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IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.
Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user, with each module consisting of tasks of ascending levels of difficulty.
IELTS is managed by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and IDP:IELTS Australia.
There are currently more that 400 IELTS test centres in over 125 countries world-wide.
There are currently 45 test centres in the United Kingdom and Cardiff University is a British Council IELTS test centre.
Test dates are scheduled throughout the year. The test is available at Cardiff University at least once each month. Please see our test dates page for further information.
The test is held at various locations across the University campus. Candidates are provided with details and a location map two weeks before their test date.
IELTS is available in two formats – Academic and General Training.
The Academic module is for candidates wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration in the UK. It is also a requirement for some professions in other English-speaking countries.
The General Training module is for candidates wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.
Each recognising organisation sets its own entry requirements. If you are in any doubt as to which module you should take, you should contact the organisation you are applying to in order to check their requirements. Test centres are not responsible for providing this information.
If you require a modified version of the test, for example in Braille, you must give the test centre three months’ notice. This notice period is necessary for the modified version of the test to be prepared. If your circumstances require only special administrative arrangements to be made, such as extra time, you must give the test centre six weeks’ notice.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
You should apply for a test as soon as possible before the test date by sending:
On the day of the IELTS test you must present an original passport. Photocopies are not acceptable. You will not be able to sit your exam without a valid passport.
If you are an EU citizen, you may use your National ID card as an alternative to your passport. Please note that this only applies to EU citizens.
When you attend the test you will have to present the same identity document that you used for your application. This is the only form of identity that will be accepted on the test date.
Send to:
IELTS Test Centre Cardiff UniversityDeri House, 2-4 Park GroveCardiff CF10 3BN
Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 9156Email: ielts@cardiff.ac.uk
The fee for an IELTS test is £135 for 2013. Payment can be made as follows:
All requests for cancellation or transfer should be made in writing. Please note the following cancellation and transfer administration fees.
IELTS results are released 13 calendar days after the test. This means that results are released on the second Friday following a Saturday test and on the second Wednesday following a Thursday test.
Candidates cannot be given their results by telephone, fax or email.
The results are recommended as valid for two years.
You may apply to the IELTS Test Centre for an Enquiry on Results. You must do this within four weeks of receiving your results.
The fee for this is £60.00 and you must complete an IELTS Enquiry on Results form.
Please contact us for further information.
Results are issued on a Test Report Form (TRF).
Candidates are given one copy of their Test Report Form and this cannot be replaced. Candidates may request (by completing an Application for the Issue of Additional TRF’s form) additional copies to be sent to receiving organisations/institutions.
Up to five copies can be sent to receiving organisations/institutions within one month of the test date at no extra charge. Additional copies requested after this time will be subject to the following administrative fees:
Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly for the test.
Some Universities and English Language Schools offer IELTS preparation courses.
There is also a wide range of published preparation materials available from reputable bookshops. The following materials can be purchased from the IELTS office:
For further details please click here.
For further information about the IELTS test:
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Download the ELP brochure and information sheet
