Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Number of full-time Indian students at six UK universities

The table below shows the number of full-time students from India who studied at various universities in the UK in 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Full-time Students from India

University	2020/21	2021/22	Change	% Increase
Coventry University	2,390	5,290	2,900	121.3
The University of Greenwich	2,455	4,540	2,085	84.9
BPP University	3,505	5,145	1,640	46.8
Sheffield University	815	2,345	1,530	187.7
Anglia Ruskin University	1,925	3,265	1,340	69.6
The University of Leicester	1,175	2,390	1,215	103.4

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The table illustrates the growth in the number of full-time students from India enrolled at six different UK universities over the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years. Overall, every institution saw a substantial increase in its Indian student population, with Coventry University and BPP University maintaining the highest absolute numbers in both years.

Coventry University experienced the largest absolute growth, with the number of Indian students rising by 2,900 to reach 5,290 in 2021/22, representing a 121.3% increase. Similarly, The University of Greenwich saw its student numbers climb from 2,455 to 4,540, an 84.9% rise. BPP University, which started with the highest initial figure of 3,505 students, grew by 1,640 to reach 5,145, marking the lowest percentage increase among the group at 46.8%.

In contrast, Sheffield University witnessed the most rapid proportional growth, with its student intake more than tripling from 815 to 2,345, a 187.7% surge. Anglia Ruskin University also saw a notable increase of 1,340 students, reaching a total of 3,265. Finally, The University of Leicester doubled its Indian student cohort, rising by 1,215 to reach 2,390, which corresponds to a 103.4% increase over the two-year period.

188 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about tables

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself.
Select; do not list every cell.
Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.

substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
surge: a sudden powerful forward or upward movement
proportional: corresponding in size or amount to something else
cohort: a group of people with a shared characteristic
absolute: not relative; measured as a total number
enrolled: officially registered as a member of an institution

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

All six universities experienced a significant rise in the number of full-time Indian students between 2020/21 and 2021/22, with Sheffield University recording the most dramatic percentage growth.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe tables?

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself. Select; do not list every cell. Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.