How Can We Study in Canada Without IELTS?

Study in Canada Without IELTS:- Many foreign students want to come to Canada to go to college. Canada is one of the largest economies in the world and it provides the best environment for studies. The best universities in the world are ranked among Canada’s universities.  All Canadian universities are research-oriented, and they give a lot of emphasis on skill improvement along with research and development.

All Canadian universities have English-taught programs which means that you need to have excellent English proficiency. Mostly this is tested by popular exams like the IELTS. However many students either don’t want to give the IELTS or are not able to because of any reason. This brings the question of whether it is possible to study in Canada without IELTS. 

We are glad to say Yes, it is possible! You can pursue your dream of studying in Canada without giving the IELTS. In this blog, we will discuss all the ways by which you can make this happen. 

What is the IELTS Test and is it important?

The IELTS is one of the most well-known tests of English skills. It is accepted by all the Canadian universities and it is also preferred by Indian students. You may get admission into a university without IELTS based on some other ways but it is recommended that you should have an IELTS score if possible. 

This is because visa approval highly depends upon your English proficiency. Then why do students not give IELTS? One reason is that most students don’t prepare early for the IELTS and appear for the test underprepared which results in low marks. Another important reason is the fees for the IELTS. English tests are mostly costly, which makes them unaffordable for some students. 

Whatever your reason may be, we will discuss all the ways by which you can study in Canada without IELTS. 

Canadian Universities that do Not Require IELTS

Some universities in Canada do not require IELTS. These universities also require some form of English proficiency proof but it is not necessary to give IELTS as the proof. The universities are as below:

• University of Winnipeg
• The University of Saskatchewan
• Concordia University
• Brock University 
• University of Regina

All of these universities are world-class universities. However, they may not be as good as the top ones in Canada but they will allow you to study in Canada without IELTS. Note that you will need to prove your English proficiency in some way or another. The above-given universities are among those which accept a variety of proofs for English. 

Alternate Ways for Proving English Proficiency

As mentioned above, you will need proof of English. Below are the alternate easy that work in most universities for most programs. Note that some courses in all the universities necessarily require IELTS and they don’t accept any other form of proof. Although the number of these courses is very less, you should still check from the university website if your course accepts alternate ways for IELTS. 

• Give an online test/interview: Many universities that don’t require IELTS will conduct an online test or an interview to test your English. This is generally easier than IELTS and most universities don’t charge additional fees for this. Mostly the expense is included in your application fees. In this test/interview, you just need to demonstrate your English speaking skills. Compare this with the IELTS where you need excellent speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. 
• Previous Qualification in English: One of the most popular ways to study in Canada without IELTS is by showing the MOI. The medium of instruction (MOI) is a certificate that is issued by your school stating the medium of instruction in your school. If you have studied in an English medium school then this certificate can be used as an alternative way to prove your English proficiency. If you are applying for a master’s program when you need to show a similar certificate that shows that the language of instruction in your bachelor’s program was English. 
• Intensive English Language Program: This is also a popular way by which you can be exempted from giving the IELTS. The intensive English language program is offered by many universities. In this program, you will be taught the needed English skills by the best English teachers and instructors. If you don’t submit an IELTS score and your university has this type of program then you may have an option to enroll in this program before your degree studies start. You will need to pass the exams of this program if there are any to have guaranteed admission. In the meantime, the university will give you temporary admission. 
• Other English Tests: There is a possibility that the format or the requirements of the IELTS are a bit hard for you. The format of all the tests is different. You may have had difficulties attending some sections which resulted in a low score. Other English tests like the TOEFL and the PTE are also highly popular and have slightly different formats than IELTS. You can try giving these exams if you are confident about your English skills. 
• Duolingo Test: This is also an alternative English test but it is a lot different than others. The Duolingo test has to be given at home from the Duolingo app itself. You can give this test on your phone at any time and any place. You don’t need to take appointments, nor do you need to pay high fees. The fees of the Duolingo test are much lower than the usual popular exams like the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. Note that the Duolingo test is new and this may not be accepted in some Canadian universities. You should cross-check with the university if your course accepts Duolingo or not. 

Canadian Study Visa Without IELTS

If you are planning to complete your study in Canada without IELTS then your biggest hurdle is obtaining the Canada study visa without IELTS. Many universities in Canada offer programs without IELTS or with alternate proof of English. However, visa officers are not that easy to satisfy. 

Usually, if you are applying for a bachelor/diploma degree from a Canadian university then you need a minimum of 6 bands in IELTS to ensure a smooth visa process. If you are pursuing a master’s program then this minimum requirement should be 6.5 bands. 

The Canadian government has recently improved its visa requirements and now if you have admission from a recognized university then you don’t have a problem with obtaining a visa. However, if you have applied to a university that allows you to study in Canada without IELTS, then you have to submit alternate proofs of English to the visa office. This may be the TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo score. It can also be the admission to the Intensive English language course that you have undertaken. 

Read More: Study in Finland Without IELTS

Supporting Documents Required for a Visa Without IELTS

The visa requirements are also important when you are planning to study in Canada without IELTS. This is because now that you don’t have an IELTS score, you will need an excellent academic record. Apart from this other documents should be up to the mark too. The most important documents for a Canada visa are as below:

• Passport: The first thing that you need to obtain a student visa is a valid passport. A valid passport has been issued in the last 10 years. 
• Proof of English: If your university allows you to study in Canada without IELTS then you will have to submit an additional proof of English. All the alternative ways to obtain proof of English are admissible for the study visa. However, if you have the results of IELTS or another English test then you will have smooth visa approval.
• Proof of Funds: A minimum amount has to be shown as your reserve funds to stay in Canada while your studies are going on. You require at least CAD 10,000 per year for your stay in Canada. This amount does not include the tuition fees. You should have the tuition fees already paid when you apply for a student visa.
• Medical Insurance: You will also need medical insurance which covers all your expenses in case of any emergency while you are staying in Canada for your studies.
• Proof of Accommodation: The place that you have booked for your stay in Canada needs to be informed to the visa office. This can be done by submitting the contract between you and the owner of the place 

Conclusion (Study in Canada Without IELTS)

Studying in Canada is possible even without giving IELTS. While in most universities you will require a good IELTS score, some universities offer alternative pathways. Some of the alternate ways by which you can study in Canada for free are discussed in detail in this blog.

The best way is to enroll in an Intensive English language program (IELP). This is possible only if your preferred university in Canada offers such a program and allows admission without IELTS if you enroll IELP. 

Remember that having a good IELTS score is always the better thing to do if you can. Admission without IELTS is given based on but not limited to your academic performance. You should have an excellent academic record if you want to study in Canada without IELTS. For more study in Canada related information stay connected with Course Mentor. All the best for your application!

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