IELTS Academic or General Training?
Book Academic for a university place or a professional register. Book General Training for work or migration, such as Canada's Express Entry. Only Reading and Writing Task 1 differ.
What differs
Reading
Academic: Three long texts from books, journals and newspapers.
General Training: Everyday notices, workplace texts, then one longer article.
Writing Task 1
Academic: Describe a graph, table, chart or diagram.
General Training: Write a letter: formal, semi-formal or personal.
Listening, Speaking and Writing Task 2
The same in both.
Which one your route asks for
| Your goal | Book | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| University in the UK, Canada, Australia, the US or Ireland | IELTS Academic | Set by each university and course |
| UK Student visa, degree level | IELTS Academic, or IELTS for UKVI if your university asks | B2. Your university can assess English itself; a SELT needs 5.5 in each skill |
| UK Student visa, below degree level | IELTS for UKVI | B1: 4.0 in each skill |
| UK Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa | IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) | B2: 5.5 in each skill |
| Canada permanent residence (Express Entry) | IELTS General Training | CLB 7 for Federal Skilled Worker: 6.0 in each skill |
| Australia skilled visas | IELTS Academic or General Training | Competent English: 6.0 in each skill. Proficient: 7.0. Superior: 8.0 |
Check a named university or regulator in the requirement checker.
More
Questions people ask
Is General Training easier than Academic?
The texts are more everyday, but both use the same 0 to 9 bands, and a band means the same level of English in each. Book the one your route names.
Can I use IELTS Academic for Canada PR?
No. Express Entry needs IELTS General Training.
Can I use General Training for a UK university?
Universities usually ask for IELTS Academic. Check the course page, or our requirement checker.
Do they cost the same?
Yes. In India both cost ₹19,000; in the UAE both cost AED 1,590 on computer.
Sources
- 1IELTS, Academic test formatChecked 6 October 2026.
- 2IELTS, General Training Writing formatChecked 6 October 2026.
- 3IDP IELTS India, IELTS test fee 2026Checked 6 October 2026.
- 4IDP IELTS UAE, test dates and feesChecked 6 October 2026.
- 5GOV.UK, Student visa: knowledge of EnglishChecked 6 October 2026.
- 6GOV.UK, Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of EnglishChecked 6 October 2026.
- 7IRCC, Express Entry language test resultsChecked 6 October 2026.
- 8Australian Department of Home Affairs, English language requirementsChecked 6 October 2026.