International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

There are two IELTS modules to choose from. Both the Academic and General Training modules cover all four (4) language skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). The speaking test is an interview with an examiner face to face.

Please click the link to view further information "Which test should I take".

IELTS Academic

This test is for those who want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and for those seeking professional registration.

IELTS General Training

This test is for those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.

Note: Before you register online for an IELTS test, check with your referring organisation about which test (Academic or General Training) you should select.

The Online Registration System (ORS) is the IELTS web-based online booking and payment platform developed by IDP Education Ltd. ORS enables customers to book and pay for their test online.

The Online Registration System (ORS) provides:

• Easy registration process – You register only once with your personal details and ID. You will need to provide a colour copy of your valid passport. A valid credit card or debit card is required for payment at the end of the registration process.Quick and easy online booking –You can make online bookings and payments anywhere, anytime.
• Quick and easy online booking – You can make online bookings and payments anywhere, anytime. Instant booking confirmation – Once payment is made, you will instantly receive a booking confirmation email.
• Instant booking confirmation – Once payment is made, you will instantly receive a booking confirmation email.

Apply for the IELTS test online.

If you don’t have a computer, please contact the IELTS office between the hours 9.30am - 4.00pm to arrange a time to come into the IELTS Centre to do the online booking from one of our computers. You will need to bring your passport and credit card or debit card to complete the booking.

The cost for the IELTS test is $410 NZD (incl GST). 

IELTS information for candidates (PDF, 789KB, 8 pages)

The University of Canterbury now offers both Computer Delivered as well as Paper Based IELTS testing.

Computer Delivered Tests

The computer delivered tests are held in the IELTS test centre (Dovedale Ave) on weekdays. The test will take approximately three hours.

Your speaking interview with an examiner will usually be on the same day as the test. You can select your own interview time, at the time of booking. You will receive a confirmation email immediately after your booking is received. You will receive a further email outlining instructions and directions at least two business days prior to the test. 

Results will be available in 3-5 days.

Some parking may be available directly outside of the IELTS test centre on test days. 

Paper Based Tests

The test is usually on a Saturday afternoon and will take approximately three hours.

Your speaking interview with an examiner will usually be scheduled on the morning of your test. In some instances the speaking interview may be scheduled any day of the week five days before the test. All applicants living out of Christchurch will have their speaking interviews scheduled on the morning of your test, where possible.

Information about test day will be emailed one week before your speaking interview. Please read the information carefully. The letter will advise your speaking interview time, where you should go and what to bring with you.

Free car parking is available on the University of Canterbury, campus on a Saturday, except for parking in reserved, disabled and visitor spaces, or in areas not otherwise marked out for parking.

Parking charges apply Monday to Friday.

IELTS support tools (PDF, 1MB, 22 pages)

Computer Delivered Tests

Your Computer delivered test results will be available 3-5 days after your test. You will be notifiied by email when you have access to download your eTRF.

Paper Based Tests

Your Paper based test results will be available to preview online 13 days after your test on the IELTS Essentials website.  To access these, you will need to provide your name, passport number, date of birth and the date of your test. Please note the preview of your IELTS results cannot be used as official confirmation of your test result.

Your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Paper based only, will be posted to the address stated on your online registration. Please notify us immediately if you change your address. Candidates can request to collect their Test Report Form from the IELTS test centre. Please contact us if you wish to collect your TRF instead of having it posted. Candidates receive one personal copy of the Test Report Form (TRF). Test Centres can issue up to two additional TRFs due to damage or loss. Requests for additional Test Report Forms (TRFs) must be made in writing to the Test Centre with a copy of the ID document used on test day. You can have copies of your Test Report Form automatically sent to up to ten institutions free of charge when filling in the Recognising Organisations section of your test online registration.

Re-marking or Enquiry On Results (EOR)

Computer Delivered Tests

If you wish to query your results, an Enquiry on Result can be requested through your own account. There is also an option for a One Skill Retake, if there is just one module that you wish to retake. This can also be requested through your own account. 

