Minimum Band Requirement for Canada 2024-2025

24 July, 2024

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Band Requirement for Canada

Overview

Are you considering studying in Canada and wish to know the minimum IELTS Score for Canada? Although the country ranks as one of the best study-abroad destinations for Indian students, they must submit proof of English language proficiency. 

Well, let us tell you that the IELTS band requirement for Canada varies when applying to different universities and colleges there. Not only this, but the band score also differs according to the level of program and study. 

Today, in this blog, we will walk you through the minimum IELTS band score requirements for Canada in 2024-2025. So, let’s delve deeper into this topic.

Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada

More than 3 million people have attempted the IELTS test, making it the most popular exam globally. 

The minimum IELTS band requirement for Canada depends on your Designated Learning Institution (DLI), as it will require a provincial attestation letter, proof of acceptance from your school and a few more documents before applying for a study permit.

To get the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), students must attain an overall IELTS Score for Canada of 6.5 on the Academic module to successfully apply to undergraduate or postgraduate courses. 

Besides this usual option of study permit, students applying through a fast-track Canadian study permit under Student Direct Stream (SDS) must acquire a minimum IELTS band score of 6.0. Therefore, meeting the minimum Band Requirement for Canada is compulsory for the study permit to apply to the universities.

Minimum IELTS Score Required for Undergraduate Courses in Canada

After getting a study permit, Indian students must also check the minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada when applying to undergraduate courses. It can also vary depending on the field of study, but the minimum band requirement for Canada is between 6.0 and 6.5 for bachelor's courses. 

Some courses only specify the overall IELTS Score for Canada, whereas some may require individual scores along with the overall band score of the IELTS exam. It mainly depends on the type of program you choose. Look at the table below for minimum IELTS scores for varied courses.

Also, check: Different Types of English Proficiency Tests

Course Minimum IELTS Score

Bachelor of Business Administration

6

Bachelor of Engineering

6.5

Bachelor of Arts

6.5

Bachelor of Psychology

6.5

Bachelor of Science

6.5

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Minimum IELTS Score Required for Graduate Courses in Canada

Apart from undergraduate courses, students applying to graduate courses have different requirements for IELTS minimum band scores. Also, it depends on the varied fields of study, but universities and colleges in Canada require a band score of 6.5 to 7.5

Some postgraduate programs have professional fields like Management, and some are highly competitive fields like Medicine and Law, so these programs have higher score expectations to ensure students have the necessary language skills to perform better in their respective coursework. 

Let’s take a look at a diverse set of graduate programs along with their minimum IELTS band requirement for Canada:

Course Minimum IELTS Score

MBA

6.5-7

Master of Education (in Psychology)

7

Master of Engineering

6.5

Master of Architecture

6.5-7

Master of Arts

6.5-7

Master of Computer Science

6.5

IELTS Band Requirement for Canada Universities

Understanding the minimum IELTS band requirement for Canada for different courses is essential, but having a deep knowledge of the same according to universities is also important. So, let’s have a look at the list of top-notch universities in Canada. 

Universities QS Rankings THE Rankings

University of Toronto

25

21

McGill University

29

49

University of British Columbia

38

41

University of Alberta

96

109

University of Waterloo

115

158

Western University

120

201-250

Université de Montréal

159

111

McMaster University

176

103

University of Ottawa

189

177

Queen's University at Kingston

193

251-300

 

Minimum IELTS Scores of Top 10 Canadian Universities

The minimum IELTS score requirement for Canada also depends on top universities as they have their standard band scores as part of the admission criterias. So, check out the table below explaining the minimum IELTS score requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in different universities in Canada:

Universities IELTS minimum requirement for UG IELTS minimum requirement for PG

University of Toronto

6.5

7.0

McGill University

6.0

6.5

University of British Columbia

6.5

7.0

University of Alberta

6.5

7.0

University of Waterloo

6.5

7.0

Western University

6.5

6.5

Université de Montréal

6.5

6.5

McMaster University

6.5

7

University of Ottawa

6.5

6.5

Queen's University at Kingston

6.5

6.5

Also, check: Difference between GRE and IELTS

IELTS Band Requirement for Canada Student Visa

To acquire a student visa to Canada, you must fulfil the English language proficiency requirements, and IELTS is a widely renowned and globally accepted test for Canadian study permit applications.

Although it is not directly linked with institutions, the minimum IELTS band score requirements still depend on your program, university, or level of study. Many universities and colleges in Canada require an overall band of 6.0 to 6.5 for undergraduate programs and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate programs. 

In spite of that, you must check specific IELTS band score requirements that vary according to the university. Also, you should always look for the official websites of immigration authorities or universities to which you are applying. 

IELTS Band Requirement for Canada Study Visa after 12th

To study in Canada after the 12th, you can apply for various levels of study such as diploma, certificate, associate, or bachelor's degrees/courses. With that level of study, you must meet the eligibility criteria, and English language proficiency is their most important criterion.

The minimum IELTS band score requirement for courses after the 12th is 6.0 overall, but a band score of 5.5 is essential for all individual sections (listening, reading, speaking, writing). However, Indian students must check thoroughly the score requirements as per the level of study they are applying to. 

Suggested: IELTS Grammar Syllabus, Books, Topics, Preparation

Conclusion

To sum up, the minimum IELTS exam band requirement for Canada depends on various factors, from programs to level of study to universities. That’s why it is highly significant to do your proper research and know the specific requirements of the chosen institution or program.

Keep in mind that attaining a higher band score than the minimum requirements can open up several opportunities and enhance educational prospects in Canada. So, if you are willing to appear for the IELTS for Canada, we suggest you sign up for our IELTS courses designed by our experts. Please contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors if you need further guidance. You can also get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform register for free now. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.

FAQs

The requirements for an IELTS visa are different, and for a university, they are different. The minimum requirement to apply for the SDS visa in Canada is 6.0; admissions depend on the university.

Yes, you can retake the IELTS for Canada as many times as you want. There’s no limit set for attempting the exam. So, you should prepare well, take your time, reattempt the exam and achieve the band score required by your desired university or program before the application deadline.

Yes, you can take your IELTS for Canada in either paper format or computer-based format for a student visa or study permit in Canada. Both formats are accepted by universities and colleges here. So, choose the format that fits your comfort level and personal preferences.

The validity period for the IELTS Academic or IELTS General is about 2 years from the day of your last IELTS exam day.

The minimum IELTS score for Canada is accepted and widely recognised by more than 3,400 universities and colleges there. When considering applying to some particular institution, you must check its official websites and the admission requirements.

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