IELTS Exam Fee in China (2026): Full Price Table
In short
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test in China costs ¥2,170 (Academic & General Training) (about US$300) as of July 2026, at both British Council & IDP. Fees are set locally and change over time, so confirm the current amount on the official booking page before you pay.
IELTS fees in China by test type
| Test type | Fee (CNY (¥ / RMB)) |
|---|---|
| Academic / General Training | ¥2,170 (Academic & General Training) · about US$300 |
| IELTS for UKVI | ¥2,220 (UKVI Academic & General Training) |
| IELTS Life Skills | ¥1,250 (Life Skills A1 & B1) |
Test providers
British Council & IDP
Delivery
Computer only
One Skill Retake
Not available
Results
3–5 days (computer)
Widely available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen.
Always confirm the current fee
Fees are set locally by the British Council and IDP and can change with tax or exchange-rate adjustments; some British Council centres add a supplement (around RMB 250) for weekend or evening slots. British Council bookings go through the NEEA registration system. Paper-based IELTS was withdrawn worldwide from mid-2026, so the test is now taken on computer in China. Always confirm the current price on the official booking page before paying. IELTS fees are set locally by the British Council and IDP and can change, so the figures above (verified July 2026) are a guide — the only reliable amount is the one shown on the official booking page for your test type on the day you book.
The cheapest test is the one you sit once
Whatever the fee, it buys one attempt — so the smartest money is spent walking in already at your target band. Work out the exact section scores you need, then close the gap before test day rather than paying to sit again. And if you fall half a band short in a single skill on a computer-delivered test, the One Skill Retake is usually far cheaper than a full resit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does IELTS cost in China in 2026?
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test costs CNY 2,170 (about US$300) with the British Council, per the official IELTS test-centre listing. IELTS for UKVI is CNY 2,220 and Life Skills A1/B1 is CNY 1,250. IDP also delivers IELTS in China, so confirm the exact fee on the provider's booking page as prices can change with tax or exchange rates.
Is IELTS still offered on paper in China?
IELTS moved to computer delivery worldwide from mid-2026 (the last paper tests ran in most markets on 27 June 2026), so in practice you now take IELTS on computer in China, with results typically in 3–5 days. A 'Writing on Paper' option exists in some locations. Always confirm the current format and price when you book on the official site.