IELTS Requirements in South Africa: Compare University Band Scores
Compare verified IELTS Academic band score requirements for 18 universities in South Africa. Includes minimum overall scores and critical component requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions.
- Bachelor's degree
- 6.094% of 18 universities in our list ask for this overall band.
- Master's degree
- 6.594% of 18 universities in our list ask for this overall band.
- Minimum in each skill
- 5.5–6.0Most common rule among the 3 universities that publish one.
Figures checked against each university's own admissions page, March 2026 – April 2026. Confirm on the official course page before you apply.
Universities Listed
| University | UGUndergraduate | PGPostgraduate | Per skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cape TownCape Town · QS #171 · Per skill 5.5 / 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 / 6.0 |
| University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburg · QS #389 · Per skill 5.5 / 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 / 6.0 |
| Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch · QS #428 · Per skill 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| University of PretoriaPretoria · QS #484 | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| University of KwaZulu-NatalDurban · QS #751 | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| Rhodes UniversityMakhanda · QS #1001 | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| University of JohannesburgJohannesburg · QS #340 | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| North-West UniversityPotchefstroom · QS #951-1000 | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| University of the Western CapeCape Town | 6.5 | 7.0 | — |
| Nelson Mandela UniversityGqeberha | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| Walter Sisulu UniversityMthatha | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCape Town | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| Durban University of TechnologyDurban | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| Tshwane University of TechnologyPretoria | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| Vaal University of TechnologyVanderbijlpark | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
Show more(3)
| Central University of TechnologyBloemfontein | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mangosuthu University of TechnologyDurban | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
| University of LimpopoPolokwane | 6.0 | 6.5 | — |
Bands are overall minimums. “Per skill” is the lowest band allowed in any one skill; two values mean undergraduate / postgraduate.