IELTS Eligibility 2025, Age Limit, Country Wise Minimum Score
Porishmita Paul17 Apr, 2025
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IELTS Eligibility: The IELTS has no specific eligibility criteria for international students. All applicants who wish to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries can appear for the IELTS exam. IELTS eligibility criteria for age are straightforward. Any candidate who is 16 years or above can appear for the test irrespective of their sex, nationality, and educational qualification.
However, there is no upper age limit for the IELTS exam. However, students must pay the necessary IELTS exam fees to complete their registration for the exam. For any specific details and latest updates on IELTS eligibility, students can visit the official IDP website regularly. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has no specific eligibility criteria for international students. All applicants who wish to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries can appear for the IELTS exam. As per the IDP regulations, international students who have completed a minimum of 16 years of age can appear for the test irrespective of their sex, nationality, and educational qualification. Additionally, there is no upper age limit for the IELTS exam . However, students must pay the necessary IELTS exam fees to complete their registration for the exam. For any specific details and latest updates on IELTS eligibility, students can visit the official IDP website regularly.
IELTS Eligibility Criteria 2025
There are no strict eligibility requirements for the IELTS test. The test is accessible to anyone who wishes to demonstrate their English proficiency for studies, work, or migration to abroad countries. Below is an overview of the IELTS eligibility criteria for Indian students:| IELTS Eligibility Criteria 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
| Age Requirement | Recommended minimum age is 16 years. |
| Educational Qualification | No specific qualification is required. |
| Purpose | Study, work, or migration to English-speaking countries. |
| Eligible Countries |
|
| Test Attempts | No limit; candidates can take the test as many times as needed. |
| Valid ID | A valid passport is mandatory for registration. |
| Minimum Score Requirements | No universal score requirement |
| Test Availability | Offered multiple times a year at authorized centers worldwide. |
IELTS Eligibility for Different Countries
The admission requirements for international students vary from country to country. The minimum IELTS eligibility for study-abroad countries can vary depending on the purpose of the test such as study, work, or immigration. Here, we have included the IELTS eligibility criteria for some popular abroad nations for overseas students:IELTS Eligibility for USA
The minimum IELTS eligibility requirements for the United States typically range from 6.0 to 7.5. Students with a minimum IELTS band score of 6.0 band are eligible to get admission to different universities in the USA. However, students who wish to study at prestigious universities such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and more must score higher IELTS test scores than 7.00.|
IELTS Score Eligibility for US universities |
|
|---|---|
|
Universities in US |
IELTS Score Eligibility |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
7.0 - 7.5+ |
|
Harvard University |
6.5 - 7.5+ |
|
Stanford University |
7.0+ |
|
University of California, Berkeley |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
|
University of Chicago |
7.0+ |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
7.0+ |
|
Cornell University |
7.0 - 7.5+ |
|
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
7.0+ |
|
Yale University |
7.0+ |
|
Princeton University |
6.5 - 7.0+ |
IELTS Eligibility for UK
For studying in the UK, students generally need an IELTS band score ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London require a minimum score of 7.0 or above for competitive courses. Additionally, IELTS for UKVI is required for visa applications, with varying score requirements depending on the type of visa.|
IELTS Exam Eligibility by Program of Study |
|
|---|---|
|
Program of Study |
IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|
Master’s Diploma |
Minimum 6.0; 6.5+ for top universities. |
|
Pre-Masters |
Minimum 5.0 band score. |
|
Undergraduate Degree |
Minimum 6.5; 7.0+ for top universities. |
IELTS Eligibility for Canada
Canada requires IELTS band scores ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 for admission to universities and colleges. Institutions such as the University of Toronto and McGill University demand higher band scores of 7.0 or above. For immigration purposes, IELTS General Training with a minimum score of 6.0 is required under various immigration programmes.|
IELTS Eligibility for Canada |
|
|---|---|
|
Program of Study |
IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|
Student Direct Stream (SDS) |
Overall: Minimum Band 6.0 Each Band: No less than 6.0 |
|
Postgraduate Courses in Canada [PG Diploma/Masters] |
Overall: Minimum Band 6.5 IELTS Each Band: No less than 5.5 or 6.0 |
|
Undergraduate Courses in Canada [Bachelor’s, Diploma, or Short-term] |
Overall: Minimum Band 6 IELTS Each Band: No less than 5.5 |
IELTS Eligibility for Australia
Australian universities typically require an IELTS band score between 6.0 and 7.5. Universities such as the University of Melbourne and Australian National University demand a minimum score of 7.0. For skilled migration visas, applicants usually need a minimum IELTS General Training score of 6.0.|
IELTS Eligibility for Australia |
|
|---|---|
|
Program of Study |
IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|
Postgraduate Degree |
6.5 with no band less than 6.0 |
|
Undergraduate Degree |
6.0+ |
IELTS Eligibility for New Zealand
For New Zealand, the IELTS score requirement ranges from 6.0 to 7.5 for higher education. Universities like the University of Auckland may require a minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For work and residency applications, an IELTS General Training score of at least 6.0 is usually required.| IELTS Eligibility for New Zealand | |
|---|---|
|
Program of Study |
IELTS Exam Eligibility |
|
Master's Degree |
Overall: Minimum Band 6.0 |
|
Bachelor's Degree |
Overall: Minimum Band 5.5 |
IELTS Eligibility Requirements for Universities
The guidelines for IELTS eligibility vary from university to university for international students. Some universities have different admission requirements depending on the type of programme and mode. Candidates are to visit the official website of their preferred university to learn more information on IELTS eligibility. Here is a list of band score requirements for some prestigious universities:| University | Country | Minimum IELTS Band Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | 7.0 - 7.5+ |
| Cambridge University | UK | 7.5+ |
| Harvard University | USA | 6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Oxford University | UK | 7.0 - 7.5+ |
| University College London (UCL) | UK | 6.5 - 7.5+ |
| Stanford University | USA | 7.0+ |
| University of California, Berkeley Campus | USA | 6.5 - 7.0+ |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore | 6.0 - 8.0+ |
| Imperial College London | UK | 6.5 - 7.0+ |
| ETH Zurich | Switzerland | 7.0+ |
| IELTS Exam Other Related Links | |
| IELTS Registration | IELTS Full Form |
| IELTS Exam Pattern | IELTS Syllabus |
| IELTS Exam Dates | IDP IELTS Test Centers |
| IELTS Cut Off | IDP IELTS Slot Booking |
IELTS Eligibility FAQs
Q. What are the criteria for the IELTS test?
Q. Can a 12th pass give the IELTS exam?
Q. How long is IELTS eligibility for?
Q. Can I learn IELTS in 3 months?
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