Reviewed by the finduni team · Last verified 15 September 2026 · Sources: Home Affairs: English language requirements, Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500), GOV.UK: Secure English Language Tests, GOV.UK: Student visa, knowledge of English, IDP Nepal: IELTS on paper, IDP Nepal: IELTS Writing on Paper
What changed in this update: Replaced the claim that the Subclass 500 visa has no English minimum with the Home Affairs minimums, corrected Duolingo's status for the UK and Australia, and removed fixed IELTS result times. Paper-based IELTS is noted as ended in Nepal.
The Short Answer
If you are applying for an Australian student visa and want fast results, choose PTE Academic. If your target university specifically requires IELTS, or if you are applying to UK institutions where IELTS is more consistently accepted, choose IELTS. Both are fully accepted for Australian and UK student visas.
Price Comparison in Nepal (2026)
| Test | Official (NPR) | finduni.ai (NPR) | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (Computer Based) (IDP) | NPR 36,000 | NPR 35,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| IELTS Academic (Computer Based) (BC) | NPR 36,000 | NPR 35,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| PTE (Pearson VUE) | NPR 36,500 | NPR 33,000 | NPR 3,500 |
| Duolingo English Test (Duolingo Inc.) | NPR 10,500 | NPR 10,500 | Sold at the official rate |
PTE Academic offers the largest saving at NPR 3,500. Book either test through finduni.ai/booking.
Results Speed
| Test | Result Time |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic | 5 business days |
| IELTS on Computer | IDP publishes result timing for each format when you book |
If your visa or offer letter deadline is tight, check the result timing for your test date before you book. IDP no longer offers paper-based IELTS in Nepal after 27 June 2026: the current format is IELTS on Computer, with a Writing on Paper option.
Test Format Differences
| Feature | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | IELTS on Computer (or the Writing on Paper option) | Fully Computer |
| Speaking | Face-to-face with examiner | Recorded on computer |
| Duration | ~2h 45min | ~2h |
| Score scale | 1-9 band | 10-90 points |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Same 4 skills, integrated |
Some students find PTE less stressful because the speaking section is recorded vs a live examiner. Others prefer IELTS because the format is more familiar.
Which is Accepted Where?
| Country / Visa | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) | ✓ Accepted | ✓ Accepted |
| UK Student Visa (UKVI) | ✓ IELTS for UKVI | ✓ PTE Academic UKVI |
| Canada Student Permit | ✓ Accepted | ✓ Accepted |
| New Zealand Student Visa | ✓ Accepted | ✓ Accepted |
| USA (F-1 Student Visa) | ✓ Accepted by most universities | ✓ Accepted by most universities |
PTE or IELTS for Australia specifically
Both PTE Academic and IELTS Academic are fully accepted for the Australian student visa (Subclass 500), so neither test gives you a visa advantage. The practical differences are speed and price: PTE results typically arrive in 2 days, while IDP publishes IELTS result timing for each format when you book. Through finduni.ai, PTE Academic costs NPR 33,000 and computer-delivered IELTS Academic costs NPR 35,000.
Many Australian universities accept both tests equally for admission, so the right choice comes down to your test-taking style. If you are comfortable speaking to a computer and want results fast, choose PTE. If you prefer a face-to-face speaking test and a familiar format, choose IELTS. Take a free practice test in both formats before booking.
Minimum Score Requirements for Australia
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Australian student visa (Subclass 500) sets a minimum English score: IELTS Academic 6.0, or 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, or a Foundation or eligible Pathway program, or 5.0 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS; PTE Academic 47, or 39 with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, or a Foundation or eligible Pathway program, or 31 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. Universities set their own admission requirements, which are often higher. Common university benchmarks:
- IELTS: Most undergraduate courses require 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5). Many postgraduate courses require 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0).
- PTE: Undergraduate courses often require 50 overall. Postgraduate courses often require 58 overall.
Always check your specific course requirements on the university website.
Which is Harder for Nepali Students?
There is no objective answer. Difficulty is personal. However, common feedback from Nepali students:
- PTE Speaking: some find it easier without a live examiner watching them; others find the computer format awkward.
- IELTS Reading: longer passages can be challenging under time pressure.
- PTE Writing: integrated tasks combine listening + writing, which requires practice.
Take a full practice test for both and see which format you score better in before committing.
Our Recommendation
- Studying in Australia? PTE Academic: faster results, equally accepted, often easier to score higher with practice.
- Studying in the UK? IELTS for UKVI: more consistently accepted across UK universities.
- Applying to multiple countries? IELTS: broader universal recognition.
- Tight timeline? PTE Academic results typically arrive within days. For IELTS, check the result timing IDP publishes for your test date before you book.