IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted Universities 2026: UK, Canada & Australia List

Introduction

The IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) was a game-changer when it launched. It promised students a second chance—if you messed up Writing but aced the rest, you could retake just that one section instead of the entire exam.

However, for the 2026 intake, this convenience comes with a hidden risk.

While IELTS states that OSR is “widely accepted,” the real-world situation is far more complex.

• The Visa Problem: Some countries accept OSR for universities but not for student visas (or the other way around).

• The University Problem: Several top-tier universities have clearly said NO to OSR and require a single-sitting IELTS score.

Imagine scoring an overall 7.5 Band with OSR, only to face a visa refusal because you unknowingly applied under the wrong rules.

This guide provides the definitive IELTS One Skill Retake acceptance list for 2026, with a clear country-wise breakdown—so you do not make a costly mistake.

Highlights: The IELTS One Skill Retake Acceptance Matrix

Country	Visa Acceptance (Government)	University Acceptance	Verdict
Australia	YES (All Subclasses)	High (Most Group of Eight)	Safe
United Kingdom	YES (UKVI Accepted)	Mixed (Russell Group Split)	Check University
Canada	NO (For SDS Visa)	Low (Top Universities Reject)	Risky
New Zealand	YES	High	Safe
USA	N/A (University Decides)	Moderate	Check University

1. United Kingdom: The “Russell Group” Split

Visa Status

Good News: The UK Home Office (UKVI) accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for student visas. If your university issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) based on an OSR score, your visa will not be rejected solely due to OSR.

University Status

This is where most students get confused.

Several top UK universities consider OSR a sign of academic weakness and insist on a single-sitting IELTS score.

Universities Accepting OSR

• Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)

• University of Manchester (department-specific)

• University of Leeds

• University of Liverpool

• Newcastle University

• University of Bath

Universities Rejecting OSR

• University of Oxford

• University of Cambridge

• Imperial College London

• University of Edinburgh (most courses)

• King’s College London (KCL)

Strategy: If you are targeting Top 5 UK universities, do not rely on OSR. Retake the full IELTS exam.

2. Canada: The “SDS Danger Zone”

Visa Status

Critical Warning: As of the 2026 intake, IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa.

SDS requires:

• IELTS Academic

• Minimum 6.0 in each band

• Single sitting only

Using OSR automatically pushes your application into the Non-SDS category, which means:

• Slower processing

• Higher rejection risk

• Increased scrutiny

University Status

Canada’s top research universities are highly conservative regarding English scores.

Universities Rejecting OSR

• University of Toronto

• University of British Columbia (UBC)

• McGill University

• University of Waterloo

Universities Accepting OSR

• University of Alberta

• Western University

• Concordia University

• Most public colleges (Seneca, Humber, Centennial)

Strategy: For Canada, OSR is a trap. Even if a college accepts it, your visa risk increases significantly. Retake the full IELTS exam if Canada is your target.

3. Australia: The “Safe Haven” for OSR

Visa Status

Excellent news. Australia accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for:

• Student Visa (Subclass 500)

• Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

• PR Pathways (189 / 190)

University Status

Australia is the most OSR-friendly destination globally.

Even elite universities accept OSR without complications.

Universities Accepting OSR

• University of Melbourne

• University of Sydney

• Monash University

• UNSW Sydney

• University of Queensland

• University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Strategy: If you are applying to Australia, OSR is safe, recognised , and time-efficient.

4. How to Check if Your University Accepts OSR

Do not rely on consultants or third-party blogs. Policies change frequently.

Follow this process:

1. Visit the official university website

2. Go to International Admissions → English Language Requirements

3. Look for the phrase “scores must be achieved in a single sitting”

4. If present → OSR is rejected

5. If absent → OSR is likely accepted, but always email admissions for confirmation

FAQs: IELTS One Skill Retake 2026

1. Can I retake the same skill twice?

No. You can use the One Skill Retake only once per full IELTS test. After that, you must book a full exam again.

2. Does the OSR score look different on the report?

Yes. The Test Report Form clearly mentions “One Skill Retake”. Universities will know you used OSR.

3. Is OSR accepted by US universities?

It varies.

Some accept:

• Arizona State University

• Northeastern University

• UT Dallas

Most top-tier universities reject:

• Harvard

• Stanford

• Columbia

Tip: Many US universities prefer TOEFL. Always verify department-level requirements.

4. Cost of One Skill Retake in India (2026)

Approximately ₹16,250, around 60% of the full IELTS fee.

5. Validity of OSR score

The validity remains 2 years from the original test date, not the retake date.

Conclusion

In 2026, IELTS One Skill Retake is a powerful tool, but it is not universally safe.

Use OSR if:

• You are applying to Australia

• UK mid-tier universities

• New Zealand

Avoid OSR if:

• You are applying to Canada (SDS Visa)

• UK Top 5 universities

• Ivy League or top US universities

Do not let a shortcut turn into a long delay.Always align your IELTS strategy with both university and visa rules.

Need help checking your university?Download the OSR Acceptance List PDF 2026 or book a free profile review.