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IELTS for Erasmus+ exchange

Do you need IELTS for an Erasmus exchange? Often no. Sometimes yes.

Erasmus+ has no IELTS rule for an exchange. Some host universities ask for one, so check yours. Applying for an Erasmus Mundus master instead? Each program sets its own rule.

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01 / The rules

The official IELTS rules for Erasmus, with their links.

Austria

University of Vienna, Faculty of Law (example)

No official proof needed

  • English at B1 and/or German at B2.
  • Your home university confirms your level when it nominates you.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

Netherlands

University of Amsterdam, Global Exchange, Humanities (example)

IELTS Academic, another listed test, or an Erasmus+ assessment

Listening
6.0
Reading
6.0
Writing
6.0
Speaking
6.0
Overall
6.5
  • These are the bachelor's scores. Master's exchange: 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each part.
  • European bachelor's students may send a B2 statement instead.
  • Master's exchange needs an official test.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

UK

King's College London, incoming study abroad (example)

IELTS Academic

Listening
6.5
Reading
6.5
Writing
6.5
Speaking
6.5
Overall
7.0
  • All scores from one test.
  • IELTS One Skill Retake scores: not accepted.
  • Need a Student visa? You must take one of the tests on King's list.
  • No Student visa needed, or one semester only? King's may accept English from a secondary school qualification taken within 5 years of your start date, or a letter about your English from your home university.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

02 / Your case

Going to the UK from 2027/28

The UK joins Erasmus+ in 2027, for the 2027/28 academic year. gov.uk says you can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do an Erasmus+ placement, and the visitor rules for study apply.

Your UK host still sets its own English rule, as the King's College London example above shows. Check your host's page before you book a test, and again before you apply.

From: gov.uk: the UK joins Erasmus+, gov.uk: visiting for Erasmus+

03 / Why Writing

For Erasmus, Writing often holds the band back.

In IELTS's own 2024-2025 Academic data, Writing was about a band below Reading or Listening for test takers from Spain, Italy and France, and those from Germany averaged 6.63 in Writing against 8.10 in Reading. IELTS test taker performance data, 2024-2025.

One Skill Retake: King's College London does not take One Skill Retake scores. Ask your host before you plan a retake.
Who accepts One Skill Retake

04 / Your plan

A Writing plan for Erasmus.

  1. Set your target band.

    Aim your target at the Writing band you need for your exchange. Your host sets it. King's College London, for example, asks incoming study abroad students for 6.5 in Writing. Then read the rewrite, your own ideas written at that band.

  2. Write the tasks your test has.

    Before your exchange term, write Academic Task 1 chart reports and Task 2 essays. Use the practice timer to learn the pace of each task.

  3. Fix your lowest criterion first.

    Work first on the criterion that pulls your band down, with its labeled corrections. If your host asks for a test, check your recent Task 1 and Task 2 bands before you book it.

05 / What VoyaLang does

What VoyaLang does for Erasmus, and what it does not.

VoyaLang does
Write an Academic Task 1 chart report, a General Training letter (11 types) or a Task 2 essay, even on a question of your own, and VoyaLang checks it. Every answer comes back with a band for each of its four criteria, the mistakes fixed and labeled, and a rewrite at your target band. A timer for each task and a countdown to your test date come with it.
VoyaLang does not
It does not give an official IELTS score or one band for the whole Writing test. It does not cover Listening, Reading or Speaking, the OLS language assessment, or tests such as TOEFL. It cannot book your test, apply to your host for you, or advise on your exchange.
FAQ

Questions about IELTS for Erasmus.

Do I need IELTS for Erasmus?

Often no. Erasmus+ itself has no IELTS rule. Your home university selects you, and your two universities agree a recommended language level. Some host universities still ask for an official test, so check your host's page.

Is Erasmus Mundus the same as an Erasmus exchange?

No. In an Erasmus+ exchange you study at a partner university for 2 to 12 months, and your home university selects you. An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is a full master's program: you apply to it directly, and each program sets its own English rule.

Is the Erasmus OLS test the same as IELTS?

No. The OLS language assessment is part of Erasmus+, and you take it for stays of 14 days or more. It is not an IELTS test and does not give you an IELTS score.

Can I fail the Erasmus OLS test?

Not in a way that stops you. The European Commission says the results of the language assessment do not prevent you from taking part in Erasmus+.

Do I need IELTS for an Erasmus exchange in the UK?

It depends on your UK host. The UK joins Erasmus+ for 2027/28, and each university sets its own English rule. King's College London, for example, asks incoming study abroad students for IELTS Academic 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each skill, or another test on its list. If you need a Student visa, you must take one of these tests. If you do not need a Student visa, or you come for one semester only, King's may accept English you studied for an accepted secondary school qualification taken within 5 years of your start date, or a letter about your English from your home university.

Can my home university confirm my English level instead?

At some hosts, yes. The University of Vienna Faculty of Law, for example, needs no official proof: your home university confirms your level when it nominates you. King's College London may accept a letter from your home university if you do not need a Student visa or come for one semester only. Other hosts ask for a test.

What IELTS score is B2?

There is no single answer. For UK visas, the UK's list of approved tests sets B2 as 5.5 in each part of IELTS for UKVI. Other places may set their own score, so ask your host which IELTS score it wants.

Related goals

This page sums up official rules in plain words. It is not immigration or legal advice. Rules change, so check the official page before you book or apply. Every rule here was checked on or after 19 October 2026. VoyaLang is not affiliated with or endorsed by IELTS, the British Council, IDP, or Cambridge Assessment English.

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