How do universities decide their IELTS requirements?

1. Form a decision-making group of colleagues from across the organisation, including the English language centre if there is one.

2. Review evidence: sample questions, sample answers with examiner comments, marking criteria and the band descriptors.

3. Run a score-setting workshop. ielts.org suggests questions such as how important English is to success, whether applicants with higher scores perform better, and whether the requirements are fair and inclusive.

4. Communicate the decision to staff and applicants, update the website, and tell IELTS so it can update its own listings.

5. Check every result received through the IELTS Results Service.

Because the table depends on language demand, two courses at the same university can ask for different bands. ielts.org also notes that 'different roles and courses demand varying levels of language skills' across Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, which is why many institutions set a minimum for each skill as well as the overall band (ielts.org).

On validity, ielts.org recommends accepting results for up to two years, and older TRFs only with proof the applicant has kept up their English. Organisations can choose a longer period (ielts.org).