IELTS Band Score Chart 2026
IELTS Band Score Required for UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand — Complete Chart 2026
📅 March 26, 2026
Athul Mohan — IDP Certified IELTS Trainer
Athul Mohan — IDP Certified IELTS Trainer
The most common question from Kerala students before booking IELTS: "What band score do I actually need?" The answer depends entirely on your destination and purpose. This is the complete 2026 reference chart covering every major visa, immigration, nursing registration, and university admission requirement — updated for all recent changes.
IELTS Band Requirements — Nursing Registration 2026
| Country / Registration Body | IELTS Type | Overall | Writing | Speaking/Listening/Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK — NMC | Academic | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 each |
| Australia — AHPRA | Academic | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 each |
| New Zealand — NCNZ | Academic | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.5 each |
| Ireland — NMBI | Academic | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 each |
| Canada — NNAS (General) | Academic or GT | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 each |
| Canada — CARNA (Alberta) | Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 each |
| UAE / Gulf Health Authorities | Academic or GT | 6.0–6.5 | Varies | Varies by emirate |
IELTS Band Requirements — Immigration & PR 2026
| Country / Visa Type | IELTS Type | Minimum Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK — Skilled Worker Visa | IELTS UKVI | 4.0–6.0 | Depends on job role — check specific SOC code |
| Australia — Skilled Migration (189/190) | Academic or GT | 6.0–7.0 | Higher score = more immigration points |
| Canada — Express Entry (CLB 7) | General Training | 6.0 each | CLB 9 (7.5+) gives maximum points |
| Germany — Student/Work Visa | Academic | 6.0–6.5 | Most universities accept 6.0–6.5 |
| New Zealand — Skilled Migrant | Academic or GT | 6.5 | Overall 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
IELTS Band Requirements — University Admissions 2026
| Institution Type | Typical IELTS Requirement |
|---|---|
| UK Undergraduate (general) | Overall 6.0–6.5, no band below 5.5 |
| UK Postgraduate (general) | Overall 6.5–7.0, no band below 6.0 |
| UK Russell Group Universities | Overall 7.0, no band below 6.5 |
| Oxford / Cambridge | Overall 7.5–8.0, minimum 7.0 in all bands |
| Australian Universities (general) | Overall 6.0–6.5, no band below 5.5 |
| Canadian Universities (general) | Overall 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| German Universities | Overall 6.0–6.5 (many accept 6.0) |
💡 From Athul Mohan: Before booking your IELTS exam, always verify your specific band requirement directly with the institution, registration body, or immigration authority — not from third-party websites. Requirements do change, and the cost of sitting the wrong IELTS type (Academic vs General) or missing the required band is ₹18,000 wasted plus weeks of delay.
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