IELTS venues in the UAE by emirate and provider
The table counts every UAE venue on IDP's test centre finder and every UAE location in the British Council's booking system, both read on 10 October 2026. The British Council's own dates and locations page describes 40 locations; its booking system listed 37 that day. Addresses and phone numbers are left out on purpose; use the official links.
| Emirate or city | IDP venues | British Council locations |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 20, including universities such as Canadian University Dubai, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Curtin, Murdoch and Amity | 14, including Silicon Oasis, Deira, Al Nahda, Al Qusais, Business Bay, Knowledge Park and Academic City |
| Abu Dhabi city | 9 | 8, including the British Council office in Al Bateen and Abu Dhabi University |
| Al Ain | 8 | 4, including UAE University and Al Ain University |
| Sharjah | 10 (8 in Sharjah city, 2 in Al Dhaid), including University of Sharjah and Skyline University College | 5, including University City and Al Khan |
| Ajman | 3, including Ajman University | 1 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 2, including RAK Medical & Health Sciences University | 2 |
| Fujairah and Dibba | 3 in Dibba | 2 in Fujairah |
| Umm Al Quwain | None listed | 1 |
Where to take IELTS for UKVI and One Skill Retake
IELTS for UKVI must be taken at an approved UKVI centre. The British Council offers it in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (British Council UKVI page), and IDP's live session lists for Dubai and Abu Dhabi include UKVI Academic and General Training sessions at AED 1,680. If you live in the northern emirates or Al Ain, plan for the trip.
IDP marks 18 of its 55 UAE venues as offering One Skill Retake, including its main Dubai and Abu Dhabi rooms and venues in Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Dibba. Book your full test at one of these if you think you might need a retake; a retake must be taken within 60 days of the original test.
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Price is not a factor for the main test: AED 1,590 at every IDP and British Council venue. What differs is the number of sessions, the format and travel. IDP's Dubai and Abu Dhabi city pages each showed more than 600 upcoming sessions, and IDP also has city pages for Khorfakkan and Motor City. If you want to write by hand, check that the session says Writing on Paper (AED 1,750 at IDP).
The British Council also runs a Premium session at a hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, for AED 2,000 with lunch and a same-day Speaking test. For prices, payment and refund rules, see our IELTS fee in the UAE guide; for the rules on the day, see IELTS test day rules.
Several UAE venues are universities that also set IELTS entry requirements, such as Murdoch University Dubai. Take a free IELTS mock test before booking so you know which band to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How many IELTS test centres are there in the UAE?+
On 10 October 2026 IDP listed 55 venues and the British Council's booking system listed 37 locations, covering all seven emirates between them.
Where can I take IELTS in Dubai?+
IDP listed 20 Dubai venues and the British Council 14, from Deira and Al Qusais to Business Bay, Knowledge Park, Academic City and Silicon Oasis.
Where can I take IELTS for UKVI in the UAE?+
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The British Council offers UKVI in both, and IDP's Dubai and Abu Dhabi session lists include UKVI tests at AED 1,680.
Is there an IELTS centre in Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah?+
Yes. IDP lists two venues in Ras Al Khaimah and three in Dibba; the British Council lists two locations in Ras Al Khaimah and two in Fujairah.
Is the IELTS fee the same at every UAE centre?+
Yes for the main test: AED 1,590 on computer at both providers. IDP's Writing on Paper option costs AED 1,750 and the British Council's Premium session AED 2,000.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS exam fee in the UAE
- PTE test centres in the UAE
- IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- IELTS for the UAE: which test for studying abroad
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 874 guides
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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