It is essential to understand what score you need to get into a specific course or university throughout your IELTS preparations. Furthermore, it is vital to narrow down the colleges that demand an IELTS score range that you expect to obtain.
The United Kingdom is the most popular study-abroad destination for aspirants around the world. In the United Kingdom, there are around 160 universities spread over England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Many students focus their course search on the IELTS score necessary for the course. Fortunately, there are several universities in the UK that accept a 6.5 band score for admission, and some of them are even ivy league universities.
Most UK institutions need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Let us look at a list of reputable UK institutions that accept a 6.5 band score:
| University | Courses accepting 6.5 band |
|---|---|
| – University College London – University of Edinburgh – University of Warwick – Durham University – University of Southampton – Newcastle University | Almost all undergraduate courses simply require a 6.5 band score. However, you should be aware of the course requirements for Masters programmes. |
| Cardiff University | Most undergraduate and master’s programmes, including MBAs, require only a 6.5 overall score. |
| University of Bath | Most undergraduate schools accept an overall 6.5 with no less than 6 in each module. Most postgraduate programmes demand an overall 7 with a minimum of 6.5 in each module. |
| Imperial College London | Summer school programmes, which need a 6.5 overall band, are part of the undergraduate programmes. However, most Master’s programmes require a 7 band score for admittance. |
| University of Glasgow | All undergraduate courses, including professional degrees such as B.E. and B.Tech, require an overall score of 6.5. Some master’s programmes, such as Msc Data Science and Msc Finance and Management, require only a 6.5 overall band. |
| University of St.Andrews | This institution offers nearly 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Several courses, both undergraduate and postgraduate, need merely a 6.5 overall band. Filtering based on your course selections is effective. |
| University of Bristol | At Bristol, there are several innovative undergraduate courses that require a candidate to obtain an overall 6.5 with no less than 6 in each module. Many postgraduate taught courses, including unique courses such as MA Philosophy of biological and cognitive sciences, MSc Volcanology, and Msc Climate Change Science and Policy, require only a 6.5 overall. |
| University of York | Most undergraduate courses at this Russell Group top-tier university, including programmes in biological sciences, ecology, genetics, and so on, require only a 6.5. Several traditional master’s programmes need only this score, whereas restructured and interdisciplinary courses demand an overall 7 band. |
| Lancaster University | With a few exceptions, all undergraduate courses need the 6.5 band. Except for courses at the Management School (LUMS), all master’s programmes require an overall 6.5 band.A minimum of 6.5 band score is required for practically all Masters programmes at Leeds, as well as several research degrees (MRes). |
| University of Leeds | With a few exceptions, all undergraduate courses need the 6.5 band. Except for courses at the Management School (LUMS), all master’s programmes require an overall 6.5 band.A minimum of 6.5 band score is required for practically all Masters programmes at Leeds, as well as several research degrees (MRes). |
It should be noted that most UK colleges expect a 6.5 band score overall for admission to MBA programmes in any discipline. (With the exception of Cambridge University, Durham University, the University of Exeter, the City University of London, and Cranfield University)
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What are the Russell Group universities?
The Russell Group universities are a group of 24 institutions that share a commitment to and focus on research, as well as excellent teaching and learning experiences. The Russell Group was created in 1994, and four of the world’s top ten institutions – Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London – are Russell Group members, according to the QS World University Rankings 2023. These universities provide greater employability and student satisfaction statistics from the standpoint of a foreign student applying to study in the UK.
The 24 Russell group universities in the UK are:
| University of Birmingham | London School of Economics |
| University of Bristol | University of Manchester |
| Cardiff University | Newcastle University |
| Durham University | University of Nottingham |
| University of Edinburgh | University of Oxford |
| University of Exeter | Queen Mary, University of London |
| University of Glasgow | Queen’s University Belfast |
| Imperial College London | University of Sheffield |
| King’s College London | University of Southampton |
| University of Leeds | University College London |
| University of Liverpool | University of Warwick |
| University of Cambridge | University of York |
Can I get admission into a Russell group university with a 6.5 band score?
As you may have noticed, the majority of the universities on the list above are Russell group institutions. As a result, with a 6.5 IELTS band score, you are guaranteed admission to their courses. However, many courses that need a high level of language skill or are entirely language-centered will require you to obtain a higher band, such as 7.
Does it matter if I join a non-Russell group university?
To be honest, it doesn’t matter. This is because most companies are concerned with your competence and aptitude for a certain position. Your chances of landing a decent job increase if you have past experience in addition to your degree certification. Most companies don’t even look at the university you attended. So enrolling in a non-Russell university is OK.
The Russell Group institutions
, on the other hand, are internationally recognised for their cutting-edge research outputs and exceptional research facilities. So, if you want to pursue a PhD or work in a research-oriented field, enrolling in these colleges will benefit you the most.
Can I get admission for PhD with a 6.5 band score?
With an overall band of 6.5 and no less than 6 in each module, you can undoubtedly get acceptance into a Phd programme, since this is the baseline score criteria for most institutions for admissions into undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and doctorate study programmes.
Keep in mind that some disciplines that demand a high level of literacy (English literature, PGCE in English, TESOL, CELTA) may require an IELTS score of 7.5 for admission to a PhD programme.
Can I get a scholarship with a 6.5 IELTS score?
You would be qualified for many scholarships because IELTS overall band 6.5 is the minimum requirement for scholarship applications. Keep in mind that certain scholarship entrance criteria need you to have a 6.5 in all modules.
Although IELTS is not the primary criterion for scholarships, a qualifying score is required. Other relevant scholarship requirements include academic achievement, relevant job experience, any papers written and presented on the subject for which you applied, and, in certain situations, your place of origin and financial status. To learn more about IELTS scholarships, visit our blog.
Is it difficult to get a 6.5 band in IELTS?
A 6.5 band is easily achieved with adequate practice. If your fundamental grammar skills are strong, you can easily get a 6.5 overall band in IELTS with diligent practice and effective learning approaches. Always aim for a half band higher than what you need to inspire yourself to work harder. For example, if you require a 6.5, strive for an overall band score of 7.
Regularly reviewing your results and enlisting the help of a tutor or a friend who has previously passed the test with high marks will make your learning journey less stressful. Check out our one-month IELTS study plan if you want to secure a 6.5 score.
