IELTS for scholarships

Have a scholarship deadline? Get your IELTS Writing score in time.

Most scholarships on this page do not set an IELTS score of their own. Your university does, and the scholarship deadline does not move.

Practice before your deadline Check one Task 2 essay

Up to 10 essays free, no card. Need more?

01 / The rules

The official IELTS rules for scholarships, with their links.

Chevening, 2027/28 cycle

No IELTS rule of its own. Meet your university's rule.

Chevening removed its own English rule in 2020.
Upload at least one unconditional offer by 17:00 UK time on 8 July 2027.
Only a financial condition is allowed on your offer, such as paying a deposit.
A pre-sessional English course to meet a condition is not allowed.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

Also from: Chevening: application timeline, Chevening: guidance on courses

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

No IELTS needed to apply

You do not need IELTS or any other English certificate to apply.
Your UK university may still ask for one.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

Australia

Australia Awards Indonesia (example)

IELTS Academic

Listening: 6.0
Reading: 6.0
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 6.0
Overall: 6.5

No band below 6.0. The scores cannot be lowered.
Due by the end of pre-departure training.
Each country has its own Australia Awards page. Check yours.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

IELTS (a recommended score)

Listening: Not set
Reading: Not set
Writing: Not set
Speaking: Not set
Overall: 6.5 (recommended)

A recommended recent score, not a hard minimum.
The FLTA program on the same page lists 6.0 overall.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

Germany

DAAD scholarships for master's study

IELTS or another listed certificate

DAAD itself sets no minimum score.
Your proof should be no older than 3 years.

Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026

02 / Your case

Plan back from your deadline

Take Chevening as an example. Your unconditional offer is due on 8 July 2027, and you cannot use a pre-sessional English course to meet an English condition. Work back from that date:

Find the IELTS rule for your course on your university's own page. At King's College London, for example, Band D courses ask for 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each skill, all from one test.
Book your first test early enough that a second full test still fits before the deadline. Some universities, such as King's, do not accept One Skill Retake.
Send your result as soon as you have it, and ask how long your university needs to make your offer unconditional.

From: King's College London: English rules

03 / Why Writing

For scholarships, Writing often holds the band back.

Australia Awards Indonesia asks for IELTS Academic, and in IELTS's own 2024-2025 Academic data, Writing had the lowest average of the four skills. IELTS test taker performance data, 2024-2025.

One Skill Retake: some universities, such as King's College London, do not accept it. Ask yours before you plan a retake.
Who accepts One Skill Retake

04 / Your plan

A Writing plan for scholarships.

Set your target band.
For your target, take the Writing band your course asks for. Your university sets it. At King's College London, for example, Band D courses ask for at least 6.0 in Writing. After each check, the rewrite shows your own answer at that band.
Write the tasks your test has.
Work back from your deadline: write an Academic Task 1 chart report and a Task 2 essay each week, with the practice timer on.
Fix your lowest criterion first.
Spend your first weeks on your lowest criterion, using the labeled corrections. Before you book, check your recent Task 1 and Task 2 bands, and leave time for a second test.

05 / What VoyaLang does

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

VoyaLang does: Use it on Academic Task 1 chart reports, on Task 2 essays, with our questions or your own, and on General Training letters of 11 types. Each result shows a band for each of the four criteria, plus every mistake fixed with a label and a rewrite at your target band. The practice timer is there when you want it, with a countdown to the exam date you set.
VoyaLang does not: None of its bands is an official IELTS score, and none covers the whole Writing test. It leaves out Listening, Reading and Speaking, and tests such as TOEFL. You book the test and write the application yourself, and it gives no advice on your offer.

FAQ

Questions about IELTS for scholarships.

Does Chevening need IELTS?

Not for Chevening itself. It removed its English requirement in 2020. You still need to meet your university's English rule, and for the 2027/28 cycle you must upload an unconditional offer by 8 July 2027.

Can I use a pre-sessional English course with Chevening?

No. Chevening does not allow a pre-sessional course to meet your university's English requirement or other conditions. The only condition it accepts on your offer is a financial one, such as paying a deposit.

What IELTS score does Australia Awards ask for?

It depends on your country, so check your own Australia Awards page. For example, Australia Awards Indonesia asks for IELTS Academic with 6.5 overall and no band below 6.0, and says the scores cannot be lowered.

Does Fulbright need IELTS?

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program recommends a recent IELTS overall score of at least 6.5. It is a recommendation, not a hard minimum. The FLTA program on the same page lists 6.0.

Does DAAD set an IELTS score?

No. DAAD accepts IELTS for English-taught courses but sets no minimum score. Your proof should be no older than 3 years, and your university may set its own score.

Do I need IELTS for a Commonwealth Scholarship?

Not to apply. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK says you do not need IELTS or any other English certificate to apply. Your UK university may still ask for one.

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.

Keep reading