PTE vs IELTS for a UK visa: which test and which score
Both tests are approved by the Home Office and map to the same CEFR levels, so the visa outcome is identical. B2, the level for Skilled Worker and degree-level Student visas since 8 January 2026, is IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each skill or PTE Academic UKVI 59 in each. B1 is IELTS 4.0 or PTE 43. The choice is about format, speed and where you can sit the test.
Verified against the linked official sources on 22 September 2026.
Score equivalents by visa route
Skilled Worker (new applications from 8 January 2026): B2, IELTS for UKVI 5.5 each or PTE Academic UKVI 59 each; extensions of visas held before that date stay at B1 (gov.uk). Student visa at degree level: B2, or a standard IELTS Academic or PTE Academic result if the university assesses it; below degree level: B1, IELTS for UKVI 4.0 each or PTE Academic UKVI 43 each (gov.uk). Partner routes use IELTS Life Skills or PTE Home for A1, A2 and B1 speaking and listening. IELTS band mapping is on ielts.org; PTE's is on Pearson.
Format and speed
IELTS for UKVI has a face-to-face speaking interview and is delivered on computer at approved centres, with results in one to five days. PTE Academic UKVI is entirely computer-delivered and computer-scored, with results typically in 48 hours. Candidates who freeze in interviews tend to do better on PTE; candidates whose accent is hard for speech recognition tend to do better with an examiner.
Cost and availability
IELTS for UKVI costs about £257 in the UK and is available at approved centres in most countries; One Skill Retake is accepted for UKVI on computer tests. PTE Academic UKVI is priced per centre through Pearson's price finder and is available in fewer locations, though Dubai, Lagos, Islamabad, Colombo and the Philippines are approved. Check the approved-centre list for your country before choosing.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your band or score per skill before you book the real test.
Start a free scored IELTS mockFrequently asked questions
Is PTE or IELTS easier for a UK visa?
Neither officially. They map to the same CEFR levels and the Home Office treats them equally. Take a scored mock of each and book the one you score higher on.
What is B2 in PTE and IELTS?
PTE Academic UKVI 59 in each skill; IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each skill.
Can I use standard PTE Academic for a UK Student visa?
For degree-level courses, yes, if the university assesses your English itself. Otherwise you need PTE Academic UKVI.