The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most prominent global English language tests and the only test accepted by all four immigration authorities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
In 2023, IELTS delivered a record-breaking four million tests in more than 100 countries across the world, according to its website.
In the UK, IELTS is one of five tests approved by the government for visa and citizenship applications, and currently has 17 test centres across the UK that are run by the British Council.
IELTS vast global operations are carried out by a collaborative partnership between the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English, with each organisation holding an equal one-third share in the partnership and contributing to various aspects, from test development to global administration and marketing.
To the shock of the sector, the UK Home Office announced plans in August 2024 to move away from the current SELT model, launching a tender for one provider to design and deliver a dedicated Home Office test for an estimated contract value of £1.13 billion.
The plans have triggered speculation about which SELT provider could win the tender, as well as questions about the feasibility of such a model and the huge financial implications for the SELT market and test operators.
Due to the British Council’s share in IELTS, it may be the logical choice for Home Office, though with the presence of so many other SELT giants – namely Pearson, LanguageCert and ETS – it’s all to play for.
Here, we dive into the collaborative framework behind IELTS and take a closer look at the testing giant’s global operations.
In a nutshell…
- Cambridge English, a part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is responsible for the academic design and quality assurance of the IELTS test.
- IDP: IELTS Australia, a part of IDP Education, developed the IELTS online test and manages test delivery in Australia, India, Southeast Asia and parts of the Middle East.
- The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunity and cultural relations, works on several parts of IELTS, most notably in the delivery of tests across the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Cambridge English, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is the academic backbone of the partnership, responsible for the test design, assessment and scoring, and quality assurance.
Last year, Cambridge University Press & Assessment achieved £1bn revenue for the first time, although being part of Cambridge University, it is a non-profit organisation.
Cambridge’s contributions to IELTS include writing the test questions and designing the listening, reading, writing, and speaking components, which are continually updated to reflect changes in language use and to incorporate feedback into test methodologies.
Cambridge ensures that the test remains valid, reliable and fair for all test-takers, establishing scoring standards and training and certifying examiners to ensure consistency across all test centres worldwide.
While the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia largely handle logistical operations, Cambridge overseas the production and distribution of test materials, ensuring their security and maintaining the integrity of the test administration process.
IDP: IELTS Australia
IDP: IELTS Australia, part of IDP Education, leads on the development of IELTS online test and delivers the test in Australia, India and Southeast Asia.
Operating a vast network of test centres in these regions, IDP handles candidate registrations and provides customer support including test preparation resources and logistics.
IDP bought the IELTS India business from the British Council in 2021 for £130 million
IDP bought the IELTS India business from the British Council in 2021 for £130m and is the sole administrator of IELTS in India, managing all aspects of delivery from registration to customer support.
IDP actively promotes IELTS, highlighting its benefits for studying abroad, migration and professional registration, collaborating with educational institutions and governments worldwide.
Notably, IDP has led the introduction of the online IELTS test, providing more flexibility, ensuring faster results and enhancing accessibility for test-takers.
The British Council
The British Council’s contributions are multifaceted, playing a large role in the administration, delivery and promotion of IELTS in the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
While IDP is responsible for the Indian market, in China, IELTS is delivered by the British Council in partnership with the National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA), an agency under the Chinese Ministry of Education to ensure compliance with local regulations while maintaining international standards.
The organisation works to make IELTS accessible in underserved regions and has been instrumental in the rollout of computer-delivered tests.
The British Council is directly involved in the logistics and day-to-day operations of test delivery, coordinating schedules, providing invigilators and maintaining the test’s security.
Through extensive marketing efforts, the British Council promotes IELTS to potential test-takers, developing partnerships with universities and organisations to encourage the adoption of IELTS as a reliable measure of English proficiency.
Alongside Cambridge English, the British Council is involved in the training and certifying of IELTS examiners, ensuring global consistency.