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How To Send IELTS Score To University

7 Jan 2025
4 min read

Submitting your IELTS scores doesn’t have to be a problem when you apply to universities abroad. If you aspire to study in countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, they require your IELTS score. These scores are to show your proficiency in English and if you meet the needed requirements of your university of choice.

By registering for the IELTS at IDP India, you can even reach out to five universities at a time to send your IELTS score. Fortunately, sending your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is faster and easier than before. In this guide, you will learn how to send IELTS scores to university with confidence, thus taking you one step closer to your academic goals.

Importance of Sending IELTS Scores to Universities

Forwarding your IELTS scores is one of the most important moves you can make in the university application process. These scores are evidence of your English capability and are the first step to entry into many English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Without these scores, your application might be considered inadequate or even denied. Submission on time makes it possible for universities to assess your language skills as they are and hence improve your chances of being admitted. In other words, submitting your IELTS scores on time is an effective way to convince your receiving institution that you are prepared to study overseas.

When Do You Need to Send IELTS Scores?

You need to forward the IELTS scores as early as possible when applying to different universities. Your universities need your scores before the deadline for your application, so try to submit them at least 2-3 weeks before the deadline. You can ask the test centres to send your score automatically to the five universities you selected during registration. For extra universities or with final columns, ask for score submission earlier to guarantee all arrive at the admissions office timely.

Methods to Send IELTS Scores

Many students wonder how I can send my IELTS score to university? Well, you can send your IELTS scores via two methods: Postal Mail or E-Delivery. 

  • For postal mail, you can contact your test centre to send a paper Test Report Form (TRF) to up to five universities without charge. If you want to send more you  will have to pay a charge. 
  • For e-delivery, contact your test centre or use the booking site to send paperless/traditional TRFs with no restriction to the number of submissions allowed. Postal delivery is also somewhat common, so make sure the chosen university accepts accounts via post.

Step-by-Step Guide for Sending Scores

Here is the step-by-step process on how to send the IELTS score to the university

  1. Receive Your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF): After your test, you will be issued an official TRF in the Pass, Distinction, Fail format. This can be a hard copy or electronic form (eTRF).
  2. Select Up to Five Universities During Registration: On the registration, you are allowed to provide up to five institutions to which the test scores will be reported without any charge. These will be generated and sent by IDP once your results are out.
  3. Choose the Delivery Method: You can choose two methods to send it.
  • Postal Mail (Paper TRF): If the university prefers receiving paper copies of scores you have to send it through mail; you can call or contact the test centre for this. The first five are free; any subsequent requests total INR 250 per institution per library. Courier delivery is INR 1500 with track features while the standard post is INR 400 and here track features are not included.
  • E-Delivery: As for electronic submission options, opt for e-delivery by selecting the test centre or booking service where you register. As mentioned before, you can deliver eTRFs to as many institutions as you wish.
  1. Request Additional TRFs (ATRFs) Online: For scores beyond the first five or after one month, you have to log into the official website. To add a new TRF go to the option ‘Select,’ then input the necessary information about the institution, that the option ‘TRF’ can be through postal or e-delivery. One university costs ATRL’s INR 250.
  2. Verify University Preferences: Check how the university would like to receive scores, whether by post or email and re-check the address or account name.
  3. Track Your Submission: In case you choose the courier delivery option you will be provided with a tracking number. In the case of e-delivery, the tenders are accepted instantly.

Cost and Payment Options

So, how much does it cost to send an IELTS score? As discussed above, applying to the first five chosen universities is free of cost. After that, the administrative charge is INR 250 per university. The mode of payment is electronic, and you can choose it when you finalise the process. You can always refer to the official site for up-to-date information. 

Timeframe for Sending and Receiving Scores

IELTS results often take 13 days for the paper-based type and 3-5 days for the computer-based type. Once your results are released, your selected universities will receive them based on the chosen delivery method:

E-Delivery: Delivered initially, and most of the time, it takes about a day to receive them.

Postal Mail: Delivery times vary. Regular post usually may require 2-3 weeks depending on the country in question. Courier service normally takes 4 – 7 days with tracking included.

You should dispatch your scores two to three weeks before the date application in order to prevent extension. For ATRFs, it takes about 3-5 business days to process in total. Put thought on how to coordinate yourself enough to deliver on time.

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Issue: University hasn’t received your results.

Solution: Please contact your chosen test centre to understand the delivery status. If sent via courier then tracking code may be used to monitor delivery status. For e-delivery, check that the account details of this university were well entered by the examiner.

2.Issue: Failed to Submit Free Score Online before the deadline.

Solution: It is important to note that you can still send the ATRFs online through the official website. Each ATRF costs INR 250. Therefore, you should plan accordingly.

3.Issue: Wrong university details

Solution: Pay particular attention to the institution’s name, address, and mode of delivery, postal or e-delivery when sending the request.

4. Issue: Score Delivery Takes Too Long.

Solution: In case you are sending parcels use the courier service instead of the post office. To obtain information faster, turn to e-delivery service which can reach universities in 1 day.

Tips for Sending IELTS Scores

  1. Double-check the correct university name and address before submitting your request.
  2. Confirm the preferred delivery method (postal or e-delivery) with each institution.
  3. Use courier service for faster delivery and tracking.
  4. Request Additional Test Report Forms (ATRFs) online for any extra universities.
  5. Send your scores well before application deadlines to allow for possible delays.
  6. Keep track of your score delivery status, especially for paper submissions.
  7. Ensure your candidate number and ID match the details used during registration for smooth processing.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to send the IELTS score to the university, you have to get started immediately. The sooner the results go out, the better your chances, and you’ll have buffer time if something goes wrong. Most universities take electronic scores, so your chances of applying to all the universities you want are good. We have also covered how to send IELTS results electronically, so you are all set. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take for my IELTS Scores to reach Universities?

IELTS scores are available 13 days after a paper-based test or 3–5 days for computer-based tests. E-delivery is the fastest option and the scores reach universities within 24 hours. Postal mail can take 2–3 weeks depending on the destination.

2. How many Universities can I send my IELTS Scores to for free?

You can send your IELTS scores to up to five universities for free within one month of your test date. After that, additional submissions will incur a fee of INR 250 per university.

3. What Should I do if my University hasn't Received my IELTS Scores?

Contact your test centre to check the status of your delivery. If sent by courier, use the tracking ID to track the package. For e-delivery, ensure that the university’s account details are entered correctly.

4.Can I send IELTS Scores to more than five Universities?

Yes, you can send scores to more than five universities, but there is a processing fee of INR 250 for each additional request after the first five. You can submit these requests online through the official IELTS website.

5.What is the Difference between paper TRF and eTRF?

A paper TRF is a physical copy of your results, and an eTRF is a digital version that is sent electronically. Both contain the same details, but eTRF is faster and more convenient for universities that accept electronic submissions.

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