As the UK, Australian and Canadian governments all explore initiatives to lift the quality of their international education sectors, a new peer-reviewed study has found a strong link between IELTS scores and academic success. The research highlights the role of English language testing in helping students thrive in their international studies.
The study, published in Language Testing, looked at academic achievements of thousands of international students at a Canadian university and tracked their academic outcomes over time.
It found that students with higher IELTS scores achieved better grades in their first year of their studies and were more likely to show academic resilience — the ability to recover from challenges or setbacks during their degree.
The authors also noted that IELTS scores not only predict success in a student’s first semester but also provide insight into their academic trajectory, allowing institutions to offer targeted support throughout the student journey.
This new evidence reinforces what many academic staff and advisors already see in practice: stronger English skills help students participate more fully in lectures, contribute to group work, and stay on track with their studies.
Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer at IDP Education, said the research highlights the broader value of IELTS scores for institutions.
“With the UK’s Immigration White Paper and other recent reforms tightening English language requirements in Australia, USA and Canada, this study delivers clear evidence that IELTS scores are a strong predictor of student success — not just a measure of language,” said Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer at IDP Education.
“It’s why IELTS remains the global benchmark, and why institutions worldwide continue to choose IDP as a trusted partner in delivering quality outcomes,” he said.
As a proud co-owner of IELTS, IDP remains focused on supporting institutions with trusted, research-backed evidence that helps inform admissions decisions.
For more information on the study, please refer to the full article in Language Testing.