Book an IELTS test in the UK
Book your IELTS test with the British Council in a few easy steps. Choose your date, location and format, and start preparing today. Whether you plan to work, study or settle in the UK or overseas, more people succeed with IELTS.
Why book IELTS in the UK with the British Council?
With flexible dates and formats, free preparation materials and personalised support, we’ve got everything you need for IELTS success. Book IELTS in the UK with the British Council for a first-class test experience.
Take the IELTS test your way with the British Council. We offer a choice of formats, regular test dates at over 1,800 locations worldwide and test centres across the UK, and late booking options when you need them.
With the British Council, you can count on a comfortable, distraction-free environment and helpful staff to put you at ease. We’re here to help you take the test with the confidence to succeed.
Get the score you want with the British Council. We offer exclusive preparation resources to build your confidence and help you to perform at your best on test day.
If you don’t get the result you need, you can resit a single skill with One Skill Retake. Available with IELTS on computer at participating centres.
- A.S.
- Brussels
- Student
Take IELTS your way
Before you book your test, you’ll need to decide which IELTS test is right for you: Academic, General Training or UKVI. Then you need to choose how you want to take the test from the options below:
Fast-track your future with faster results and more flexible test dates.
If you prefer pen and paper, choose our traditional exam format available in selected markets.
In participating countries, take IELTS Academic remotely for convenience.
Want to change your IELTS test date?
If your plans change, you can cancel or reschedule your IELTS test or choose a new date. Make sure you read our cancellation and refund policy first as some rules apply.
Choose the test that is right for you
There are different types of IELTS tests you can take, depending on what you want to do.
Take the IELTS Academic test if you want to study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, or if you want to work in a professional organisation in an English-speaking country.
It is also recognised by healthcare councils such as the General Medical Council (GMC) (opens in a new tab), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (opens in a new tab), and General Dental Council (GDC) (opens in a new tab) for registering as a healthcare professional in the UK, allowing you to work with major healthcare providers like the NHS.
Take the IELTS General Training test to study at below degree level, work in an English-speaking country or your own country and emigrate to an English-speaking country.
If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to work, live or study in the UK, you may need to take a secure English language test (SELT). Both the IELTS for UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Academic or General Training and the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test are approved for applications for UK Visa and Immigration (UK visa renewal, British Citizenship, Settlement and Leave to Remain).
Take IELTS in the UK
With 65 test locations, booking your IELTS test in the UK has never been easier. Whether it’s a test for your student visa, emigration, professional development or a secure English language test (SELT) for UK visa, take IELTS with British Council.
Available tests
| Name of test | Type of test | Fee | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic and General Training | Assessing listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities. Not for UK Visas and Immigration purposes. | From £215 - 250 depending on location | Book now |
| IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training | SELT test for UK Visas and Immigration.* Assessing listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities. | From £257 to 313 | Book now |
| IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1, A2 and B1 | SELT test for UK Visas and Immigration.* Assessing speaking and listening abilities. | From £182 to £209 | Book now |
| IELTS for UKVI (Academic and General Training) One Skill Retake | Test takers can improve their score on one test skill by retaking either the Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking sections. | From £162 to 183 depending on location | Book now |
*Please check gov.uk (opens in a new tab) before booking SELT.
**Complete One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test day. Visit your test taker portal to book One Skill Retake.