IELTS Exam Fee in Bangladesh 2026: British Council vs IDP

The IELTS exam fee in Bangladesh is BDT 31,100 for IELTS Academic or General Training at both British Council and IDP. IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) costs BDT 34,850. These are the fees both official test providers show for a computer-delivered test at a test centre, last checked on 28 October 2026.

This guide explains what each IELTS test costs, how British Council and IDP compare, how to pay, and what you pay if you need to change, cancel or retake your test. It ends with a simple way to check your level before you spend BDT 31,100.

How much is the IELTS fee in Bangladesh in 2026?

For most students the answer is BDT 31,100. That covers IELTS Academic, which universities ask for, and IELTS General Training, which is used for work and migration. You pay the same amount at British Council and at IDP, and IDP charges the same fee in every city, so a test in Chattogram, Sylhet or Khulna costs the same as one in Dhaka.

• IELTS Academic (computer, at a test centre): BDT 31,100
• IELTS General Training (computer, at a test centre): BDT 31,100
• IELTS for UKVI, Academic or General Training: BDT 34,850
• IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1): BDT 26,000 at British Council (listed as IELTS for UKVI Life Skills) and BDT 24,750 at IDP
• One Skill Retake: BDT 19,600 at British Council and BDT 18,600 at IDP (UKVI version: BDT 22,000 and BDT 20,900)
• Remark of your result (Enquiry on Results): BDT 12,500 at British Council and BDT 10,500 at IDP, refunded if your score goes up

Fees change from time to time. Some older pages, including part of IDP's own help centre, still show BDT 29,600, but both providers' booking pages now charge BDT 31,100. Always confirm the amount on the official booking page before you pay.

Is the IELTS fee different at British Council and IDP?

No, not for the main tests. Both providers charge BDT 31,100 for IELTS Academic and General Training and BDT 34,850 for IELTS for UKVI. The test itself is the same IELTS test, marked to the same standard and accepted in the same way by universities and embassies, whichever provider you book with.

The differences are in the details around the test: available dates and venues, how quickly a slot opens near you, how you can pay, and the fees for extra services. The prices that differ are IELTS Life Skills (BDT 26,000 at British Council, BDT 24,750 at IDP), One Skill Retake (BDT 19,600 and BDT 18,600) and a remark (BDT 12,500 and BDT 10,500). If you might need one of these, compare both before booking.

Which IELTS test should I pay for?

Choose the test your university, employer or visa asks for, because paying for the wrong one means paying twice.

• IELTS Academic is for undergraduate and postgraduate study abroad, and for some professional registrations.
• IELTS General Training is for work, training programmes and migration to countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
• IELTS for UKVI is needed for some UK visa routes and some courses. For degree courses, many UK universities accept the normal IELTS Academic, so check your offer letter or the visa guidance before paying the higher UKVI fee.
• IELTS Life Skills is a speaking and listening test for some UK family and settlement visas.

How do I pay the IELTS fee in Bangladesh?

You pay when you book. The two providers accept slightly different methods:

• British Council: a Visa, Mastercard or AMEX card, DBBL Nexus, bKash or Rocket, online. Pay when you book or within 24 hours. You can also spread the fee over three monthly instalments at 0% interest.
• IDP: a credit or debit card online, bKash or Nagad, or cash at any IDP centre. Pay within two days, or the booking is put on hold.

Neither provider lists an extra charge for paying by bKash. Book only through the official British Council or IDP websites, or a registration partner listed on them, and keep your payment receipt and booking confirmation until your result arrives.

How much does it cost to change or cancel my IELTS test?

It depends on how close your test date is. British Council and IDP now use the same time limits for standard IELTS (IELTS for UKVI has its own rules):

• 15 days or more before the test: moving your test is free, and cancelling returns 75% of the fee.
• 5 to 14 days before: you can move your test for a fee of 25% (BDT 7,400 at IDP), but cancelling returns nothing.
• Less than 5 days before: you can't move your test, and there is no refund.
• Illness or an emergency: apply to your test centre with evidence. British Council accepts a request up to 2 calendar days after the test date, and IDP within 4 days. If it is accepted, you get a transfer or a refund, sometimes minus an admin fee.
• Extra services cost extra: a remark of your result (see below), and sending your result to more than five universities (BDT 2,400 each at IDP).

