Top 10 Study Abroad Destinations for IELTS Test-Takers - Several English-speaking countries recognize the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, to certify a person's English language proficiency for immigration purposes. The top IELTS countries are the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand. This article discusses the IELTS Countries list of immigration criteria as well as the minimum band score necessary for academic entrance.
The IELTS band score necessary for every country varies depending on the type of visa. The British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge Assessment English collaborated to deliver the IELTS exam. It is approved by 11,000 IELTS-accredited institutions worldwide, including universities, organizations, governments, and immigration offices. The exam assesses your ability to speak, write, listen, and read on a scale of 1 to 9.
More than 140 countries accept IELTS test results for immigration, employment, and academic purposes. Some of the major countries accepting IELTS scores are:
USA
UK
Canada
Australia
These are the most popular countries that accept IELTS for university admissions.
The United States of America is one of the top countries on the IELTS list, with over 3,000 organizations accepting IELTS as proof of English language ability. In the United States, the minimum band requirement is 6.0-7.0; however, admission to the finest colleges in the country needs a score of at least 7.0, but less selective universities allow scores of 6.0 or higher.
Indian students seeking to study in the United States may apply for an M1 or F1 visa. If you have an F-1 Student Visa, you can study at an English-language school or at a recognized US college or institution. The M1 Student Visa allows you to study or train in the US for non-academic or vocational purposes. To apply for a non-immigrant visa to the United States, you must complete the DS-160 online application form. The Consular Electronic Application Centre allows you to fill out the DS-160 form online.
Top Universities |
Minimum IELTS Score for UG |
Minimum IELTS Score for PG |
Stanford University |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Harvard University |
7.5 |
7.5 |
Princeton University |
8.0 |
8.0 |
Columbia University |
7.5 |
7.0 – 7.5 |
Universities accepting 6.0-6.5 IELTS band in the United States
US universities demand a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. However, some colleges allow applicants with low IELTS band scores (6.0 and 6.5). Here is a list of universities:
Kent State University
University of Michigan
Prude University
University of Texas, Austin
Universities in Malaysia typically demand 6 or higher band scores, while some may accept lesser scores, such as 5.5, if you are applying for certain courses, such as English language studies. Some well-known Malaysian universities that accept this score include the University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Ireland's IELTS test is divided into four sections: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The test lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes. Candidates for the IELTS exam must achieve at least 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each module. Additionally, the candidate's scores are valid for two years.
Additionally, they can obtain their results 13 days following the exam day. Additionally, the IELTS exam costs around INR 12,650.
Some of the universities are-
Name of the University |
IELTS Requirement |
University College Cork |
6.5 |
Waterford Institute of Technology |
6.0 |
Trinity College Dublin |
6.5 |
College Limerick |
6.5 |
When it comes to pursuing a career in fashion, France is a desirable destination for both foreign students and those seeking work with some of the world's best companies. Furthermore, studying in France necessitates competency in both French and English, which may vary depending on the degree being pursued.
University Name |
IELTS Score Requirement |
Ecole des ponts ParisTech |
7.5 |
Sorbonne University |
6.5 |
University of Montpellier |
6.0 |
Science Po |
6.0 |
The Netherlands is a popular study destination for overseas students due to its high-quality education system, dynamic student life, and various scholarship opportunities. Maastricht University, Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, Radboud University Nijmegen, and Wageningen University & Research Centre are among the Dutch universities that accept 5.5 band IELTS scores from overseas students.
To apply for graduate studies in Canada, you must have an IELTS score of at least 6.0 overall and 5.5 in each component exam. Postgraduate courses require a minimum score of 6.0 in each section, for a total score of 6.5. The minimum criteria for the finest Canadian universities vary, but most demand an overall score of 6.0 and a minimum of 5.5 in each section of the IELTS exam.
According to Canadian legislation, you must first get a Study Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) provides this document, which authorizes you to study in Canada. Your study permit must be accompanied by a tourist visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), as a study permit permits you to study in Canada while a visitor visa or ETA allows you to enter Canada.
Top Universities |
Minimum IELTS Score for UG |
Minimum IELTS Score for PG |
University of Toronto |
6.5 |
6.5 |
University of British Columbia |
6.5 |
6.5 |
McGill University |
6.0 |
6.5 |
McMaster University |
6.5 |
6.5 |
University of Alberta |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Universities Accepting 5.5-6.5 IELTS Band in Canada
Several universities in Canada accept IELTS scores between 5.5 and 6.5. Several of these universities include:
Concordia University
Canadore College
Charles Sturt University
Capilano University
Candidates must come within the category of skilled migrants since New Zealand needs IELTS results to verify any international student's English Proficiency before accepting a visa application where the principal candidate must have an IELTS score of about 6.5. The Academic and General Training versions are utilized to calculate this band score. Most significantly, the candidate must have a band score of at least 5.5 in each module.
