This article was originally published in the September 2025 edition of ELGazette. Reproduced with permission.
In light of new studies being released by English test providers, institutions have an opportunity to evaluate their English language scores so international students, and the broader system that is set up to support them, can succeed.
We all want our international students to succeed. Not just to pass their exams or make it to graduation, but to truly thrive, in lectures, labs and the layered, often messy richness of life in a new country.
Some will return home after their studies and become lifelong advocates for their study destination. Others will stay and build new lives, stepping into critical roles in healthcare, education, technology, and beyond.
But none of that is possible without a solid foundation in the language they’ll live, work and study in.
When students start behind
Getting English language score settings right is critical. When English language assessment misses the mark, students may arrive full of potential but underprepared for what lies ahead. When this alignment is off, students begin their journey on the back foot.
When that happens, it is a harder path for students to stay committed to their studies, and the broader system feels the strain. The consequences ripple outwards, impacting peers, support staff and the institution’s own capacity to deliver on its promise.
Our opportunity now
The past year has brought a wave of new data and developments in English language testing, creating a clear opportunity to pause, reflect, and reassess whether current score settings are truly serving the students we welcome.
Recent research has reaffirmed the strong connection between English language proficiency and student success. That includes findings from the USA linking higher IELTS scores with lower academic stress and stronger social support, and Canadian studies showing stronger GPA resilience in students with higher proficiency at entry.
Earlier this year, a joint IELTS–TOEFL iBT concordance study was released. In the past few weeks, Pearson published a new concordance study comparing IELTS and the updated PTE Academic. The latter shows significant differences in how IELTS and a revised PTE test scores align, compared with earlier equivalency tables that are widely used to set scores today.
The good news is this new evidence allows institutions to review their English language requirements with greater precision and confidence, supporting both quality recruitment and long-term outcomes.
Policy, accountability, and the push for outcomes
At the same time, the global policy landscape is shifting. In the UK, the government’s proposed immigration white paper includes a requirement for universities to report on student completion rates, placing renewed emphasis on outcomes. Around the world, institutions are being called on to demonstrate how they are supporting student success after enrolment.
Across all this, one message stands out: English language testing must be viewed not as a hurdle to clear, but as a gateway to opportunity. Language proficiency, when assessed fairly and transparently, becomes a key enabler of academic progress, wellbeing, and long-term contribution.
Revisiting score settings for real impact
That’s why now is the right time for institutions to revisit their English language requirements.
Especially if you accept more than one test, it is worth asking:
Are your English language settings aligned with the demands of your programs?
Are they giving students the best chance to start strong and stay engaged?
Do they help surface support needs before they become roadblocks?
These are not administrative questions. They go to the heart of student success and quality recruitment.
Engage with your language testing providers. Ask the questions that matter. Choose assessments that are transparent, stable, and designed to reflect the communication skills students actually need.
A foundation for success
At IELTS, our band scale has remained consistent for over 35 years. Our scoring model has become the benchmark for quality and fairness in English language assessment. With over 12,500 institutions worldwide recognising IELTS, it offers a reliable standard in an uncertain landscape.
We continue to invest in the evidence and resources institutions need to make informed decisions, because when entry standards are thoughtfully set and transparently applied, they do more than filter applicants. They create a reliable foundation for long-term success, for students, institutions, and the sector as a whole.
