IELTS UK Visa Process 2025: Cost, Eligibility & Preparation

India recently saw a spike in study-abroad applicants from every state. The United Kingdom was one of the top choices of these scholars. The journey to the UK has a lot of steps. One of them is the IELTS UK visa process. In addition, it has aspects like preparing and scoring well. This blog covers the details of all these steps. Are you willing to fly to the UK? Do you plan to study under the best teachers? The world also knows it for the quality of education in its top colleges. Let's start with exploring how IELTS and UKVI IELTS differ.

How Are IELTS and UKVI IELTS Different?

The International English Language System (IELTS) is a famous English skill test. Students attempt it from all over the globe. Moreover, countries like the US, UK, and Canada accept a good score on any English test plus IELTS. However, the UK Visa IELTS (UKVI IELTS), also called the Secure English Language Test (SELT), is only valid in the UK. The differences between the UK visa IELTS requirement and general IELTS are subtle. However, there are many more vital points to note. Refer to the table below for the same:

IELTS	UKVI IELTS
TEST MODE:  Computer based.	Computer based with extra security.
FEE: 18,000 INR	Life Skills: 17,000 INR General: 18,250 INR
PURPOSE: All non-English speaking scholars applying to study in an English-speaking nation	It is valid only for the UK for the purpose of working, studying or migrating.

You are now aware of the difference between IELTS and UKVI IELTS. Let's learn about the latter one in more detail.

Type of UKVI IELTS

This section of the blog divides it into three types based on their purpose:

1. UKVI IELTS Academic Examination
It is valid for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 4 UK Visas. It has four sections- reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

2. UKVI IELTS General Training
It is similar to the Academic exam. However, it tests if the examinee can adjust to the job setting. It has four sections like that of the Academic test.

3. UKVI IELTS Life Skills
People take these tests to enter the UK for various purposes. These can include higher studies, Job, PR (Permanent Residence), etc.

These were the details on the two types of IELTS and their differences. The next section of this blog will discuss the UKVI IELTS academic exam process. The further sections of this blog discuss the UK IELTS requirement, too.

Know more : UK Student Visa: Process, Types, Cost & Required Documents

Do you need help determining where and how to apply for UKVI IELTS? This section of the blog will answer all your questions. It discusses the IELTS UK visa process. You can fill out the registration form online and offline.

The online registration process for the UKVI IELTS exam is as follows:

• Firstly: Go to the official website to create an account.
• Secondly: Give the basic details they are asking you to fill in, for instance, contact, mail, etc.
• Thirdly: Select the type of exam you wish to appear for.
• Fourthly: Choose a date that suits you. Mind that your preferred date can be unavailable. Thus, it is best to register at least three months before the exam. Do check the UK student visa IELTS requirements before applying.
• Furthermore: There are additional TRFs (Test Report Forms). It provides the student with multiple results reports to send to different institutes.
• Lastly: You must pay the fee (15,100 INR) to register for the exams.

You can also register for UKVI IELTS offline. Go to their official website and download the registration form. Then, print it and fill it with apt details. In addition, to avoid paying such a heavy fee again and again, study well to get a good IELTS score for visa before going for the exam.You can submit it at the nearest IELTS office and deposit the fee either with a demand draft or a bank account.
Now, you know about the application process for the UKVI IELTS exam. Let's explore its format in the next section of the blog.

What is the Format of UKVI IELTS?

After the IELTS UK visa process, the format of the exam is the next most vital thing. The format of the IELTS Academic exam of the UKVI IELTS is the same as the general IELTS. The table below discusses the order and the tasks in each section of the test. As mentioned before in the blog, there are four sections. In the exact order, these are listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Moreover, the first column also mentions the minimum IELTS score per section. Analyze the table well to understand what you need to get 6.5 overall IELTS score.

SECTION / NO. OF TASKS	TASK DESCRIPTION / TIME
LISTENING NO. OF TASKS: 4 recordings Minimum Score: 6	30 Minutes 2 people talking about everyday life. A monologue. A conversation between up to 4 people in an institute. Another monologue: speech or a lecture.
READING NO. OF TASKS: 3 Texts and 40 Questions Minimum Score: 6	60 Minutes The texts can be analytical or descriptive and can be taken from newspapers, magazines, etc.  Questions can be: fill in the blank, MCQs, short answer type, match the heading, and complete the sentences.
WRITING NO. OF TASKS: 2 Tasks Minimum Score: 6	60 Minutes Write 150 words (describe a graph, chart or a table) Write 250 words (Essay writing)
SPEAKING NO. OF TASKS: 3 Parts Minimum Score: 6	11-14 Minutes Introduction: work, studies, home and family. You will get a task card with a topic written. You have to speak for 1-2 minutes on the same. They will ask questions on the same at the end. Further discussion on the topic of part 2.

There is a possibility that the speaking section will take place on the same day. However, there is a chance of it happening within 7 days before or after the test date.
Furthermore, after understanding the format, you must take note of other details. Look at the UKVI IELTS score requirement for various universities in the UK. In addition, the table below also states the QS ranking of the mentioned universities.

UKVI IELTS Score Requirement in UK Universities

Almost every university ranked by QS in the world demands a good score on an English skill test. The IELTS is among the most famous ones. It is one of the most vital requirements for entering a good college. Meeting these can increase your chances of studying in the UK. You can refer to the table below to check the UKVI IELTS band score for reputed colleges.

