Quick Answer: Both IELTS and PTE are widely accepted by UK universities in 2026, but IELTS is accepted by 100% of institutions while PTE is accepted by 95%. For Indonesian students, IELTS costs £200 ($250) vs PTE at £180 ($225), with IELTS offering more test dates in major Indonesian cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung.

Introduction

Choosing between IELTS and PTE is one of the most important decisions Indonesian students face when planning to study in the UK. With over 15,000 Indonesian students currently studying in British universities as of 2026, understanding which English proficiency test best suits your needs can significantly impact your university application success.

This comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision by comparing both tests from an Indonesian student's perspective, covering everything from test availability in Indonesia to university acceptance rates and preparation resources.

Test Acceptance: IELTS vs PTE for UK Universities

IELTS University Acceptance

IELTS maintains universal acceptance across all UK universities and educational institutions in 2026. Every UK university, from Oxford and Cambridge to newer institutions, accepts IELTS Academic scores. This includes all Russell Group universities, which are particularly popular among Indonesian students pursuing prestigious degrees.

For Indonesian students applying to multiple universities, IELTS provides the security of knowing your test score will be accepted everywhere. This is particularly important given that many Indonesian students apply to 5-10 universities to maximize their chances of acceptance and scholarship opportunities.

PTE University Acceptance

PTE Academic enjoys acceptance from approximately 95% of UK universities as of 2026. While this is excellent coverage, some specialized programs or smaller institutions may still prefer IELTS. Most major universities including Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, and King's College London accept PTE scores.

However, Indonesian students should always verify PTE acceptance with their specific target universities and programs, especially for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, or Engineering where requirements may be more stringent.

Test Availability and Logistics in Indonesia

IELTS Test Centers in Indonesia

IELTS offers exceptional accessibility for Indonesian students with test centers in:

• Jakarta: 8 test centers with multiple dates weekly
• Surabaya: 3 test centers with bi-weekly testing
• Bandung: 2 test centers with monthly testing
• Medan: 2 test centers with monthly testing
• Yogyakarta: 1 test center with bi-weekly testing
• Denpasar (Bali): 1 test center with monthly testing

IELTS typically offers 4-6 test dates per month in Jakarta and Surabaya, making it highly convenient for Indonesian students to book tests that fit their academic schedules.

PTE Test Centers in Indonesia

PTE has fewer test centers but offers more flexible scheduling:

• Jakarta: 4 test centers with daily availability
• Surabaya: 2 test centers with daily availability
• Bandung: 1 test center with near-daily availability
• Medan: 1 test center with 3-4 days per week
• Denpasar (Bali): 1 test center with 2-3 days per week

The advantage of PTE is that you can often book a test with just 24-48 hours notice, which is ideal for Indonesian students who need quick results for university deadlines.

Cost Comparison for Indonesian Students

IELTS Costs in Indonesia

• Test Fee: £200 (approximately Rp 3,800,000 in 2026)
• Rescheduling: £25 if done 5+ weeks before test
• Additional Test Report Forms: £15 each
• Priority Results: Not available for paper-based tests

PTE Costs in Indonesia

• Test Fee: £180 (approximately Rp 3,420,000 in 2026)
• Rescheduling: £38 if done 24+ hours before test
• Additional Score Reports: Free (unlimited)
• Fast Results: Included (results within 24-48 hours)

For Indonesian students on tight budgets, PTE offers better value with lower test fees and unlimited free score reports to universities. This can save significant money when applying to multiple institutions.

Test Format and Structure Comparison

IELTS Test Structure

IELTS Academic consists of four sections over 2 hours and 45 minutes:

1. Listening (30 minutes): 4 sections with increasing difficulty
2. Reading (60 minutes): 3 passages with 40 questions
3. Writing (60 minutes): Task 1 (graph/chart description) and Task 2 (essay)
4. Speaking (11-14 minutes): Face-to-face interview with examiner

Many Indonesian students prefer IELTS speaking section as it mirrors natural conversation patterns common in Indonesian English education.

PTE Test Structure

PTE Academic is a computer-based test completed in 2 hours:

1. Speaking & Writing (77-93 minutes): Integrated skills testing
2. Reading (32-41 minutes): Multiple choice, reorder paragraphs, fill blanks
3. Listening (45-57 minutes): Audio and video-based questions

PTE's computer-based format appeals to Indonesian students comfortable with technology, particularly those from Java and Bali where digital literacy is high.

Preparation Resources Available in Indonesia

IELTS Preparation in Indonesia

Preparation Centers:

• British Council Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung)
• IDP Education Indonesia (multiple locations)
• Wall Street English Indonesia
• EF Education First Indonesia

Costs: Range from Rp 2,500,000 to Rp 8,000,000 for comprehensive courses

Online Resources: Official IELTS preparation materials, Cambridge practice tests, and free British Council resources

PTE Preparation in Indonesia

Preparation Centers:

• Pearson authorized centers (limited locations)
• Independent language schools in Jakarta and Surabaya
• Online-focused preparation programs

Costs: Range from Rp 1,500,000 to Rp 5,000,000 for courses

Online Resources: PTE official practice tests, scored mock tests, and AI-powered feedback systems

Indonesian students often find PTE preparation more affordable and accessible through online platforms, which suits the growing digital learning trend in Indonesia.

Which Universities Prefer Which Test?

While most UK universities accept both tests, some patterns emerge:

Traditional Universities (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE): Slight preference for IELTS due to its longer history and familiarity

Modern Universities (Coventry, Northumbria, Greenwich): Equally accepting of both tests

Specialized Programs:

• Medicine and Healthcare: Often prefer IELTS
• Business and Technology: Generally accept both equally
• Creative Arts: Usually accept both

Indonesian students planning to explore UK study options should consider their target universities' preferences alongside their personal test-taking strengths.

