Top IELTS Scholarships for International Students

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In this guide, we will look at the popular IELTS scholarships for international students.

Popular IELTS scholarships for international students

Several popular IELTS scholarships for international students are available that can help reduce the cost of taking the IELTS exam and support students in their studies.

Let's explore the popular IELTS Scholarship,

1. British Council IELTS Awards

The British Council IELTS Award is an annual international awards program that recognises and rewards excellence in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). It is open to candidates of all ages and nationalities, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set out by the British Council.

All winners receive a certificate of achievement, along with prize money that can be used towards furthering their studies or exploring any aspect of life related to English language learning. The scholarship covers tuition fees for one year of study in the UK, a monthly allowance for living expenses, and travel costs for the student to and from the UK.

Eligibility criteria for the British Council IELTS scholarship

• The applicant must be a citizen of a country outside the UK.
• The applicant must have obtained a minimum of 6.5 bands in IELTS or equivalent English proficiency test.
• The applicant must have a valid offer of admission from a recognized UK university.
• The applicant must demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to their studies.

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2. IDP IELTS Prize

The IDP IELTS Prize is an annual scholarship program established by IDP Education, an international student placement organisation, to recognise and reward high-achieving international students who have achieved an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher. The scholarship provides financial assistance to help cover the cost of tuition and living expenses while studying in a country where English is the primary language of instruction.

The scholarship is awarded as a one-time payment of up to $5,000, with additional funds available to cover any additional costs such as travel, accommodation, course materials, and other living costs. The scholarship can be used to fund a range of study programmes, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses, language courses, and professional qualifications.

Eligibility criteria for the IDP IELTS Prize

• The applicant must have taken the IELTS test and achieved a minimum score of 7.5 or higher in each component of the test.
• The applicant must be a citizen of a country outside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, or the US.
• The applicant must be planning to study at a higher education institution or undertake a professional development program.

Also read: Can I get a 100% scholarship to study abroad?

3. IELTS Australia Scholarship

IELTS Australia Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to international students to help them pursue their study and research goals in Australia. The scholarship is awarded to successful applicants based on their academic performance, financial need and commitment to their chosen field of study in Australia.

The scholarship is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students and students studying in Australia on an exchange program. The award is renewable each year, depending on the applicant’s performance.

Eligibility criteria for the IELTS Australia scholarship

• The applicant must be a citizen of a country outside Australia.
• The applicant must have taken the IELTS test and achieved a minimum score of 6.5 or higher in each component of the test.
• The applicant must have a valid offer of admission from an Australian higher education institution.
• The applicant must demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to their studies.

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4. The IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship

The IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship is a prestigious award that recognises international students who have achieved high scores in the IELTS exam. The British Council and IDP Education Australia offer the scholarship.

It is designed to encourage international students to pursue their education in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The award consists of a one-time award of up to £2,000 (or local currency equivalent) that can be used towards tuition fees, accommodation, and other related educational expenses.

Eligibility criteria for the IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship

• The applicant must have taken the IELTS test and achieved a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component of the test.
• The applicant must have a valid offer of admission from a higher education institution where English is the primary language of instruction.
• The applicant must demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to their studies.

5. The IDP Education Excellence Scholarship

The IDP Education Excellence Scholarship is a program designed to provide financial assistance of up to $20,000 to international students. The scholarship is available to students from any country and is administered by IDP Education, an international student placement and education services company.

The scholarship can be used to cover the cost of tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and other related expenses. It can also help cover the cost of preparation for the IELTS exam, including purchasing study materials such as books, CDs, and online courses.

Also read: IELTS preparation books

[FREE] Ace your IELTS!   
Download our comprehensive 30-day study guide with tips, insights, sample answers and more!

Eligibility criteria for the IDP Education Excellence Scholarship

• The applicant must have taken the IELTS test and achieved a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component of the test.
• The applicant must be a citizen of a country outside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, or the US.
• The applicant must have a valid offer of admission from a higher education institution.
• The applicant must demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to their studies.

