Looking to study or work in a European country? You’re in for an exciting international adventure of new cultures, world-famous sites and the chance to meet people from all kinds of different backgrounds.
English is widely spoken in most European countries, making communication possible for students and professionals who come from across the world to achieve their goals.
Many university courses in countries like Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France and Switzerland are offered in English and companies often conduct their business in English as well. If you want to gain experience in a country like Poland, Ireland, Belgium or Denmark, an IELTS test will form part of your application requirements.
Why choose IELTS?
IELTS is the world’s most trusted English test, accepted by visa regulators, companies and universities across Europe. For more than 30 years, IELTS has set the standard for English language testing, helping students and professionals meet application requirements and boost their confidence in English Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Which IELTS test to take
IELTS Academic is designed to assess English proficiency for an academic environment, making it the ideal test for students applying to universities abroad.
IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency for practical everyday use and is accepted by organisations across Europe.
If you plan to work or study in the UK, you may need to take IELTS UKVI. Confirm with the institution you have applied to about which IELTS test you should book in order to meet their requirements.
Find out more about taking different IELTS tests with the British Council here.
When to book IELTS
Make sure you align university or company application deadlines with the visa processing times of the country of your choice. The processing time differs for each country and depends on whether you want to study or work abroad. If you want to study in Ireland, it may take 8-12 weeks for the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to get back to you. Visa processing times for the Netherlands may take up to 21 calendar days.
When you take IELTS with the British Council, you will get results in 1-2 calendar days. Results are provided on an IELTS Test Report Form, which will be required for your visa application. We can also send up to five copies of your IELTS Test Report Form to institutions on your behalf, including visa regulators. Learn more here.
Meeting requirements for European countries
Your IELTS test will be assessed according to a band score and the average of the four section band scores will determine your overall band score. Minimum IELTS band score requirements are different for each country and also depend on the requirements of the institution you have applied to.
An IELTS band score of 3.0 is required for Denmark, but studying in Germany requires a band score of 6.0 or higher. Make sure you know what IELTS band score you should be aiming for and start preparing with free material when you register for IELTS.
There are countless opportunities in Europe for people who want to gain experience abroad and IELTS can help you get there. Book your test today and unlock more opportunities abroad.