Score Requirements Comparison

Typical UK university requirements for Indonesian students:

Undergraduate Programs:

• IELTS: 6.0-7.0 overall (no band below 5.5-6.0)
• PTE: 59-70 overall (no section below 51-59)

Postgraduate Programs:

• IELTS: 6.5-7.5 overall (no band below 6.0-6.5)
• PTE: 62-76 overall (no section below 59-62)

PhD Programs:

• IELTS: 7.0-8.0 overall (no band below 6.5-7.0)
• PTE: 70-85 overall (no section below 65-70)

Special Considerations for Indonesian Students

Visa Requirements

Both IELTS and PTE scores are accepted for UK Student Visa applications in 2026. However, ensure your test is the Academic version (not General Training for IELTS) and taken at an approved test center.

Scholarship Applications

Major scholarships available to Indonesian students (Chevening, Commonwealth, university-specific scholarships) accept both IELTS and PTE. However, some scholarship providers may have slight preferences, so always check specific requirements.

Cultural Considerations

Indonesian students often perform better in IELTS speaking due to:

• Familiarity with face-to-face interaction
• Cultural emphasis on politeness and formality
• Experience with human examiners from Indonesian education system

Conversely, tech-savvy Indonesian students may prefer PTE's:

• Computer-based consistency
• Faster results delivery
• Multiple attempt flexibility

Making Your Decision: Recommendations

Choose IELTS if you:

• Want guaranteed acceptance at all UK universities
• Prefer face-to-face speaking tests
• Have access to extensive preparation resources in Indonesia
• Are applying to traditional or prestigious universities
• Have more time for test preparation and results

Choose PTE if you:

• Need quick results (24-48 hours)
• Are comfortable with computer-based testing
• Want to save money on test fees and score reports
• Need flexibility in test scheduling
• Are applying to modern universities or business programs

Conclusion

Both IELTS and PTE offer viable pathways for Indonesian students to demonstrate English proficiency for UK universities in 2026. Your choice should align with your personal strengths, timeline, budget, and target universities. Consider taking practice tests for both formats to determine which suits your abilities better, and remember that successful preparation is more important than the test choice itself.

Key Statistics

📊 100% of UK universities accept IELTS vs 95% accepting PTE as of 2026

💰 Indonesian students save Rp 380,000 by choosing PTE (£180) over IELTS (£200)

🎓 Over 15,000 Indonesian students currently study in UK universities in 2026

⚡ PTE delivers results in 24-48 hours vs IELTS taking 3-13 days

🏢 IELTS has 17 test centers across 6 Indonesian cities vs PTE's 9 centers in 5 cities

📈 Indonesian students achieve average IELTS scores of 6.5-7.0 for UK university admission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I decide between IELTS and PTE as an Indonesian student applying to UK universities?

Consider your target universities (IELTS has 100% acceptance vs PTE's 95%), your budget (PTE costs £20 less), timeline (PTE gives results in 24-48 hours vs IELTS taking 3-13 days), and test format preference (IELTS has face-to-face speaking vs PTE's computer-based format). Take practice tests for both to see which format suits your strengths better.

What are the minimum IELTS and PTE scores required for UK universities?

For undergraduate programs, most UK universities require IELTS 6.0-7.0 overall (no band below 5.5-6.0) or PTE 59-70 overall (no section below 51-59). Postgraduate programs typically need IELTS 6.5-7.5 or PTE 62-76. Top universities like Oxford and Cambridge may require higher scores, with some programs demanding IELTS 7.5+ or PTE 76+.

How much does it cost for Indonesian students to take IELTS vs PTE in 2026?

IELTS costs £200 (approximately Rp 3,800,000) while PTE costs £180 (approximately Rp 3,420,000) in Indonesia. Additional costs include IELTS rescheduling at £25 and extra score reports at £15 each, while PTE charges £38 for rescheduling but offers unlimited free score reports to universities.

Which test has more availability in Indonesia for test dates and locations?

IELTS has broader geographical coverage with 17 test centers across 6 Indonesian cities (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Yogyakarta, Denpasar), offering 4-6 test dates monthly in major cities. PTE has 9 centers in 5 cities but provides more scheduling flexibility with daily availability in Jakarta and Surabaya, allowing booking with just 24-48 hours notice.

Do UK universities prefer IELTS or PTE for Indonesian student applications?

Most UK universities treat both tests equally, but IELTS has slight advantages with 100% acceptance rate versus PTE's 95%. Traditional universities like Oxford and Cambridge have historical preference for IELTS, while modern universities accept both equally. Some specialized programs in Medicine and Healthcare may prefer IELTS due to its longer establishment in academic circles.

How long are IELTS and PTE scores valid for UK university applications?

Both IELTS and PTE scores are valid for exactly 2 years from the test date for UK university applications and visa purposes. Indonesian students should ensure their test scores remain valid throughout their entire application process, including visa application, as expired scores will not be accepted by universities or UK immigration authorities.

Key Takeaways

✅ IELTS offers universal acceptance (100% UK universities) while PTE is accepted by 95% of institutions

✅ PTE is more cost-effective for Indonesian students, costing £20 less and offering unlimited free score reports

✅ IELTS provides better geographical coverage in Indonesia with 17 test centers vs PTE's 9 centers

✅ PTE delivers faster results (24-48 hours) compared to IELTS (3-13 days), ideal for tight application deadlines

✅ Both tests are equally valid for UK student visas and major scholarships available to Indonesian students

✅ Your choice should depend on personal test-taking strengths, target universities, budget, and timeline rather than test prestige

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