IELTS Exam Fee in Kenya (2026): Full Price Table
In short
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test in Kenya costs KES 41,580 (about US$320) as of July 2026, at both British Council. Fees are set locally and change over time, so confirm the current amount on the official booking page before you pay.
IELTS fees in Kenya by test type
| Test type | Fee (KES (KSh)) |
|---|---|
| Academic / General Training | KES 41,580 · about US$320 |
| IELTS for UKVI | KES 44,840 |
| IELTS Life Skills | KES 32,170 |
Test providers
British Council
Delivery
Computer & paper
One Skill Retake
Available
Results
1–5 days (computer), ~13 days (paper)
Widely available in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru.
Always confirm the current fee
The official ielts.org listing for British Council Nairobi shows the standard IELTS Academic or General Training test at KES 41,580, with IELTS for UKVI at KES 44,840 and UKVI Life Skills at KES 32,170 (both confirmed on the British Council Kenya UKVI page). IELTS on paper is restricted to official residents of Kenya — non-residents take the computer test — and from 22 March 2026 all UKVI tests are computer-delivered. One Skill Retake is offered on computer, but its fee is not published online; confirm it and the live test fee 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 Kenya in 2026?
As of July 2026, the official test-centre listing for British Council Nairobi shows the standard IELTS Academic or General Training test at KES 41,580 (about US$320), IELTS for UKVI at KES 44,840 and UKVI Life Skills at KES 32,170. You can pay online by card or mobile money, or via cash deposit at Standard Chartered. Fees change, so confirm the current figure on the official booking page before paying.
Where can I take IELTS in Kenya?
The British Council runs IELTS at nine official locations across Kenya: Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Meru, Kisii and Kakamega. IELTS for UKVI is offered in Nairobi only. Paper tests are limited to official residents, so most international candidates book the computer-delivered test, which returns results in about 1–5 days.