Average IELTS Scores by Country for Study Abroad – Check Scores & Get Expert Advice!

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most widely recognized English proficiency tests in the world. More than 11,000 institutions across 140+ countries accept the IELTS test to enroll international students, provide them work opportunities, and facilitate migration. 

Country-wise, IELTS exam average scores provide valuable insights into how well candidates from different nations perform on the test. These scores help test-takers understand international competitiveness, especially those who are applying to countries where high IELTS band score are expected.

The average IELTS score for the top English-speaking countries typically ranges higher than non-English countries like China, Bangladesh, India, etc. This article offers average IELTS scores for top countries abroad for study, work, and immigration. 

What is an IELTS Average Score?

The IELTS score is calculated on a band scale from 0 to 9, where Band 9 indicates an expert user and Band 1 signifies a non-user. In the IELTS test, each test sections are scored differently, and the overall IELTS score is calculated by taking the average of these four section scores. The average IELTS score is rounded to the nearest half or whole band. 

An IELTS average scores for different countries are typically published by IELTS official bodies such as the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge English. The average IELTS band score for different countries can vary depending on the native language of the test-takers, the education system, and the purpose of taking the exam (e.g., immigration, study, or work). To calculate the average, authorities collect test data from thousands of candidates and calculate the mean scores for each section and the overall band. 

Also Read: 

• IELTS Band Score Chart 2025: What Each Score Means
• Ielts Band Score Calculator
• IELTS Band Score Descriptors & Conversion Table PDF
• What is a Good IELTS Band Score? - Study Abroad

Country-Wise IELTS Average Scores

IELTS average scores vary from country to country. For example, the IELTS average scores in the USA, the UK, Germany, France, and Canada are comparatively higher than those in other popular study-abroad countries. Meanwhile, countries like China and India have lower average IELTS scores. 

The average data for IELTS band scores for countries also differ among the four IELTS test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. These average score statistics can help universities and immigration authorities determine the IELTS requirements for international applicants.

IELTS Average Score for Countries

Here’s a detailed comparison among the top study abroad countries and their average IELTS band scores. 

Country	Overall Avg.	Reading	Listening	Writing	Speaking
Germany	7.5–7.7	7.7	7.9	7.2	7.4
France	7.0–7.1	7.1	7.0	6.8	7.0
Canada	6.5–6.9	6.9	7.2	6.5	6.7
China	6.2	6.2	6.0	5.8	6.0
Australia	6.5–7.0	6.7	6.8	6.5	6.6
UK	6.5–7.0	6.8	7.0	6.7	6.9
USA	6.5–7.0	6.7	6.8	6.5	6.7

IELTS Score for USA

The average IELTS test score in top USA universities typically ranges between 6.0 to 7.5 bands. Most top-ranked universities in USA require a minimum overall band of 7.0 to enroll international students. However, some universities also admit international students with lower IELTS scores. 

IELTS Score for Top US Universities

University	QS Ranking 2025	Minimum IELTS Score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1	7.0 & Above
Harvard University	4	6.5 & Above
Stanford University	6	7.0 & Above
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	10	7.0 & Above
University of Pennsylvania	11	6.5 & Above
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	12	7.0 & Above
Cornell University	16	7.5 & Above
University of Chicago	21	7.0 & Above
Princeton University	22	8.0 & Above
Yale University	23	7.0 & Above
John Hopkins University	32	7.0 & Above
Columbia University	34	7.5 & Above
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	42	7.0 & Above
New York University (NYU)	43	7.0 & Above
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	44	6.5 & Above
Northwestern University	50	6.5 & Above

IELTS Score for Canada

The average IELTS test score in top Canadian universities typically ranges between 6.0 and 7.5. For candidates who have applied for immigration to Canada, a minimum score of 6.0 in each section is typically required.

