IELTS Band Requirements for Top Universities in Canada

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on May 7, 2025 16:14 IST

IELTS is one of the most popular English proficiency tests in the world. Multiple universities in Canada accept IELTS scores at the time of offering admission to international students. The required IELTS score varies for every university or college, so you need to verify the minimum IELTS Score for universities in Canada before you apply.

IELTS Scores for the Best Universities in Canada

Want to study in Canada? Good score in English proficiency exams is an important eligibility to study in Canada. IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL and Duolingo are some well-known English proficiency tests in the world. Canadian Universities accept scores of all these exams at the time of offering admission. In this article, we will discuss the minimum IELTS score for Canada. 

The medium of education in Canadian universities is English, so it is mandatory that students should be able to understand it well. The minimum IELTS score for Canadian universities varies as per the requirements of the universities. The table below will help you gain knowledge about the average IELTS scores that are required at top universities in Canada. We have provided the average overall IELTS exam scores and the individual scores for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections.

Table of content
  • IELTS Requirements for Canadian Universities
  • IELTS Score Requirements for Top Canadian Universities
  • IELTS Requirements in Canada by Program Level

IELTS Requirements for Canadian Universities

Most Canadian universities stipulate minimum IELTS scores for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Generally, an overall band score of 6.5, with no individual section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) below 6.0, is expected for undergraduate admissions. For postgraduate programs, the requirements are often higher, with an overall band score ranging from 6.5 to 7.0, and individual section scores not falling below 6.0 to 6.5.

IELTS Score Requirements for Top Canadian Universities

Here is the university-wise IELTS score required for getting admission.

Colleges and University

Overall IELTS Score

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Athabasca University

6

Acadia University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Algoma University

6

6

6

6

6

Bishop’s University

6.5

Brandon University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Brescia University College

6.5

6

6

6

6

Capilano University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Campion College

6.5

6

6

6

6

Camosun College

6

6

6

6

6

Charles Sturt University

6

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

College of New Caledonia

6

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

(⁎) Concordia University

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology

6

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Canadian Mennonite University

6.5

Cape Breton University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Carleton University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Dalhousie University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology

6.5

6

6

6

6

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

6.5

6

6

6

6

(⁎) Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology

6.5

George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology

6.5

6

6

6

6

Grant MacEwan University

6.5

6

5.5

5.5

7

Huron University College

6.5

6

6

6

6

HEC Montréal

7

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

6.5

6

6

6

6

King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario

6.5

6

6

6

6

Lakehead University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Luther College

6.5

Laurentian University

6.5

6

6

6

6

MacEwan University

6.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

McMaster University

6.5

6

6

6

6

McGill University

6.5

Mount Royal University

6.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Memorial University

6.5

6

6

6.5

6.5

Mount Saint Vincent University

7

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

Mount Allison University

6.5

6

6

6

6

(⁎) Niagara College

6.5

6

6

6

6

Nipissing University

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

(⁎) NSCAD University

7

6

6

6

6

Ontario College of Art and Design

6.5

6

6

6

6

OCAD University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Oxford College

6

Redeemer University College

6.5

Royal Roads University

6.5

6

6

6.5

6.5

Ryerson University

6.5

Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology

6.5

Simon Fraser University

7

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

St. Francis Xavier University

6.5

6

6

6

6

St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology

6

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

St. Thomas University

6.5

St. Mary’s University

6.5

6

6

6

6

St. Thomas More College

6.5

The University of British Columbia

6.5

6

6

6

6

The Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Community Sciences

6

King’s University College

6.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Trent University

6.5

6

6

6

6

(⁎) Thompson Rivers University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Trinity Western University

6.5

6

University of Alberta

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Lethbridge

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Guelph

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of New Brunswick

6.5

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of St. Michael’s College

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Trinity College

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Sudbury

6.5

University of Manitoba

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Northern British Columbia

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Ottawa

6.5

6.5

University of Saskatchewan

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Western Ontario

6.5

6

6

6

6

(⁎) University of Prince Edward Island

6.5

6.5

6.5

7

6.5

University of Regina

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of the Fraser Valley

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Victoria

7

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

University of Toronto

6.5

6

6

6

6

University of Winnipeg

6.5

University of Windsor

6.5

Vancouver Island University

6.5

6

6

6

6

Wilfrid Laurier University

6.5

6

6

6

6

York University

6.5

Note: Universities and Colleges with (⁎) in front of their names have different IELTS score requirements for different courses.