University Name |
IELTS Score Requirement |
University of Auckland |
6.0 – 6.5 |
Victoria University of Wellington |
6.0 – 6.5 |
University of Canterbury |
6.0 – 6.5 |
Auckland University of Technology |
6.0 – 6.5 |
Denmark is well-known for its high-quality higher education system, which provides a diverse selection of courses to meet the requirements of all students. Aarhus University, Copenhagen Business School, Technical University of Denmark, IT University of Copenhagen, and Roskilde University are among the universities that accept 5.5 band IELTS scores for students from other countries.
The minimum IELTS score required to register for a course in Australia varies according to the subject. Undergraduate courses need a minimum overall score of 6.0, whereas postgraduate courses demand a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. However, medical courses demand a minimum band score of 7.0.
The most often utilised type of student visa is the Subclass 500. To apply for an Australian student visa, visit the Australian government's official website and complete the online application form. You will be needed to submit documentation of your registration at an approved student sponsor, proof that you have the money to support yourself and pay for your studies, and proof that you are fluent in English.
If you are applying from outside Australia, the earliest you may apply for a visa is six months before you start studying. You can apply from inside Australia three months before the start of your studies.
Top Universities |
Minimum IELTS Score for UG |
Minimum IELTS Score for PG |
University of Melbourne |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Australian National University |
6.5 |
7.0 |
University of Sydney |
6.5 |
6.5 |
University of Queensland |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Monash University |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Universities Accepting 5.5-6.5 IELTS Band in Australia
Several universities in Australia accept IELTS scores between 5.5 and 6.5. Several of these universities include:
Australian Catholic University
Victoria University
Deakin University
Southern Cross University
Torrens University Australia
IELTS Academic and General are considered to be valid proof of English language ability by UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration). IELTS can be taken if you desire to work, immigrate, or permanently relocate to the UK under the "leave to remain" or "long residence" paths. To be eligible for UK immigration, an individual must have an overall IELTS score of 7 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the test's modules.
The Tier 4 (General) student visa is the most popular type of student visa, and it is only available to full-time university students in the UK seeking a degree, not short-term or language learners. You must show proof of financial stability, which means you must have enough money to pay your course costs and living expenses, as well as confirmation of admission to an eligible UK university and acceptable English language proficiency test scores, such as the IELTS.
Top Universities |
Minimum IELTS Score for UG |
Minimum IELTS Score for PG |
University of Oxford |
7.0 |
7.5 |
University of Cambridge |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Imperial College London |
6.5 |
6.5 |
University College London |
6.5 |
6.5 |
University of Edinburgh |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Universities Accepting 5.5-6.5 IELTS Band in The UK
Several UK colleges accept IELTS scores ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. These universities include the following:
Ulster University
Bangor University
University of Liverpool
University of Sussex
IELTS is recognised in 140 countries. IELTS is necessary for job, education, and migration in English-speaking nations including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognized standardized English language competency exam for non-native English speakers.
Each nation has its own IELTS band score criteria, which vary according to the kind of visa. The British Council, IDP IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English are the organizations that administer the IELTS test. It is acknowledged by 11,000 entities in IELTS-accepting countries, including colleges, businesses, government bodies, and migration agencies. This exam evaluates your hearing, reading, speaking, and writing skills on a scale of 1 to 9.
Top colleges have their own minimum IELTS score criteria, as seen in the chart below.
Name of the University |
IELTS Requirement |
University of Melbourne |
6.5 |
Australian National University |
6.5 |
Monash University |
7.0 |
University of Sydney |
6.0 |
University of Adelaide |
6.5 |
UNSW Sydney |
6.5 |
University of Alberta |
6.0 |
University of British Columbia |
6.0 |
University of Toronto |
6.5 |
McGill University |
6.5 |
University of Alberta |
6.0 |
University of Waterloo |
6.0 |
University of Montpellier |
5.5 |
Paris Institute of Political Studies |
7.5 |
Sorbonne University |
5.5 |
Sciences Po |
7 |
University of Otago |
6.5 |
University of Auckland |
6.0 |
Victoria University of Wellington |
6.5 |
University of Canterbury |
6.5 |
Lincoln University |
6.0 |
Auckland University of Technology |
6.0 |
University of Cambridge |
6.5 |
University of Oxford |
6.5 |
University College London |
6.5 |
Imperial College London |
6.0 |
University of Edinburgh |
6.0 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
7.0 |
Stanford University |
7.0 |
Yale University |
7.0 |
Harvard University |
6.5 |
Princeton University |
7.0 |
University of California, Berkeley |
6.5 |
Columbia University |
7.5 |
It is evident that if you are a foreign student wishing to study abroad, 5.5 bands in IELTS may be acceptable in many countries. The list of nations that accept bands in IELTS for overseas students is extensive, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it is crucial to remember that the actual prerequisites for admission to a specific university or college may differ from one institution to the next. Always verify the relevant institution's criteria before applying.