Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements

“The best way to end is to get started.” Studying is considered the first step to getting started, not just on the professional front, but for an individual’s overall growth. The hunger to grow and evolve is what drives any student towards progress. Whether engineering feats or scientific discovery, a doctor’s miracle, or even a journalist’s enriching article, every step was achieved because of rigorous studying. Canada is renowned to be one of the top locations for studying abroad. The pathway to begin studying in Canada is a long one. Want to know Canada Student Visa IELTS band requirements? Read this blog to know the minimum Canada student visa IELTS band requirements for 2023.

New IELTS Requirements for Canada SDS

• IELTS requirements for Canada SDS will change starting on August 10, 2023, according to IRCC.
• IELTS test takers utilizing the SDS program will now need to achieve an overall 6.0 band in order to be accepted.
• To emphasize the significance of the test-takers comprehensive abilities, it was decided to remove the individual score of 6.0 bands.
• The most recent modification to the IELTS criteria is intended to provide international students with better possibilities to complete their studies in Canada.

Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada Student Visa

To apply for a Canadian student visa, you must have a minimum of 6.0 in each of the IELTS bands and an overall score of 6.5 in IELTS. The IELTS requirements for Canadian universities vary for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. But from 10th August 2023, candidates will need an overall band score of 6.0 and 5.5 in each section.

Want to know how many bands are required for a Canada student visa after the 12th? The minimum IELTS requirement for a Canadian student visa after the 12th is a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four sections with an aggregate band score of 6.0 for undergraduate courses in Canada after the 12th.

For postgraduate courses, the minimum IELTS score for Canada is at least 6 in all four sections and a minimum total of 6.5 bands as the combined score for the student visa. With the above-mentioned score, the candidate fulfils the Canada Student Visa IELTS band requirements 2023 and just needs to make sure that the rest of their requirements are perfectly on point.

Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements

There is a certain prerequisite in terms of the Canada Student Visa IELTS band requirements. The minimum IELTS requirement for Canada Student Visa is overseen by the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), the national standards used in Canada for defining, recognizing, and quantifying English language proficiency. The CLB varies from 1 to 12, with each CLB score being equal to a particular IELTS score in the Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading sections.

To help you understand better what is IELTS Reading score, IELTS Listening score, IELTS Writing Score, and IELTS Speaking score are in terms of CLB, we have devised this descriptive table: 

Minimum IELTS Score for Canada Immigration 2024

To apply for a Canadian PR or work visa in 2024, you will have to qualify for IELTS General with the score specified by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The visa processing time taken by IRCC is a minimum of 6 months. When it comes to the IELTS score for Canada immigration 2024, you must CLB 7 as the minimum level of language proficiency, i.e. at least 6.0 IELTS band for each section for Canada student visa IELTS band requirements 2024.

Why IELTS is Required to Study in Canada?

Since IELTS is needed by all of Canada’s top universities and colleges, a rising number of candidates pick it for their Canada student visa. It evaluates the language skills of non-native English speakers like Indians, who desire to study in a nation where English is the predominant language of communication like Canada. It is divided into four important parts – listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Minimum IELTS Score for Canadian Universities

The IELTS score for Canada varies for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The minimum overall IELTS band and section-wise scores for Canadian universities in 2023 are as follows:

Undergraduate Courses in Canada [Bachelor’s, Diploma or Short-term]	Overall: Minimum 6 IELTS Each Band: No less than 5.5
Postgraduate Courses in Canada [PG Diploma/Masters]	Overall: Minimum of 6.5 IELTS Each Band: No less than 6

*While the mentioned universities accept section-wise 5.5 IELTS Band scores, the minimum IELTS score for a Student Visa in Canada is 6.0.

Also, learn about the Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students!

IELTS Requirements for Canadian Universities

Now that you have understood all the Canada student visa IELTS band requirements, it is time to have a look at all the expected sectionals, that is, speaking; listening; writing, and reading IELTS band scores along with the overall band score of popular institutions in Canada. Tabulated below are the IELTS requirements for Canadian universities:

University	QS World University 2023	Overall IELTS Score (Tentative)
University of Toronto	26	6.5
University of British Columbia	46	6.5
McGill University	27	6.5
McMaster University	140	6.5
University of Alberta	126	6.5
University of Montreal	111	6
University of Calgary	235	6.5
University of Ottawa	230	6.5
University of Waterloo	149	6.5
University of Victoria	334	6.5
University of Winnipeg	–	6.5
University of Windsor	701-750	6.5
Trent University		6.5
Simon Fraser University		6.5
University of Lethbridge		6

