About IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is owned by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IDP Australia and is designed to asses the language ability of candidates who need to work or study where English is the language of communication.

Academic and General Training

IELTS is available in two modules - Academic and General Training. Unfortunately, we cannot advise you on which module you need to take; you must know this information before you apply for the test.

The Academic Module is used by candidates for admission to undergraduate or postgraduate courses and for the registration with professional bodies.

The General Training Module emphasizes basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and UK. The General Training Module is not offered on all test dates.

Test Format

The IELTS test is offered as a pen and paper test. Computer-Based IELTS test is not currently available in the UK.

Candidates are tested in four skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

If your test date is on a Saturday, all parts of the tests are taken on the same day. Doors open at 9am on the day of the test. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests finish at approximately 1pm. Speaking tests are held between 14:20 and 19:10. Candidates are given the time of their speaking interview at registration on the day of the test.

If your test date is on a Thursday, you will complete the Listening, Reading and Writing components on that day, finishing at approximately 1pm. Your speaking test will then take place on the following Saturday. Candidates are given the time of their speaking interview at registration on the day of the test.

For more information on IELTS please visit www.ielts.org