IELTS in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah: Test Dates, Fees, Test Centres and How to Book (2026)

If you need an IELTS score for university, a visa or professional registration, the first practical questions are simple: where do I take the test in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, how much does it cost, how do I book, and how quickly will I get my result? This guide answers all of them in one place.

A quick note before we start: Speak English Institute is an IELTS preparation school, not a test centre. You book the exam itself with an official IELTS provider, and the exam fee is paid to them. We've written this guide because our students ask us these questions all the time, and it's easier to have the answers on one page.

Who runs the IELTS test in the UAE?

In the UAE, IELTS is delivered by two official providers: the British Council and IDP. It is the same test whichever you choose. The questions, the scoring and the Test Report Form are identical, and universities, employers and immigration authorities accept results from both. Choose the provider whose venue, date or price suits you best.

Where can you take IELTS in Dubai?

Dubai has the widest choice of dates and venues in the country. At the time of writing, the official booking sites list:

• IDP IELTS Dubai, 7th floor, The One Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road (Dubai Internet City / Tecom)
• IDP at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, Dubai Knowledge Park, Al Sufouh
• British Council venues across Dubai and the other emirates (the British Council says it offers IELTS in 40 locations in the UAE). You choose the exact venue when you book.

If you study with us in JLT, the Tecom, Knowledge Park and Al Sufouh venues are a short drive or metro ride away.

Where can you take IELTS in Ras Al Khaimah?

You don't need to travel to Dubai to sit IELTS. Test sessions in Ras Al Khaimah currently include:

• British Council at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (computer-delivered Academic and General Training)
• British Council at CERT, Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah (Campus B)
• IDP at English World, Ras Al Khaimah (computer-delivered Academic and General Training)

Venues and session days change during the year, so always check the live list on the booking site before you plan your preparation around a date.

How much does IELTS cost in the UAE? (September 2026)

These are the standard fees shown on the official British Council UAE and IDP UAE websites when we checked them on 23 September 2026. Prices change and can differ between venues (for example, one British Council venue in Ras Al Khaimah was listed at AED 1,395 on ielts.org), so the price shown when you book is the one that applies.

British Council

• IELTS on computer (Academic or General Training): AED 1,590
• IELTS Premium (on computer): AED 2,000
• IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), on computer: AED 1,680
• IELTS Life Skills (A1 or B1), for some UK visa categories: AED 810
• One Skill Retake: from AED 1,000.70

IDP

• IELTS on computer (Academic or General Training): AED 1,470
• IELTS for UKVI, on computer: AED 1,570

The exam fee always goes to the test provider. It is separate from the cost of any preparation course, including ours.

Test dates: how often can you take IELTS?

Computer-delivered IELTS runs on many days each month in Dubai, with fewer sessions in Ras Al Khaimah. There is no limit on how many times you can take the test. Popular dates, especially Saturdays and the weeks before university deadlines, fill up first, so book as soon as you know your deadline.

IELTS is moving to computer-delivered tests only. The paper-based test is being withdrawn from mid-2026, and some centres now offer "IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper", where you handwrite the Writing section and take the rest on screen. If you strongly prefer writing by hand, look for that option when you book.

How to book your IELTS test

1. Decide which test you need: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, or IELTS for UKVI. Check with your university, employer or visa authority before you pay.
2. Choose your provider (British Council or IDP) and a venue in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah.
3. Pick a date and time. You'll be given your Speaking test time separately; depending on the centre it can be on the same day or on a different day.
4. Pay online and register with the same valid ID (usually your passport) that you will bring on test day.
5. Look out for the confirmation email with your venue, arrival time and what you can bring into the room.

Academic, General Training or UKVI: which one?

• IELTS Academic is for university study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and for professional registration (for example doctors and nurses).
• IELTS General Training is usually required for work, training and migration, for example to Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
• IELTS for UKVI is the version approved for UK visa applications. Take it only if your UK visa route asks for it.

Listening and Speaking are the same in Academic and General Training; Reading and Writing are different. Our IELTS course prepares you for both.

What happens on test day?

Listening, Reading and Writing are taken back to back and last about 2 hours and 45 minutes in total. Speaking is a separate, short interview:

• Listening: about 30 minutes
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 60 minutes
• Speaking: 11 to 14 minutes, face to face with an examiner

Arrive early, bring the same ID you registered with, and expect identity checks (usually a photo and a fingerprint scan) before you go in.

When do you get your IELTS results?

Computer-delivered IELTS results are usually released within 1 to 5 days, according to IDP UAE. You'll see them online first, then receive your Test Report Form. Most organisations accept IELTS results for two years from the test date.

Want to see how your four section scores combine? Try our IELTS band score calculator, which uses the official IELTS rounding rules.

What if you miss your score in one section?

If you took IELTS on computer and one skill let you down, you don't have to repeat the whole test. With IELTS One Skill Retake you can retake Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking:

• within 60 days of your original test
• once per original test
• only if your original test was IELTS on computer

You get a new Test Report Form showing the new score together with your other three original scores, and you choose which report to use. Check first that your university or visa authority accepts One Skill Retake results.

How long do you need to prepare?

It depends on your current level and the score you need. As a rough guide, moving up one IELTS band takes about 200 hours of focused study. We explain the timelines in How Long Does It Take to Get the IELTS Score You Need?. If you don't know your level yet, start with our free English level test.

Prepare for IELTS in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah

Our 3-week IELTS preparation course runs at both our Dubai (JLT) and Ras Al Khaimah campuses: Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 19:00 to 21:00, plus Saturdays from 11:00 to 14:00, for 27 hours in total.

• AED 1,240 for three weeks, including all course materials
• Three full mock exams under real test conditions, with feedback
• Academic and General Training
• Small groups of up to 15 students

Book your test date first, then contact us and we'll help you pick the course start date that gets you ready in time.