Colleges in Canada Offering Admission Without IELTS

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Can you study in Canada without IELTS? YES, YOU CAN!

If you want to study in Canada without IELTS, we have the solutions. Here’s what you need to know. 

Getting Admission in Canada Without IELTS 

Below are some ways of getting into colleges and universities in Canada without submitting an IELTS score:

  • Providing an English proficiency certificate by your college stating that your previous education was in English
  • Registering in the English language course offered by the Canadian university
  • Submitting proof of belonging to an English-speaking country
  • Submitting scores of alternative English language tests such as TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, CAEL, Cambridge Assessment English (CAEL, CAEL-CE, CAEL online), CanTest by the University of Ottawa, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), Academic English Program for University and College Entry (AEPUCE), etc.

What Else Can You Do?

If the above-mentioned alternative steps can’t be taken, the best solution would be to improve your IELTS score. Here are some tips to help you improve your score.

  • Go through all the four sections of the test thoroughly and understand the test format. 
  • Start preparing 3-4 months in advance.
  • Try to learn new words and increase your vocabulary. Make sure to learn to use those words in a sentence.
  • Watch youtube videos of speaking tests and other interviews in English. Watching English movies is also helpful. 
  • Set a timer and try to complete mock tests on time.
  • Practice makes a man perfect. So practice a lot.

FAQs

  1. Why is IELTS preferred by most international students?

IELTS is an English proficiency accepted by all the universities and colleges. That is one of the reasons why most international students prefer to attempt clearing an IELTS test. 

  1. Is it advisable to skip IELTS?

IELTS is accepted by all the top universities in Canada. You can skip IELTS if you want to, but you will have to prove your proficiency in English via other methods or tests approved by the university. Check your university’s requirements before planning to skip IELTS.

  1. Will there be any problems in getting a student visa if I don’t have IELTS score?

If you get admission to a university that accepts students without IELTS, you will face no trouble getting a student visa to study there. You will have to provide the documents that prove that your university doesn’t require an IELTS score to gain admission. Before you apply for the study permit, make sure you contact the nearest Canadian embassy and check if they will accept your application without IELTS. You might be asked to submit a letter from your university stating that IELTS is not required to enroll in the program you have chosen.

  1. What is SDS?

Canadian Immigration has introduced SDS (Student Direct Stream) for student visas for students applying from China, Pakistan, Philippines,  India, Morocco, Senegal and Vietnam to ease the process of getting a student visa. Its main aim is to decrease the processing time of the student visa. The student needs to have an overall IELTS band score of 6.5 and an individual component score of 6. 

  1. Is IELTS mandatory for SDS?

Yes, IELTS is required for SDS. You need to have a minimum band score of 6.5 and a score of 6 in each component of the test. If you have enrolled in a university that doesn’t require IELTS, then your student visa application will come under the normal category. You won’t be able to opt for SDS.

  1. I came to know that students from certain countries are exempted from providing IELTS scores if they have completed their undergraduate in English. Is that true?

Yes, students from certain countries are exempted from providing IELTS scores if they have completed their undergraduate in English. The countries that are eligible for this are: 

Zimbabwe, US Virgin Islands, Uganda, United States, Turks and Caicos Islands, South Africa, Zambia,  Seychelles, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Montserrat, Jamaica, Guyana, Grenada, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, United Kingdom, Cameroon, Nigeria, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Botswana, Bermuda, Benin,  Sierra Leone, Belize, Barbados, Bahamas, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla.

  1. Which universities provide admission without IELTS?

Few universities provide admission without IELTS. Here’s a list of such colleges and universities:

  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Brock University
  • University of Winnipeg
  • University of Regina
  • Memorial University
  • Carleton University
  • Concordia University
  • Cambrian College
  1. Is it possible to get a scholarship without IELTS?

Yes, it is possible to get a scholarship without IELTS. Some of the scholarships that can be availed without IELTS are the University of Regina International Entrance Scholarship, Ontario Trillium, Concordia University Entrance Scholarships, and the University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders.

  1. Is it necessary to show my proficiency in English?

Yes, you are required to show proof of your proficiency in English or else take an English language course if the university offers any. 

  1.  What are some of the alternatives to the IELTS test?

Some of the alternatives to the IELTS test are TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, CAEL, Cambridge Assessment English (CAEL, CAEL-CE, CAEL online), CanTest by the University of Ottawa, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), Academic English Program for University and College Entry (AEPUCE), etc.

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