If you would like to work or study in the UK and English is not your first language, you may need to take an IELTS examination. IELTS is the most widely recognised test of communicative English language ability, and Basil Paterson is the largest centre for this examination in Scotland. We are also now offering Computer-Delivered IELTS at Basil Paterson Edinburgh.

At Basil Paterson, there are two modes of study available to prepare for the IELTS test. We will ask you to complete a pre-course assessment to determine which programme is best suited to your needs. Students with approximately the correct level of English for their required IELTS score can join our four-week intensive full-time IELTS Preparation programme. If your overall level of English needs to be increased alongside your exam skills and strategies, then we will recommend following our Impact English programme, and choosing IELTS preparation as an Individual Tuition elective.  Depending on your needs and assessment, a combination of these two approaches might be suitable, and we will work closely with you to determine the best path to success in the IELTS test.

As an examination centre, you can study and take your final exam in the same building. As a student of Basil Paterson, we can guide you through the exam booking process and explain exactly what’s involved on exam day.

We understand the challenges examinations in English can bring.  Our examination courses help you prepare for your exam, with development of your language skills and improvement of your exam technique.

Impact English programme with IELTS Preparation elective Individual Tuition
The Impact English programme is an intensive course of study in small groups of no more than five learners. These classes take place in the morning with 15 hours per week from 0900-1230 Monday to Friday. These small group classes will help you improve your overall language level, as learning is tailored to the needs of the group. Individual Tuition electives take place in the afternoon, and the number of hours is flexible according to your needs. You can choose between one and ten hours of Individual Tuition per week, and we will guide you on the number of hours you may require, based on your pre-course assessment and discussions with the Academic Team.

Individual Tuition for IELTS Preparation allows you to create a truly bespoke learning experience, with learning tailored specifically to your needs, and direct and close feedback from your tutor, leading to swift improvement in your exam performance. For IELTS Preparation we recommend a minimum 2 weeks of study. This is to allow time to improve your level and cover all the components of the exam.

Intensive IELTS Preparation programme
Our intensive full-time IELTS Preparation programme is a four-week intensive course combining the examination skills and techniques you will need to excel in the IELTS test with language enrichment. Classes of no more than five students mean that learning can be highly tailored to the needs of the individual learner.

In the afternoons, learners undertake directed self-study and exam practice.

Four-week Intensive IELTS Preparation dates 2026

Timetable