IELTS Cut Off for Top Universities in the World

Asmita Ghosh

Apr 8, 2024

IELTS cut-off for most colleges is either a 7-band score or an 8, depending on the course and your chosen university. IELTS score scale ranges from 0 to 9 — with 0 being the lowest and 9 indicating that you are a proficient native English speaker. IELTS exam cut-off also varies section-wise for some universities. Almost every supreme university abroad, like Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford, has kept the IELTS exam cut off of 7 or above as the overall IELTS band score.

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While you might think that scoring high in the IELTS will guarantee your admission to your dream university, but it does not. Rather, you become eligible to apply to the university with your English language proficiency. Some universities in the UK have waived off the IELTS score exam if you have secured about 75 in your class, 12th English board exams. Cut off marks for IELTS helps you to make an informed decision regarding your preparation for IELTS as well. The IELTS reading cut off for some universities might be 6 or 6.5, depending on the requirements of your chosen course.

You can send your Test Report Form through the booking portal to share it with your chosen universities. Universities mostly specify their preferred mode of receiving your IELTS test scores, either through postal mail or via IELTS Results Service e-delivery. However, if your test center is closed, you can share the results with the universities by filling out the additional IELTS TRF Form, which is available for two years from the date of the test taken. Cut off marks for IELTS help you to make an informed decision applying to your university.

IELTS Band Descriptors

IELTS score is the overall score of all four sections - IELTS listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Cut off mark for IELTS is determined from the IELTS band score that ranges from 1 to 9. IELTS listening cut-off, reading cut-off, and writing and speaking cut-off, contribute to the overall IELTS cut-off. IELTS band descriptors allow you to understand the indication of each of the scores, ranging from 1 to 9. The table below describes the IELTS band score and what each score indicates -

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 a 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.
6 Competent user Despite occasional mistakes, incorrect use, and misconceptions, he has an effective grasp of the language. They can utilize 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.
4 Limited users 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 cannot utilize the language.
0 Did not attempt the test The exam taker did not respond to any of the questions.

IELTS Cut-off Score for Top Universities

IELTS exam cut off for top universities is usually around 7.5 or 8 as the overall marks, with 6.5 in the individual sections. Universities with English as the medium of instruction require a minimum score to be eligible to apply to your chosen degree and university. IELTS band score is an important factor for you if you are considering studying or migrating to an English-speaking country. The preceding section highlights IELTS score cut off marks for some of the top universities globally.

IELTS Cut off for US Universities

IELTS cut off for US universities ranges from 6.5 to 7 depending on the university. However, if you plan to secure your admission to a high-ranking university in the US then you need to have at least a band score of 6.5 or 7.0 as the overall IELTS score, with 6,5 in the individual component. The table below shows the IELTS cut off for USA -

IELTS Cut off for UK Universities

IELTS cut off for UK universities usually ranges between 6.0 to 6.5, with 6,5 in each of the individual components like listening, reading, speaking, and writing. IELTS cut off for every university keeps changing every year. Most of the high-ranking universities in the UK have their IELTS exam cut off as a 7-band score. However, IELTS cut off marks for general in the UK universities is generally 5.5 band score. IELTS cut off mark for UK universities are given below -

UNIVERSITIES IELTS CUT OFF QS RANKING
Oxford University Pre-Masters -IELTS 5.0 (5.0 in all skills) Master’s degree -IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all sections) 3
Cambridge University Minimum overall grade of 7.5 2
Imperial College of London 7.0 6
University College London 6.5 9
London School of Economics and Political Science An overall band score of 7.0 (6.0 in speaking and writing and 6.5 in IELTS listening and reading cut off) 45
University of Edinburgh Overall, 6.5 (5.5 in each section) 22
King's College London 7.0 overall (6.5 in IELTS reading and writing and 6.0 in IELTS listening and speaking) 40
The University of Manchester 6.0 32
University of Bristol 5.5 55
University of Warwick 6.5 67

IELTS Score Cut off for Canadian Universities

The cut off for IELTS marks of the universities in Canada is between 6,5 to 7.0 band score. These IELTS band scores also include the range of IELTS express entry cut off. Below is a table that mentions the IELTS cut off score for top Universities in Canada-

UNIVERSITIES IELTS CUT OFF QS RANKING
University of Toronto 7 21
University of British Columbia 7 34
University of Alberta 6.5 111
McGrill University 6.5 30
University of Waterloo 6.5 112
McMaster University 6.5 189
Dalhousie University 6.5 298

IELTS Cut-Off for Australian Universities

IELTS cut off score for Australian Universities is a minimum of 6.0 after securing the student visa for the undergraduate with no subscore and the postgraduate, the IELTS cut off score is 6.5. But, if you wish to pursue your studies at the top Australian universities, you need to have a minimum of 7 as the overall IELTS band score. The list below gives a brief list of the top universities in Australia and their IELTS exam cut off -

UNIVERSITIES IELTS CUT OFF QS RANKING
University of Melbourne 6.5(no less than 6.0) 14
Australian National university 6.5-7.0 34
University of Sydney 6.5 19
University of Queensland 6.5 43
Monash University 7.0(no less than 6.5) 43
University of New South Wales 7.0 19
University of Western Australia 7.0 72
University of Adelaide 6.5-7.0 89

IELTS Cut-Off Score for New Zealand Universities

IELTS cut off marks for universities in New Zealand is a minimum of 6.0 in most of the universities. However, some high-ranking universities ask for a higher score of 7.0 band or above, depending on the course difficulty and the acceptance rate. The table below shows the IELTS cut off marks for New Zealand Universities-

