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On top of its breathtaking views, iconic landmarks and vibrant culture, Canada also has a range of world-class education institutions, making it consistently one of the most popular study destinations for students from all over the world.

If you’ve got your eye on the Great White North for the next chapter of your studies, you may be required to sit for an English proficiency test such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

This is to prove your proficiency in the English language across the test categories of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

So, whether you’re looking to successfully enrol in a Canadian university or work in Canada, you’ll have to attain the minimum band score necessary.

Minimum scores for Canadian universities

In 2024, international students looking to enter a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) will have to provide a provincial attestation letter before applying for a study permit.

Among study permit requirements for eligibility, you will need a letter of acceptance to prove successful enrolment into the university’s undergraduate or postgraduate programme. Should you need an English language requirement as part of your university application, you have to attain a minimum overall score of 6.5 in the IELTS Academic test at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Those applying for the fast-track Canadian study permit under the Student Direct Stream (SDS) programme will also fulfill the English language test requirement with an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0. SDS is available to residents in 14 countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

Without further ado, here are the minimum IELTS requirements according to the top-ranked universities in Canada.

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Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2024

One of the world’s most established metrics, the Times Higher Education world rankings assesses universities based on the following five key performance indicators: teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook and industry income.

Rank 

University 

Global rank 

IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) 

IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) 

University of Toronto 

21 

6.5 

7.0 

University of British Columbia 

41 

6.5 

6.5 

McGill University 

49 

6.5 

6.5 

McMaster University 

103 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Alberta 

109 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Montreal 

111 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Waterloo 

158 

6.5 

7.0 

University of Ottawa 

177 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Calgary 

201 – 250 

6.5 

6.5 

10 

Western University 

201 – 250 

6.5 

6.5 

11 

Université Laval 

251 – 300 

6.5 

6.5 

12 

Queen’s University 

251 – 300 

6.5 

7.0 

13 

Simon Fraser University 

251 – 300 

6.5 

7.0 

14 

Dalhousie University 

301 – 350 

6.5 

7.0 

15 

University of Manitoba 

351 – 400 

6.5 

6.5 

16 

University of Saskatchewan 

351 – 400 

6.5 

6.5 

17 

University of Victoria 

351 – 400 

6.5 

6.5 

18 

York University 

351 – 400 

6.5 

7.5 

19 

University of Guelph 

401 – 500 

6.5 

6.5 

20 

Université du Québec 

401 – 500 

6.5 

6.5 

QS World University Rankings in 2024

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is another global premier ranking system that rates universities by institution and subject through academic reputation, citation, faculty to student ratio, employer, international and sustainability indicators.

Rank 

University 

Global rank 

IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) 

IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) 

University of Toronto  

21 

6.5 

7.0 

McGill University 

30 

6.5 

6.5 

University of British Columbia 

34 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Alberta 

111 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Waterloo  

112 

6.5 

7.0 

Western University 

114 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Montreal 

141 

6.5 

6.5 

University of Calgary 

182 

6.5 

6.5 

McMaster University  

189 

6.5 

6.5 

10 

University of Ottawa 

203 

6.5 

6.5 

11 

Queen’s University 

209 

6.5 

7.0 

12 

Dalhousie University 

298 

6.5 

7.0 

13 

Simon Fraser University 

318 

6.5 

7.0 

14 

University of Victoria (UVic) 

322 

6.5 

6.5 

15 

University of Saskatchewan  

345 

6.5 

6.5 

16 

York University 

353 

6.5 

7.5 

17 

Concordia University 

387 

6.5 

7.0 

18 

Université Laval  

441 

6.5 

6.5 

19 

University of Guelph 

486 

6.5 

6.5 

20 

Memorial University of Newfoundland 

641 – 650 

6.5 

6.5 

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