View entire study abroad journey

The minimum IELTS scores for Canada universities

Topics covered

With its vibrant cultural life and thriving economy, it’s small wonder why Canada was voted the most popular study abroad destination by students in a recent poll.

To ensure that all students can cope with English-medium instruction, international students aiming to study in Canada must prove their language proficiency by taking the IELTS Academic test to gain admission into a university.

Score requirements vary according to the programme of study: be it a foundation course, undergraduate or postgraduate studies and by the university.

In this article, we will cover the IELTS requirements for Canadian Universities according to the Times Higher Education and QS rankings.

IELTS requirement for Canada

While there isn’t a minimum Canadian IELTS requirement for immigration, language requirements to enter a top Canadian University are rather stringent, with both an overall score and per-section prerequisites.

For good universities, it is often a total score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6 per section.

Here are the minimum IELTS requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Canadian universities in the world’s top 200.

Times higher education world university rankings in 2022

The Times Higher Education World Rankings is one of the world's most established metrics. It judges universities based on five key performance indicators- teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.

Name of institution	World rank	IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes)	IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes)
University of Toronto	18	6.5	6.5
University of British Columbia	37	6.5	6.5
McGill University	44	6.5	6.5
McMaster University	80	6.5	6.5
University of Montreal	88	Contact institution	Contact institution
University of Alberta	125	6.5	6.5
University of Ottawa	162	6.5	6.5
University of Calgary	201-250	6.5	6.5
Simon Fraser University	201-250	6.5	6.5
University of Waterloo	201-250	6.5	6.5
Western University	201-250	6.5	6.5
Dalhousie University	251-300	6.5	7.0
Université Laval	251-300	Contact institution	Contact institution
Queen’s University	251-300	6.5	Contact institution
University of Manitoba	301-350	6.5	6.5
University of Victoria	301-350	6.5	6.5
York University	401-500	6.5	6.5
University of Guelph	501-600	6.5	6.5
University of Saskatchewan	501-600	6.5	6.5
Carleton University	601-800	6.5	6.5

QS world university rankings in 2022

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Rankings is another of the world's premier ranking systems. It rates the world's universities by institution and subject through academic, student, employer, and international indicators.

Name of institution	World rank	IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes)	IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes)
University of Toronto	26	6.5	7.0
McGill University	27	6.5	6.5
University of British Columbia	46	6.5	6.5
University of Montreal	111	Contact institution	Contact institution
University of Alberta	126	6.5	6.5
McMaster University	140	6.5	6.5
University of Waterloo	149	6.5	6.5
Western University	170	6.5	6.5
University of Ottawa	230	6.5	6.5
University of Calgary	235	6.5	6.5
Queen’s University at Kingston;	240	6.5	Contact institution
Dalhousie University	272	6.5	7.0
Simon Fraser University	298	6.5	6.5
University of Victoria (UVIC)	334	6.5	6.5
Université Laval	414	Contact institution	Contact institution
University of Saskatchewan	458	6.5	6.5
York University	477	6.5	6.5
Concordia University	521-230	6.5	6.5
University of Guelph	581-590	6.5	6.5
Universitédu Québec	591-600	6.5	6.5

Alternatively, you can enter your scores into Degrees.ca’s IELTS Score Calculator, which provides you with a list of universities whose requirements you have met.

If you have not met the IELTS requirement for your desired university, there are a few options you can take.

Your application is assessed holistically, which allows you to make up for your low IELTS score with other academic and professional achievements.

Otherwise, you can retake the test, focusing on your weaker sections, and submitting the new score to the university.

Do note that scores are subject to change. For the latest information, please refer to each institution’s website and/or contact the Admissions Office directly.

While IELTS remains the preferred language test for Canadian Universities, there are several other tests you may take to fulfill the language requirements which are accepted by several universities.

These are TOEFL, MELAB and PTE Academic. You can find these score requirements on the university’s website, which differ according to the subject and programme you have chosen.

English language test equivalency table

IELTS	5.0	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5
A Level English	D	D	C	C	B	B
GCSE English	D	D	C	C	B	B
IB**	grade 3 in A or B HL or SL	grade 4 in A or B HL or SL	IB B SL grade 6 IB B HL -grade 4 IB A1/A2 HL/ SL grade 4	IB B SL grade 6 IB B HL -grade 5 IB A1/A2 HL/ SL- grade 5	IB B SL grade 7 IB B HL -grade 5 IB A1/A2 HL/ SL grade 5	IB B HL -grade 6 IB A1/A2 HL/ SL grade 6
TOEFL ibt	60(10, 10, 13, 16)	70(13, 13, 13, 16)	80(17, 18, 17, 20)	90(17, 18, 17, 20)	100(20, 20, 20, 20)	110(22, 22, 22, 22

Ready to take the IELTS test?

Having a great IELTS score proves your proficiency in English and opens up doorways for your university aspirations!

At IDP we are committed to helping students enter their university of choice and part of this process is hosting the IELTS test.

Book your IELTS test

Watch the story of lifelong dreams, passion and determination that truly reflects the journey of our IELTS test takers. IELTS is the breakthrough to a world of full of incredible.

Book now