The Student Room Group

Applying with IELTS Academic as a international student

Hey! I am an international student in my final year at the moment. I did an IELTS academic test a few months ago and got a really good score, but the issue is I've seen that most universities request UKVI for international students. I think getting the score again wouldn't be a problem but my main issue is having to do it again and delay my application, is it possible for me to apply with my IELTS academic test, then if accepted do the UKVI test for the student visa later on? Applying on ucas btw
Original post by heismannnn
Hey! I am an international student in my final year at the moment. I did an IELTS academic test a few months ago and got a really good score, but the issue is I've seen that most universities request UKVI for international students. I think getting the score again wouldn't be a problem but my main issue is having to do it again and delay my application, is it possible for me to apply with my IELTS academic test, then if accepted do the UKVI test for the student visa later on? Applying on ucas btw

Most unis will be absolutely fine with you applying and then providing another IELTS later if needs be. If you met the requirements (but took another version of the test) I would provide your TRF number with the application anyway.
As above most universities are fine with IELTS academic. UKVI version is normally only insisted upon for foundation years and pre-sessional courses (or if a university suspects fraud or has had issues with fraud from specific test centres)
Reply 3
As above most universities are fine with IELTS academic. UKVI version is normally only insisted upon for foundation years and pre-sessional courses (or if a university suspects fraud or has had issues with fraud from specific test centres)

Hi! I uploaded the ielts academic (good score) not for UKVI for art and design foundation course and they said that it is the wrong test and to apply the right one asap otherwise they cannot guarrantee to turn my offer to unconditional. Course start on September 16th and I will have the IELTs for UKVI on August 27th. But i Don’t know if it will be too late or not! Admission team didn’t reply yet. Anyone had the same experience? Am I still on time?
Original post by Letizia06
Hi! I uploaded the ielts academic (good score) not for UKVI for art and design foundation course and they said that it is the wrong test and to apply the right one asap otherwise they cannot guarrantee to turn my offer to unconditional. Course start on September 16th and I will have the IELTs for UKVI on August 27th. But i Don’t know if it will be too late or not! Admission team didn’t reply yet. Anyone had the same experience? Am I still on time?


It’s going to depend on how quickly to can get a CAS and a visa in your country. You might be able to pay for priority service to speed up your Visa.
Talk to the international team at your university about your situation. They’ll be able to help you understand the timings involved.
The rules on the type of IELTS tests for foundation years/foundation diplomas are set by the UK government so universities don’t have any flexibility and have to insist on a UKVI test for those courses.
Reply 5
Hi, Thank you for the prompt answer. Do you mean that I need the visa before the course start? I understood that to turn the offer in unconditional they need ielts for ukvi. As soon as They receive ielts certificate they will give me the CAS for visa application and the I should have time to get the visa (by December ?). I Don’t know how to contact international team!!
Original post by Letizia06
Hi, Thank you for the prompt answer. Do you mean that I need the visa before the course start? I understood that to turn the offer in unconditional they need ielts for ukvi. As soon as They receive ielts certificate they will give me the CAS for visa application and the I should have time to get the visa (by December ?). I Don’t know how to contact international team!!

You need a visa to enter the UK so yes you need your visa as soon as possible once you meet your offer conditions and get a CAS.

You haven’t stated which university you’re applying to so I don’t know how to contact the international team either.