Are you thinking about applying for an MBA program abroad? Well, along with your GMAT or GRE scores, international B-schools also look at your English language proficiency. Language testing requirements apply to almost all graduate business programs for non-native English applicants. However, some may offer exceptions to students who have completed their undergraduate degrees at an English-speaking institution.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a globally standardised test of English language proficiency, is accepted by over 3,000 US academic institutions and universities as well as in other countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and the UK.
Leading B-Schools across the world will invariably require a higher level of English proficiency, which typically ranges between 6.5 and 7.0. However, strong graduate business programs will demand a minimum IELTS score of 6.0. Let us now dive a little deeper into the minimum IELTS scores required for admission to top international B-Schools.
Taking the IELTS exam this year and hoping to score high? Check out the following links:
How is the IELTS Scored?
The IELTS exam is graded on a 9-band scale, with 9 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. The band scores are designed for test-takers to understand in the simplest and easiest way. Here is what IELTS scores mean.
Band Score |
Skill Level |
9 |
Expert |
8 |
Very Good |
7 |
Good |
6 |
Competent |
5 |
Modest |
4 |
Limited |
3 |
Extremely Limited |
2 |
Intermittent |
1 |
Non-User |
0 |
Did not sit the test |
Minimum IELTS Scores Required for Top B-Schools in the USA
Being one of the largest recipients of international MBA applicants and the host to most of the top B-schools, the minimum IELTS score requirement usually ranges from 6.0 to 7.0. Check out the minimum IELTS scores for top US B-schools:
Name of the B-School |
QS MBA Rankings 2022 |
Minimum IELTS Score |
1 |
7.0 |
|
2 |
6.5 |
|
5 |
7.0 |
|
2 |
7.5 |
|
11 |
7.0 |
|
16 |
7.0 |
|
15 |
7.0 |
|
18 |
7.0 |
|
19 |
7.5 |
|
20 |
7.0 |
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Minimum IELTS Score Required for Top B-Schools in the UK
From London Business School (ranked 7th) to the Cranfield School of Management (ranked 79th), here are the minimum IELTS score requirements for the top B-schools in the UK:
Name of the B-School |
QS MBA Rankings 2022 |
Minimum IELTS Score |
2 |
7.0 |
|
6 |
7.5 |
|
8 |
7.5 |
|
9 |
7.0 |
|
15 |
7.0 |
|
19 |
7.0 |
|
22 |
7.0 |
|
27 |
7.0 |
|
26 |
6.5 |
Minimum IELTS Score Required for Top B-Schools in Canada
Canada houses some of the top-ranked B-schools, widely popular among international students across the world. Check out the minimum IELTS scores accepted by top B-schools in Canada.
Name of the B-School |
QS MBA Rankings 2022 |
Minimum IELTS Score |
1 |
7.0 |
|
4 |
7.0 |
|
2 |
7.0 |
|
5 |
7.0 |
|
6 |
7.0 |
|
7 |
6.5 |
|
8 |
7.0 |
|
HEC Montreal |
9 |
Advanced - 7, 7.5 and 8 Advanced intermediate - 5,5, 6 and 6,5 |
10 |
7.5 |
Minimum IELTS Score Required for Top B-Schools in Australia
The QS Global MBA Rankings 2021 features five Australian B-Schools in the top 100. Given below are the top 10 B-schools in Australia and their minimum IELTS scores:
Name of the B-School |
QS MBA Rankings 2022 |
Minimum IELTS Score |
1 |
7.0 |
|
2 |
7.0 |
|
3 |
6.5 |
|
4 |
6.5 |
|
5 |
6.5 |
|
6 |
7.0 |
|
7 |
6.5 |
|
Uts Business School, University Of Technology Sydney, Australia |
10 |
7.0 |
13 |
6.0 |
|
11 |
6.5 |
Minimum IELTS Score Required for Top B-Schools in Germany
Germany, with four of its B-schools, ranked among the top 100 according to QS Global MBA Rankings, continues to be one of the popular choices for international MBA aspirants. Find out the minimum IELTS scores required to pursue graduate business studies at top German B-schools:
Name of the B-School |
QS MBA Rankings 2022 |
Minimum IELTS Score |
Mannheim Business School |
39 |
6.5 |
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management |
44 |
6.5 |
WHU (Otto Beisheim) |
59 |
6.5 |
The European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) Berlin |
90 |
7.0 |
Minimum IELTS Score Required for Popular B-Schools
Apart from the top-ranked universities from across the world that accept IELTS scores, there is a long list of other popular universities that admit international MBA students. From the US to the UAE, here is a carefully curated list of some of the popular B-Schools and their minimum IELTS score requirements:
Name of the B-School |
Country |
Minimum IELTS Score |
USA |
5.5 |
|
Ireland |
6.5 |
|
European University |
Spain |
6.5 |
USA |
6.5 |
|
UK |
5.5 |
|
USA |
7.0 |
|
USA |
6.0 |
|
USA |
6.5 |
|
UK |
6.0 |
|
UAE |
6.5 |
|
UK |
6.5 |
|
USA |
6.5 |
|
USA |
7.0 |
|
UK |
6.0 |
|
USA |
6.5 |
To tell the truth, there is no such thing as a minimum IELTS score or IELTS passing score set by universities. It is just that each university has its own cutoff for admission to the English literacy tests. Hence, the more you score, the greater the chances of admission!
Write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com to get further assistance on the minimum IELTS scores requirements for top B-Schools worldwide.
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