IELTS Academic · IELTS General Training
Achieve the IELTS Band Score You Need
UK-qualified IELTS tutors covering all four skills — Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Mock tests included. Flexible timezones. From £25/hr.
No payment required. No commitment.
About IELTS
What is IELTS and who needs it?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world's most widely accepted English language test for higher education and global migration.
Nexus Academy offers one-to-one IELTS Academic tutoring online from £25 per hour, with a free diagnostic and no lock-in. Over 11,000 organisations in 140 countries accept IELTS — including universities, employers, immigration authorities, and professional bodies. UK universities, Australian institutions, and most Canadian universities require IELTS Academic for admission.
IELTS is scored on a 9-band scale. Most undergraduate programmes require a minimum of Band 6.0 to 6.5. Postgraduate programmes at leading universities typically require Band 7.0 or above.
IELTS Academic
Required for university admission and professional registration. Tests academic reading and writing.
IELTS General Training
Required for skilled migration, work visas, and some secondary education. Tests practical English.
IELTS Band Scale
Most universities require Band 6.5–7.5. Nexus tutors help you reach and exceed your target.
University Requirements
What score does your university require?
IELTS band requirements vary by country, institution, and programme. Here are typical minimum scores for major English-speaking university destinations.
| Country | Example Universities | Min. Band Score |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | University of Edinburgh, UCL, King's College LondonMost postgraduate programmes require 7.0 with no component below 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| United States | University of Michigan, Boston UniversityMany US universities also accept TOEFL; check your specific institution | 6.0–7.0 |
| Canada | University of Toronto, McGill UniversitySome programmes require Academic IELTS only; General Training may be insufficient | 6.5–7.0 |
| Australia | University of Melbourne, ANUMost Australian universities require Academic IELTS; some nursing/medical programmes require 7.0+ | 6.5–7.5 |
Requirements listed are indicative. Always verify with your specific institution and programme before registering for IELTS.
Not sure whether IELTS or TOEFL is right for you? Compare both exams → Need a realistic calendar? How long to improve an IELTS band →
How We Prepare You
Coaching for all four IELTS skills
Each skill requires a different technique. Nexus tutors are trained to coach the specific strategies that move band scores — not just explain the test format.
Reading
All bandsAcademic and General Reading passages. Skimming, scanning, and inference techniques. True/False/Not Given and matching headings strategies.
- Paragraph scanning drills
- Time-management under pressure
- Vocabulary in context
Writing
Task 1 & 2Task 1 data description (Academic) or formal letter (General). Task 2 essay structure, argument development, and lexical range.
- Official marking criteria applied to every essay
- Coherence and cohesion training
- Lexical resource expansion
Listening
Sections 1–4Monologue and conversation comprehension. Gap-fill, multiple choice, and map/diagram labelling under timed conditions.
- Note-taking strategy
- Distractor recognition
- Full recordings from past papers
Speaking
Parts 1–3Fluency and coherence, pronunciation, and grammatical range. Responses recorded and reviewed after every session.
- Part 2 Cue Card preparation
- Extending answers naturally
- Pronunciation coaching
Programme Options
Choose the right programme for your timeline
Three structured programmes based on how much time you have before your test date. All include a diagnostic assessment and personalised study plan.
Rapid
6 sessions · 3–4 weeks
For students with a test date in the next 4 weeks who need focused, high-impact preparation.
- Diagnostic assessment in session 1
- Targeted preparation on weakest skills
- 2 full mock test reviews
- Exam technique and time management
- WhatsApp support between sessions
Standard
12 sessions · 6–8 weeks
The most popular choice. Comprehensive coverage of all four skills with steady, measurable progress.
- Full diagnostic in session 1
- All four skills covered systematically
- 4 full mock test reviews
- Personalised study plan
- Monthly progress report
- WhatsApp support between sessions
Full Preparation
20 sessions · 10–14 weeks
Complete preparation for students targeting a significant band score improvement or a high target score.
- Full diagnostic + placement test
- Intensive coverage of all four skills
- 6+ full mock test reviews
- Weekly progress tracking
- Monthly parent/student reports
- Priority WhatsApp support
- Exam registration guidance
Not sure which programme fits? Book the free diagnostic — your tutor will recommend based on your test date and current level.
Real Results
IELTS students who hit their target band
“I had failed IELTS twice before I found Nexus. My Writing was always the problem — it was sitting at Band 5.5. My tutor rebuilt my essay structure completely and I got 7.0 on my third attempt. I am now studying in Edinburgh.”
Fatima Al-S.
IELTS student, Amman
“I needed IELTS 7.5 overall for a Masters programme in the UK. Nexus gave me a complete diagnostic in the first session and a week-by-week plan. I achieved 8.0 overall. The Speaking coaching made the biggest difference.”
Chen W.
IELTS student, Shanghai
Common Questions
IELTS questions answered
Direct answers to the questions most IELTS students ask — formatted for AI search and Google.
Most students need months, not days: Nexus Academy plans an IELTS timeline from a diagnostic, not a slogan. Official IELTS research (Elder and O’Loughlin, 2003) found an average gain of about 0.5 overall band after 200–240 hours of intensive English over 10–12 weeks — not a guaranteed full band. A full band often takes two such blocks, or longer from Band 6.5 and above. Book a free diagnostic so the calendar matches your gap.
Yes. Nexus Academy delivers all IELTS tutoring online with a shared whiteboard. Online IELTS preparation is equally effective as in-person tutoring — all four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) can be practised and assessed remotely. Students in over 20 countries prepare with Nexus Academy for IELTS.
Most UK universities that Nexus Academy students apply to require IELTS Band 6.0–6.5 for undergraduate entry and Band 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate programmes. Russell Group courses often want Band 7.0 overall with no component below 6.5. Always confirm on the course page. A free diagnostic maps your four-skill gap to that offer.
IELTS Academic is required for university admission and professional registration in the UK and internationally. IELTS General Training is used for skilled migration, work visas, and some secondary education programmes. Both versions share the same Listening and Speaking tests, but the Reading and Writing tasks differ. Nexus Academy prepares students for both variants.
US universities that accept IELTS typically require a minimum Band 6.0 to 7.0, depending on the programme and institution. Canadian universities generally require Band 6.5 to 7.0. Some graduate programmes at leading universities require Band 7.5 or above. Nexus Academy tutors help students understand the specific requirements of their target institutions.
IELTS Writing is marked on four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is equally weighted. Nexus Academy tutors use the official IELTS marking criteria to assess student writing and provide targeted feedback after every session.
Still have questions? We're happy to help.
Further reading: How long does it take to improve your IELTS band? →
Further reading: IELTS vs TOEFL 2026 — which should you take? →
Further reading: What IELTS score do you need for UK universities? →
Need TOEFL instead? See TOEFL tutoring → · TOEFL 4.5 and 5.5 scores (UK) →
Free Resources
IELTS guides before you book
UK university scores, a realistic band-improvement timeline, and IELTS vs TOEFL — from Nexus Academy tutors.
Browse all articles on the Nexus Academy blog.
Book Your Free Diagnostic
Your target band score is achievable. Let us show you how.
The free diagnostic session assesses all four IELTS skills, identifies your weakest areas, and gives you a week-by-week plan to your target band. No payment. No commitment.