Minimum IELTS Score for Canada - Band Requirements in 2023
PI - Prepare IELTS
2023-09-26
2023-09-26
Canada continues to be a preferred destination for international students where language proficiency plays a central role in embarking on an exciting academic journey to this multicultural country.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) plays a pivotal role in determining your language proficiency in Canada. It is recognised by Canadian institutions, immigration authorities, and employers as a reliable measure of English language proficiency.
Do you know that Canadian institutions, immigration authorities, and employers have set specific IELTS requirements? Candidates who want to study, work, or apply for permanent residency must fulfil IELTS band score requirement for Canada.
In this context, we have created a detailed blog on minimum IELTS band for Canada that you can check below.
Minimum IELTS band score requirement for Canada can vary depending on the specific institution or immigration program. However, a minimum band score of 6.0 to 7.0 is often required to study in Canada.
The IELTS score requirement can vary significantly in Canada, depending on your field of study. Check the standard IELTS Score Requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate courses below
| Degree Level | Minimum IELTS Score Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Undergraduate Courses |
6.0 with a 5.5 in each module |
|
Postgraduate Courses |
6.5 with a 6 in each module |
If you plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in Canada, you must meet the IELTS requirements set by the university or college of your choice.
Below, you can check the minimum IELTS Band for Canada for top undergraduate courses.
| Course | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) |
6 |
|
Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
6.5 |
|
Bachelor of Engineering (BE or BTech) |
6.5 |
|
Bachelor of Science (BSc) |
6.5 |
|
BA Psychology |
6.5 |
Leading postgraduate programs in business administration, computer science, and law may set higher IELTS score requirements. These competitive programs often attract applicants worldwide, making meeting or exceeding the IELTS requirements essential.
Below, you can check the minimum IELTS Score in Canada for top postgraduate courses.
| Course | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
|
Master of Architecture (MArch) |
6.5-7 |
|
Master of Computer Application (MCA) |
6.5 |
|
Master of Education in Psychology |
7 |
|
Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
6.5-7 |
|
Master of Arts (MA) |
6.5-7 |
|
Master of Engineering (ME or MTech) |
6.5 |
Every university in Canada may have different IELTS requirements as some universities may have more flexible criteria while others may have stringent score expectations. So, it's vital to adequately research the specific requirements of the institutions you're interested in.
Here, you can check the minimum IELTS Score for Canada Universities.
| University Name | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
|
University of Toronto |
An overall band of 6.5, with no band below 6.0. |
|
McGill University |
A band score of 6.5 or better. |
|
University of British Columbia |
A minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no individual score less than 6.0. |
|
University of Alberta |
Overall band score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
|
University of Waterloo |
Minimum overall score of 7.0, with no sub-score below 6.5. |
|
Western University: |
A minimum overall band score of 6.5, no part less than 6.0. |
|
Université de Montréal |
More than 6.5, where each category needs at least 6. |
|
University of Calgary |
Minimum score of 6.5. |
|
McMaster University |
IELTS score of 6.5. |
|
University of Ottawa |
6.5 overall score. |
If you plan to study or work in Canada, securing the necessary visa is paramount, and language proficiency plays a significant role in your visa application process.
Canadian immigration authorities assess language proficiency through the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level. Thus, meeting the CLB level is a positive step towards securing your visa and, ultimately, your Canadian experience.
The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) provides a framework for assessing language proficiency in English. The IELTS scores can be aligned with these CLB levels, which can be helpful for immigration purposes.
It is important to note that you will not receive any points if your CLB is 4 or lower. If your CLB score is 10 or above, you will receive the maximum number of points, which is 34 or 32 (if you are married).
| CLB level | Points per subcategory | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
4 |
6.0–7.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
|
8 |
5 |
7.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
|
9 |
6 |
8.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
10 and above |
6 |
8.5–9.0 |
8.0–9.0 |
7.5–9.0 |
7.5–9.0 |
If English is your second language, then you will get 4 points (in total).
| CLB level | Total Points | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 and above |
4 |
5.0–9.0 |
4.0–9.0 |
5.0–9.0 |
5.0–9.0 |
The IELTS score holds significant weight in your journey to securing a Permanent Residency in Canada. Their government requires a minimum IELTS score for Canada immigration programs as part of their eligibility criteria. One of the fastest routes to get PR in Canada is the Express Entry Program.
There are 3 prominent federal immigration programs that come under the Express Entry Program. Let's explore these programs and their respective IELTS requirements.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for individuals with specific trade skills to become permanent residents of Canada.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
|
5 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
6 |
5.5 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
|
7 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
|
8 |
7.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
|
9 |
8.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
10 and above |
8.5–9.0 |
8.0–9.0 |
7.5–9.0 |
7.5–9.0 |
The Federal Skilled Worker Program assesses candidates based on education, work experience, and language proficiency.
| IELTS Score Per Band | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | CLB level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
6.0 to 7.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
7 |
|
5 |
7.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
8 |
|
6 |
8.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
9 |
|
6 |
8.5 to 9.0 |
8.0 to 9.0 |
7.5 to 9.0 |
7.5 to 9.0 |
10 or Higher |
If your second language is English, then the minimum IELTS Band for Canada would be as follows.
| Score Per Band | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | CLB level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
5.0 to 9.0 |
4.0 to 9.0 |
5.0 to 9.0 |
4.0 to 9.0 |
4.0 to 9.0 |
Temporary foreign workers and students who want to get permanent residency can apply for the Canadian Experience Class. The minimum IELTS score for this program is often 5.0 or higher in each language skill. It means you will get NOC Skill level B and CLB level 5.
| NOC | CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
10 and above |
8.5–9.0 |
8.0–9.0 |
7.5–9.0 |
7.5–9.0 |
|
A |
9 |
8.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
A |
8 |
7.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
|
A |
7 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
|
B |
6 |
5.5 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
|
B |
5 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
In conclusion, navigating the minimum IELTS band for Canada in 2023 is crucial for achieving your academic and immigration goals in this diverse and welcoming country. Moreover, you should always keep in mind that IELTS score requirements can change, so always verify the latest criteria from official sources and be prepared to meet or exceed them.
We hope you got a clear idea about the Minimum IELTS Score in Canada. If you are planning to study in Canada, you must prepare exceedingly well for IELTS to get a good band score, and to achieve your desired score in the exam, Prepare IELTS (PI) will help you. You can register on the PI Website and start preparing for the IELTS.
Moreover, if you need further guidance, please contact expert counsellors dedicated to providing you with the best advice in the IELTS exam.
You can get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.
The minimum IELTS band required for Canada to study varies depending on the institution and program. However, a minimum overall band score ranges from 6.0 to 7.0 to study
While IELTS is widely accepted, Canada conducts other English language proficiency tests as well, such as TOEFL and CELPIP, for immigration purposes.
IELTS Academic and IELTS General serve different purposes so you need to take IELTS General training exam for PR purposes even after receiving a good score in IELTS Academic.
Some immigration programs may grant exemptions or alternative options for demonstrating language proficiency. For example, if you have a degree from a Canadian institution, you may be exempt from language testing in some instances.
You can take the IELTS exam as often as you like. There are no limitations on the number of attempts you are willing to make to improve your scores.
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