Exam fees and test centres by country

Where can I take IELTS in China?

British Council IELTS runs in more than 40 mainland Chinese cities, booked through NEEA, mostly at universities and education authority venues. IDP lists 27 centres of its own in 24 cities, from Shanghai and Guangzhou to Sanya and Shenyang. All tests are on computer. IELTS for UKVI runs only at British Council venues, and One Skill Retake at 13 British Council venues in eight cities.
  • Checked against official sources · 10 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS
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British Council and NEEA test centres

The British Council says its IELTS centres cover more than 40 cities and are growing (British Council China); the full current list is in the test centre search on NEEA's registration site, where you also pick a date. The ielts.org finder shows many of these venues, including universities in Shanghai, Xi'an, Tianjin, Shenyang, Xiamen, Wuhan, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou and Zhuhai, and the Zhejiang Education Examinations Authority centre in Wenzhou. Most are marked UKVI approved. We do not list addresses; confirm the venue in your NEEA booking.

One Skill Retake is offered at 13 British Council venues in eight cities: Beijing (3), Shanghai (3), Chongqing (2), Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Ningbo and Shijiazhuang (British Council China).

IDP test centres in mainland China

On 10 October 2026 the ielts.org finder listed 27 IDP IELTS centres in mainland China, all on computer and all marked One Skill Retake, none marked UKVI approved. They book through IDP's Chinese site.

RegionIDP centre cities
EastShanghai (2), Suzhou (2), Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nantong, Xuzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Hefei, Jinan, Qingdao, Fuzhou
SouthGuangzhou, Shenzhen, Sanya
CentralWuhan (2), Changsha, Zhengzhou
North and northeastShijiazhuang, Shenyang
WestChengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an

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UKVI, Life Skills and booking

IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills are British Council tests in China, booked on NEEA's site (British Council China); on ielts.org only British Council-network venues carry the UKVI approved mark. Registration closes three days before the test and results usually arrive in one to five days. Fees, payment and refunds are in our IELTS exam fee in China guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many cities in China have IELTS test centres?+

More than 40 for British Council IELTS, according to the British Council. IDP adds 27 centres in 24 cities.

Where can I take IELTS for UKVI in China?+

At British Council-network venues booked through NEEA; many university venues in cities such as Shanghai, Xi'an, Tianjin and Shenzhen are marked UKVI approved. IDP's mainland centres are not.

Where can I take IELTS One Skill Retake in China?+

At 13 British Council venues in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Ningbo and Shijiazhuang, or at IDP's mainland centres.

Does IDP have an IELTS centre in Beijing?+

Not on ielts.org's list on 10 October 2026. Beijing test takers book British Council IELTS through NEEA.

Is IELTS on paper available in China?+

No. British Council IELTS in China is on computer, and IDP's mainland centres list computer tests only.

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Verified against the linked official sources on 10 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.

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