Take an IELTS test in or nearby South Africa
Explore the most popular universities and programmes to study abroad in South Africa.
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British Council South Africa - Dlogan Johannesburg (UKVI test location)
This test centre is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration and offers the UKVI exam. Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 04, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| January 22, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 04, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 12, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 25, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 12, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 25, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 28, 2026 | UKVI Academic | March 13, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - Readam Max Serviced Offices (UKVI test location)
This test centre is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration and offers the UKVI exam. Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 07, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| March 07, 2026 | UKVI Academic | March 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| March 07, 2026 | UKVI General Training | March 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| April 25, 2026 | UKVI General Training | May 08, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - Dlogan Johannesburg
Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 | General Training | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| January 31, 2026 | Academic | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 14, 2026 | General Training | February 27, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 14, 2026 | Academic | February 27, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 26, 2026 | General Training | March 11, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - Rosebank Union Church
Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 07, 2026 | Academic | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | General Training | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 21, 2026 | Academic | March 06, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 21, 2026 | General Training | March 06, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| March 07, 2026 | Academic | March 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - Dlogan Pretoria (UKVI test location)
This test centre is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration and offers the UKVI exam. Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 04, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| January 22, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 04, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 28, 2026 | UKVI Academic | March 13, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 28, 2026 | UKVI General Training | March 13, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| March 28, 2026 | UKVI General Training | April 10, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - Dlogan Pretoria
Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 | General Training | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| January 31, 2026 | Academic | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 14, 2026 | General Training | February 27, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 14, 2026 | Academic | February 27, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 26, 2026 | General Training | March 11, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS |
British Council - Tutors & Exams South Africa
Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 07, 2026 | Academic | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | General Training | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| May 23, 2026 | General Training | June 05, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| May 23, 2026 | Academic | June 05, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| June 20, 2026 | Academic | July 03, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - CloudCom
Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 | General Training | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| January 31, 2026 | Academic | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | Academic | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | General Training | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 28, 2026 | Academic | March 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - CloudCom (UKVI test location)
This test centre is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration and offers the UKVI exam. Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 07, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| March 07, 2026 | UKVI Academic | March 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| March 07, 2026 | UKVI General Training | March 20, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| March 28, 2026 | UKVI General Training | April 10, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - The Felix Building (UKVI test location)
This test centre is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration and offers the UKVI exam. Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 04, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| January 22, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 04, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 12, 2026 | UKVI General Training | February 25, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 12, 2026 | UKVI Academic | February 25, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS | |
| February 28, 2026 | UKVI Academic | March 13, 2026 | ZAR 6570 DETAILS |
British Council South Africa - The Felix Building
Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.
| Test date | Type | Results by | Test fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 | General Training | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| January 31, 2026 | Academic | February 13, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | Academic | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 07, 2026 | General Training | February 20, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS | |
| February 14, 2026 | General Training | February 27, 2026 | ZAR 6120 DETAILS |
About South Africa
There are two British Council test centres in South Africa's capital Pretoria. Besides the capital, there are several other IELTS test centres across the country.
IELTS data
Several universities in South Africa require IELTS as proof of English proficiency to enrol in an English-taught programme
- Lowest IELTS score required: 6.0
- Highest IELTS score required: 7.0
- Average IELTS score required: 6.5
- Number of universities accepting IELTS: 39
- Number of studies accepting IELTS: 1563
Background of South Africa
South Africa's complex political history has shaped it into one of the most multi-ethnic and multicultural nations globally, with its constitution recognizing 11 official languages, the highest number of any country. The nation boasts a unique and exciting array of arts, literature, and music, with artists like Nadine Gordimer and Ladysmith Black Mambazo receiving global acclaim.
Students pursuing a Master's or Bachelor's degree in South Africa will find an inspiring environment rich in cultural history, artistic talent, and natural beauty. South African education is renowned for producing bright minds, with an adult literacy rate of 93%, placing it among the most knowledgeable nations. Universities have undergone significant restructuring over the past 25 years to integrate institutions, now offering diverse Bachelor's and Master's degrees with some of the lowest tuition prices, even for international students.
English requirements in South Africa
To study in English at one of the universities in South Africa you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.
4 most popular study destinations for students in South Africa
1. United Kingdom
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2. United States
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Find PhD programmes in United States
Student insurance for students studying in South Africa
To make sure students in South Africa have access to the best insurance out there, Studyportals found a reliable partner in Aon. You can easily get advise and insight in costs based on your personal needs.
