IELTS Score Requirements for Top Universities in Canada

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Nov 26, 2025 18:49 IST

Thinking of studying in Canada? You will need a valid IELTS score to meet admission and visa requirements. Most Canadian universities require an overall IELTS band score of 6.5 or above, with no less than 6.0 in each section.

IELTS score for Canada

While shortlisting the best country to study abroad for Indian students, you must have explored the studying in Canada option. Canada is an attractive option for many international students due to its high-quality education and better career prospects. 

If you're planning to study in Canada as an international student, it is important to know about language proficiency requirements for obtaining a Canada study permit. Many top universities in Canada require IELTS, as their admission requirements. 

Now, the question will be in your mind how much IELTS score required for Canada? One should note that minimum IELTS score required to study in Canada is an overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS Academic test at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. Mimimum IELTS score for Canada is 7.0-7.5. In this article, we have given details about the IELTS score required for Canada, and course wise band requirements to study in Canada. 

Table of contents
  • Minimum IELTS score to study in Canada
  • IELTS Score Requirements for Top Universities in Canada
  • Minimum IELTS Score for Canada Universities
  • Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements

Minimum IELTS score to study in Canada

Canadian universities generally require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each module (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Minimum IELTS score required for Canada for Masters will be around 6.5 overall and 6.0 per module. These details on IELTS requirements in Canada given above are just general data, as the IELTS score will vary university to university and even course to course. 

Level of Study

Minimum IELTS Score 

Undergraduate Programs

Overall 6.0, no band less than 5.5

Postgraduate Programs (Master's)

Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0

IELTS Score for Canada After 12th

Indian students applying for undergraduate (bachelor’s) programs in Canada must meet the following IELTS requirements:

Program Level

Minimum Overall Band

Minimum Per Band

UG (Bachelor’s)

6.0

5.5

IELTS Score Requirements for Top Universities in Canada

Getting admission in a top Canadian university will come with some admission prerequisites. Proving English language proficiency with a standardised test like IELTS is one of the requirements. IELTS score for Canada to study in top universities are 

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QS World Rank

University Name

Minimum IELTS Band

25

University of Toronto

6.5 & Above

29

McGill University

6.5 & Above

38

University of British Columbia

6.5 & Above

96

University of Alberta

6.5 & Above

115

University of Waterloo

6.5 & Above

120

Western University

6.5 & Above

159

Université de Montréal

6.5 & Above

176

McMaster University

6.5 & Above

189

University of Ottawa

6.5 & Above

193

Queen's University at Kingston

6.5 & Above

198

University of Calgary

6.5 & Above

275

Dalhousie University

6.5 & Above

319

Simon Fraser University

6.5 & Above

340

University of Saskatchewan

6.5 & Above

349

University of Victoria (UVic)

6.5 & Above

362

York University

6.5 & Above

415

Concordia University

6.5 & Above

423

Université Laval

6.5 & Above

456

University of Guelph

6.5 & Above

547

University of Windsor

6.5 & Above

The general minimum IELTS score to study in top Universities in Canada will be 6.5 above, which will be little higher for some popular courses. 

Minimum IELTS Score for Canada Universities 

Indian students who are planning to study in Canada have queries on how much band required for Canada after 12th. As getting a good IELTS score is a little challenging, they often search for what band of IELTS required for Canada. To help students, we have researched queries like IELTS 5 accepted in universities in Canada, or is IELTS 4.5 accepted in universities in Canada. A list of Canadian universities with minimum IELTS score has been mentioned in the table below.

University Name

Minimum Overall Required IELTS Score

Lethbridge College

6.0; no band below 6.0

Camosun College

6.0 overall (no sub-score less than 6.0)

MacEwan University

Minimum overall IELTS band score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 5.5 in Reading and Writing, 6.0 in Listening and 7.0 in Speaking

Canadore College

6.0 overall and no band below 6

Niagara College

6.0 overall No individual band under 5.5

Huron University College

Minimum overall score: 6.5; No section less than: 6.0 

Charles Sturt University

6.5 and no band less than 6.0

The University of Alberta

6.5

Canada Universities Accepting IELTS 5.5

Here are some universities and colleges in Canada that accept an IELTS score of 5.5:

University Name

Minimum Overall Required IELTS Score

Brock University

Overall 6.0, no band below 5.5

Concordia University

Overall score of 6.0 and no part under 5.5

Capilano University

Overall band score 5.5 overall, and no one score less than 5.0

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Overall band score 5.5 or higher, with a minimum 5.5 in each band

Algonquin College

Overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)

IELTS 4.5 accepted in universities in Canada

It is almost impossible to get admission in Canada on an IELTS score of 4.5. Generally IELTS score of 4.5, is generally not accepted by most reputable Canadian universities for undergraduate or graduate programs . 







IELTS Score for MBA in Canada

Studying MBA in Canada requires an overall IELTS band score of 6.5. While, getting admission in top MBA colleges in Canada requires an overall IELTS score of 7.0 & above. So, one who wants to study MBA in Canada should aim for a good IELTS score of 7.0 and above. Candidates can check the IELTS score requirement to study MBA in Canada from below. 

MBA University

Minimum IELTS score requirement

University of Toronto

7 & Above

The University of British Columbia

7 & Above

McGill University

6.5 - 7

McMaster University

6.5 - 7.5

University of Alberta

7 & Above

IELTS Score for MS Universities in Canada for International

When applying for MS in Canada, international students should be aware of the IELTS score for Canada. The overall IELTS band score to study MS in Canada is generally between 6.5 and 7.0. However, many Canadian universities require no less than 6.0 or 6.5 in each IELTS section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). One can check the minimum IELTS score for MS in Canada from the table below. 

MS University

Minimum IELTS score requirement

University of Toronto

7 - 7.5

The University of British Columbia

6.5 - 7.5

McGill University

6.5 - 7.5

McMaster University

6.5 - 7

University of Alberta

6 - 7

Minimum IELTS Score for Engineering Universities in Canada

The average IELTS score for engineering colleges in Canada will be around 6.5 and above. One can check the minimum IELTS band score requirements for top engineering universities in Canada from the below mentioned table. 

B.E. / B.Tech University

Minimum IELTS score requirement

University of Toronto

6.5 & Above

The University of British Columbia

6.5 & Above

McGill University

6.5 & Above

McMaster University

6.5 & Above

University of Alberta

6.5 & Above

Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements

When applying for a Canadian student visa, one of the key requirements is demonstrating proficiency in English, which is typically assessed through IELTS. This score for Canada ensures that international students can communicate and succeed in their academic programs.

Most universities in Canada require an overall IELTS band score of 6.0 or 6.5 for undergraduate programs and a higher score of 6.5 or 7.0 for PG programs. The IELTS band score for Canada may vary depending on the program, university you are applying for, or level of study. So, students are recommended to check official website of university you are applying for or even the Canadian immigration authority.

Q:   What are some of the industries where NLC Canada alumni work?
A:

A few of the industries where NLC Canada alumni work are given below. Operations and Engineering are the two industries where most of the graduates work.

  • Operations
  • Education
  • IT
  • Engineering
  • Business Development
  • Administrative
  • Customer Success and Support
  • Community and Social Services
  • Healthcare Services
  • Sales
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Arts and Design
  • HR
  • Media and Communication
Q:   Which countries accept IELTS for immigration?
A:

Countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK need IELTS for immigration. They check your English skills using IELTS scores.

Q:   Which countries accept IELTS scores for migration?
A:

IELTS is accepted by immigration authorities in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand for migration and work visa applications.

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About the Author
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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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