IELTS Cutoff for Top Universities in the World
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Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Jan 31, 2023
IELTS cutoff for top colleges like Harvard and Stanford is 7 or 8. The IELTS exam is assessed on a scale of 1 to 9. IELTS scores are given on a 9-band scale. Universities that accept IELTS scores typically establish the overall and sectional IELTS Cutoff for specific programs in order to check the candidate's English language skills. The IELTS Cutoff is the IELTS score needed by the university. It may range from institution to university and also between programmes. Candidates should grasp IELTS band scores and the way they are computed before comprehending the IELTS Cutoff. Few universities have a predetermined sectional cutoff. Harvard, Stanford, MIT, California Institute of Technology, and other world-class colleges demand an IELTS score of at least 7.
How is the IELTS Cutoff Score Calculated?
IDP does not publish any IELTS cutoff scores. While releasing the TRF, it just discloses the IELTS score (Test Report Form). IELTS TRF incorporates IELTS Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening scores from all four sections. For each component and altogether, the IELTS band score goes from 1 to 9. Before starting with the detailed study of IELTS cut off score for universities, let us get a glimpse of what each IELTS band score descriptors state:
| Band score | Skill level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | It suggests that the exam taker has complete knowledge of the language. Their usage of English is acceptable, correct, and fluent, demonstrating total comprehension. |
| 8 | Very good user | Has complete operational grasp of the language, with just minor errors and incorrect use. In new environments, they may make mistakes. They are adept at handling intricate and comprehensive reasoning. |
| 7 | Good user | The test taker has operational mastery of the language, but with certain mistakes, incorrect use, and misunderstandings in some contexts. They can typically manage complicated language and comprehend elaborate logic. |
| 6 | Competent user | Despite occasional mistakes, incorrect use, and misconceptions, he has an effective grasp of the language. They are able to utilise and comprehend rather complicated language. |
| 5 | Modest user | The test taker has a limited grasp of English and can manage with general meaning in most instances, albeit they are inclined to make several errors. They should be capable of basic communications in their profession. |
| 4 | Limited user | The fundamental competency of the exam taker is restricted to known settings. They usually have difficulties with comprehension and expression. They are unable to communicate in complicated language. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | It means that the test taker transmits and comprehends just the broadest meaning. Communication failures occur often. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | The exam taker has practically little knowledge of spoken and written English. |
| 1 | non-user | Except for a few isolated words, he has no capacity to utilise the language. |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test | The exam taker did not respond to any of the questions. |
IELTS Cutoff for Top Universities
The cut off mark for IELTS score is considered a vital performance metric assessing the English proficiency of the candidates. Over 3 million test-takers were noticed taking the exam in 2017. Here we have curated the top universities of the world according to the regions.
IELTS Cutoff for US Universities
US tops the world in terms of education and is home to universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and more. Though the IELTS is one of the most important parts of the application, it is possible to study in USA without IELTS score submissions. IELTS requirement for most universities in the USA is as follows:
| Name of institution | IELTS Cut off | QS Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | 7.0 | 1 |
| California Institute of Technology | 7.0 (7.5 recommended) | 6 |
| Harvard University | 6.5 | 5 |
| Princeton University | 8.0 | 16 |
| Yale University | 7.0 | 18 |
| University of Chicago | 7.0 | 10 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7.0 | 13 |
| John Hopkins University | 7.0 | - |
| University of California, Berkeley | 7.0 | 27 |
| Columbia University | 7.5 | 22 |
| Cornell University | 7.5 | 20 |
| Northwestern University | 7.5 and above | 32 |
| University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign | 6.5-7.5 | 85 |
IELTS Cutoff for UK Universities
The UK ranks second in terms of high education and is home to the famous Oxford, Cambridge. The following list will provide the candidates information about the IELTS requirement for the universities in the UK:
| Name of Institution | IELTS Cutoff | QS Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford University | Pre-Master's -IELTS 5.0 (5.0+ in all skills) Master's Degree -IELTS 6.5 (6.0+ in all skills) | 4 |
