colleges. The top universities in UK requires an IELTS score of 7.0 and above for undergraduate courses. On the other hand, IELTS score for top universities in UK for Master requires 6.5 and above. Check the IELTS requirements in UK for degree levels below:
Degree level |
IELTS band score requirement |
---|---|
Undergraduate |
6.5 or above, Top Universities in UK requires 7.0 or above |
Pre-Masters |
5.0 or above |
Master's diploma |
6.0 or above, Top universities in UK requires 6.5 or above |
IELTS Minimum Score for Top UK Universities
The IELTS score to study in UK universities will depend majorly on which tier university you are applying for, which courses you want to pursue and various other factors. IELTS score to UK might be similar for one or more courses in the same university but majorly they differ. The details on IELTS requirements in UK are easily available on the university official website as their admission prerequisite. One can check the IELTS score for top universities in UK from the table below.
University |
QS Ranking 2025 |
IELTS score requirement |
---|---|---|
Imperial College London |
2 |
7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all elements). |
University of Oxford |
3 |
7.5 overall (minimum 7.0 in all elements) |
University of Cambridge |
5 |
7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in all elements) |
UCL |
9 |
6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all elements) |
The University of Edinburgh |
27 |
6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all elements) |
The University of Manchester |
34 |
6.5 overall |
King's College London |
40 |
6.5 overall |
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
50 |
7.0 overall (6.0 in speaking and writing and 6.5 in listening and reading) |
University of Bristol |
54 |
6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills |
The University of Warwick |
69 |
7.0 overall |
IELTS Score for UK: IELTS 6.0 Band Score UK Universities
One can check the list of top 5 UK universities which accept IELTS 6.0 band score from below,
- The University of Liverpool
- University of Birmingham
- University of Sheffield
- University of Chester
- University of Aston
5.5 IELTS score university in UK
If you are searching for which university accept 5 band in UK, you can check below.
- Bangor University
- University of Nottingham
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Aberdeen
- Swansea University
IELTS Score Required in UK for Different Programs
Business management, Engineering and technology, Medicine, Law are popular courses to study in UK. One can check the IELTS requirement in UK for top courses from below.
IELTS requirements for MBA in UK
University |
IELTS score requirement for MBA |
---|---|
7.5 & Above |
|
University of Oxford |
7.5 & Above |
6.5 - 7 |
|
6.5 - 7 |
|
6.5 - 7 |
IELTS requirements for MS in UK
MS Colleges in UK |
IELTS score requirement |
---|---|
Imperial College London |
6.5 - 7 |
7 - 7.5 |
|
University of Cambridge |
7 & Above |
6.5 - 7.5 |
|
6.5 - 7 |
Alternatives to IELTS in UK
Students looking for best alternatives to IELTS to study in UK can check below. The UK accepts top standardized tests other than IELTS also. Several other English proficiency tests are accepted by UK universities, including:
How to get the required IELTS Score for UK?
Getting a good IELTS score will make your path easy to study in top universities in UK. So, one should aim for a good IELTS score for UK. To get a good IELTS score, one should start focusing on better preparation. One can check the below mentioned IELTS preparation tips to get a good band score.
- Understanding the IELTS exam pattern and knowing the IELTS syllabus will be better for students who are starting their preparation for the IELTS test.
- The IELTS test assesses key skills of the candidates - Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking, so one needs to focus on each skill.
- Candidates should refer to the IELTS books, IELTS preparation material PDFs.
- Practicing sets of passages, audios, writing tasks and topics for speaking, will prepare you for the IELTS exam.
- Once you are well versed and confident about their preparation, you can give a full IELTS mock test and assess your performance. Some IELTS sample papers for practice free are also available, you can use that.
- Candidates should work on building their vocabulary, since this is an English proficiency test and learn new words everyday.
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IELTS Score for UK FAQs
Q. What is the minimum IELTS score for the UK?
A. The minimum IELTS score required for studying in the UK ranges from 6.0 to 6.5. Most undergraduate programs require a minimum score of 6.0, while postgraduate courses often require at least 6.5. However, there are some 5.5 IELTS band score accepting universities in UK for foundation or pre-master's courses.
Q. Can I go to the UK with a 5.5 IELTS?
A. Yes, you can apply to certain universities in the UK with a 5.5 IELTS score. While many top universities require higher scores, some institutions accept a score of 5.5 for some programs, especially foundation courses or pre-master's programs.
Q. Is IELTS 7 enough for the UK?
A. An IELTS score of 7.0 is generally considered good score for admission to most top universities in the UK, Some of the top univerities in UK like the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge also accept IELTS score of 7.0.
Q. Can I go to the UK with a 4.5 IELTS score?
A score of 4.5 is typically not sufficient for admission to most UK universities or for obtaining a student visa. Most institutions require at least a 5.5 overall score, with some demanding higher scores depending on the course and university ranking. Students with a 4.5 score should consider alternative English proficiency tests or additional language training before applying.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for IELTS?
There is no specific eligibility criterion for taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. It is open to individuals of all ages and educational backgrounds who wish to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone seeking immigration or work opportunities in English-speaking countries, you are eligible to take the IELTS. There are no prerequisites such as educational qualifications, age restrictions, or prior language learning experience. The IELTS is accessible to anyone who wants to showcase their English language proficiency. However, it is preferable that students above the age of 16 appear for the exam.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: How many attempts are possible in the IELTS exam for students looking to study abroad?
Students looking to study abroad can take the IELTS exam as many times as they wish. There is no specific limit on the number of attempts for the IELTS. However, it is important to note that frequent retesting without adequate preparation may not yield the desired results. Each attempt requires payment of the exam fee, and test dates are subject to availability. It is advisable for students to focus on improving their English language skills before attempting the exam again, rather than relying solely on multiple attempts. Preparation, practice, and understanding of the test format are key to achieving the desired scores for studying abroad.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Can I qualify IELTS?
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.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new... Read Full Bio
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