How to apply for IELTS scholarships

Applying for an IELTS scholarship can be a great way for international students to reduce the cost of taking the IELTS exam. Scholarships can help cover the exam's cost and provide additional support and resources to help students prepare.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an IELTS scholarship:

1. Research

The first step in applying for an IELTS scholarship is to research the available options. You can start by looking on the official IELTS website and other websites that provide information on international scholarships. You should look for scholarships that are specifically designed for IELTS, as well as those that are open to international students in general.

2. Check eligibility

Once you have found a scholarship you are interested in, you need to check your eligibility. This includes checking the required score, the country of origin, the course of study, and any other relevant criteria. Make sure that you meet all the requirements before you apply.

3. Prepare documents

You will need to prepare several important documents to apply for an IELTS scholarship. These may include a personal statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, proof of financial need, and any other relevant documents specified by the scholarship provider.

Crack your IELTS and start studying abroad in 2025. Get free expert guidance—act now!

4. Submit the application

Once you have prepared all the required documents, you can submit the scholarship application. This is typically done online, and you will need to provide your personal information, academic background, and other relevant details.

5. Prepare for the interview

Some scholarships may require an interview as part of the selection process. Make sure that you are prepared for this and be ready to answer questions about your academic background, motivation, and future plans.

6. Wait for the result

After you have submitted your application, you will need to wait for the result. This can take several weeks or months, depending on the scholarship provider.

It is important to keep in mind that competition for IELTS scholarships can be fierce, and there are typically many applicants for each scholarship. To increase your chances of success, make sure that your application is well-prepared and accurately reflects your abilities and achievements.

Also read: Scholarship for Studying Abroad

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the popular IELTS scholarships for international students?

The popular IELTS scholarships for international students are British Council IELTS Awards, IDP IELTS Prize, IELTS Australia Scholarship, The IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship, and The IDP Education Excellence Scholarship.

2. What are the eligibility criteria for the IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship?

To be eligible for the IELTS Academic Excellence Scholarship, the applicant must have achieved a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component of the test, must have a valid offer of admission from a higher education institution where English is the primary language of instruction, and must demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to their studies.

3. What does the IDP IELTS Prize provide?

The IDP IELTS Prize is awarded as a one-time payment of up to $5,000 USD, with additional funds available to cover any additional costs such as travel, accommodation, course materials, and other living costs. The scholarship can be used to fund a range of study programmes, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses, language courses, and professional qualifications.

4. What are the IELTS scholarship for undergraduate students?

1. British Council IELTS Scholarship
2. IELTS Fee Waiver Scholarship and etc

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5. Can I get a scholarship through IELTS?

Yes, many universities and institutions offer scholarships to international students based on their IELTS scores, especially if they achieve high bands. While IELTS itself doesn't directly award scholarships, achieving a high IELTS score can increase your chances of qualifying for various scholarships offered by educational institutions worldwide.

6. How much IELTS score is required for a scholarship?

The required IELTS score for scholarship eligibility varies by institution and program. Typically, a minimum overall score of 6.5 to 7.5 is needed for most scholarships, with some institutions requiring specific band scores in each section (e.g., Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking).

7. How to apply for an IELTS scholarship?

To apply for scholarships that consider IELTS scores:

• Step 1: Research universities and institutions offering scholarships for international students based on academic and IELTS performance.
• Step 2: Achieve the required IELTS score set by the scholarship provider.
• Step 3: Apply directly to the institution and submit all necessary documents, including your IELTS score report, academic transcripts, personal statements, and any other materials the scholarship requires.

8. How much scholarship can I get from IELTS?

The amount of scholarship varies greatly depending on the institution, program, and country. Some scholarships cover partial tuition fees, while others offer full tuition coverage or even a stipend for living expenses.

Crack your IELTS and start studying abroad in 2025. Get free expert guidance—act now!