University IELTS requirements

The most common requirement in our list is 6.0 overall for undergraduate study and 6.5 for a master's. Many universities also set a minimum for each band; for undergraduate study it is most often 5.5. Top universities and courses such as law, medicine and education often ask for 7.0 or more.

Often, yes: many universities in our list ask for 6.0 or less for undergraduate study. Set "My overall band" to 6.0 in the search above to see them, then check each university's page, because some courses ask for more.

It is the minimum for each of the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You need the overall score and every skill at or above it. A 6.5 overall with 5.5 in Writing does not meet "6.5, no band below 6.0".

Policies differ, and many universities don't say. Where a university states it, its page here shows it. Check the admissions page before you book IELTS Online.

Almost every university accepts a result for two years from the test date. Some need it to still be valid when the course starts, which is later than the day you apply.

Every university page shows where its figure comes from and when we checked it. A green seal next to a name means we read the figure on the university's own admissions page in the last six months, stated as a minimum. Some universities publish only a recommended score, or the scores their successful applicants typically have: their pages say so and carry no seal. A figure without the seal may also come from a secondary source or an older check, or be an estimate, so confirm it with the university before you apply. Requirements change every year.