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About IELTS

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System is jointly owned by The British Council; IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. It is designed to assess the language ability of people who want to study or work where English is the language of communication.

In the last year, 3.5 million people took the IELTS test in over 140 countries worldwide. IELTS scores are accepted by over 10,000 recognising organisations.

Who accepts IELTS?

For a list of organisations that accept IELTS scores, please visit:

www.ielts.org/about-the-test/who-accepts-ielts-scores

We advise you to check with your Recognising Organisation which type of IELTS test you need to take and what scores are required prior to taking your test.

The IELTS Test has two modules to choose from — Academic and General Training.

The Academic module is for people wishing to study at university level and for those seeking professional registration.

The General Training module is for people wishing to migrate to an English speaking country and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.

More information about IELTS

For more general information about the IELTS test, please visit www.ielts.org.

Remember to look at Information for Candidates Booklet before booking your test.

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Taking the test

Test takers wishing to take the IELTS test now have three options available to them:

1.IELTS test on paper with speaking test on a Friday
This option costs £200 in 2024 and involves taking the speaking test on Friday, and the Listening, Reading and Writing tests on a Saturday.

2. IELTS test on paper with speaking test on a Saturday
Listening, Reading and Writing tests on a Saturday.

3. IELTS test on computer
This option costs £200 in 2024 and all parts of the test take place on the same day.

The Test Centre is open daily as follows:

Monday 9am to 4.30pm

Tuesday 9am to 4.30pm

Wednesday 9am to 4.30pm

Thursday 9am to 4.30pm

Friday 9am to 4.30pm

It is located at:

Kings Oxford contact details

This is the address for all correspondence.

Kings Oxford
21 St Michael's Street
Oxford
OX1 2EB.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1865 711829
Email: ielts@kingseducation.com

IELTS on paper - Listening, Reading and Writing tests

Registration on the Saturday of the test is usually from 08:00am. Listening, Reading and Writing tests are taken on Saturday morning from 9:00 to approximately 12:45. It is administered by Kings Oxford IELTS Test Centre at:

Activate Learning
City of Oxford College
City Centre Campus, Oxpens Road
Glyme Building
OX1 1SA

View Google map of Activate Learning

There is a public car park in the City of Oxford College campus. It is open from 7.45am until 13.30pm. You can pay by card only. No cash payments will be accepted. Spaces cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that there are no refreshments available at the City of Oxford College.

IELTS on paper - Speaking test

This is taken before the Listening, Reading and Writing tests usually on Friday (13:30 – 18:00).

A small number of speaking tests are available on Saturday afternoon after the Listening, Reading and Writing tests, mainly for the convenience of test takers travelling from outside the Oxford area.

All speaking tests (on Friday and on Saturday) take place at:

Kings Oxford
21 St Michaels Street
Oxford OX1 2EB

View Google map of Kings Oxford

Please note that there is a supplementary fee of £25 for speaking tests that take place on Saturday.

You will be able to choose your speaking test date and time during the online test booking process.

Whilst every attempt will be made to ensure that we honour your speaking test date and time slot selection, we reserve the right to modify, discontinue and replace your selected preference in accordance with the terms and conditions and we shall notify you of the same.

We will confirm all the necessary information about your upcoming test by e-mail about 5 days in advance.

If you have not received an e-mail 3 days before your test, please contact the IELTS office.

IELTS tests on computer

IELTS can now be taken on computer, and this type of test is available more frequently and with faster results - typically within three to five days.

The IELTS on computer is the exact same test as the IELTS on paper, but instead of writing your answers on paper, you will type them on a computer.

If you select this option, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing sections on a computer using headphones, a keyboard and a mouse but the Speaking test will still be face-to-face with a trained IELTS Examiner. All parts of the IELTS test will be taken at our Test Centre on the same day:

Kings Oxford
St Michael's Campus
Oxford
OX1 2EB.

View Google map of Kings Oxford

Upon booking, detailed information about the test will be emailed to you around three working days before the test.

If you wish to book your IELTS test on computer, please visit section ‘How to book and pay for your IELTS test’

For more information about IELTS on computer, please visit the British Council website.

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One Skill Retake

If you want to improve your score on one test skill, you can retake any of the four IELTS skills – Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking. IELTS One Skill Retake follows the same format and timing as the regular IELTS test on computer. One Skill Retake does not apply to IELTS on paper tests.

You can book One Skill Retake through your Test Taker Portal if you’ve recently completed a full IELTS on computer test and have received your results. You can only retake one skill once per original IELTS on computer test, and you must sit the One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original IELTS on computer test.

If you wish to book your One Skill Retake, please visit the How to book and pay for your IELTS test page.

For more information about One Skill Retake, please visit takeielts.britishcouncil.org

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Requesting special arrangements

If you have a physical disability or a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you may be entitled to special arrangements including extra time in the test.

If you wish to apply for special arrangements, you must do so at least six weeks before the test date. You will be asked to provide medical evidence.

For more information about special arrangements, please contact our office.

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Your identity document (ID)

The rules on proof of identity are very strict. If you come to the test without the correct ID, you will not be allowed to take the test and you will lose your test fee.

  • For all test takers except EU citizens, your ID must be your current passport. (European Union citizens may use their national identity card if they prefer.) 
  • British Residence Permit (BRP) cards are accepted as ID for IELTS. Other types of ID are not accepted.
  • You must bring the same ID that you used when booking the test with you to all parts of the test. If you bring a different ID, it will not be accepted.
  • You must bring the original. Photocopies will not be accepted.

If your ID changes before the test (e.g. you have a new passport), you must contact the IELTS office at Kings Oxford immediately. If your passport is at the Home Office, you must get it back before you come to take the test. If you have any doubts about your ID, please contact the IELTS office at Kings Oxford.

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Late arrivals and absence

Test takers who are late for registration will not be allowed to take the test and will lose their test fee.

If you cannot attend your IELTS test because of a medical emergency, you must provide a medical certificate (a letter from a GP, hospital or walk-in clinic) within 2 days of the test date but no later than 2 days after your test.

The letter must clearly state the reason why you were unable to attend the test and must be appropriately dated.

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Feedback and complaints

We would like you to tell us about your IELTS test experience at Kings Oxford by completing a short survey. You will receive a link to the survey in an email shortly after your test.

If you have any issues, concerns with the way your test has been conducted or wish to make a complaint, you can do so by sending a letter of complaint to our office at ielts@kingseducation.com detailing the problem. Alternatively, you can complete a Candidate Complaint Form on the day of your test. We will respond to you in writing within 2 working days upon receipt of your complaint.

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IELTS preparation materials

The following IELTS preparation materials are provided by the British Council:

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IELTS for UKVI

If you need an IELTS test to prove your English language ability in support of a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application, you must apply to an IELTS for UKVI test centre.

Kings Oxford is not a UKVI centre. Test results received from our Test Centre cannot be used for UKVI application purposes and you will not be eligible for a refund if you subsequently find that you require an IELTS for UKVI test result.


Find out more about IELTS for UKVI

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Thank you for your enquiry.
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The Kings Admissions Team