Universities IELTS Score QS Ranking
University of Auckland 6.5-7.0 68
University of Otago 6.5(minimum 6.0 in each section) 206
Victoria University of Wellington 6.5 241
University of Canterbury An average score of 6.5(minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking) 284
University of Waikato 6.5 256
Massey University 6.0 for undergraduate programs with no band less than 5.5, and 6.5 for postgraduate programs with no band less than 6.0. 239
Lincoln University 6.0 362
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) 407

IELTS Cut-Off Requirement for Visa Immigration

Both the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General are accepted on the visa requirements. IELTS test you take and the score you get depends on your requirements for the visa. If you are applying for work or PR, you need to meet the minimum cut off marks for the IELTS general. The list below mentions some of the major requirements for IELTS visa for different countries -

IELTS Requirements for US Visa Immigrants

If you need an IELTS student visa, you need to take the IELTS academic test, and a minimum of 6.5 band score is required for applying for the visa. Top universities in the USA keep the benchmark of a minimum of 6.5 in their admission criteria. If you acquire an F1 visa and complete your degree from an American University, then it becomes easier to get permanent residency in the US.

IELTS Requirements for UK Visa Immigrants

To apply for a UK visa and immigration, you must take the IELTS at the official IELTS test center. UK visa and immigrants use the IELTS CFER levels to determine their language proficiency in the point-based system. Below is the list of IELTS cut off scores for UK visa requirements -

  • For visas that require CEFR level B1, you need to get at least an IELTS score of 4.0 in all four sections of your IELTS for the UKVI test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
  • For visas that require CEFR level B2, you need to get at least an IELTS score of 5.5 in all four sections of your IELTS for UKVI test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
  • For visas that require CEFR level C1, you need to get at least an IELTS score of 7.0 in all four sections of your IELTS for UKVI test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

IELTS Cut-Off Score for Canadian Visa Immigration

You must take the IELTS General test as proof of the language proficiency test for an immigrant, Refugee, or citizenship visa. IELTS cut-off for Canada for applying for a permanent visa is a minimum of 6.0 band score.

IELTS Cut Off for Australian Visa Immigration

The Australian government has announced that the minimum score for the student visa will be increased from 5.5 to 6.0 band score. The minimum IELTS cut-off for the Australian graduate program will be increased from 6.0 to 6.5.

IELTS Cut-Off for New Zealand Visa Immigration

If you wish to move to New Zealand, you must meet the minimum requirement for the English language proficiency test. New Zealand Visa IELTS is required by the government for those with skilled migrants, businesses, parents, and residents for work visa categories. For a New Zealand student visa, you need to have a 6.0 in the undergraduate program or a 6,5 or above vans score in the post-graduate programs.

To get into your chosen and dream degree and university, you need to understand and keep a constant check on the IELTS cut off for your respective university, as they keep changing every year.

FAQs

Ques. What does an IELTS cut-off score mean?

Ans. An IELTS cut-off score is the minimum score required by universities or institutions for admission, indicating how well you need to perform in English to be accepted into a program.

Ques. Why do universities set IELTS cut-off scores?

Ans. Universities set these scores to make sure you have the necessary English skills for studying, as most courses are taught in English.

Ques. Are all IELTS cut-off scores the same?

Ans. The scores vary between universities and even different courses within the same university. Some universities ask for higher scores than others. The cut-off scores depend on the university degree and their acceptance rates.

Ques. How can I find out the IELTS cut-off score for a specific university?

Ans. You can easily find it on the university's website or in their admissions information for international students.

Ques. What happens if I don't meet the IELTS cut-off score?

Ans. If you don't meet it, you might not be able to apply for the program at your chosen university. Some universities offer support programs if you fail to meet the cut-off.

Ques. Can I retake the IELTS test if I don't get the score I need?

Ans. You can retake the IELTS score as many times as you want, with a specific amount to be paid each time to register for it.

Ques. Do universities accept other English tests instead of IELTS?

Ans. Apart from IELTS, some universities do prefer other English tests such as TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE, and many more.

Ques. Can I ask for an exemption from the IELTS requirement?

Ans. Some universities might exempt you if you have scored above 75 in your class 12th English board exams. You can also check with your respective university's official website.

Ques. What if English isn't my first language but I have studied in English?

Ans. You might still need to take IELTS, especially if your previous institution didn't have English as the medium of instruction.

Ques. Are there different IELTS cut-off scores for undergraduate and postgraduate programs?

Ans. Most universities set their IELTS cut off scores differently for the undergraduate and the postgraduate programs.

Ques. Do universities look at each part of the IELTS test separately, or just the overall score?

Ans. Universities do look at the overall score as well as the scores of the individual component, since they can have specific requirements for each of the sections in the IELTS.

Ques. Can I combine scores from multiple IELTS tests?

Ans. It depends on the university. Some accept the highest scores from different tests, while others want you to get the required score in one go.

Ques. Do IELTS scores differ for different visa types?

Ans. The IELTS scores vary depending on the type of visa you're applying for. You can check with the country-wise visa IELTS requirements for the country you are applying for.

Ques. Do IELTS cut-off scores change often?

Ans. IELTS cut off scores change every year, and you should keep a check on the official website of the universities every year.

Ques. Is there any flexibility if I have exceptional achievements or experience?

Ans. IELTS is a mandatory exam for proving your English language test, no matter what achievements you have previously.

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

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