‘Japa’: British Council hikes IELTS fee for second time in 2024

The British Council in Nigeria has increased the fee for the academic international English language testing system (IELTS) examinations.

This is the second time the council will be hiking the examination fee this year.

NewsClick Nigeria reports that last month, the price was increased by 29 percent from the N107,500 that was being paid for the test.

IELTS on computer academic and general training modules was set at N139,000; IELTS on paper academic and general training modules was pegged at N134,000; the UK visas and immigration (UKVI) was increased to N149,000; Life skills: N130,000; and one skill retake (O.S.R): N87,570.

In an update on its website cited on Thursday, the council said it had reviewed the fees.

The new fee for IELTS on computer academic and general training modules is now N266,000; IELTS on paper academic and general training modules: N256,500; UKVI: N285,500; and life skills: N249,000.

“The above fees will be subject to review based on the prevailing market dynamics,” the council said.

“The change in fees is due to the evolving market dynamics and increased costs in the delivery of our exams.”

The council added that the updated prices for the IELTS range of tests will take effect from March 1.

In September 2023, the British Council increased the cost of IELTS from about N90,000 to N107,500.

At the time, the council said the new prices were necessary to sustain the high quality of standards for the testing experience.

The examination is widely accepted globally by non-native English speakers as evidence of their language proficiency.