The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the major admission requirements to study at select universities in Canada, the United States and Australia. However, not all schools in Canada make it a MUST. Hence, you may be able to get admitted to a university in Canada without IELTS.
This article explains the process and some possible options or alternatives worth exploring.
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely accepted English language examination. It is commonly used to test the English proficiency levels of international students from countries where English is not the main or first language.
The IELTS is used to assess the English language proficiency of these students across four (4) major areas:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading and;
- Writing
Why Is IELTS Waved Off in some Canadian Universities?
International students from countries where the English language is not a native language are often invited to take the IELTS to confirm their ability to communicate in English.
While some Canadian universities may not prioritize this; others do. For the ones that don’t, they typically require would-be students to take other forms of language proficiency tests, such as TOEFL.
Read: Universities With No Application Fee For International Students In Canada
List of IELTS-Free Universities in Canada For 2024
We introduce to you, some of the universities in Canada that either lay less emphasis on the IELTS or replace it with some other tests.
1. Concordia University
Located in Montreal, Quebec, Concordia University allows students to get admitted to any of the faculties, even without an IELTS.
As the English language is the main medium of instruction, it requires would-be students to take some other language proficiency tests to be exempted:
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE).
Furthermore, applicants may be exempted from the English language proficiency test requirements on these conditions:
- Completion of a minimum of three full years of graduate or undergraduate studies at an accredited university.
- A minimum of five years of full-time work in an English-speaking environment and a successful personal interview are required of applicants for enrollment into programs at the John Molson School of Business.
- Completion of a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) and obtaining a Quebec university degree are also required.
Regardless of the aforementioned, Concordia University says it reserves the right to whether to require the applicants to take the English language proficiency test or not. You can apply here
2. University of Saskatchewan
This is one of the leading research-based universities in Canada. It is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
International students from Nigeria looking for admission here are welcome and may not be required to have an IELTS.
However, the University of Saskatchewan uses the English language as the primary means of teaching and learning. While having a specific IELTS score may be waived, the university does require applicants to possess certain proficiency. Hence, the following is required:
- Score 4 or better in Advanced Placement (AP) English
- Required score B or better in GCE A/AS/AICE Level English or English Language
- Score 5 or better in International Baccalaureate (IB) English A1 or A2 Higher Level
- Required score 5 or better in International Baccalaureate (IB) English B Higher Level
- A score of B or better in GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-Level English, English Language, or English as a Second Language.
Applicants may also be required to meet these qualifications:
- Completion of secondary (high school) studies in English.
- Completion of an accepted standardized test, such as Cambridge C1 Advanced (overall score of 176), Pearson Test of English Academic (overall score of 63), TOEFL iBT (a score of 86), Duolingo English Test (a score of 110) and the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (a score of 70)
- Completion of an approved English language proficiency program, such as the completion of English as a Second Language (ESL 050) at the University of Regina or the completion of Level 4 at the University of Saskatchewan Language Centre.
- Completion of post-secondary studies in English with a minimum of three-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution outside of Canada or a full-time study in a degree program from a recognized post-secondary institution or a minimum of two-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada. Any of those studies must be completed in an institution where English is the official language of instruction and examination. You can apply here
3. Okanagan College
This Kelowna, British Columbia-based university doesn’t require English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants to write the IELTS.
Alternative accepted and standardized tests are rather sed. Examples are:
- Duolingo English Test (DET) is required of applicants looking for placement in the university’s English Language Program.
- OCELA, TOEFL and Academic IELTS scores are also accepted.
International students from any of the British Columbia high schools can be admitted if they use their BC grades as proof of English proficiency. Apply here
4. Carleton University
Official transcripts within the last three years of completing a graduate or undergraduate degree in an English language university will find you a placement at Carleton University.
Applicants with English as a Second Language (ESL) are required to demonstrate language proficiency without taking an IELTS. Any of these alternatives can suffice:
- Completion of ESLA 1905 or ESLA 1900 at Carleton University with a final grade of B or higher or;
- An overall score of 60 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic) or;
- An overall score of 70 in the Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL, CAEL-CE) with a minimum band score of 60 in each area or;
- An overall score of 86 in TOEFL iBT (including iBT Home Edition). A minimum score of 22 is required in speaking and writing and a minimum of 20 in reading and listening. Apply as an international student
5. The University of Winnipeg
Located in Manitoba, Canada, The University of Winnipeg accepts international students from countries where the English language is not native. For these applicants, proving competence and proficiency in the use of English is required, as it is the university’s primary language of instruction.
Options include:
- A minimum score of 120 on the Duolingo English Test (DET).
- A minimum score of 70 in CAEL (online).
- A minimum score of 86 is required for the TOEFL iBT Test.
- Score a minimum of 80 in CAEL CE or;
- Have a minimum score of 58 on the Pearson Test of English (Academic). See international students page
6. Brock University
Be sure to get admitted to study at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, even without sitting for IELTS.
International applicants are allowed to take other forms of English Proficiency Tests (EPT) with any of the following requirements:
- Minimum overall score of 4.5 in the Can Test for Scholars and Trainees.
- A minimum score of 88 in TOEFL iBT (paper-based and home edition).
- Score a minimum of 60 in the CAEL Computer Edition (CAEL CE).
- A minimum overall score of 60 is required for PTE Academic or PTE Online or;
- Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with A Cambridge English score of 176 or higher. Apply as an International student.
7. University of Guelph
The University of Guelph is among the top 600 universities in the world and ranked first in the 2020 Maclean’s University Rankings for “Student Satisfaction.”
International applicants from Nigeria are not required to provide the IELTS as proof of language proficiency, but can substitute that with any of these standardized language tests:
- A minimum overall score of 120 on the Duolingo English Test (DET).
- A minimum score of 70 on the Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL).
- A score of 89 is required for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and TOEFL Special Home Edition (iBT).
- Score at least 60 on the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A). Start your application.
8. McGill University
Prospective international students from Nigeria applying to McGill University in Montreal, Quebec are required to demonstrate English proficiency through any of these means:
- Attain an overall band score of 70 in the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
- Score a minimum of 65 on the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A).
- Get a Grade C or better in the Cambridge C2 Proficiency.
- Score a minimum of 125 on the Duolingo English Test (DET) or;
- Have the required minimum acceptable TOEFL scores depending on the undergraduate programs being applied for. A minimum of 80 is required for Music; 100 for Management and Education (TELSL) and 90 with a minimum component score of 21 in reading, writing, listening and speaking in any of these programs: Social Work, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (including Dietetics and Human Nutrition), Religious Studies, Architecture, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Science, Arts, Nursing, B.A. & Sc., Engineering and Education. Apply here
Read: Cheap Universities in Canada without IELTS and Application Fee
Concluding Thoughts
You can still get admitted to study your preferred graduate or undergraduate programs at any of the Canadian universities listed in this article. While they use the English language as the primary medium of instruction, they don’t usually prioritize only the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
By attaining the minimum overall score in any of the other accepted and standardized language tests (TOEFL, CAEL, CAEL-CE, DET, PTE, OCELA and CPE; you’d be able to demonstrate your proficiency in the use of the English language and stand a better chance of securing an admission.