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Minimum IELTS Band Scores for Canada Universities

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IELTS Band Scores For Canada Universities

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[RW1] , 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.

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	UniversitéLaval	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

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