- Test centres in Mali
- None listed
- Dakar (British Council)
- XOF 226,490
- Abidjan (British Council)
- €317
- UK visa (B2)
- 5.5 each
No IELTS centre in Mali: where to test instead
Mali is not among the countries in the official IELTS test centre finder. These are the nearest listed centres; Dakar charges in CFA francs (XOF), the currency Mali also uses, while Abidjan lists its fees in euros.
| Centre | IELTS (Academic or General Training) | IELTS for UKVI |
|---|---|---|
| British Council, Dakar (computer) | XOF 226,490 | XOF 237,890 |
| British Council, Graduate School of Management, Abidjan (computer) | €317 | €339 |
Both centres also list IELTS Life Skills A1 and B1 (XOF 159,470 in Dakar, €216 in Abidjan), and every listed session is on computer. Check the entry rules for the country you will test in before you book.
BandLadder pricing in XOF for Mali
BandLadder in XOF
One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.
| Plan | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Pass | 7 days | XOF 3,020 |
| Quick Pass | 15 days | XOF 4,835 |
| Boost | 30 days | XOF 8,466 |
| Professional | 60 days | XOF 13,913 |
| Professional | 90 days | XOF 18,149 |
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Practice IELTS Academic →The band each destination needs
| Route | IELTS | PTE equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom: Skilled Worker, degree-level study | IELTS for UKVI 5.5 each (B2) | PTE Academic UKVI 59 each |
| Australia: Competent English (skilled visa eligibility) | IELTS 6.0 each | PTE 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 (L/R/W/S) |
| Australia: Proficient English (+10 points) | IELTS 7.0 each | PTE 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 |
| Canada: Express Entry CLB 7 | IELTS General 6.0 each | PTE Core L60 · R60 · W69 · S68 |
Australia's Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) adds 10 points and Superior (8.0 each) adds 20, achieved within three years of the visa application. Canada accepts only IELTS General Training for Express Entry, and the result must be under two years old. UK universities usually ask 6.0 to 6.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate study. The United States sets no IELTS or PTE score for the student visa: each university sets its own, and some do not accept PTE at all.
French speakers have a second route into Express Entry: IRCC also accepts two French tests, TEF Canada and TCF Canada, measured on the NCLC scale, and the English and French results must each be less than two years old.
What universities ask for
Each university sets its own English score, and some do not take PTE at all. Universities we checked on their official pages:
| University / level | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| McGill University (Canada), undergraduate | IELTS Academic 6.5, no component below 6.0 | PTE Academic 65, no component below 60 |
| McGill University, graduate programmes | IELTS Academic 6.5 (some programmes ask more) | Not accepted |
| University of Toronto (Canada), undergraduate | IELTS Academic 6.5, no band below 6.0 | PTE Academic 65, no part below 60 |
| Arizona State University (US), first-year, most majors | IELTS 6.0 | PTE Academic 53 |
McGill accepts IELTS (including IELTS for UKVI) only when sent electronically by the test centre, and does not accept One Skill Retake. McGill does not accept PTE, IELTS Online or One Skill Retake for graduate admission. Toronto accepts IELTS Online and UKVI sittings of both tests, but not One Skill Retake, and wants every IELTS score from a single test date. ASU asks more for some colleges: engineering is IELTS 6.5 or PTE 58, and its nursing degree does not accept PTE. Closer to home, Ashesi University in Ghana asks international students who were not taught in English at secondary school for evidence of English such as TOEFL or IELTS, without publishing a minimum score, and accepts the French Baccalaureate for admission.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take IELTS in Mali?+
Not at a listed centre. The official IELTS test centre finder does not list Mali (checked 11 October 2026), so you have to book in another country.
Where is the nearest IELTS centre to Bamako?+
The British Council in Dakar, Senegal (XOF 226,490; IELTS for UKVI XOF 237,890) or in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (€317; UKVI €339).
Is PTE available in Mali?+
No. Pearson's price finder does not list Mali. The nearest PTE centre is in Dakar (USD 265); Ghana charges USD 270.
What IELTS score do I need for a UK visa from Mali?+
B2 for Skilled Worker and degree-level Student visas: IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each skill. Universities set their own bands, usually 6.0 to 6.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate study.
Can I use a French test for Canada instead?+
For Express Entry, yes: IRCC accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada, scored on the NCLC scale, as well as the English tests (CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core). English-medium universities such as McGill and Toronto still ask for an English score.
Official sources
Reviewed 11 October 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.
- IELTS: test centre finder
- IELTS: British Council, Dakar (fees)
- IELTS: British Council, Graduate School of Management, Abidjan (fees)
- McGill: undergraduate English language proficiency
- McGill: graduate English language proficiency
- University of Toronto: English language requirements
- Arizona State University: international first-year admission
- Ashesi University: how to apply
- IRCC: Express Entry language test results
- gov.uk: Skilled Worker knowledge of English
- Home Affairs: Competent English
- IRCC: language testing for Express Entry
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