IELTS Score for Top Canadian Universities

University	IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programs)	IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programs)
University of Toronto	6.5	7.0
University of British Columbia	6.5	6.5
McGill University	6.5	6.5
McMaster University	6.5	6.5
University of Alberta	6.5	6.5
Université de Montréal	6.5	6.5
University of Waterloo	6.5	7.0
University of Ottawa	6.5	6.5
University of Calgary	6.5	6.5
Western University	6.5	6.5
Université Laval	6.5	6.5
Queen’s University	6.5	7.0
Simon Fraser University	6.5	7.0
Dalhousie University	6.5	7.0
University of Manitoba	6.5	6.5
University of Saskatchewan	6.5	6.5
University of Victoria	6.5	6.5
York University	6.5	7.5
University of Guelph	6.5	6.5
Université du Québec	6.5	6.5

IELTS Score for UK 

The United Kingdom is among the most popular countries for international students to study different programs. Most top universities in UK ask for an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.5 for top degree programs. 

IELTS Score for Top UK Universities

University	IELTS score requirement
Imperial College London	7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all elements).
Oxford University	7.5 overall (minimum 7.0 in all elements)
University of Cambridge	7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in all elements)
UCL	6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all elements)
University of Edinburgh	6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all elements)
University of Manchester	6.5 overall
King’s College London	6.5 overall
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	7.0 overall (6.0 in speaking and writing and 6.5 in listening and reading)
University of Bristol	6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills
University of Warwick	7.0 overall

IELTS Score for Germany 

German universities usually require an IELTS score of 6.0 to 7.0, with technical and postgraduate courses often demanding higher scores. A minimum of 6.5 is preferred for English-taught programs.

IELTS Score for Top German Universities

University Name	IELTS Score for German universities
Technical University of Munich	6.5
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	6.5
Universität Heidelberg	6.5
Freie Universitaet Berlin	6.5
RWTH Aachen University	7
KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	6
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin	5.5
Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)	5
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg	5
Universität Hamburg	4

IELTS Score for Australia 

The average IELTS test score in top Australian universities typically ranges from 6.0 to 7.0, depending on the course. For immigration purposes, the Department of Home Affairs generally requires a minimum of 6.0 in each band.

IELTS Score for Top Australian Universities

University	IELTS score for undergraduate courses	IELTS score for postgraduate courses
Australian National University	6.5	7.0
The University of Sydney	6.5	7.0
University of Melbourne	6.5	7.0
University of New South Wales	7.0	7.0
Monash University	6.5	6.5
University of Queensland	6.5	7.0
University of Adelaide	6.5	7.0
University of Western Australia	6.5	7.0
University of Technology Sydney	6.5	6.5
Macquarie University	6.5	6.5

Minimum IELTS Score Requirements by Country 

IELTS score requirements vary based on country and purpose, whether it's for higher education, skilled migration, or work. Here's a summary of the minimum band scores needed in top destinations:

• Canada:
  • Universities: 6.0–7.5 overall
  • Immigration (Express Entry): Minimum 6.0 in each band
• United Kingdom (UK):
  • Top Universities: 6.5–7.5 overall
  • UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): Minimum 7.0 overall
• Australia:
  • Universities: 6.0–7.0 overall
  • Immigration: 5.0–7.0 depending on the visa subclass
• New Zealand:
  • Universities and Migration: 6.0–7.0 overall
• United States (USA):
  • Top Universities: 6.0–7.5 overall
• Ireland, Germany, France:
  • Most Programs: 6.0–7.0 overall

Conclusion 

The average IELTS scores can be different for each country. For example, Germany and France have higher average scores (around 7.0 or above), while countries like China and Cambodia have lower averages (around 5.5 to 6.0). 

Most universities in popular study destinations like Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US ask for IELTS scores between 6.0 and 7.0. 

Always check the score needed for your chosen country and course. If you need help understanding these requirements or planning your study abroad journey, connect with a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad. They are ready to guide you every step of the way!