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As an Indian, it feels borderline offensive to provide proof of English language proficiency just to enrol in a program. And we feel you! But we can’t deny that English is our second language and so you need an IELTS score for Canada.

In this blog, we will answer all your questions around IELTS score requirement for Canada, colleges that don’t require IELTS, minimum IELTS score for Canada, and more. So, shall we?

In this blog, we will discuss:

1. Can you study in Canada without IELTS?
2. What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada?
3. List of colleges accepting minimum IELTS score for Canada (UG Programs)
4. What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada for PG Courses?
5. IELTS requirement for Canadian universities

Can you study in Canada without IELTS?

The short answer is “Yes”, there are a handful of universities in Canada that don’t require an IELTS score. However, these universities still may require you to take an English Language Program or an Academic English class along with your regular classes or simply a letter stating that English was the language of instruction in your previous university (AKA, English Language Proficiency Waiver Letter), the requirement varies depending on the college or university you apply to.

Here is a list of universities in Canada without IELTS and their QS Global Rankings:

Universities in Canada Without IELTS 

QS Global Ranking
University of Saskatchewan 465
Concordia University 477
Carleton University 601-650
University of Regina 902
Brock University 1000-1200
University of Winnipeg 1836

Apart from these universities a common way to study in Canadian universities without IELTS is through online courses. There are several online programs offered by universities in Canada that don’t require an IELTS or basically any English language proficiency test score.

Suggested Read: Best TV Series for IELTS Listening

What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada?

If you wish to study in Canada while being in Canada, you will require a Student Visa and there is a minimum IELTS score requirement for that. The minimum IELTS score for Canada is 6.0 (overall) for undergraduate and diploma programs. This is further explained below:

Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements 2021:

 

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Overall
Minimum IELTS Score 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 6.0

List of colleges accepting minimum IELTS score for Canada (UG Programs)

To make your life a little easier we have put together a list of universities accepting the minimum IELTS score for Canada i.e., an IELTS score of 5.5-6.0. Here we go!

Universities Accepting Minimum IELTS Score for Canada

  
HEC Montréal Algoma University
Concordia University College of Alberta University of Lethbridge
Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology Luther College
Vancouver Island University Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology
Camosun College Oxford College
Nipissing University State University of New York: SUNY Potsdam
Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology Niagara College
Charles Sturt University College of New Caledonia
Niagara University in Ontario The Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Community Sciences
Royal Roads University St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology

What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada for PG Courses?

The minimum IELTS score for Canada PG programs differs from university to university. However, for a student visa minimum IELTS score for Canada is a combined score of 6.5.

If you get an overall score of 6.5 and maintain at least 6 in all four sections you will successfully satisfy the Canada Student Visa IELTS band requirement 2021. This is better explained in the table given below:

Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements 2021:

 

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Overall
Minimum IELTS Score 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.5

IELTS requirement for Canadian universities

If the minimum IELTS score for Canada is 6 and 6.5, are you curious about the IELTS cut-off for the top universities in Canada? Well, if you have scored 6 or 6.5 on your IELTS test, you wouldn’t be disappointed. Given below is the list of the top universities in Canada and the IELTS requirement for Canadian universities. Let’s go!

IELTS Requirement for Canadian Universities

Minimum Overall

QS Global Ranking
University of Toronto 6.5 25
McGill University 6.5 31
University of British Columbia 6.5 45
University de Montréal 6 118
University of Alberta 6.5 119
McMaster University 6.5 144
University of Waterloo 7 166
Western University 7 203
University of Calgary 6.5 246
University of Ottawa 6.5 279
Dalhousie University 7 291
Simon Fraser University 6.5 323
University of Victoria 6.5 370
University of  Laval 6.5 420
York University 6.5 531-540
University of Guelph 6.5 571-580
University of Quebec 6 601-650
University of Manitoba 6.5 601-650

Have questions or doubts about your IELTS preparation or admissions? We can help! Connect with our counsellors for a free 15-minute consultation session to get all your questions resolved.

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