IDP's fee page still shows older, different figures (a BDT 3,000 fee and a five-week refund cut-off), so read the policy shown when you book.

Can I retake just one part of IELTS?

Yes. IELTS One Skill Retake lets you retake one skill (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) instead of the whole test. British Council charges BDT 19,600 and IDP BDT 18,600 (BDT 22,000 and BDT 20,900 for the UKVI version). It is only for a test taken on computer at a test centre that offers it. You can use it once per test, within 60 days of your original test date. Not every university or visa accepts it, so check before you rely on it.

Even so, a retake still costs more than half of a full test. Most students save more by checking their level properly before the first attempt.

How much does it cost to have IELTS re-marked?

If your score is lower than you expected, you can ask for a remark, called an Enquiry on Results. You choose which parts to re-mark.

• Fee: BDT 12,500 at British Council and BDT 10,500 at IDP.
• Refund: you get the fee back if your score goes up.
• Deadline: apply within six weeks of your test. British Council counts from the test date, IDP from the date on your Test Report Form.
• How long it takes: the new result can come the same day or take up to 21 days.

A remark makes most sense when one skill is just below your target, for example Writing at 6.0 when you need 6.5. If every skill is well short, more practice before a new test is usually a better use of the money.

Check your level before you pay BDT 31,100

At BDT 31,100 a sitting, a failed attempt is expensive. The surest way to protect that money is to sit a full IELTS practice test under real exam timing first. You'll know your likely band for each skill and what to fix before booking.

BDIELTS gives you a free full IELTS mock test with real exam timing, instant Listening and Reading bands, and an AI band for Writing and Speaking. It's a practice test, not the official IELTS, but it shows you whether you're ready.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a paper-based IELTS test in Bangladesh?

No. Full paper-based IELTS is no longer offered in Bangladesh: IDP stopped it after 31 January 2026, and both providers now list only computer-delivered tests. Some IDP sessions are listed as "IELTS on computer / Writing on paper": you take the test on computer but handwrite the Writing section, for the same fee.

Can I pay the IELTS fee with bKash?

Yes. British Council accepts bKash and Rocket online, and IDP accepts bKash and Nagad. Neither lists an extra charge for paying this way.

Can I book IELTS cheaper through a coaching centre or agent?

The official fee is BDT 31,100 at both providers, and IDP says it has no blanket discounts, only occasional limited-time offers. You may see centres advertise a lower price or free mock tests with registration. Before you pay anyone other than British Council or IDP, check that the centre is an official registration partner, get the price in writing, and make sure your booking confirmation comes from British Council or IDP. Never pay a person who messages you on Facebook or WhatsApp offering a cheaper booking.

Is the IELTS fee cheaper in Chattogram or Sylhet?

No. IDP charges the same BDT 31,100 in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal and Cumilla.

Do I get money back if I miss my IELTS test?

Usually not. You only get a refund or a new date if the test centre accepts an exceptional reason, such as a serious illness with a medical certificate, and you must apply quickly: up to 2 calendar days after the test at British Council, and within 4 days at IDP. Arrive in good time, too: if you are late, you may not be allowed to take the test.

How long is an IELTS result valid?

IELTS recommends that results are accepted for two years from the test date, and most universities and immigration offices follow that. A few accept older results, so check with the organisation.

Fees last checked on 28 October 2026 on the official British Council Bangladesh and IDP Bangladesh websites. Sources: British Council Bangladesh: book IELTS, cancellation, refund and transfer, One Skill Retake and results and remarks; IDP Bangladesh: IELTS exam fee, transfer and cancellation, request a remark and paper-based IELTS.

How we made this guide: we researched and drafted it with the help of AI, because that lets us compare official information and many student posts quickly. Every fee and rule was then checked against the official British Council Bangladesh and IDP Bangladesh pages and what students in Bangladesh say about paying for their test, last checked on 28 October 2026. The cover is a stock photo from Pexels.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. BDIELTS is an independent IELTS practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.