We are in an English-speaking world, and the more the years go by, the evolution and the revolution, the more that statement becomes increasingly true and truer.
English is currently the largest language by number of speakers globally and is the official, administrative, or cultural language of 88 countries. However, precise statistics say it is the official language of 67 different countries and 27 non-sovereign entities.
Significantly, based on what we are discussing, it is primarily natively spoken in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the countries to which most Africans choose to immigrate.
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As seen, English is an international language that breaks down language barriers to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and ideas for increased collaboration and innovation in all places of interaction, including in schools and workplaces.
For that, a high level of proficiency in English is considered a ‘key human-capital trait‘ for immigrants to succeed in labour markets of the previously mentioned countries, like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and others, where most Africans, Kenyans among them, prefer to go to for schooling and work such that there is a standardized test to test and prove their ability and accuracy when it comes to speaking and using English as a global language;
So, as part of their immigration process to those countries, there is an examination that one must take, which is called IELTS:
What is IELTS in simple terms?
In full, IELTS means the International English Language Testing System, a mandatory examination taken by Kenyans who want to live, work or study in another country to prove their English proficiency to visa authorities and the schools and employers because it is trusted by governments, recruiters, and thousands of universities around the world.
Therefore, before you fly abroad from Kenya, the IELTS examination is a prerequisite because the score you get at those exams determines whether you will get that foreign job you are applying for or even if your work visa or student visa will be approved.
Supported by decades (Est 1980) of rigorous research, IELTS sets the standard for academic and professional English language assessments, ‘the world’s most trusted English language test provider co-owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press says.
To pass your IELTS exams, you must sign up with a reputable test centre that guarantees quality training, guidance and assessments. Here, we’ve ranked the best in Kenya based on success (high test scores) and visa approval rates;
Who are the best IELTS exam providers in Kenya?
Here are the best test centres approved by the British Council for IELTS in Kenya. To save you time, we’ve ranked these IELTS examination providers regionally, as in the large cities of the country and provided their contacts;
1. Brecy Education Services – IELTS in Eldoret
Brecy Education Services, based on performance, is ranked the best IELTS test centre in Kenya.
Its IELTS Exam Centre is easily accessible, located on the 1st floor of Tabain Plaza, Eldoret CBD.
Brecy provides paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS tests on all working days, and the slots are available 1-3 times a day.
Reach out to know the upcoming IELTS exam dates;
Contacts: 0722 292384
Email: [email protected]
2. UniAbroad – IELTS in Kisumu
UniAbroad Agency has offices at a prime location in Kisumu City, with its IELTS test centre at Acacia Premier Hotel.
This student placement organisation also helps those who want to move abroad with queries related to IELTS, ranging from registration to results.
Contacts: 0729 129799
Email: [email protected]
3. IDP Education Kenya – IELTS in Nairobi
Located on the 2nd Floor of Euro Towers Opposite Muthithi Hypermarket on Muthithi Road in Westlands, IDP Education Kenya, IDP for International Development Program is a top IELTS exam centre in Nairobi County.
It offers IELTS tutoring to support and lead those who want to go overseas, guiding them through all phases of IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training with clearly defined standards and objectives to pass them.
You can contact them if you want to book your tests in advance;
Contacts: 0700 860616
Email: [email protected]
4. Jaffery Institute – IELTS in Mombasa
Jaffery Institute of Professional Studies is the only registered and approved UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) IELTS test centre in Mombasa County, authorised by the British Council for the international standardised English test.
If you are from Mombasa, you can visit their offices along Al Baqir Road in Kizingo, next to Agha Khan Primary School, for offline applications and exam booking.
Contacts: 0792 772821
Email: [email protected]
5. Kabarak University – IELTS in Nakuru
The Kabarak University IELTS Exam Centre in its Nakuru Town Campus is easily reachable for candidates as it is situated at a very convenient location in the fourth largest city in Kenya, at Kabarak Plaza along the Nakuru – Eldama Ravine highway opposite National Oil Petrol Station.
Kabarak IELTS test centre provides both the paper-based and computer-based modes of IELTS exams, especially for nurses looking for work in Canada, Australia and the UK.
Contacts: 0729 223370
Email: [email protected]
How much is the IELTS examination fee in Kenya?
The IELTS exam fee in Kenya ranges between Ksh35,200 and Ksh40,000, depending on location and test type (Academic Test and General Training Test, paper-based or online), but is Ksh38,760 on average in 2024.
According to certified IELTS trainer Leyla Chebii, that is non-inclusive of the training charges, mostly costing Ksh10,000 in many IELTS test centres in Kenya.
She says IELTS exams mainly involve rigorous training in reading, writing, listening and speaking English, requiring 10 hours of teaching split into manageable 2-hour sessions.
” After the students complete their IELTS tests, they usually get their certificates after almost two weeks,” said Mrs Chebii.