List of Universities Accepting IELTS 6.5

These universities in Canada accept 6.5 IELTS scores:

• Acadia University
• Brandon University
• Cape Breton University
• Capilano University
• Dalhousie University
• Grant MacEwan University
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• Memorial University
• Mount Allison University
• Mount Royal University
• Ontario College of Art and Design
• Ryerson University
• Simon Fraser University
• St. Francis Xavier University
• St. Mary’s University
• St.Thomas University
• Thompson Rivers University
• Trent University
• Trinity Western University
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Guelph
• University of Manitoba
• University of New Brunswick
• University of Northern British Columbia
• University of Regina
• University of the Fraser Valley
• University of Toronto
• University of Victoria
• University of Windsor
• University of Winnipeg
• Wilfrid Laurier University
• York University
• Athabasca University
• Lakehead University
• Laurentian University of Sudbury
• University of Ottawa
• University of Prince Edward Island
• University of Western Ontario
• Bishop’s University
• Brescia University College
• Canadian Mennonite University
• Campion College
• Emily Carr University of Art + Design
• Huron Univerity College
• King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario
• Laurentian University
• MacEwan University
• NSCAD University
• OCAD University
• Redeemer University College
• Saint Mary’s University
• St. Thomas More College
• The King’s University College
• The University of British Columbia
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• University of St. Michael’s College
• University of Sudbury
• University of Trinity College
• Victoria University
• George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology

List of Universities Accepting IELTS 6

These universities in Canada accept 6 IELTS score:

• Nipissing University
• University of Lethbridge
• Vancouver Island University
• Algoma University
• Concordia University College of Alberta
• HEC Montréal
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Luther College
• Camosun College
• Canadian National Institute of Health
• College of New Caledonia
• Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Niagara College
• Oxford College
• The Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Community Sciences
• Charles Sturn University
• Niagara University in Ontario
• State University of New York: SUNY Potsdam

List of Universities Accepting IELTS 5.5

These universities in Canada accept 5.5 IELTS scores:

• Royal Roads University
• Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology
• St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology

IELTS & TOEFL Scores for Canada

Here is a list of minimum IELTS scores for Canada as well as TOEFL scores that you need to attain to apply to a Canadian university:

Education Level	IELTS & TOEFL Scores
Bachelor’s/Diploma/Certificate Courses	IELTS: 6/6.5 For TOEFL PBT: 550 Min. CBT: 213 Min.
Post-graduate/Masters Courses	IELTS: 6.5 overall with no bands less than 6  For TOEFL:  PBT:  580-600 min. CBT: 237-250 min.

Note: The above-given requirements are for indicative purposes. However, the score might vary as per the university you choose to apply for. Check the language test requirements of the course beforehand. 

How to Crack IELTS to Study in Canada?

Now that you are aware of how many bands required for a Canadian student visa after the 12th and after graduation, let’s now understand what are the ways to grab a higher band score in IELTS. To start their preparatory journey early, either by reading the best books for IELTS preparation or through coaching classes. As the exam is mandatory not only to study at the university but also for the VISA process, candidates focus on completing and revising the IELTS syllabus thoroughly. You can also reach out to our experts at Leverage Live offering exclusive online classes and premium study material by best-in-class experts along with doubt clearance sessions and flexible timings to help you achieve your dream IELTS score for Canada.

Best Colleges to Study in Canada?

Now that the Canadian Student visa IELTS band requirements are taken care of, there are numerous colleges and universities in Canada to choose from. There are IELTS 6 Band Universities in Canada for Masters as well as IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada. Here are the top colleges in Canada:

• Humber College
• Centennial College
• Seneca College
• Red River College
• George Brown College

Here are the top universities in Canada:

• University of Waterloo
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Toronto
• University of Alberta

Note: Candidates moving to Canada for work or permanent residency must take the IELTS General Training exam. Those planning to apply for a work visa, professional registration, or permanent resident status must get a band that meets the criteria of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The English language competency is tested using the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), which are necessary to meet the work immigration requirements.

How to Obtain Canada Student Visa?

To fulfil your dream of seeking Canadian education,  it is mandatory for one to first attain a study permit. Once students have received their study permit for Canada, they are all set to apply for a Canada student visa and live up to their dream. Listed below are some important points to keep in mind while applying for a Canadian study permit-

• It is mandatory for you to be accepted by a Canadian academic institution 
• Candidates must be able to prove their financial background ensuring proper funds for their educational course
• Availability of medical health insurance
• Documents proving that candidate has no criminal record to ensure your risk-free security in the country 

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