IELTS Requirements in Canada by Program Level

  • Undergraduate Programs: Generally require an overall IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5, with no band less than 5.5 to 6.0.
  • Postgraduate Programs: Typically demand an overall score of 6.5 to 7.0, with individual band scores not below 6.0 to 6.5.
  • Doctoral Programs: Often require higher proficiency, with overall scores ranging from 7.0 to 7.5, and no band less than 6.5 to 7.0.

Each Canadian university and program may have unique IELTS score criteria. So, candidates are advised to check IELTS score for specific Canadian university, one is applying for. Scoring above the minimum IELTS requirements in Canada can improve the admission chances and scholarship opportunities.​

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Q:   Why should I appear for an IELTS exam?
A:

Countries such as Canada, the UK, the USA, etc., where English is the primary language, require international students to hold an IELTS score if they wish to get employed, study or migrate there. The exam will score your performance on a scale of 1 to 9 and will test your reading, speaking, listening, and writing ability in English. Over 11,000 employers, colleges, universities, and immigration bodies recognise this test.

Q:   What is a good IELTS score?
A:

A good IELTS score can vary depending on your specific goals, such as study abroad requirements, visa applications, or employment opportunities. Different institutions and organizations may have different score requirements, so it is essential to research and understand the specific score expectations for your intended purpose. In general, a score of 6.5 or higher is considered a good IELTS score. However, this may differ based on the individual's needs and the requirements of the institution or organisation they are applying to.

Some universities and programs may have higher score requirements, especially for competitive programs or fields of study. It is crucial to review the score requirements of the institutions or organizations you are interested in and aim to achieve a score that meets their criteria. Additionally, consider your own personal goals and requirements when determining what constitutes a good IELTS score for you. Get more details at What is a good IELTS score?

Q:   Should I take IELTS on a computer or paper?
A:

The advantage that the online IELTS has over the paper-based one is that more dates are available to appear for the same. Also, those attempting the test can select their own preferred time to appear for the same and the results will also be obtained in 3-5 days. For both the modes of the test, the content, structure of test and timing remain the same.  

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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Comments

(577)

B

Bikram Bhusal

2 years ago

Is PTE overall band 58 okay for student visa for australia

Reply to Bikram Bhusal

M

Muskan

2 years ago

Sir I have got overall 6 but 5.5 in reading and listening which University is better

Reply to Muskan

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Muskan. Do get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with university admissions here: https://www.shiksha.com/studyabroad/apply

p

priya bhardwaj

2 years ago

Hi sir... I got overall 6.5 bands L-7.5, R and S -6 but W-5.5.. i want to study related with nursing.. Can i apply for any nursing coures

Reply to priya bhardwaj

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Priya. Do get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with university admissions here: https://www.shiksha.com/studyabroad/apply

46560465
Ankit

2 years ago

Same here

M

Mazen Ahmed

3 years ago

Hi Sir, i got L:6.5 R:6 W:5.5 S:6.5 and over all got 6 , so which college could accept me for project management course?

Reply to Mazen Ahmed

A

Aprant Agarwal

3 years ago

Hi Mazen. The above article provides the IELTS requirements for various colleges. You can check this list once again. Additionally, you can refer to this link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/canada/certificate-diploma-in-project-management-courses-sl

Sir I got lis-6 R- 6 w-5.5 S-5.5 overall-6 so I am eligible for Canadian visa as I am a sales engineer by profession

Reply to Virbhadrasinh Raol

A

Aprant Agarwal

3 years ago

Hello Virbhadra. In case if you want to apply to Canadian Universities, the IELTS cut-offs have been mentioned above. Here is a link to the Canada Student Visa Guide: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/canada-student-visa-guide-applycontent5772 If you are looking for a PR, you need to understand how

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