The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most common English language proficiency tests required for admission to Canadian universities. For many Indian students, this test feels like one of the biggest challenges in their study abroad journey, as it takes time, preparation, and not everyone performs well in a test setting. The good news is that it’s possible to study in Canada without IELTS.
There are several universities in Canada without IELTS requirements. They accept Indian and international students based on alternative test scores, university pathway programmes, and proof of English-medium education. Some of them waive off IELTS requirements completely for students if they meet other criteria.
In this blog, we will explain why this popular language test is required and share a list of colleges in Canada without the IELTS requirement. It also outlines other alternative English tests you can take and how GS Global helps students secure admission without unnecessary stress.
Key Highlights
- IELTS is not a mandatory academic requirement.
- Top Canadian institutions like the University of Regina, the University of Winnipeg, Carleton, and Seneca College waive IELTS.
- Indian students can pursue a Canadian education through alternative proficiency tests or a specific type of educational background.
- Popular test alternatives like TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, PTE Academic, CAEL, and English-Medium
Why is IELTS Required to Study in Canada?
IELTS exists to answer a critical question for universities and Canadian student visa officers: “Can the student study, write exams, and communicate confidently in English?”
It’s recognised by more than 12,000 institutions and immigration bodies, including the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
IELTS scores confirm that a student can succeed academically and communicate effectively. Canadian colleges and visa officers use it as an objective yardstick to ensure that students possess the language skills required to accomplish a master’s, PhD, or any other technical course.
Here’s how they evaluate it by measuring 4 key skills:
- Listening: It takes approximately 30 minutes to hear and answer questions related to 4 recordings. You are allowed an extra 10 minutes to mark your answers on the answer sheet.
- Reading: Involves answering 40 questions within 60 minutes based on 3 long texts taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.
- Writing: It requires you to complete Task 1 (analysing or describing a graph, table, chart or diagram) and Task 2 (essay writing) in 60 minutes.
- Speaking: It’s a 3-part interview with a certified examiner that assesses speaking skills like fluency, pronunciation, grammatical range and accuracy. The speaking test takes about 11-14 minutes to complete.
Top 10 Universities in Canada without IELTS for Indian Students
The globally recognised IELTS has become the default English language test today. As a result, many Indian students wonder, “Can I study in Canada without IELTS?” Yes, you can if you appear for other English proficiency tests.
Fortunately, not all Canadian institutions insist on IELTS. Below are reputed universities and colleges in Canada without IELTS requirements. You can apply to them provided you meet alternative criteria:
- University of Regina, Saskatchewan: Accepts scores on TOEFL, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment), and Duolingo online English test for its undergraduate programs.
- University of Winnipeg, Manitoba: The university considers Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 120), TOEFL (minimum score of 86 and no component scored less than 20), LanguageCert (minimum overall score of 67) and Cambridge C1/C2 (minimum score of 180).
- Brock University, Ontario: It accepts test scores on TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, CAEL, and PTE for admissions into its undergraduate programs. Alternatively, proof of English language instruction (minimum 3 years of full-time study with English as primary language of instruction and evaluation) can help you secure a seat. The specific requirements for graduate and postgraduate courses vary according to the program.
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland & Labrador: Applicants to Memorial University can submit proof of English proficiency in the form of scores on Cambridge C1/C2, CAEL, Duolingo English Test (DET), PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition. If they don’t meet the requirements, they may take up the English as an Additional Language program at their Grenfell campus.
- McGill University, Montreal: McGill University only accepts scores on TOEFL or the McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English as an IELTS alternative. Duolingo and Pearson’s PTE test are not accepted for graduate programs. The university accepts Cambridge C1/C2, Duolingo, CAEL, PET, and TOEFL scores for its undergraduate courses. They have a preference for receiving results electronically from the issuing organisation for certain tests.
- Concordia University, Montreal: The university accepts IELTS alternatives like Duolingo, CAEL, Cambridge C1 or C2, and PTE Academic. Some courses have a higher benchmark for English proficiency scores. Moreover, you may have to appear for a placement test after being admitted to check if you need to be enrolled on English Second Language (ESL) courses alongside your degree program.
- Carleton University, Ontario: Carleton accepts scores on various alternative tests like the Cambridge English Language test (C1/C2), Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL), GCSE / IGCSE / GCE / AICE English, Duolingo, TOEFL iBT, and PET. You can be offered a seat in the degree program with an English as a Second Language Requirement (ESLR). However, some degree courses are completely exempted from this setup. It’s best to cross-check for your eligibility based on your preferred course.
- Seneca College, Ontario: Seneca lists scores on Cambridge English Exams, Duolingo, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT as valid alternatives to IELTS. The minimum required scores vary across certificate, diploma, degree, master’s and graduate certificate programs. Moreover, some programs like Nursing Leadership & Management (NLM), Coronary Care Nursing (COR), and Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programs also accept the Occupational English Test (OET).
- Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia: CBU boasts strong partnerships with English Language partners like Cape Breton Language Centre (CBLC) and English School of Canada (ESC). The university requires you to upload one of the following test scores: TOEFL iBT, CAEL, MELAB, Pearson PTE (Academic), and Duolingo. It also accepts an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter as proof of English proficiency.
- Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia: Students at Thompson River appear for an English Placement Test (EPT) and are placed into TRU’s EAP program based on their level of English. The EPT needs to be taken a week before the classes begin. However, if you have scores on other English proficiency tests, you can enter the academic program without TRU’s EPT. These tests include TOEFL, Cambridge CAE and CPE, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (C1 and C2), or Pearson Test of English (PTE). It does not consider Duolingo scores as proof of proficiency for its Master’s programs.
Pro tip: Securing admission in a university in Canada for a master’s without IELTS may be tricky. It is best to consult a study abroad expert to understand the exact requirements of your course.
Alternative English Proficiency Tests Instead of IELTS for Canada
IELTS is just one of the many options that prove English proficiency. Many Canadian universities and colleges do not make IELTS compulsory, accepting a range of other English language tests and credentials. These scores make you eligible for their university and college entrances and programs. Here’s a breakdown of key IELTS alternatives:
- TOEFL iBT: Test of English as a Foreign Language evaluates students’ English abilities on their reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. The scores for the TOEFL iBT range from 0-120.
- Duolingo English Test: It’s a computer-adaptive English exam where the difficulty level of the questions increases or decreases based on your previous answers. It allows for multiple-choice and open-ended questions.
- PTE Academic: The Pearson Test of English is a single, 2-hour computer-based English test that gives you results in 2 days. You can appear for the Pearson test at any of the 475 centres worldwide. The results are accepted for all Canadian study permits.
- CAEL: The Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test is a lesser-known but convenient option for Indian students. It can be taken online at home or at a test centre. This Canadian test lasts about 3 ½ hours and measures 5 components explicitly designed for this English-speaking country’s academics. The test scores are available within 8 business days and are accepted by all major Canadian universities.
- English-Medium Education Proof: The Medium of Instruction (MOI) is an official document confirming that your education was conducted in English.
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (C1 Advanced): It’s a digital or paper-based Cambridge assessment English test spanning about 4 hours. 11,000+ institutions and government departments accept the test as proof of high-level English skills.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: A C2 qualification is one of the Cambridge English exams, demonstrating that you’ve mastered the language at an exceptional level with highly competent speaking skills. It means that you have the necessary skills for academic programs like postgraduate and PhD.
- University Pathway Programs: These English language programs are designed to help you meet the necessary English proficiency for your chosen degree. They may offer conditional admissions into universities and colleges, allowing them to continue without reapplying for the program when they meet the necessary requirements. For instance, the Canadian College of English Language offers university pathway programs like English 140 and English 145 with flexible class schedules for admission into Canadian universities.
Pro tip: Check the accepted tests for each university and understand the required score needed to enrol in their programs. Meeting any one of these proficiency criteria, whether it’s a test or a program, can make studying in Canada without IELTS absolutely possible.
Study in Canada Without IELTS with GS Global’s Help
Many Indian students aspiring to study in Canada are likely already to meet alternative English proficiency criteria through English-medium education, prior degrees, or other accepted tests. However, the process of applying for these tests, a study visa, and fulfilling the necessary admission criteria by yourself can feel challenging.
This is where GS Global steps in. We understand your unique journeys and guide you through the entire process step-by-step. Our diverse services, like study abroad consulting, GRE/GMAT/IELTS/TOEFL preparation, profile evaluation, and student visa documentation, turn your dream of a Canadian education into reality!
Ready to begin your Canadian education without IELTS? Connect with GS Global today, and let’s turn your study abroad plans into a clear, achievable path.
Is IELTS necessary to study in Canada?
No, it is not. Canadian universities and colleges like the University of Regina and McGill University accept Indian and international students based on test scores on alternative tests like TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo
Which is the cheapest university in Canada without IELTS?
The University of Winnipeg and Memorial University of Newfoundland are the cheapest universities in Canada without IELTS. Their tuition fee is affordable, allowing students to gain a global education without breaking the bank.
Do I need IELTS to get a student visa for Canada?
Not always. A regular student visa does not require it if you meet the criteria for school language requirements or have taken other alternative tests. IELTS is compulsory for Study Direct Stream (SDS) applications from 14 specific countries.
What is the minimum TOEFL score required for admission to Canadian universities?
The minimum TOEFL score on average is 80-90. It varies by university and program levels. It is best to aim for a score of 90+ for successful admission.
Is Duolingo a valid alternative to IELTS for Canadian universities?
Yes, Duolingo is a valid alternative for the application. Universities like Brock and McGill accept Duolingo test scores.
What other tests can I take if I don't want to appear for IELTS for studying in Canada?
You can take the TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, or Duolingo English test. Alternatively, you can take an approved pathway programme.