In this article
In this guide we have collected current requirements from official sources for the four goals we are asked about most: postgraduate study, professional registration, migration and aviation.
First, know this: organisations often look not only at your overall score but also at a minimum for each section — for example, "7.0 overall, with no section below 6.5". When you plan your preparation, check that your weakest skill clears that minimum.
What IELTS score do you need for a master's degree?
Universities set their own requirements, and these vary by programme. Still, a general picture is possible:
| Programme type | Common IELTS Academic requirement |
|---|---|
| Most master's programmes | 6.5 overall, no section below 6.0 |
| Programmes with higher requirements (often language- and communication-heavy fields) | 7.0 overall, sections at 6.5 or 7.0 |
For example, the University of Leeds's standard master's requirement is "6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each component", while some programmes ask for 7.0. In Australia, the University of Sydney's standard requirement is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0.
UK Student visa: for degree-level study, the visa requires English at B2. In most cases universities assess this themselves, usually accepting IELTS Academic; in some cases IELTS for UKVI may be required, where B2 means at least 5.5 in every section. Always ask your university which test it needs.
Our advice: take the requirement from your programme's own page and add a half-band margin. Test-day pressure can easily cost half a band in your weakest skill.
IELTS scores for professional registration (healthcare)
To work abroad as a doctor, nurse or midwife, you must register with that country's regulator. These bodies set some of the highest IELTS requirements and almost always ask for IELTS Academic.
| Regulator and country | Profession | IELTS Academic requirement | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMC (UK) | Nurses, midwives | Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7 | General Training is not accepted. Two tests within 12 months can be combined, but all four skills must be taken each time; One Skill Retake is not accepted. Results must be no more than two years old when your application is assessed. |
| GMC (UK) | Doctors | 7.5 overall, at least 7.0 in each section | Scores must be achieved in one sitting. Results should generally be from the last two years. |
| AHPRA (Australia) | Nurses, doctors and other health professions | 7 overall; Listening, Reading and Speaking at least 7, Writing at least 6.5 | Up to two sittings within 12 months can be combined (each with 7 overall and no section below 6.5). One Skill Retake within 60 days is accepted. The at-home online test is not accepted. |
Regulators update their rules from time to time — always check the official page before applying.
A common mistake: seeing that the NMC accepts 6.5 in Writing and assuming "6.5 overall is enough". The NMC requires 7 in each of Listening, Reading and Speaking — so even with an overall average above 7, a single 6.5 outside Writing will not meet the requirement.
IELTS scores for migration and work visas
Migration rules usually set a score for every section, and the test version matters.
United Kingdom
UK visa applications require the special IELTS for UKVI version (computer-delivered only). Requirements are set by CEFR level:
| Visa | Level | IELTS for UKVI equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Scale-up (new applicants) | B2 | At least 5.5 in each section |
| High Potential Individual, Innovator Founder | B2 | At least 5.5 in each section |
| Student visa (degree level and above) | B2 | At least 5.5 in each section |
| Student visa (below degree level) | B1 | At least 4.0 in each section |
Key change: since 8 January 2026, work routes such as Skilled Worker require B2 instead of B1. People already on these routes before that date who are extending their stay can continue to rely on B1.
Canada
For Canadian immigration, only IELTS General Training is accepted. Scores are converted into Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels:
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
The Federal Skilled Worker program requires at least CLB 7 in all four abilities. In Express Entry, higher scores raise your ranking, so CLB 9 and above makes a real difference in practice. Note that CLB 9 requires 8.0 in Listening.
Australia
Australian visa requirements are defined as English levels and apply to every section:
| Level | IELTS requirement |
|---|---|
| Functional | 4.5 overall |
| Vocational | At least 5.0 in each section |
| Competent (the baseline for many skilled visas) | At least 6.0 in each section |
| Proficient | At least 7.0 in each section |
| Superior | At least 8.0 in each section |
Skilled migration uses a points test, and Proficient and Superior English earn extra points.
New Zealand
For skilled residence visas, including the Skilled Migrant Category, principal applicants need 6.5 overall in IELTS General Training or Academic. Partners and dependent children aged 16 or over need 5 overall.
Do pilots need IELTS?
This is a very common misunderstanding: the English proficiency required for a pilot's licence is not shown with IELTS but with an aviation-specific language test. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires licensed pilots to have at least ICAO Level 4 English, assessed by specialist aviation English tests that include radiotelephony — and there is no official equivalence between ICAO levels and IELTS bands.
So when is IELTS needed?
- For admission to a flight school abroad and the student visa,
- For work visa applications (the migration tables above apply),
- As an internal benchmark in some airlines' recruitment processes.
Flight schools and airlines set their own requirements, so ask the school or company directly. A strong IELTS score is a good foundation for aviation English, but it does not replace it.
How far are you from your target?
Once you know the score you need, the next step is knowing where you stand in each of the four skills today. Even if your overall average looks close to the target, one section below the minimum can stop your application.
Our Language Assessment Test (LAT) measures your Listening, Reading and Writing separately. In the one-to-one consultation that follows, we compare your results with your target organisation's requirements and plan how much time each skill needs.
Start your free level assessment →
To see how scores are calculated, read How Is the IELTS Band Score Calculated?; for the test structure, see What Is IELTS?
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for a master's degree?
Most master's programmes ask for 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each section. Some programmes require 7.0 overall. Always confirm on the programme's own page.
What IELTS score do nurses need?
In the UK, the NMC requires IELTS Academic scores of 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. In Australia, AHPRA requires 7 overall, with at least 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and at least 6.5 in Writing.
What IELTS score do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Since 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants need B2, which means at least 5.5 in each section of IELTS for UKVI.
What IELTS score do I need for Canada?
The Federal Skilled Worker program requires at least 6.0 in each section of IELTS General Training (CLB 7). Higher scores improve your Express Entry ranking.
Do pilots need IELTS?
A pilot's licence requires ICAO Level 4 aviation English, not IELTS. IELTS is usually needed for flight school admission abroad, visas or some recruitment processes.
Sources
- IELTS.org — IELTS tests for UK Visas and Immigration: ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom
- British Council — IELTS for UKVI: takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/which-ielts-test/ukvi
- OTS Solicitors — 2026 changes to the English language requirement: otssolicitors.co.uk
- IRCC (Government of Canada) — Language test equivalency charts: canada.ca
- IRCC — Federal Skilled Worker Program: six selection factors: canada.ca
- IELTS Australia — English language requirements for Australia: ielts.com.au
- Immigration New Zealand — English language requirements for skilled residence visas: immigration.govt.nz
- NMC — Accepted English language tests: nmc.org.uk
- AHPRA — Accepted English language tests: ahpra.gov.au
- Specialist Language Courses — GMC English language requirements: specialistlanguagecourses.com (to be confirmed on the GMC's official page)
- University of Leeds — International entry requirements: leeds.ac.uk/internationalentry
- ielts.international — IELTS for pilots (ICAO and IELTS): ielts.international
The requirements in this article were compiled from official sources as of November 2026. Organisations can change their rules — always check the relevant organisation's current official page before applying. Moren IELTS Akademi is independent of the organisations that own IELTS.