It is a big challenge for students who want to study, work, or live in any foreign country. Especially when English is not their first language or they are a non-native speaker of a particular country.
If you are one of those who want to study or work in abroad country, then you have to fulfill all the requirements and IELTS is one of them.
IELTS is an English proficiency test. This test is for those who want to go to abroad countries for further studies or want to work there.
The full form of this test is the International English Language Testing System.
Many students are confused about the IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General Training.
As a student, if you want to go abroad country, then you will have to clear the IELTS exam.
To clear the IELTS exam, you also have to understand the patter, format, and types of IELTS. So, you can easily choose the right option.
As I told you above that many students are confused about the IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General. That’s why I have written this blog to clear all the confusion about IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General.
In the following article, we will clarify the terms first such as IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General so that you can know the basic difference between them.
With this purpose, you can choose the suitable IELTS for you, and start working on your goals to achieve the desired results.
IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General – What is it?
Before choosing the suitable IELTS, you should familiar with these basic terms. Without any further ado, let’s know the right definition or meaning of the IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General.
IELTS Academic
Basically, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is invented with a helpful idea for those students who want to study, work or migrate to a country where English is a prior language. However, these countries include New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Indeed, the IELTS Academic test is the right option for those who want to study in a proper English-speaking environment for higher education. Besides, you can also do the IELTS Academic to achieve professional registration purposes.
IELTS UKVI
Well, IELTS UKVI is an appropriate option for those who are looking forward to working or studying in the UK. If you are also thinking to study or work in the UK, then you have to for a UK visa. Basically, IELTS UKVI is a UK Government-approved Secure English Test (SELT).
In spite of the fact that there is no need of passing and failing the IELTS exam, even you will be graded to get a band score from 1 to 9 for all the IELTS modules i.e., Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Thus, if you failed to get a good score in all of the modules, then it shows that you are a non-native speaker as long as you get good scores, showing your expertise in the English language.
IELTS General
It is said that the IELTS GT is easier than IELTS Academic and IELTS UKVI. Also, there is no such big difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training in Listening and speaking modules. But the writing and reading parts are a bit different. Thus, IELTS general training helps in measuring English proficiency in an everyday, practical context.
With IELTS GT, you can judge the main purpose of the examination is to judge whether a student is ready to begin training or studying in the English-speaking language. However, its main purpose is the same as IELTS Academic and IELTS UKVI. Apart from this, this test is focused on the survival skills of the candidates in both social and workplace environments.
However, the candidates should be well informed that every aspect of the IELTS test provides a valid and accurate assessment of the student’s test i.e., Writing, Reading, Speaking, and Listening.
Which IELTS UKVI Test Should You Take?
You should take an IELTS UKVI test to study, move, or learn in the UK. There are four kinds of IELTS UKVI tests, and each one is made for a different reason.
IELTS Academic: This test is for people who want to study in the UK at the undergraduate or postgraduate level or who want to get registered as a worker.
This test is for people who want to move to the UK, learn there, or study at a lower degree level.
IELTS Life Skills A1: This test is for people who want to get a “family of a settled person” visa from UK Visas and Immigration but must show they can speak and listen in English.
IELTS Life Skills A2: This test is for people who need to show UK Visas and Immigration that they can speak and understand English as part of their application for an extension to a family, spouse, or partner visa.
IELTS Life Skills B1: This test is for people who need to show UK Visas and Immigration that they can speak and understand English as part of their permanent residency or citizenship application.
It’s essential to take the IELTS UKVI test that fits your needs. Talk to your college, university, or other organization if you don’t know which test to take.
Here are some tips for picking the right IELTS UKVI test:
Check to see what’s Needed: How well do you need to know English for your chosen school or visa
Think About Your Level of English: You can find out how good you are at English by taking a test online.
Talk to Your School or a Visa Expert: They can help you decide which IELTS UKVI test is best for you.
IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General – Know the Difference
Now you are completely familiar with the purpose of studying the different IELTS. However, let’s check the basic difference between IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General Training.
IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI
Let’s know the first difference between the IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI with a table.
| IELTS Academic | IELTS UKVI |
| The cost of the IELTS Academic is 13K – 14K INR approx. | The cost of the IELTS UKVI is 18K – 19K INR approx. |
| This test is suitable for Undergraduate and Post Graduate along with professional registrations | On the other hand, this test is accepted for the foundation courses only. |
| IELTS Academic is considered a more secure examination as compared to others. | IELTS UKVI is less secure as compared to IELTS Academic |
| If you simply take IELTS Academic test, then you might not apply for the UK directly | Basically, IELTS UKVI provides a certificate after taking the test and is different from the actual IELTS test report because UK Laws and requirements |
| There are many IELTS centers, provide coaching to the candidates. Also, exams are conducted frequently within your reach you can fill out the examination form to get the Academic score. | You cannot take the IELTS UKVI test anywhere as there are limited test centers for this particular test |
IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General
| IELTS UKVI | IELTS General Training |
| IELTS UKVI is for those who aim for professional courses or registrations in the UK | The IELTS General Training is for those who want to migrate, study, or train to a lower degree level in any country |
| IELTS UKVI require Life skills who need to verify for their English listening and speaking credentials, so it is not easy as compared to other tests. | Because there is a difference in some of the writing tasks so the IELTS General Training is easier than any other test |
| Anyone who is looking for PR, work visa, or entrance to a different college or university in the UK only, then this would be a better option for the candidates. | If you want to do work or migration to any country then this test would be a better option for you. |
| Whether it is a college or a university, if you are taking admitted into any UK-based school then this test is considered to be more important than anything else. | If you are not going to a university, then you might be able to do the IELTS General Training test. |
| For IELTS UKVI, you require a 5.5 IELTS Band score for Undergraduate Level and a 6.5 IELTS score for Post Graduate Level. | For the IELTS General Training test, you require a total of 6.04 scores and 24.5 percent. |
IELTS Academic vs General
| IELTS Academic | IELTS General |
| IELTS Academic is for those who are only interested in applying for professional registration or higher education in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand countries. | If someone planning for PR in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand then the IELTS General Training test is best. |
| IELTS Academic offers a moderate level of difficulty in their reading and speaking modules | On the other hand, the IELTS General Training test pattern just needs to be revised. |
| IELTS Academic consists of educational and academic contexts | IELTS General consists of General Interest and communicative-based contexts. |
| IELTS Academic test requires a formal tone in their writing passages or overall. | IELTS General Training Test requires a semi-formal tone. |
| Overall 7.5 band score or 75% is required to get admission into reputed universities or colleges. | It requires only 6.0 bands or 24% in all the sections of the IELTS GT Exam. |
Explain the Benefits of IELTS UKVI.
- The first and foremost benefit of the IELTS UKVI is that you don’t have to face many difficulties in getting a Permanent Residence in the UK after completing your studies.
- Moreover, your IELTS UKVI scores are characterized on your CV, which gives a base when you start looking for jobs after your studies.
- If you take the IELTS UKVI examination then there will be a higher chance to get a work visa.
- In addition to this, the exam is a basic requirement if you take the entrance to different colleges and universities in the UK.
IELTS UKIV (UK Visa and Immigration) helps you to provide support to your UK Visa application whether you want to live, study or work. Apart from this, it also requires IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, or the IELTS Life Skill Test.
Conclusion (IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General)
The difference between IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General is clearly mentioned or explained. However, there is no such big difference in their examination patterns. If you ever give any of the examinations then you will find that the test stands in terms of format, scoring, content, and level of difficulty. Apart from the information, the IELTS Academic, UKVI, or General Training Test are a tough nut to crack, which needs proper training and assistance. However, you can obtain such guidance from well-trained and skilled teachers in the field of IELTS, student visas, and PTE.
FAQs (IELTS Academic vs IELTS UKVI vs IELTS General)
Is there any change in the exam pattern of IELTS UKVI?
I don’t think so because IELTS Academic and IELTS UKVI have a similar pattern of questions, format, time duration, and difficulty. Also, there could no chance that any of them is easier.
What if the IELTS Academic can be used as IELTS UKIV? Is there any impact on UK Visa?
There would be no impact if you apply for the UK with IELTS Academic. As IELTS General Training, IELTS Life Skills, and IELTS Academic are accepted by IELTS UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration). It is proof that you have proficiency in the English language so it is accepted.
Is IELTS UKVI the same as IELTS General?
IELTS General and IELTS UKVI are similar in terms of content, pattern, format, level of difficulty. And scoring. But, the only difference between IELTS UKVI or IELTS is that IELTS UKVI is approved by the UK home office for study, work, and migration purpose.
Can I get a UK visa with IELTS GT?
Yes, you can get a UK visa with IELTS GT. The IELTS exam is only to check your English Proficiency. So, you can easily communicate with native speakers in English. Test like IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, and IELTS life skills are all accepted by UK visas and immigration as proof of English proficiency.
Can I use the IELTS UKVI test for Canada?
Yes, you can. It’s a standard IELTS assessment with the only difference being that the administrative components meet UK immigration requirements.
Is General IELTS valid for the student visa?
It only depends on the college or university you have applied for, because some colleges and universities accept both IELTS format: IELTS General or IELTS Academic. And also there are also some universities and colleges that have specific requirements. They only accept the IELTS academic.
