IELTS centres in Switzerland by city
The table combines the ielts.org finder, the British Council booking system and IDP's Swiss centre list. Addresses are left out on purpose.
| City | British Council (Swiss Exams), CHF 450 | IDP (Cambridge English Languages), CHF 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | Yes | Yes (JuveCampus City) |
| Bern | Yes; UKVI CHF 465, Life Skills CHF 199 | Yes, in Gümligen; UKVI CHF 446 |
| Geneva | Yes | Yes (Wall Street English) |
| Lausanne | Yes | Yes (Wall Street English) |
| Lucerne | Yes (KV Luzern) | No |
| Winterthur | Yes | No |
| St. Gallen | No | Yes; UKVI CHF 446, Life Skills CHF 187 |
| Aarau | No | Yes (HKV Aarau) |
Test dates and how often each centre runs
Swiss Exams listed four Zurich dates for each module between 31 October and 12 December 2026 (Zurich dates); its overview page also names St. Gallen and Basel as locations, which had no British Council sessions in the booking system that day. IDP's partner showed 66 upcoming sessions in Bern-Gümligen, 45 in St. Gallen and 36 each in Zurich and Geneva, running into 2027. IDP also lists Lugano and a second Zurich school, with no sessions that day.
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UKVI, Life Skills and choosing a centre
For a UK visa, IDP's IELTS for UKVI (CHF 446, Gümligen or St. Gallen) is CHF 19 cheaper than the British Council's in Bern (CHF 465). Life Skills A1 and B1 cost CHF 187 on paper at IDP's St. Gallen SELT centre or CHF 199 at Swiss Exams Bern. Book UKVI only if your visa asks for it (UKVI vs Academic).
For a Swiss university, check ETH Zurich, EPFL in Lausanne or the University of Zurich. Fees and refunds are in IELTS fee in Switzerland; take a free IELTS mock test first.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take IELTS in Switzerland?+
In Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Winterthur, St. Gallen and Aarau, with Swiss Exams (British Council) or Cambridge English Languages (IDP).
Where can I take IELTS in Zurich?+
At Swiss Exams (CHF 450) or at IDP's partner at JuveCampus City (CHF 445). Winterthur is a nearby British Council alternative.
Where can I take IELTS in Geneva or Lausanne?+
Both cities have a Swiss Exams centre (CHF 450) and an IDP session venue at Wall Street English (CHF 445).
Where can I take IELTS for UKVI in Switzerland?+
At Swiss Exams in Bern (CHF 465) or with IDP's partner in Gümligen near Bern and in St. Gallen (CHF 446).
Is there an IELTS centre in Basel or Lugano?+
Both are named by the providers, but neither had bookable sessions on 14 October 2026. Check the booking systems for new dates.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS exam fee in Switzerland
- PTE test centres in Switzerland
- IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 1433 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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