British Council Hikes IELTS Fees For Second Time In 2024

British Council Nigeria will raise IELTS fees to N266,000 in 2024, for the second time in a row

With the new prices adjustment, applicants willing to write IELTS computer academic and general training modules will now pay N266,000.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will see price increases for the second time in 2024, according to a statement made by the British Council Nigeria.

The increase coincides with persistent worries about how the Nigerian Naira is valued in relation to other foreign currencies.

The new rates were announced on the Council's website on Thursday, with an update citing, An update on the Council's website on Thursday attributed the new rates to what it described as “prevailing market dynamics.” 

“The change in fees is due to the evolving market dynamics and increased costs in the delivery of our exams.”

The Council further stated that as of March 1, the new costs for the IELTS suite of tests will apply. In light of the recent price adjustments, applicants who choose to write the IELTS academic and general training modules on a computer will now pay N266,000, while those who prefer to write the exams on paper will need to pay N256,500. Those who apply for UK visas and immigration (UKVI) will pay N285,500, and those who write the IELTS life skills exam will now pay N249,000.

The test writing fee was initially N107,500, which was paid for by the Council only in January. This month, the fee was increased by 29%.

The IELTS computer academic and general training modules were priced at N139,000 in January, while the IELTS paper academic and general training modules were priced at N134,000. Other price increases included N149,000 for the UKVI, N130,000 for life skills, and N87,570.0 for one skill retake (O.S.R).

IELTS scores are globally accepted measures of English language proficiency for skilled workers looking for work abroad and migrants hoping to study abroad.

The recent depreciation of the Nigerian Naira in relation to other foreign currencies has drawn criticism towards the Nigerian government.