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Minimum IELTS score to study in Canada universities in 2023

On top of its breathtaking views, iconic landmarks and vibrant culture, Canada also has a range of world-class education institutions, making it consistently one of the most popular study destinations for students from all over the world.

If you’ve got your eye on the Great White North for the next chapter of your studies, you’ll be required to sit for an English proficiency test such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

This is to prove your proficiency in the English language across the following categories: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

To successfully enrol in Canadian universities, you’ll have to attain the minimum band score necessary.

Minimum scores for Canadian universities

While Canada isn’t strict about minimum IELTS score requirements for immigration, this isn’t the case for those looking to further their studies.

As an international student, you’ll have to score a total of 6.5 and a minimum of 6 for each section of the test.

Without further ado, here are the minimum IELTS requirements according to the top-ranked universities in Canada.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2023

One of the world’s most established metrics, the Times Higher Education world rankings assesses universities based on the following five key performance indicators: teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.

Rank	University	Global rank	IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes)	IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes)
1	University of Toronto	18	6.5	7.0
2	University of British Columbia	40	6.5	6.5
3	McGill University	46	6.5	6.5
4	McMaster University	85	6.5	6.5
5	University of Montreal	111	6.5	6.5
6	University of Alberta	118	6.5	6.5
7	University of Ottawa	137	6.5	7.0
8	University of Calgary	201 – 250	6.5	6.5
9	University of Waterloo	201 – 250	6.5	7.0
10	Western University	201 – 250	6.5	6.5
11	Université Laval	251 – 300	6.5	6.5
12	Queen’s University	251 – 300	6.5	7.5
13	Simon Fraser University	251 – 300	6.5	6.5
14	Dalhousie University	301 – 350	6.5	7.0
15	University of Victoria	301 – 350	6.0	6.5
16	University of Manitoba	351 – 400	6.5	6.5
17	York University	401 – 500	6.5	7.5
18	University of Guelph	501 – 600	6.5	6.5
19	University of Saskatchewan	501 – 600	6.5	6.5
20	Carleton University	601 – 800	6.5	6.5

QS World University Rankings in 2023

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is another global premier ranking system that rates universities by institution and subject through academic, student, employer and international indicators.

Rank	University	Global rank	IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes)	IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes)
1	McGill University	31	6.5	6.5
2	University of Toronto	34	6.5	7.0
3	University of British Columbia	47	6.5	6.5
4	University of Alberta	110	6.5	6.5
5	University of Montreal	116	6.5	6.5
6	McMaster University	152	6.5	6.5
7	University of Waterloo	154	6.5	7.0
8	Western University	172	6.5	6.5
9	University of Ottawa	237	6.5	7.0
10	University of Calgary	242	6.5	6.5
11	Queen’s University	246	6.5	7.5
12	Dalhousie University	308	6.5	7.0
13	Simon Fraser University	328	6.5	6.5
14	University of Victoria (UVic)	359	6.0	6.5
15	Laval University	433	6.5	6.5
16	York University	456	6.5	7.5
17	University of Saskatchewan	473	6.5	6.5
18	Concordia University	551 – 560	6.5	7.0
19	University of Quebec	571 – 580	6.0	Not applicable (based on French language proficiency)
20	University of Guelph	591 – 600	6.5	6.5

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Take your IELTS test with IDP

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If so, take the next step by registering for your IELTS test!

At IDP, we have decades of experience in helping students to prepare for their IELTS test, and we can help you too.

From having a wealth of resources for your preparation to offering 7 convenient test locations across the country, here’s why you should take the IELTS test with us.

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