Hold onto your akara, IELTS hopefuls, because the British Council’s decided to slap a hefty 29% on the price of their English Language Testing System exams. That’s right, for the low, low price of N139,000 (which, incidentally, is more than some people’s annual rent), you can now prove your mastery of the Queen’s tongue (or at least, her distant cousin’s).
According to a notice published on the councils’ website, applicants will now pay the sum of N139,000 for the Computer Academic and General Training Modules from February 1, 2024.
“We would like to inform you that there has been a review of our IELTS fees. The new price list of the IELTS range of tests offered by the British Council will be effective for registrations on or after 1 February 2024.
“The new prices will be:
IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules: ₦139,000
IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules: ₦134,000
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): ₦149,000
Life Skills: ₦130,000
One Skill Retake (O.S.R): ₦87,570
“The change in price is associated with the increased costs of the delivery of our exams. This will enable us to continue to offer a wide range of services and comprehensive support to enable you to achieve your goals.
“Thank you for choosing the British Council,” the notice read.
But don’t fret, dear colonial wannabes! The Council assures us this price hike is simply due to the skyrocketing cost of, uh, everything.
Apparently, grading essays filled with “jolly good shows” and “cheerio”s requires a special blend of unicorn tears and imported crumpets that’s just gone through the roof.
Look, we understand, running a global language test isn’t exactly a picnic in Hyde Park. But come on, chaps, this feels like a price hike worthy of a Black Friday stampede for discounted iPhones.
So, if you’re dreaming of studying abroad or landing that coveted job where you can wear tweed jackets and mutter about the weather, prepare to dig deep into your pockets.
But hey, chin up! At least you’ll have a killer story to tell your grandkids about the time you had to sell your firstborn to take the IELTS. Now, excuse us while we go drown our sorrows in a cup of lukewarm tea and contemplate a career in competitive sheep shearing. It’s cheaper, and the sheep don’t judge your grammar.
Just remember, with this new price tag, you’ll be speaking English like a true Brit in no time – even if all you can manage is “bloody hell” and “it’s a bit nippy, innit?”
