IELTS cost in Thailand in short
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training cost 8,860 baht in Thailand, at both IDP and British Council. IELTS for UKVI costs 9,750 baht. The fee is the same for the paper test and the computer test. Prices were checked on the official IDP and British Council pages on 19 October 2026.
- If one skill falls short, IELTS One Skill Retake costs 5,150 baht at IDP, instead of 8,860 baht for the full test.
- You can take IELTS as many times as you like. There is no waiting period between tests.
- The biggest cost for most learners is not the fee. It is paying it twice because they took the test before they were ready.
IELTS exam fees in Thailand (19 October 2026)
Fees in Thai baht, from the official IDP Thailand and British Council Bangkok pages.
- IDP (baht)
- 8,860
- British Council (baht)
- 8,860
- IDP (baht)
- 8,860
- British Council (baht)
- 8,860
- IDP (baht)
- 9,750
- British Council (baht)
- 9,750
- IDP (baht)
- 5,150
- British Council (baht)
- Check the British Council site
- IDP (baht)
- 5,400
- British Council (baht)
- Check the British Council site
- IDP (baht)
- 7,520
- British Council (baht)
- Check the British Council site
Fees change from time to time, so check the booking page before you pay. IDP charges the same for paper and computer tests. British Council lists its fees for computer delivered tests.
Which IELTS test do you need?
Book the test your university, employer or visa asks for. Booking the wrong one can mean paying again.
- IELTS Academic: for university study, and for some professional registrations.
- IELTS General Training: for work, training and many immigration applications, such as Canada's Express Entry.
- IELTS for UKVI: only when a UK visa application asks for it. It costs 890 baht more, so do not book it unless you need it.
- IELTS Life Skills: a speaking and listening test for some UK family and settlement visas.
How to book IELTS in Thailand
Both IDP and British Council take bookings online. These are the steps on the IDP Thailand site.
- 1Step 1
Choose the test and format
Choose Academic, General Training or UKVI, and choose computer or paper. Computer tests have many more dates and faster results.
GoalThe right test type for your goal.
- 2Step 2
Choose a centre, date and time
Computer tests run up to 7 days a week, with up to 3 sessions a day, at IDP centres in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Hat Yai and Phuket.
GoalA date that gives you enough time to prepare.
- 3Step 3
Enter your details and upload your ID
Use the same passport or ID card you will bring on the test day. Your name must match it exactly.
GoalDetails that match your ID.
- 4Step 4
Pay within 24 hours
IDP accepts Visa and Mastercard, UnionPay and PromptPay. With PromptPay, you scan the QR code in your banking app and upload the payment slip. Your seat is confirmed only after payment.
GoalA confirmation email for your booking.
IELTS test dates and results in 2026
You do not need to wait for a fixed exam season. Computer tests run on most days of the week, and paper tests run on fixed dates during the month.
- Computer test results: 1 to 5 days after the test.
- Paper test results: within 13 days.
- How many times a year: there is no limit and no waiting period between tests, but more preparation between attempts is what changes the result.
- Your result is usually accepted for two years after the test date.
Key insight
Because dates are easy to find, there is no need to book before you are ready. Choose the date after you know how long your preparation needs. The guide how long to prepare for IELTS helps you work it out.
Changing or cancelling your test date
Each test centre has its own rules. At IDP Thailand, the rules depend on how far away your test is.
- More than five weeks before your test: you can transfer or cancel and get a full refund, with no administration fee.
- Within five weeks of your test: you usually pay the full fee, unless you have a serious medical reason and send a medical certificate within five days of the test.
- British Council has its own policy, so read it before you book there.
Note
If you are unsure whether you will be ready, decide at least five weeks before the test. After that, moving the date usually costs you the full fee.
One Skill Retake and remarking
If your result is close, there are two cheaper options than taking the whole test again.
