Two ways to send: post or e-delivery
Organisations choose how they receive IELTS scores: by post as a paper Test Report Form, or by IELTS Results Service e-delivery. You can post results to up to five organisations free of charge; more cost a processing fee. E-delivery can go to as many organisations as you like. IELTS Online results can only be shared by e-delivery (ielts.org).
Ask each university how it wants your score, and confirm its postal address or e-delivery account name before you send.
British Council and IDP India compared
The two providers word their allowances differently, so use the rule for the organisation that ran your test.
| British Council | IDP India | |
|---|---|---|
| Free electronic sends | Up to 10 eTRFs at a time, no limit on the total | First five electronic reports free |
| After the free allowance | No charge stated for eTRFs | INR 350 per university |
| Paper copies | Up to five free paper TRFs, addresses added in the Test Taker Portal | Up to five additional TRFs; INR 400 by ordinary mail or INR 1,500 by courier per institution |
| Deadline | Within two years of the test date | Online through the candidate login; maximum five universities a day |
| Source | British Council | IDP India ATRF page and FAQ |
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Sending yourself
With an eTRF you can download it and share it yourself by post, email or the portal (British Council). But many institutions want official copies: the British Council warns that scans, photocopies and other unofficial copies may not be accepted (British Council). Institutions can check any result for free by looking up the TRF number in the IELTS Results Service (ielts.org).
If your test centre has closed
Use the Additional IELTS Test Report Form request. It is available for up to two years from your test date and is charged (ielts.org).
Allow time: the British Council notes it can take a few days for an institution to receive your TRF, so send well before application deadlines (British Council).
Booking and results rules are set per country and test centre, and they change. Check the page for the country where you will sit the test. This guide is general information, not official IELTS advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities can I send IELTS results to for free?+
Five by post under the ielts.org rule, and unlimited by e-delivery. The British Council sends up to 10 eTRFs at a time with no total limit; IDP India charges INR 350 each after five electronic reports.
How long after my test can I send IELTS results?+
Up to two years from the test date, per the British Council and ielts.org.
Can I email my IELTS result to a university?+
You can share a downloaded eTRF yourself, but many institutions want official copies or e-delivery, and may reject scans or photocopies.
How do universities verify IELTS scores?+
Through the free IELTS Results Service, by looking up your Test Report Form number.
Can I send IELTS Online results by post?+
No. ielts.org says IELTS Online results can only be shared officially by e-delivery.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) explained
- How long IELTS results take
- IELTS validity
- IELTS university requirements
- All 1066 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 11 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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