🇿🇦 IELTS in South Africa

IELTS in South Africa — fees in ZAR, test cities and the scores your route needs

IELTS on computer costs R6,200 in South Africa at both IDP and the British Council, and IELTS for UKVI R6,620 at the British Council. You can test in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban and Gqeberha, and results arrive in one to five days.
  • Fee (IDP and British Council): R6,200
  • IELTS for UKVI: R6,620
  • Cities: 5
  • Results: 1–5 days
Take a free scored mock →PTE in South Africa compared
Fee (IDP and British Council)
R6,200
IELTS for UKVI
R6,620
Cities
5
Results
1–5 days

IELTS fees in South Africa

TestIDP South AfricaBritish Council South Africa
IELTS on computer (Academic or General Training)R6,200R6,200
IELTS for UKVI on computerNot statedR6,620
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1Not statedR4,010
Both providers charged the same R6,200 for IELTS on computer when checked; confirm the fee at booking. IELTS is withdrawing paper tests worldwide from mid-2026, market by market; where a paper option is still listed, confirm it at booking.

BandLadder pricing in ZAR for South Africa

BandLadder in ZAR

One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.

PlanAccessPrice
Sprint Pass7 daysZAR 106.84
Quick Pass15 daysZAR 171.08
Boost30 daysZAR 299.54
Professional60 daysZAR 492.24
Professional90 daysZAR 642.12
See everything each plan includes

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Test cities and format

IDP runs three centres, operated by Horizon Consultants in Sandton (Johannesburg), Centurion (Pretoria) and Cape Town, with sessions on computer and results in one to five days. The British Council offers five locations: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Gqeberha, and its results page also gives one to five days for computer results.

The band each destination needs

RouteIELTSPTE equivalent
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker, degree-level studyIELTS for UKVI 5.5 each (B2)PTE Academic UKVI 59 each
Australia: Competent English (skilled visa eligibility)IELTS 6.0 eachPTE 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 (L/R/W/S)
Australia: Proficient English (+10 points)IELTS 7.0 eachPTE 58 / 59 / 69 / 76
Canada: Express Entry CLB 7IELTS General 6.0 eachPTE Core L60 · R60 · W69 · S68

Australia's Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) adds 10 points and Superior (8.0 each) adds 20, achieved within three years of the visa application. Canada accepts only IELTS General Training for Express Entry, and the result must be under two years old. UK universities usually ask 6.0 to 6.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate study.

Score requirements change and vary by program and institution. Always confirm the current requirement with the visa authority and the institution you are applying to before you set a target.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the IELTS fee in South Africa in 2026?+

R6,200 for IELTS on computer at both IDP and the British Council. IELTS for UKVI is R6,620 and Life Skills A1 R4,010 at the British Council.

Where can I take IELTS in South Africa?+

Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town (IDP and the British Council), plus Durban and Gqeberha (British Council).

How long do IELTS results take in South Africa?+

One to five days for IELTS on computer.

Is PTE cheaper than IELTS in South Africa?+

Yes. PTE Academic is R5,500 on Pearson's price finder, R700 less than IELTS on computer.

Official sources

Reviewed 30 September 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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