Paper Based Tests

If you wish to query your results, please email the IELTS Test Centre at ielts@canterbury.ac.nz, within six weeks of your test date to apply for a re-mark. We will then forward information on how to proceed and pay for your re-mark.

Your test will be sent to the head office of British Council or IDP: IA for re-marking by Senior Examiners.

Your result will normally be available in 2 to 21 days, depending on several factors including the number of sections requested for re-mark.  If you have not received a response after 28 days, please contact us.

Please note:

• The fee for an EOR is $199 NZD (incl. GST). 
• If there is an increase in your scores, you will be issued with a new updated copy of your test report form (TRF), and you will be eligible for a full refund.
• If there is no change to your scores you will not receive a refund and you will keep your original.
• The fee for an OSR (One Skill Retake), for Computer Based Tests only is $270.

Transferring your test date

If you cannot sit the test on the date that you applied for, and you want to transfer to another date you must notify us three weeks BEFORE the test date you originally applied for. Please complete the Request for Test Date Transfer Form (see below) and email to the IELTS Administrator. If seats are available we will endeavour to accommodate your request.

If you do not notify us three weeks before the test date you applied for, you may have to pay the full test fee once again for the new test date, unless we can re-book the seat to another candidate. This will be at the discretion of the IELTS Centre.

Cancellation of your application

An administration fee of $85 NZD (incl. GST) applies if you wish to cancel your test for both Paper-Based and Computer-Delivered.

Paper-Based - You need to notify us no later than three weeks before the test date. Please complete the IELTS Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form (see below) and email ielts@canterbury.ac.nz. After the three-week deadline has expired, there will be no refund given, unless proof of bereavement or severe illness is provided.

Computer-Delivered - You will need to notify us no later than three weeks before the test date. Please complete the IELTS request form (see below) and email ielts@canterbury.ac.nz. After the three-week deadline has expired there will be no refund given, unless proof of bereavement or severe illness is provided.

If you do not attend your paper-based or computer-delivered test on your scheduled date, you will not receive any refund unless you can provide a medical certificate dated the same day as the test to show you were unfit to sit the test on that day. This must be done within five days of the test day to receive a partial refund or transfer. The $85 NZD (incl. GST) administration fee still applies and will be deducted from your test fee.

IELTS Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form (PDF, 123KB, 4 pages)

Find out what you need to bring and do on the day of your International English Language Testing System test below.

Schedule for the day

Paper Based Test

Below is an example of a schedule for a typical test day for the Paper Based test:

• 8:00am – Registration for speaking tests begin.
• 8:20am – First speaking tests start.
• 12:30pm – Registration for writing tests begin.
• 1:00pm – The test commences with listening, followed by the reading and writing sections of the test. This takes 3 hours approximately (with no break).

Computer Delivered Test

Below is an example of a schedule for a typical test day for the Computer Delivered test:

• 9:20am - Registration for speaking tests begin.
• 9:40am - First speaking tests start.
• 12:30pm - Registration for Computer Delivered tests begin.
• 1:00pm - The test commences with listening, followed by the reading and writing sections of the test. This takes 2 hours, 45 minutes approximately (with no break).

During the test, your identity will be confirmed and you will be asked to check and confirm your personal details. You are required to check your details carefully and confirm any changes on test day as these details will appear on your Test Report Form.

Your finger scan and photo will be captured on test day. Your test day photo will be used on your Test Report Form.

Location

IELTS registration and tests are held at the Dovedale Avenue campus of the University of Canterbury.

We recommend that you allow yourself plenty of time to locate the building and room before your test. Signs will be in place from 8am on test day for paper based and from 9:15am on test day for computer delivered.

What to bring:

• Passport (only those who present passports will be able to take the test).
• HB Pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener (paper based only).
• Clear water bottle, with the labels removed.
• Food to have during the lunch break, if you are staying on campus between the two tests.

Do not bring:

• Valuable items (a bag room is available during the exam however the university does not take responsibility for your personal belongings).

If you are unhappy with the service provided on test day then you will be given the opportunity to complete a complaint form at the end of the LWR test.

The IELTS complaints policy is available on ielts.org