IELTS Exam Fee in Kenya (2026): KES 41,580 (US$320)
By Aehtesham Mallick Reshad · Founder of IELTSbiz · Updated September 24, 2026
In short
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test in Kenya costs KES 41,580 (about US$320) as of September 2026, booked through British Council. The test is computer-delivered, with results in 1–5 days. 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 |
| One Skill Retake | Available — fee not published online · ask your test centre |
Test providers
British Council
Delivery
Computer only
One Skill Retake
Available
Results
1–5 days (computer)
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). All UKVI tests have been computer-delivered since 22 March 2026, and paper-based IELTS ended in mid-2026, so every candidate in Kenya now books the computer test. 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 September 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, the One Skill Retake is usually far cheaper than a full resit. For what else you may pay on top of the fee, see the IELTS exam fee and extra costs guide, or compare fees in every country.
Frequently asked questions
How much does IELTS cost in Kenya in 2026?
As of September 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. All IELTS in Kenya is now computer-delivered (paper-based IELTS ended in mid-2026), with results in about 1–5 days.
How much is the IELTS exam fee in Nairobi?
KES 41,580 for IELTS Academic or General Training at British Council Nairobi (Upper Hill Road), per its ielts.org listing in September 2026. Nairobi is also the only Kenyan city offering IELTS for UKVI, at KES 44,840, and UKVI Life Skills A1/B1 costs KES 32,170. Confirm the fee for your venue at the booking step, as partner venues can price differently.
How much is the IELTS exam in Kenya in dollars?
About US$320. KES 41,580 converts to roughly US$320 at the 23 September 2026 rate of about KES 129.5 to the dollar, and IELTS for UKVI (KES 44,840) is about US$345. You pay in shillings, by card, mobile money or cash deposit, so the dollar figure is for comparison only.