IELTS Score Requirements 2026: Canada, UK, Australia, Nursing and Universities

What IELTS score do you need? It depends on where you're going and why. As of October 2026: Canada's Express Entry needs at least CLB 7 for the Federal Skilled Worker programme, which is 6.0 in each skill on IELTS General Training. Australia's "competent English" needs 6 in each skill. A UK Skilled Worker visa now needs English at B2, and UK nurses registering with the NMC need IELTS Academic with 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. Most universities ask for 6.0 to 7.0 overall. This guide brings the main requirements together, explains the minimum-per-skill rule that catches people out, and shows how to close the gap.

IELTS score requirements at a glance (2026)

• Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): CLB 7 minimum, which is IELTS General Training 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Higher scores earn more points.
• Australia, competent English (many skilled visas): at least 6 in each of the four skills, Academic or General Training.
• UK Skilled Worker visa: B2 level on an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI.
• UK nursing and midwifery (NMC): IELTS Academic, 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing.
• Australian nursing (Ahpra): IELTS Academic, usually 7 in each skill.
• University undergraduate degrees: typically 6.0 to 6.5 overall.
• Master's degrees: typically 6.5 to 7.0 overall, sometimes with 6.0 or 6.5 minimum per skill.

Requirements change, so always confirm on the official government, regulator or university website before you book your test.

Why the minimum per skill matters more than the overall score

Most visas and professional bodies set a minimum for each skill, not just an overall band. A candidate with Listening 8, Reading 7.5, Speaking 7 and Writing 6 gets an overall 7.0, but still fails a requirement of "7 in each skill" because of Writing. That's why Writing is the skill to watch: it's the lowest score for many candidates. Use our IELTS band score calculator to see how your section scores combine, and read our IELTS Writing Task 2 guide to work on your weakest skill.

Canada: IELTS for Express Entry

For Canadian economic immigration you must take IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry. Your scores are converted to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB):

• CLB 7: Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0. The minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker programme.
• CLB 8: Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5.
• CLB 9: Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0. This earns significantly more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
• CLB 10: Listening 8.5, Reading 8.0, Writing 7.5, Speaking 7.5.

Because CRS points rise sharply at CLB 9, many applicants aim for 8/7/7/7 even when CLB 7 is the minimum. For the wider picture, read our guide on how to immigrate to Canada.

United Kingdom: visas and nursing

• Skilled Worker visa: since 8 January 2026, new applicants need English at B2, up from B1. People who already proved B1 for an earlier visa don't need to prove their English again when they extend. If you use IELTS, it must be IELTS for UKVI at an approved centre.
• Student visa: for a degree, the Home Office expects B2, but your university sets the actual IELTS score. Most ask for 6.0 to 7.0 overall.
• Nurses and midwives (NMC): IELTS Academic with 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing. The NMC also accepts OET. You can combine two IELTS sittings taken within 12 months of each other, under conditions set by the NMC.

Australia: skilled visas, students and nurses

• Competent English: at least 6 in each of the four skills, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. This is the minimum for many skilled and work visas.
• Proficient English (7 in each skill) and Superior English (8 in each skill) earn extra points in the skilled migration points test.
• Student visa: the Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum, but your university or college usually asks for more, often 6.0 to 6.5 overall.
• Nurses (Ahpra): IELTS Academic, usually with 7 in each skill. Check the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's current standard before you book.

Universities

Each university sets its own requirements, and they vary by course:

• Foundation and pathway programmes: often 4.5 to 5.5.
• Undergraduate: usually 6.0 to 6.5, with no skill below 5.5 or 6.0.
• Postgraduate: usually 6.5 to 7.0, with higher minimums for law, medicine and teaching.

Most universities want IELTS Academic. Check whether your chosen university also accepts PTE Academic, which some students find faster to book. Read our comparison of PTE vs IELTS in the UAE.

Academic or General Training: which do you need?

As a simple rule, study and professional registration (nursing, medicine) need Academic, while migration and work visas for Canada, and some for Australia and New Zealand, use General Training. The UK uses IELTS for UKVI. Our guide to IELTS Academic vs General Training explains the differences in detail.

How to reach the score you need

1. Find your current band. Take a full IELTS mock test with a live Speaking test, so you know your real score in each skill.
2. Work out the gap. A gap of 0.5 in one skill is a very different job from a full band in all four.
3. Fix your weakest skill first. For most people that's Writing. Then Speaking. Our IELTS Speaking guide covers the format and band 7 strategies.
4. Choose the right course. A focused IELTS preparation course is usually enough for a small gap. For a bigger gap, read how long it takes to get the IELTS score you need.
5. Book your test with a buffer. Leave time to retake one skill if needed. See IELTS test dates and fees in Dubai and RAK.

Frequently asked questions

What IELTS score do I need for Canada PR?

For the Federal Skilled Worker programme you need at least CLB 7, which is 6.0 in each skill on IELTS General Training. Higher scores, especially CLB 9 (8.0 Listening, 7.0 in the other three skills), give you many more Express Entry points.

What IELTS score do nurses need for the UK?

The NMC requires IELTS Academic with 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. You can't use General Training.

Is IELTS 6.5 a good score?

Yes. 6.5 is roughly B2 to C1 level and meets the requirement for most undergraduate degrees and many master's degrees. It's not enough for nursing registration in the UK or Australia, which need about 7.

Do I need the same score in all four skills?

Often, yes. Many visas and regulators set a minimum for each skill. Check whether your requirement is an overall score, a minimum per skill, or both.

How long are IELTS scores valid?

Most organisations accept IELTS results for two years from the test date. Canada's immigration authorities also accept results for two years.

Can I take IELTS at home for a visa?

No. The at-home version, IELTS Online, is not accepted for visas or immigration, and it isn't currently offered to candidates in the UAE. Read can you take IELTS at home in the UAE?

Get help reaching your score

Speak English Institute helps students in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah reach the IELTS scores they need for Canada, the UK, Australia and universities. Start with a mock test to find your band, join our 3-week IELTS preparation course, or ask for a quote for private lessons on your weakest skill.