Which English test you take depends on where you apply and whether you need it for a visa or only for university entry. For a UK student visa the Home Office accepts only approved tests such as IELTS for UKVI. This guide compares the main tests, Pakistan fees and what each country asks.
Which test do you need for a UK student visa?
The UK needs English at CEFR level B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level. You can prove it with an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), a UK qualification, or a degree taught in English that Ecctis confirms. A university with a good compliance record may also assess your English itself, but the level must still be equivalent to B2.
The Home Office list of approved providers (updated 5 October 2026) names IELTS for UKVI, LanguageCert SELT, PTE Academic UKVI, PSI Skills for English (outside the UK) and Trinity (inside the UK only). TOEFL and Duolingo do not appear on it. That does not stop a university accepting them for admission, so always confirm with your university and ask us before you book.
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo compared
| Test | Score scale | Length | Results | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or UKVI) | Bands 0 to 9 | Computer test | Preview in 3 to 5 days; UKVI 1 to 5 days (British Council Pakistan) | 2 years |
| PTE Academic | 10 to 90 | About 2 hours | Usually 2 business days, up to 5 | 2 years |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 1 to 6 in half points | About 2 hours | About 3 days in your ETS account | 2 years |
| Duolingo English Test | 10 to 160 | About 1 hour | 2 days | 2 years |
| LanguageCert Academic SELT | 40 = B1, 60 = B2 per skill | About 2 hours 34 minutes | 5 working days | 2 years (UK visa) |
We could not find an official source that says one test is easier than another, so we do not rank them. Choose by what your university and visa accept, your skills and the test dates near you.
IELTS in Pakistan: fees and centres
The British Council Pakistan fee schedule effective 9 June 2026 lists IELTS at PKR 76,240 in one location column and PKR 75,600 in the other four. IELTS for UKVI is PKR 72,000 and IELTS Life Skills is PKR 50,000. Card payments attract advance tax of 1% for filers and 3% for non-filers. The schedule does not make clear which column covers which city, so check the booking page.
Computer-delivered IELTS centres include Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot. The UKVI city list differs between two British Council pages, so confirm on the live booking page. Paper-based IELTS for UKVI stopped in Pakistan on 1 October 2024, and IELTS is moving to computer-only delivery.
For the UK visa, IELTS for UKVI needs 5.5 in each of the four skills at degree level, or 4.0 in each below degree level. We could not confirm PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo or LanguageCert fees for Pakistan, because those sites show prices only after you choose a test centre.
Canada and the USA
Canada does not set a language test for the study permit itself. IRCC says each school sets its own level of English or French, and the document checklist lists no test. The Student Direct Stream closed on 8 November 2024, so students now use the regular study permit route.
The USA has no federal English test for the F-1 visa that we could find. Universities set their own scores. For example, the University of Southern California asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 at master’s level, and TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale from 21 January 2026. Other universities will differ, so check each one.
What changed recently
- TOEFL iBT moved to a revised format and a 1 to 6 scale on 21 January 2026, with a comparable 0 to 120 score for a two-year transition.
- IELTS is now computer-delivered, with an optional Writing on Paper in selected markets from mid-2026.
- British Council Pakistan revised its IELTS fee schedule on 9 June 2026.
How we help
We check which test your course and visa need before you pay, and help you plan your preparation. If you hope to avoid an English test, read our guides on studying in the UK without IELTS and studying abroad without IELTS. See UK student visa requirements and our AI study tools too. We cannot promise a visa.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier, IELTS or PTE?
We could not find an official source ranking tests by difficulty. Choose the test your university and visa accept, then the format that suits your skills.
Is Duolingo accepted for a UK student visa?
Duolingo is not on the Home Office approved list, so it cannot be used as a SELT. A university may accept it for admission, so confirm before you book.
What is IELTS for UKVI?
It is the IELTS version approved by the Home Office for UK visa applications. For degree-level study you need 5.5 in each of the four skills.
How long is an English test result valid?
The results of IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo and the UK SELTs are valid for 2 years.
How much is IELTS in Pakistan?
British Council Pakistan lists IELTS at PKR 76,240 or 75,600 and IELTS for UKVI at PKR 72,000, effective 9 June 2026.
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Official sources: UKVI approved tests · Student visa English · British Council IELTS fees · IELTS for UKVI · ETS TOEFL iBT. Figures checked on 11 October 2026. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.