International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

About IELTS

The listening and speaking sections of IELTS are the same for all test takers.

The reading and writing sections are different depending on whether you choose the academic or general training modules.

The Academic module is suitable for university entrance at undergraduate and postgraduate level and for professional registration.

The General Training module is suitable for the purposes of immigration to an English-speaking country and for people wishing to train or study below degree level.

IELTS is available in 140 countries, and last year over 2.9 million tests were taken. It is recognised by over 10,000 organisations worldwide, including employers, universities, professional bodies and immigration authorities.

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

For further information on the IELTS exam, please follow the links below:

• IELTS British Council website
• Road to IELTS
• Information for IELTS candidates (PDF, 776KB)
• IELTS notice to candidates (PDF, 180KB)
• IELTS terms and conditions (Word document, 21KB)

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How to prepare

There are some very useful online materials provided by the British Council to help you find out more about the IELTS test and practice before you take your exam:

• IELTS preparation
• IELTS ready

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Available test dates

IELTS on Paper

Saturday 25 January 2025 - Academic module only - Book Now

Saturday 22 February 2025 - Academic and General Training modules - Book Now

Saturday 22 March 2025 - Academic and General Training modules - Book Now

IELTS on Computer

Academic and General Training modules

Wednesday 18 December 2024 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Wednesday 15 January 2025 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Wednesday 29 January 2025 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Wednesday 12 February 2025 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Wednesday 26 February 2025 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Wednesday 12 March 2025 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Wednesday 26 March 2025 (IELTS on Computer) - Book Now

Please note that the Speaking section will take place on the same date as the other three sections unless otherwise stated.

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How to apply

Step one

The ELTC only accepts online registration for our IELTS exams.

Register for IELTS onlinePlease note:

• Registration for each test date closes 5 days before the test for both IELTS on Paper and IELTS on Computer. You will not be able to register after that point.
• Completion of online registration does not guarantee you an IELTS test place. You must also send us the required documents and pay exam fees.

Step two

When completing your online registration you must enter your name exactly as it appears on your ID. 

The ELTC IELTS team will contact you before your test to confirm your details. If there are any changes you must send a copy of your ID before your test. This can be done via email as a picture or scan. 

You will need to bring the same ID to all your IELTS exams.  

It must be a valid passport, biometric residence permit (BRP) or European ID card.

Step three

Test fees for IELTS sittings at the ELTC are £215 for tests in 2025.

The ELTC requires all IELTS test-takers to pay their fees by credit or debit card through our secure online payment system. We aren't able to accept any other payment methods for IELTS bookings at our centre.

At the end of your online registration (see Step one above) you will see a link to our online payment site.

All fees should be paid no later than five days after you register and no later than 5 days before your IELTS test. 

If you have any problems with payment of fees, please contact us at eltc.IELTS@sheffield.ac.uk.

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Further information

Can I cancel my IELTS test or change to a new date?

If you would like to cancel your IELTS test, you should inform us by email at eltc.IELTS@sheffield.ac.uk at least 35 days before your test. We will then refund your test fee minus £25 for admin charges. If you cancel less than 35 days before your test, your fee will not be refunded.

To transfer to a different IELTS test date contact eltc.IELTS@sheffield.ac.uk at least 35 days before your test.

We will then send you a transfer request form to complete and charge a £25 fee for admin.

I have to send my passport to the Home Office for visa renewal. Can I still take the IELTS test?

You cannot register or take the test without a valid ID (passport, UK residence permit or EU Identity card) and you must bring the same original ID with you on test day. You will not be allowed to take the test without an original ID, and will not receive a refund. If you have any questions, please contact eltc.IELTS@sheffield.ac.uk

Results

Test results for IELTS on Paper will usually be available 13 days after the test. On that day, they will be posted to you. It is not currently possible to collect any IELTS test results in person.

IELTS test results for the IELTS on Computer version of the exam will be available 3-5 days after taking the exam.

What can I do if I think there is a mistake with my results?

Test-takers can have one or all of their IELTS papers re-marked if they are not happy with the results they received.  The process is called an Enquiry on Results (EOR) and costs and £90. If you have taken an IELTS test at the ELTC and you would like an Enquiry on Results, you must contact eltc.ielts@sheffield.ac.uk no later than 6 weeks from the date of your test.

IELTS One Skill Retake

With IELTS One Skill Retake, you have the option to retake any one section of the test (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if you need to improve on one area (instead of retaking all four sections).

We offer IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) for candidates who took an IELTS on computer test at the University of Sheffield ELTC test centre.

Please read the following important information before deciding to book an OSR:

• OSR is only available for IELTS on computer (IoC) tests.
• Candidates must have taken a normal full IoC test before applying for OSR. 
• If a test taker is not happy with the result of the full IoC test, they have a choice  
  • to apply for a remark
  • to book a new test
  • to book an OSR.
• Candidates can only book one OSR per full IoC test taken.
• OSR can only be booked for ONE skill per test. 
• OSR can only be booked at the same test centre where the original IoC test was taken.
• OSR must be taken on a test date within 60 days of the original IoC test date.
• Test takers must register and pay for OSR within 50 days of the original IoC test date.
• OSR bookings are subject to availability, so early registration is advised. 
• OSR costs £132.00.
• It is highly advisable for a test taker to check with the recognising organisation they are going to use their IELTS certificate with, whether it is accepting certificates gained via OSR. Not all organisations are accepting IELTS results with OSR components at the moment. A non-exhaustive list of recognising organisations accepting the OSR certificates is on the IELTS website (https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/one-skill-retake/organisations) but again, candidates are responsible for double-checking this.

You can find further information about One Skill Retake on this section of the IELTS official website https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/one-skill-retake.

To apply for OSR you must email eltc.ielts@sheffield.ac.uk within 49 days of your original IoC test date.

Contact us

If you would like to ask us a question about our IELTS tests here at the ELTC, please email eltc.IELTS@sheffield.ac.uk or phone at +44 114 222 4931. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9am-4pm.