Zollege is here for to help you!!
Need Counselling
IELTS logo

IELTS Minimum Score for Top Universities, Immigration and Scholarship

OverviewIELTS Minimum Scoreexam dates esIELTS Exam DatesOverview EsIELTS RESULT ESIELTS Writing Task 2IELTS ReadingIELTS Speaking TopicsIELTS PreparationIELTS ListeningIELTS Exam PatternIELTS Practice PapersIELTS Coaching in IndiaIELTS CutoffNews

IELTS minimum score is 1 since IELTS results are reported from band 1 to 9. The IELTS test has no bar as a lowest score or IELTS passing mark. Candidates seeking admission in universities abroad require an IELTS band 6 and above that is regarded as IELTS eligibility score. However, candidates are required to follow an IELTS minimum score bar for specific programs like MS/ MBA in the USA, immigration to the UK, Australia and Canada.

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

IELTS Minimum Score for Top Universities

The top universities have pre-determined minimum qualification for IELTS and IELTS exam minimum score to enroll candidates for admission. The lowest score in IELTS speaking is considered to be IELTS band score 1. However, each university abroad has their own IELTS eligibility score for candidates appearing for the IELTS test. Below mentioned is a list that highlights the minimum score required in IELTS for admission in universities like Harvard, or other US, UK, Australian Universities. Moreover, the below mentioned table also has highlighted IELTS minimum requirement for Canadian universities.

Is 5.5 a Good Score in IELTS? 

A band score of 5.5 in IELTS would not be considered as a good score by most of the universities globally. However, candidates scoring 5.5 in IELTS can enrol themselves for ‘A’ rated universities. Moreover, with a score of 5.5, candidates won’t be able to avail the scholarship opportunities offered by universities. For the purpose of availing scholarship and enrolling for good universities, IELTS band scores above 6 is recommended. 

How Good is 6.5 in IELTS? 

Candidates scoring IELTS band 6.5 is regarded as a competent score. However, a good score ranges from IELTS band 7.0 to 7.5. A band score of 6.5 is regarded as an average score in IELTS examination. Candidates willing to apply for top universities need to ensure a minimum score of IELTS band 7.0. Top universities in the USA like Harvard and Stanford accept IELTS scores of 7 or more. Similarly, in the UK, universities like Oxford or Cambridge require 7.5 or more. For universities in Canada and Australia, an IELTS score of 6.5 or 7 or more is required to get into their top colleges.

IELTS Minimum Score for UK Universities

There are possibilities that minimum IELTS for different countries might differ. Below is a table highlighting IELTS minimum score for UK Universities:

University Name Minimum IELTS Overall Score Minimum IELTS Reading Score Minimum IELTS Writing Score Minimum IELTS Listening Score Minimum IELTS Speaking Score
University of Oxford 7.0 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
University of Cambridge 7.0 6.5 7.0 7.0 7.0
Imperial College of London 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
University College London 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
London School of Economics and Political Science 7.0 6.5 6.0 6.5 6.0

IELTS Minimum Score of US Universities

Below is a table highlighting IELTS minimum score for US Universities:

University Name Minimum IELTS Overall Score Minimum IELTS Reading Score Minimum IELTS Writing Score Minimum IELTS Listening Score Minimum IELTS Speaking Score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 7.0 - - - -
California Institute of Technology 6.5 - - - -
Harvard University 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
Princeton University 7.0 - - - -

IELTS Minimum Score Australian Universities

Below is a table highlighting IELTS minimum score for Australian Universities:

University Name Minimum IELTS Overall Score Minimum IELTS Reading Score Minimum IELTS Writing Score Minimum IELTS Listening Score Minimum IELTS Speaking Score
University of Melbourne 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
Australian National University 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
University of Sydney 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
University of Queensland 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0

IELTS Minimum Score Canadian Universities

Below is a table highlighting IELTS minimum score for Canadian Universities:

University Name Minimum IELTS Overall Score Minimum IELTS Reading Score Minimum IELTS Writing Score Minimum IELTS Listening Score Minimum IELTS Speaking Score
University of Toronto 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
McGill University 7.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
University of British Columbia 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
University of Alberta 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
McMaster University 6.5 - - - -
Western University 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
University of Calgary 6.5 - - - -
University of Ottawa 6.5 - - - -

The data presented in the table is in accordance with information available on the University websites. The IELTS eligibility score and IELTS minimum score might vary based on programs candidates opt for. Thus, it is advisable to candidates that they must visit the university homepage for confirmation regarding the minimum score required in IELTS for each program offered by respective universities.

IELTS Minimum Score Requirement for Immigration

Candidates are to meet the minimum IELTS score for different countries to obtain an immigration and visa. The immigration and visa are meant for studying or working and have their own sets of IELTS minimum requirements for the UK, US,Canada, and Australia.

  1. IELTS minimum score for UK Visa: If the UK is your destination then having the following minimum IELTS score is mandatory:
  • Tier 1 (General Visa): 7.0 overall and also in 4 skills;
  • Tier 4 (General) Student visa for degree level and above: 5.5 overall and in each skill
  • Family Route (Spouse/Partner or Parent): 4.0 in speaking and listening;
  • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), (Exceptional Talent), (Graduate Entrepreneur): 4.0 overall

The UK government has made it compulsory to take speaking and listening tests for Life Skill purposes.

  1. IELTS minimum Score for Australia: the minimum score to pass IELTS for an Australian student visa is 5.5 in the 4 sections and 6.0 overall score.
  2. IELTS Minimum score for Canada: Generally, in the North American countries, the English requirement is measured based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). In the case of IELTS, the minimum band in IELTS for the student visa is 5.5 in each of the 4 sections of IELTS syllabus and 6.0 overall for undergraduate programs. For graduate programs, the minimum score of IELTS is 6.5 in 4 skills and 6.0 overall. Candidates can check for IELTS Canada Immigration requirements and entry fees.
  3. IELTS Minimum Score for USA: the minimum IELTS score required for a US student visa is a 6.5 band score.

Minimum IELTS Score for Scholarship

Candidates can also avail the benefit of IELTS scholarship that is offered by British Council IELTS award. However, the IELTS minimum band score for scholarship is 6. Certain requirements are to be followed like:

  • Applicants are required to be a citizen of India.
  • An overall score of IELTS band 6 is necessary to be eligible for this award.
  • University or college that students opt for must accept the band score.
  • Candidates are required to have a valid acceptance letter from an international institution.

How to Know the Minimum IELTS Score for Universities?

In IELTS, different universities minimum marks required for IELTS sectional score as well. In these universities, meeting the overall IELTS score is not sufficient – the test-takers need to meet the sectional requirements at all.

IELTS minimum score for the sections is often mentioned as “not less than”. The best universities accept the sectional score of IELTS 6.5 minimum in all 4 sections of IELTS. A few universities seek even higher scores as the minimum IELTS requirement in the speaking section. Therefore, the candidates need to take care of this as well.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question