IELTS Survey: 30% Indians want to study in Canada; under 10% in UK, Australia

Canada emerged as the most preferred international destination among Indian respondents in the new International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Voices survey 2026, with 30% of the 973 Indian participants identifying it as their intended destination. Australia followed at 9%, while 8% chose the UK.

The findings are part of the IELTS Voices survey conducted among 8,395 English language test takers and prospective candidates across 165 countries. India had the largest number of respondents in the research, with 973 participants.

Among Indian respondents taking IELTS for study purposes, 41% said they intended to stay in their destination country for three to five years. This compares with 26% of respondents from China, according to the survey.

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Test takers seek study-abroad flexibility

The survey also found that international test takers are increasingly looking for flexibility when choosing study destinations and English language tests. Globally, 42% of respondents taking IELTS for study purposes said they would consider more than one study destination.

The survey findings indicate that Indian test takers are considering multiple international education pathways while planning their studies and longer-term stay abroad.

Globally, Australia was the most commonly considered destination at 18%, followed by Canada at 17%, the UK at 16%, the US at 9% and Germany at 6%.

IELTS Voices: Indian respondents eye longer stays

The survey also examined how long test takers intended to remain in their destination countries.

Among Indian respondents taking IELTS for study purposes, 41% planned to stay for three to five years. The corresponding figure among Chinese respondents was 26%.

The research found that flexibility was an important consideration for test takers as they navigate changing study, work and migration requirements.

Test takers prioritise broad IELTS recognition

Beyond destination preferences, the IELTS Voices survey found that 82% of respondents globally would prioritise an English language test that is recognised as broadly as possible.

The survey also found that test takers were more than twice as likely to prefer choosing a test from an official list of government-approved providers than taking a single government-mandated test. While 43% preferred a choice among approved providers, 20% preferred a single mandated test.

Close to nine in 10 respondents, or 89%, said achieving successful outcomes was equally or more important than choosing the cheapest test option. Around 41% said they would select the test they believed offered the best chance of success even if it cost more.

Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer, IDP Education, said the findings reflect the way test takers are navigating a competitive international education environment.

“Our research shows that global test takers are ambitious and mobile,” Emmett said. “They want to keep their options open and invest in a test that gives them the greatest chance of success.”

He added that candidates often compare multiple pathways and requirements, and called for clearer and more consistent information on accepted English language tests.

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IELTS preparation improves language skills

The research also looked at the impact of English language test preparation. Sixty-seven per cent of respondents said preparing for IELTS helped improve their speaking confidence, academic or professional writing skills, or both.

Francesca Woodward, Global Managing Director, English, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said test preparation can help candidates build confidence and strengthen skills needed for their study and career plans.

“Test takers are united in seeing English proficiency as an investment in their future,” Woodward said.

The survey covered candidates taking IELTS for different purposes. While 63% of respondents were taking the test for study, 15% were pursuing migration, 13% work and 7% professional registration.

The IELTS Voices research is jointly associated with the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment and is intended as the first edition of an ongoing research series examining perceptions, motivations and behaviour around English language testing.