UNIVERSITY / QS RANKING	REQUIRED IELTS SCORE
Cambridge University QS: 2	7.0
Oxford University QS: 3	7.5
Imperial College London QS: 6	7.0
University of College London QS: 9	6.5
University of Edinburgh QS: 22	7.0
University of Manchester QS: 32	7.0
King’s College London QS: 40	7.5
London School of Economics and Political Science QS: 45	7.0
University of Bristol QS: 55	6.0
University of Warwick QS: 67	7.0

You can go through more UK university requirements and visa process here:  The Ultimate Guide on How to Secure the UK Student Visa

After knowing what you need to enter your favourite university in the UK, let's explore the courses. The next sections will discuss the degree levels, programs, and the reading, speaking, writing and listening score IELTS they demand. Moreover, every score in IELTS has a meaning. First, look at the section below to get an idea what every band score in IELTS mean.

What is an Ideal UKVI IELTS Score?

Most of the universities in the UK have an IELTS score requirement. Do you want to know what is an ideal IELTS score for UK? Let's start with a score chart and a description for every band score. It will help you get an idea of what is an ideal score and why.

REMARK / SCORE	WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Expert 9.0	Has full command and is fluent. Can speak, write, read and understand well.
Very Good 8.0	Has good reasoning and understands arguments in the language well. Has minor faults and errors in interpretation.
Good 7.0	Inaccurate in unfamiliar situations and occasional misinterpretations. Usually, can communicate and understand well.
Competent 6.0	Has a good command of familiar situations. Can slip and misinterpret in a complex conversation
Modest 5.0	Is likely to make mistakes and relies on the overall meaning of the phrases. Has basic skills to communicate well.
Limited 4.0	Faces irregularities while forming complex sentences. Can operate simple conversations and arguments well.
Extremely Limited 3.0	Can hold general and simple arguments and conversations. Struggles with using and interpreting complex language.
Intermittent 2.0	Cannot understand written or spoken English at all. Speaks incorrect fragments of a sentence.
Non-User 1.0	Can only use a few words of the English language. Communication is not possible in any medium.

This was the IELTS UKVI band score chart. Now, let's check out the courses and their IELTS requirements via table. It also states the degree level of the program and the score it demands.

COURSE NAME	MINIMUM BAND SCORE
Business Administration	UG: 6.5 PG: 7.0
Computer Science	UG: 6.5 PG: 7.5
Engineering	UG: 6.5 PG: 7.0
Nursing	UG: 7.0 PG: 7.0
Political Science	UG: 6.5-7.0 PG: 7.0
Economics	UG: 6.5-7.0 PG: 7.0

The section above mentioned the band list of IELTS. This was all about the UKVI IELTS. Does your IELTS score scare you? Is it not increasing? Are you tired of repetitive learning modules and cruel, time-consuming sample papers? Below are some tips to improve your IELTS score. With simple daily habits, you can get a great score on IELTs. It will help you secure a seat at your favorite university.

How to Score 8 Bands Easily?

You are now aware of the UK band requirement. Are you struggling to get an eight-band score in IELTS? Do not worry! Below are some proven tips to increase your bands and help you fly to the UK! Don't give up on taking the exam just because you think passing it is a dream. Moreover, refer to the points below for working on the section where you face an issue.

1. How to Prepare for Listening?

• Do not listen to the practice audio over and over.
• Try listening to English with an accent outside of IELTS practice.
• Read the questions before listening to the audio.

2. How to Prepare for Reading

• Read again if you don't understand.
• Calm your mind and ask it to stop wandering around. Breathe, it helps. The band requirement for UK is, indeed, achievable
• You can use a pencil to write down the keywords. It will help you in matching the right headings.
• Practice reading WHENEVER YOU CAN!

3. How to Prepare for Writing

• Seek chances to improve your vocabulary.
• Do use fancy words, but not too much.
• The key is that you must know what you are writing.
• Use proper punctuation. If you do not know how to then, learn and excel in it.

4. How to Prepare for Speaking

• Do not memorize answers. Speak naturally.
• Don't be afraid to take a pause and THINK!
• Smile better to pronounce well. Not too much and not too subtle. Getting a good UKVI IELTS score is crucial and easy!
• Don't use words you are unsure about.
• Think in English. The process of thinking in your native language and then rephrasing it to English can cost too much time.
• Think about what you wanna speak. Your ideas must be clear before you get ready to express them.

You can also Prepare For The IELTS Exam at Home.

So, this was about how to prepare with a focus for your IELTS exam. You can now determine how many band required for UK for different colleges and courses. You can also use online sample papers that are free for everyone to access.

To sum up, the IELTS and the academic UKVI IELTS have a very subtle difference. However, more than that, they also have their purposes. In this blog, you learn the score requirements vary in almost every college and course. Moreover, the blog also states the IELTS UK visa process. Hence, it is vital to prepare for the test well to clear it in one go. Experts at Gradding.com solve this issue for scholars. They train them with modules and study guides. If you feel stuck, you can book a free session on their website anytime. All the best for your abroad dream!

FAQs

Q1. When Can I Take the IELTS Test?

The British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English conduct an IELTS exam every week in India. Annually, 48 Academic exams are taken. However, it is advisable to refer to their official website to know more in detail.

Q2. How Often Can I Take the IELTS Test?

You can take the exam as many times as you wish. You do have to repeat the IELTS UK visa process every time you apply. However, there is no definite number of attempts per person. Also, you can apply to an institute with any of the reports you have. However, it is wise to prepare well so that you can avoid paying heavy amounts again and again.

Q3. What if I Miss the Test Due to Some Reason?

Without prior notice, if you miss the exam, you will lose the entire fee. However, if you provide a medical certificate or any other proof, you will get a refund of 25%. Moreover, you also have the option to postpone the test dates. You will have to submit an additional fee. 

Q4. Is IELTS 5 Band a Good Score?

Indeed, IELTS 5 band score is called ‘Modest’. However, the universities in UK, Canada, USA or Australia, generally do not accept a score below 6 or 6.5.