| Cambridge University | minimum overall grade of 7.5 | 2 |
| Imperial College London | 7.0 | 6 |
| University College London | 6.5 | 8 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | overall score of 7.0 (6.0 in speaking and writing and 6.5 in IELTS listening cut off and IELTS reading cut off) | 56 |
| University of Edinburgh | overall 6.5(5.5 in each component) | 15 |
| King’s College London | 7.0 overall (a minimum of 6.5 in reading & writing and 6.0 in listening & speaking) | 37 |
| University of Manchester | 6.0 | 28 |
| University of Bristol | 5.5 | 61 |
| University of Warwick | 6.5 | 64 |
IELTS Cutoff for Canadian Universities
The Canadian authorities and universities are quite rigid about the IELTS cutoff required, though the immigration requirements are not that stringent. Let us see the IELTS requirement for Canada for IELTS express entry cut off:
| Name of Institution | IELTS Cutoff | QS Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 6.5 | 34 |
| University of British Columbia | 6.5 | 47 |
| McGill University | 6.5 and above | 31 |
| McMaster University | 6.5(5.5 in each section) | 152 |
| University of Alberta | 6.5(no less than 6.0) | 110 |
IELTS Cutoff for Australian Universities
The IELTS requirement for Australian universities are as follows:
| Name of Institution | IELTS Cutoff | QS Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 6.5(no less than 6.0) | 33 |
| Australian National university | 6.5-7.0 | 30 |
| University of Sydney | 6.5 | 41 |
| University of Queensland | 6.5 | 50 |
| Monash University | 7.0(no less than 6.5) | 57 |
| University of New South Wales | 7.0 | 45 |
| University of Western Australia | 7.0 | 90 |
| University of Adelaide | 6.5-7.0 | 109 |
IELTS Cutoff for New Zealand Universities
The following are the top universities of New Zealand with their IELTS cut off mark:
| Name of Institution | IELTS Cutoff | QS Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | 6.5-7.0 | 87 |
| University of Otago | 6.5(minimum 6.0 in each section) | 217 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 6.5 | 275 |
| University of Canterbury | An average score of 6.5(minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking) | 284 |
| University of Waikato | 6.5 | 331 |
| Massey University | 6.0 for undergraduate programmes with no band less than 5.5, and 6.5 for postgraduate programmes with no band less than 6.0. | 292 |
| Lincoln University | 6.0 | 368 |
| Auckland University of Technology | Doctoral degrees- 6.5 (7 in Writing and all the other bands higher than 6.0) Postgraduate programs- 6.5 (6.0 or higher in other bands) Bachelor's degree- 6.0 (5.5 or higher in other bands) | 486 |
IELTS Requirement for Visa Interview
Each candidate is required to submit an English language proficiency score for moving abroad for documentation. IELTS requirements for immigration purposes irrespective of countries are listed below.
IELTS Requirements for UK Immigration Purposes
If you are wondering about migrating to the UK when applying for a visa is a prerequisite.
- For the tier 1 or general visa to function, the candidate needs to score a 7.0 overall as well as each skill;
- For tier 1 exceptional visa/tier 1 entrepreneur visa/tier 2 general visa/tier 4 general student visas then the minimum score valid is 4.0 in overall and each skill;
- Specifically for tier 4 general student visa pursuing a degree level or above the minimum IELTS score required is 5.5 in overall and each skill.
Note: The UK government has mandated the procedure of sitting for the IELTS Life Skills test for speaking and listening. This is necessary for the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) levels A1 and B1, so ensure checking this too.
IELTS Requirements for Australian Immigration Purposes
For Australian immigration, the minimum IELTS score required is 5.5. Nevertheless, aiming for a score of 6 or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher always uplifts the application of the candidate.
IELTS Requirements for Canadian Immigration Purposes
In the immigration process of Canada, the candidates need to abide by the minimum requirements of the Canadian Language Benchmarks or CLB. CLB is mandated to assess English language proficiency by demonstrating 12 levels of language in listening, speaking, writing, and reading. It is a vital phenomenon to be considered for both immigration and academic purposes. aiming to live and start their career in Canada must be aware of the Canadian Express Entry programs and IELTS score for Canada PR.
IELTS Requirements for New Zealand Immigration Purposes
For migrating to New Zealand, the candidate has to score a minimum of 5.5 in their IELTS exam cut off.
IELTS Requirement for USA Immigration Purposes
A candidate needs to score overall of 6.5 to ensure the smooth functioning of the visa process. IELTS 6.5 score band is a minimum score required in most of the renowned universities too but as they always say, the more the better.
The above details will help the candidates preparing for IELTS to acquire more knowledge about IELTS cutoff and other requirements.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.