IELTS Academic in 8 weeks

Work towards band 6.5 to 7 (CEFR B2 to C1) in all four skills, with eight Writing and Speaking homework tasks marked along the way.

Who it is for: For university applicants and professionals who need IELTS Academic, starting at about band 5.5 (CEFR B1 to B2).

Not the right fit if you want live lessons with a teacher, or you are already at band 7 or above.

Price
£49 one payment, in pounds (GBP)
Length
8 weeks, 16 lessons, about 27 hours of study
Test
IELTS Academic
Starting level
About band 5.5 (CEFR B1 to B2)
Marking
8 Writing and Speaking tasks and 2 full mock tests, marked automatically
Format and access
Self-paced online, no live teacher; access with no time limit

Last updated .

What is included

  • 16 lessons over 8 weeks, with objectives for each
  • 8 Writing and Speaking homework tasks, each marked against the four criteria with your errors quoted and corrected
  • 2 full mock tests in all four skills
  • 18 evaluation credits added to your account to cover all of these, which never expire
  • Reading, Listening and vocabulary practice linked from each week
  • A progress tick-list so you can see what is left

Syllabus

  1. Week 1

    • The test, the band descriptors and your starting pointTest strategy · 60 min
    • Speaking Part 1: answering in fullSpeaking · 60 min · marked homework

  2. Week 2

    • Writing Task 2: understanding the questionWriting · 75 min · marked homework
    • Reading: skimming, scanning and True/False/Not GivenReading · 60 min

  3. Week 3

    • Writing Task 1: line graphs and the overviewWriting · 75 min · marked homework
    • Listening Sections 1 and 2: form and map completionListening · 60 min

  4. Week 4

    • Speaking Part 2: planning in one minuteSpeaking · 60 min · marked homework
    • Coherence and cohesion: paragraphs that connectWriting · 75 min · marked homework

  5. Week 5

    • Writing Task 1: bar charts, tables and comparisonsWriting · 75 min · marked homework
    • Reading: matching headings and summary completionReading · 60 min

  6. Week 6

    • Lexical resource: topic vocabulary and collocationVocabulary · 60 min
    • Speaking Part 3: developing abstract answersSpeaking · 60 min · marked homework

  7. Week 7

    • Grammatical range: complex sentences without errorsGrammar · 60 min · marked homework
    • Listening Sections 3 and 4: academic talksListening · 60 min

  8. Week 8

    • Full mock testTest strategy · 165 min
    • Review and test-day planTest strategy · 60 min

Sample lesson: Writing Task 2: understanding the question

  • Identify the question type (opinion, discussion, problem-solution, two-part)
  • Write a clear position in the introduction
  • Plan four paragraphs in five minutes

Homework · Writing Task 2

Some people believe that universities should focus on preparing students for employment, while others think their main purpose is to develop knowledge for its own sake. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (at least 250 words, 40 minutes)

How your work is marked

The course is self-paced and marked automatically: there is no live teacher. Our evaluator measures each answer against the four public band descriptors and gives an estimated band range with corrections. It cannot judge everything a trained examiner would, such as how convincing an argument is. How marking works.

Questions about this course

How much does the IELTS Academic course cost?

£49, one payment in pounds (GBP), with no subscription. It includes 18 evaluation credits: one for each of the 8 marked Writing and Speaking homework tasks and 10 for the 2 full mock tests.

How long does the course take?

8 weeks at about 3 to 4 hours a week: 16 lessons and about 27 hours of study in total, including homework and both mock tests. You keep access with no time limit, so you can go faster or slower.

What level do I need to start?

About band 5.5 (CEFR B1 to B2). If you are below band 5, build general English first; if you are already at band 7 or above, a course aimed at band 7 and higher will suit you better.

Is there a live teacher?

No. The course is self-paced and your homework is marked automatically by our evaluators against the four public band descriptors, with your errors quoted and corrected. If you want live lessons, see the listed course providers.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. If you have not started the course within 14 days of buying it, you can have a full refund. Read the Refund Policy

Does the course guarantee a band score?

No. No course can guarantee an IELTS band. Bands from the course are estimates for practice, not official results.

Reviews from enrolled learners

No reviews yet. Only learners with a recorded place on the course can review it, from 14 days after they start. How reviews work

Every review comes from a learner with a recorded enrolment and is checked by us before it appears. Nobody is paid or rewarded for a review, low ratings are published like high ones, and providers cannot remove reviews. Review policy

IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English. Bands from this course are estimates for practice, not official IELTS results, and no course can guarantee a band.