IELTS for your goal

What band you need, which test to book, and how to practise for it — with the official sources, checked recently.

• IELTS for a UK student visaCEFR B2 for degree level; your university sets the IELTS band
• IELTS for a UK universityUsually 6.0–7.0 overall, 5.5–6.0 in each skill
• IELTS for an Australian student visa6.0 overall (5.5 or 5.0 with an English course first)
• IELTS for studying in CanadaSet by your college or university, e.g. 6.5 overall, 6.0 each at UBC
• IELTS for Canada PR (Express Entry)General Training, CLB 7: 6.0 in each skill; CLB 9: L 8.0, R/W/S 7.0
• IELTS for UK nursing (NMC registration)Academic: 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Speaking; 6.5 in Writing
• IELTS for Australian skilled migrationCompetent 6, Proficient 7, Superior 8 in each skill
• IELTS for UK doctors (GMC registration)Academic: 7.5 overall, at least 7.0 in each skill
• IELTS for studying in New ZealandBachelor's: Academic 6.0, no band below 5.5; postgraduate 6.5, none below 6.0
• IELTS for an Irish study visaVisa minimum: IELTS Academic 5.0 for a degree; your college sets its own, usually higher