Canada is known for its esteemed and rewarding educational system. International students studying in Canada need to meet the IELTS band requirements to get admission to one of the prestigious universities/colleges. The International English Language Test System, popular as IELTS, is widely accepted as evidence of English language proficiency by more than 140 nations for immigration, education, and professional purposes. It tests the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. Students whose first language is not English need to qualify for the IELTS examination with a good score. IELTS is important to ensure that all international students can manage their studies in an environment where the medium of instruction and education is English.
The band scores in the IELTS examination depict the level of English proficiency among students. The IELTS score for Canada ranges between 1 to 9. The better the band, the better the university the students can opt for. Let us understand the minimum IELTS band requirements for international students for Canadian visas in detail.
A minimum IELTS band of 6 is necessary to secure a seat at a Canadian university. To apply for a Canadian study permit or visa, international students need to score a minimum of 5.5 IELTS scores in each of the IELTS bands. The minimum score requirement for Canadian universities' undergraduate and postgraduate programs will differ. The minimum band requirements for students after 12 are 5.5 in each of the four sections- writing, reading, speaking, and listening. All four sections of the IELTS exam hold separate marks, and that band is important to judge each section's capability.
Improve your IELTS writing score with our expert-approved topic list for IELTS writing task 2.
The aggregate score would be around 6.0 for the undergraduate courses. For the post-graduation courses, international students will have higher scores and band requirements. The students need to score a minimum of 6 in all four IELTS sections, and the total score should be more than 6.5. This is the minimum eligibility and IELTS band requirement to get a student visa. The band score requirements below will help international students fulfill the Canada student visa IELTS band requirements for 2021. Also, students must ensure that all other requirements are met along with the IELTS band score.
Level
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
10
8.0
7.5
8.5
7.5
9
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
8
6.5
6.5
7.5
6.5
7
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5
5.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
4
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
IELTS Band Requirement for Canada Student Visa
IELTS is a standardized examination that tests the efficiency of the English language in non-native English speakers. Since the medium of education in Canada is mostly English, it is important to judge the proficiency of students in terms of writing, reading, speaking, and listening. There are a few prerequisites for the Canadian student Visa IELTS band requirement.
There are a few prerequisites for the Canadian student Visa IELTS band requirement.
The IELTS requirement is conducted, overseen, and evaluated based on Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). The examination focuses on recognizing, quantifying, and defining proficiency in the English language.
The CLB starts from a rank of 1 to 9, where every section of the examination holds a particular score. The IELTS test results will demonstrate the English proficiency level within the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) standards. When it comes to undergraduate degrees and courses, the required IELTS band will be 5.5 for every band and the total score will be 6. For postgraduate courses and degrees, the band is a minimum of 6 for every section, and the overall score is 6.5 and above.
Level of study
IELTS Score Requirement
Undergraduate
IELTS: 6.0 (with no bands less than 5.5 in each section)
Postgraduate
IELTS: 6.5 (with no bands less than 6 in each section)
Minimum IELTS Score for Canada Immigration
Canada is one of the most immigration-friendly countries, but the eligibility criteria in terms of IELTS score is quite strict. The need for English language proficiency among international students aspiring to get admission to Canadian universities is important. The mode of study and communication is purely in English. It is important to judge the capabilities of students in terms of all four sections.
Immigration to Canada means students can apply for a work visa or permanent residency after completion of a course or program. In this case, the applicants must qualify for the IELTS score depicted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The visa application process will take around six months, and a Student Direct Stream program is applicable for quick processing. The IELTS score requirement for Canadian immigration in 2021 would be CLB 7. That is at least 6.0 in every band for each of the four sections of the examination. The Canadian Language Benchmark standards set the immigration IELTS score requirement for all students applying to settle in Canada.
Universities and colleges in Canada impose strict eligibility criteria when it comes to IELTS as English language proficiency is important for studying in Canada. Admission of international students will depend upon the admission requirements and IELTS score. One of the most important eligibility criteria is meeting the requirements for an IELTS score. Every university and college sets an IELTS score as per recognition and value. The IELTS score requirement will not be the same for all Canadian universities. Educational institutions with better rank and value require high IELTS scores. Even for Canadian scholarship programs, the IELTS score plays a vital role.
Here are few more Samples Reading Answers for IELTS
Get to know about the latest updates on the IELTS Exam, Eligibility, Preparation Tips, Test procedure, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Registration Process, Important Exam Dates, and much more!! This guide is a one-stop solution for every IELTS Aspirant who aims to crack the exam with an impressive band score.
Conclusion
International students seeking admission to Canadian universities need to prove their English language proficiency as English is the standard language for education and communication in Canada. Canadian universities and colleges solely check the eligibility criteria in terms of IELTS scores. The judgment is made on proficiency based on four sections of IELTS test-writing, speaking, reading, and listening. The requirements for IELTS are different for student visas and immigration. The IELTS band requirements are set as per the Canadian Language Benchmark standards. International students need to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria of an IELTS score so that they can get admission, even apply for a work visa and permanent residency in Canada. In conclusion, the minimum IELTS score requirement for a Canada student visa in 2024 remains a key criterion for assessing the English language proficiency of prospective international students. This benchmark ensures that students possess the necessary communication skills to succeed in Canada’s academically rigorous and English-speaking environment. For students planning to study in Canada, achieving or surpassing this minimum score is not just a visa requirement but also a stepping stone towards academic success and smoother integration into Canadian society. It reflects the importance of linguistic preparedness in enhancing the overall educational experience, facilitating social connections, and ensuring students can fully leverage the opportunities offered by Canadian institutions. As such, meeting the IELTS requirement is a crucial goal for any international student aspiring to pursue higher education in Canada.
Download IELTS Sample Papers
Learn More about Study Abroad
What is Scholarship
Learn all about the scholarships like types of scholarships and how to get a one
What is the minimum IELTS score required for a Canadian student visa in 2022?
If you are a student applying for an undergraduate program, you need to fulfill the IELTS score requirement of an overall 6.0 band with 5.5 bands in each section. Whereas, if you are applying for a postgraduate program, you need an overall band score of 6.5 with 6 bands in each section.
What are the student visa requirements for Canada?
To apply for a student visa in Canada you need a valid passport, letter of acceptance from your university, proof of finances, letter of intent, Quebec Acceptance Certificate (when applying for a university in Quebec province), and proof that you have paid your study permit fee.
How to apply for a Canadian student visa?
Applying for a student visa in Canada involves selecting the university you want to apply in, checking the eligibility criteria, filling out the visa application form on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website, collecting the required documents, clearing the English language proficiency exams( IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and C1 Advanced) and booking the biometrics appointment.
Can I apply for a Canadian study visa with 6 bands?
Yes, you can apply for the Canada study visa with 6 bands as it is the minimum band score required for applying to Canadian universities.
How much funds are required for a Canada student visa?
International students must share proof of funds of at least CAD 10,000 in their Bank Account.
Does Canada give student visa easily?
Compared to the US Study Permit visa process, the Canadian visa process is simpler and faster, making it easier for international students to get a study permit. A Canadian study permit can be processed in three weeks.
How long does it take to get a Canada student visa?
Getting a Canada student visa can take up to 1 week- 3 weeks.
Here are few of the trending IELTS Reading Answers:
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience.
She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.
GPA CALCULATOR
EXPENSE CALCULATOR
Ielts band calculator
Education Loan Calculator
University partner
ACCOMMODATION
experience-center
our offices
)
