IELTS One Skill Retake: Which Universities and Student Visas Accept It

TL;DR: What is IELTS One Skill Retake? It lets you resit one section of IELTS (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) within 60 days of your original test, if you took IELTS on computer at a centre that offers it. Australia's Department of Home Affairs and, according to IELTS, UK Visas and Immigration and Immigration New Zealand accept it for visas. Universities decide for themselves: some accept it, and some, including Leiden and Groningen in the Netherlands, do not.

One low band can block an offer or a visa even when your other three scores are strong. One Skill Retake fixes that without resitting the whole test, but only if the place you are applying to accepts the result.

This guide covers how the retake works, who accepts it for visas and admission, and how to check before you book. If you are booking from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.

Not sure your scores meet your course requirement? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

How does IELTS One Skill Retake work?

• One section only. You choose Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking.
• Within 60 days. The retake must be completed within 60 days of your original test day.
• Once per test. You can complete only one retake for each full IELTS test.
• Computer-delivered tests. Your original test must be IELTS on computer, at a centre that offers the retake.
• Academic and General Training. It is available for both, and IELTS says it is also offered for IELTS for UKVI on computer in selected locations.

You receive a new Test Report Form in 3 to 5 days showing your original scores, the retake score and a new overall score. British Council says you can use either the original or the new report, and both are valid for 2 years from the original test date.

Which student visas accept it?

For the UK and New Zealand, the approval was announced by IELTS rather than set out word for word on the government pages we checked. Confirm on GOV.UK or the Immigration New Zealand site, or with your university, before you rely on a retake for a visa.

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Do universities accept One Skill Retake?

Admission is a separate decision from the visa. Each university sets its own English policy, and policies differ even within one country.

• Queen Mary University of London accepts One Skill Retake for postgraduate taught courses if the scores meet its requirements.
• Leiden University does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for its master's programmes.
• University of Groningen does not accept IELTS Online or One Skill Retake certificates for bachelor's entry.
• Wageningen University does not accept One Skill Retake results for bachelor's admission.
• IDP lists many Australian universities as accepting it, including UNSW, Monash, Sydney, Queensland, Deakin and Macquarie. Check the university's own English requirements page to confirm.

How to decide whether to retake one section

1. Check the university first. Search its English language requirements page for "One Skill Retake". If it is not mentioned, email admissions and keep the reply.
2. Check the visa. Confirm the visa accepts the result, especially for a UK Student visa, where you need IELTS for UKVI.
3. Check the timing. You have 60 days from the original test, so book as soon as you see your results.
4. Prepare for the one section. Put all your practice time into the section you are retaking.

If any of your universities refuse the retake, a full new test may be the safer choice. Our guides on IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic and PTE vs IELTS can help you choose.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• Both British Council and IDP run IELTS in Sri Lanka. British Council Sri Lanka publishes a step-by-step guide to booking One Skill Retake, covering regular and UKVI IELTS.
• The retake fee varies by test centre. Check the current fee on the British Council or IDP Sri Lanka page when you book.
• Not every centre offers the retake. Confirm the venue before your original test if you think you may need it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I retake two sections?
No. One Skill Retake covers one section, once, for each full IELTS test. To improve two sections, you sit a full test again.

Does my overall score change after a retake?
Yes. The new Test Report Form shows a new overall score calculated with your retake result.

Can I use One Skill Retake with paper-based IELTS?
No. The original test must be IELTS on computer at a centre that offers the retake.

PS: Before you pay for a retake, check every university on your list. A retake that one university refuses can cost you more time than a full new test. If you want help reading the requirements, Check your eligibility with Prosper.

Check your eligibility ›

Team Prosper

References

1. IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS. https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/ielts-one-skill-retake (accessed 23 October 2026)
2. One Skill Retake, British Council. https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/one-skill-retake (accessed 23 October 2026)
3. English language, Department of Home Affairs. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language (accessed 23 October 2026)
4. United Kingdom government approves IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS. https://ielts.org/news-and-insights/united-kingdom-government-approves-ielts-one-skill-retake-for-use-with-uk-visa-applications (accessed 23 October 2026)
5. New Zealand's immigration authority approves IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS. https://ielts.org/news-and-insights/new-zealands-immigration-authority-approves-ielts-one-skill-retake (accessed 23 October 2026)
6. NZQA accepting IELTS One Skill Retake, NZQA. https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/news/nzqa-accepting-ielts-one-skill-retake/ (accessed 23 October 2026)
7. Study at a university, IND. https://ind.nl/en/study/Pages/study-at-university.aspx (accessed 23 October 2026)
8. English language requirements, postgraduate taught, Queen Mary University of London. https://qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduatetaught (accessed 23 October 2026)
9. Master's admission requirements, Leiden University. https://universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/masters/admission-requirements (accessed 23 October 2026)
10. Language requirements and exemptions, University of Groningen. https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/bachelor/bachelor-entry-requirements/language-requirements-and-exemptions?lang=en (accessed 23 October 2026)
11. Who accepts IELTS One Skill Retake, IDP Australia. https://ielts.com.au/about/who-accepts-ielts-one-skill-retake (accessed 23 October 2026)