Before diving into sample answers, memorize this 3-step framework:
Note: This is a simulated IELTS passage for illustration. Updated answers follow.
Paragraph A: In the United States, a bachelor’s degree typically spans four years, with tuition averaging $35,000 annually at private institutions. Conversely, in Germany, most public universities charge no tuition fees for undergraduate programs, though a semester contribution of €300-€400 is mandatory. The duration in Germany is three years for a standard bachelor’s.
Paragraph B: When examining postgraduate studies, the United Kingdom offers one-year taught master’s degrees, significantly shorter than the two-year research-based master’s common in Sweden. However, the UK’s tuition ranks among the highest in Europe, reaching up to £22,000 per year.
Paragraph C: Australia and Canada present a middle ground. Australian undergraduate degrees are three years (similar to Germany) but cost around AUD 30,000 for international students. Canada’s four-year programs are cheaper on average, at CAD 25,000 per year, yet both countries offer generous post-graduation work visas, a feature less common in European systems.
Which university offers both a work placement and a scholarship?
Options: A) Uni Melb B) Uni Syd C) Uni QLD
Answer: A) Uni Melbourne
Reason: Work placement = Yes, Scholarship = Merit-based.
Passage Overview: The text usually compares the cost of living, tuition fees, duration of courses, and admission requirements for international students in various countries.
As soon as you see the passage, highlight:
Always check the unit. If the question asks "how many years," don’t accidentally copy a dollar amount.
In IELTS, Tertiary Comparison usually refers to comparing three (tertiary = third level) universities, courses, institutions, or programs based on features like:
You will see a table or comparison chart in the passage, followed by True/False/Not Given, Matching Features, or Sentence Completion questions.
Example passage title: “Undergraduate Business Programs: A Comparison of Three Australian Universities”
Struggling with the "Tertiary Comparison" passage in your IELTS Reading test? You are not alone. This specific topic—comparing universities, vocational courses, undergraduate vs. postgraduate systems, or international degree structures—appears frequently in the Academic IELTS Reading section.
In this updated guide, we provide a detailed breakdown of how to tackle such passages, the latest question types, and a verified answer key for the most common practice tests. Whether you are aiming for Band 7, 8, or 9, understanding how to extract comparative data is crucial.
