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.
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) |
1 | University of Toronto | 21 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
2 | University of British Columbia | 41 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
3 | McGill University | 49 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
4 | McMaster University | 103 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
5 | University of Alberta | 109 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
6 | University of Montreal | 111 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
7 | University of Waterloo | 158 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
8 | University of Ottawa | 177 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
9 | 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) |
1 | University of Toronto | 21 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
2 | McGill University | 30 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
3 | University of British Columbia | 34 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
4 | University of Alberta | 111 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
5 | University of Waterloo | 112 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
6 | Western University | 114 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
7 | University of Montreal | 141 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
8 | University of Calgary | 182 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
9 | 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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