- One Skill Retake: retake one skill within 60 days of a computer test, for 5,150 baht at IDP. That saves 3,710 baht compared with the full test. Check first that your university or visa accepts it.
- Remark (Enquiry on Results): ask for one or more skills to be marked again within six weeks of your test. IDP Thailand lists the fee as 4,600 baht. Results can take up to 21 days.
- A remark makes most sense for Writing or Speaking when one skill is clearly lower than you expected. Ask your centre about refunds before you pay.
Pay once: see if you are ready before you book
Enter your scores, exam date and study time to see the band you could reach by that date. About 1 minute, no sign up needed.
How to keep the total cost down
The exam fee is fixed. What you can control is how many times you pay it, and how much you spend on preparation.
- 1Tip 1
Book when your practice scores are ready
Add up your four practice scores and compare them with the total your target needs: 23 for 6.0, 25 for 6.5, 27 for 7.0. If two full mock tests in a row reach that total, you are likely ready. The IELTS band scores guide explains the totals.
GoalOne full fee instead of two.
- 2Tip 2
Use free preparation first
Official sample tests, free practice and free vocabulary tools cover most of what you need. Our list of free IELTS resources for Thai students collects them in one place.
GoalSpend money only on what free resources cannot give you, such as feedback on Writing and Speaking.
- 3Tip 3
Pay for feedback, not for content
Writing and Speaking are hard to judge on your own. If you pay for anything, pay for a teacher to mark your essays and Speaking answers by criterion, rather than for more videos or books.
GoalFeedback at least once a month on the skills that hold your score down.
- 4Tip 4
Use One Skill Retake when only one skill is short
If your overall is fine but one skill misses a minimum, One Skill Retake costs 5,150 baht at IDP instead of 8,860 baht, as long as your goal accepts it.
GoalRetake only the skill you need.
Check you are ready before you pay for the test
See the band you could reach by your exam date, which skills to focus on first, and what to study each day.
About 1 minute · No sign up needed.
Step 1 of 6
What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
IELTS cost in Thailand: frequently asked questions
How much is the IELTS exam in Thailand?
IELTS Academic and General Training cost 8,860 baht at both IDP and British Council, and IELTS for UKVI costs 9,750 baht (checked on 19 October 2026). Always check the booking page, because fees can change.
Is IELTS cheaper at IDP or British Council?
The main tests cost the same: 8,860 baht for Academic or General Training, and 9,750 baht for UKVI. Choose by location, date and the centre's change and refund rules.
Is the computer test cheaper than the paper test?
No. IDP charges the same fee for both. The computer test has more dates and gives results in 1 to 5 days, compared with up to 13 days for paper.
How many times a year can I take IELTS?
As many as you like. There is no limit and no waiting period. Retaking without more preparation usually gives a similar result, so plan the time between attempts.
Can I get a refund if I cannot take the test?
At IDP Thailand, you get a full refund if you cancel or transfer more than five weeks before the test. Within five weeks, you usually pay the full fee unless you have a serious medical reason with a medical certificate.
How much is IELTS One Skill Retake?
5,150 baht at IDP Thailand, or 5,400 baht for the UKVI version. You must take it within 60 days of a computer test. Check that your university or visa accepts it.
How long is an IELTS result valid?
Most organisations accept an IELTS result for two years after the test date. Some set a shorter period.
Make sure you only pay once
See the band you could reach by your exam date and exactly what to study each day.
Sources
- IDP Thailand: How to book IELTS and test fees. Fees, booking steps, payment and transfer rules, checked 19 October 2026
- IELTS: British Council Bangkok test centre. British Council fees, checked 19 October 2026
- IDP Thailand: Computer delivered IELTS. Test days, sessions, centres and result times
- IDP Thailand: Request a remark. Enquiry on Results fee and deadline
- British Council Thailand: One Skill Retake. 60 day window and eligible test formats
- IDP Thailand: IELTS FAQs. Retaking and paper test result times. Fees on this page are out of date.
