Live, Study and Work In Canada🇨🇦 Without IELTS – List of Universities in Canada | Scholarships

This article reveals information on where you can study for free in Canada without IELTS requirement. With English serving as the official language of Canada, most international students think that they can’t get admission to a Canadian university without appearing in the IELTS exam. But guess what! Various universities in Canada do not have IELTS test scores as part of their admissions eligibility criteria.

IELTS Alternative Exams Acceptable in Canadian Universities

Following are the recognized English language proficiency exams that most Canadian universities accept in place of IELTS.

• English Proficiency Certificate from the previous institution
• English Language Courses offered by the universities
• Canada Assessment English Language (CAEL) exam
• Duolingo English Test (DET)
• Pearson English Language Test (PTE)
• Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST)

Note that not all Canadian universities accept these proficiency tests, like the McGill University does not accept the DET, so you will have to check the official websites.

List of Scholarships in Canada without IELTS

Students can not only study in Canada without IELTS but can also get scholarships in top Canadian institutions. Following are some of the most prestigious Canadian scholarships without IELTS:

• Concordia University Canada Scholarships
• University of Saskatchewan Scholarships
• Montreal University Canada Scholarships
• University of Toronto Scholarships
• York University Canada Scholarships

This article will list the most top-ranked Canadian universities that allow you to study in Canada without IELTS. So, let’s get started!

List of Universities in Canada without IELTS

Listed below are some Canadian universities that admit international students without IELTS:

1- University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg is one of Canada’s most well-known universities, and it admits students who do not have IELTS scores. Students can apply for this program in both full-time and part-time slots before being accepted or starting the course.

The university has its own English Language Program (ELP), which you must pass with a certain grade. Alternatively, you can present the admissions department a Proof of Proficiency in the English language.

2- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador exempts international students from taking the IELTS if they provide proof that they completed their previous degree program in English. However, the verification process is strict, so you will have to submit your documents ahead of time and not on the last date for document submission.

3- Carleton University
Students who have a good grip on the English language can get admission to Carleton University without IELTS. They will have to provide a document stating that they have spent the last three years studying in an English-medium school, college, or university. Alternatively, students can give the ESL English language test to get an exemption from IELTS.

4- Memorial University of Newfoundland
The Memorial University of Newfoundland also offers various IELTS for international students. Students can demonstrate their English language proficiency by appearing in any of the following language exams:

• CAE – minimum score of 176
• CAEL Assessment – Minimum band score between 60 and 70 securing 60 in at least two bands
• CanTEST – Minimum band score of 4.5
• DET – minimum score of 115
• MET – minimum score of 59
• PTE Academic – minimum score of 58
• TOEFL, TOEFL Ibt or TOEFL iBT Home – Minimum score of 79

5- Concordia University
Concordia University also allows international students to study in Canada without IELTS if they complete a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC). Alternatively, students belonging to specific countries can also get an exemption from IELTS if they have completed three years of their previous qualification in English.

6- University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan offers a variety of IELTS alternatives for overseas students, including the TOEFL, CanTest, Duolingo English Test (DET), and CAEL Assessment. Students who appear in the TOEFL as an IELTS alternative must have an overall score of 86, securing a minimum of 19 in each subject.

Before starting their desired degree program, those who cannot demonstrate English competency can also enroll in the U-PREP program at the University of Saskatchewan Language Centre (USLC).

7- Cambrian University
Students can study at the Cambrian University without IELTS by providing a TOEFL test result instead. Likewise, students enrolling in limited enrolment courses will have to complete English courses at the grade 12 (C), (U), or (M) level equivalent to Ontario Secondary School.

8- Algoma University
The Algoma University provides an IELTS exemption to students who have completed the last three years of their previous qualification in English. However, students who do not qualify the criterion can present CAEL (minimum score of 60), CanTEST (minimum band score of 4.5), or PTE (minimum score of 63).

Likewise, students who secure a minimum of 550 in the TOEFL paper-based exam, 213 in TOEFL computer-based exam of 79-80 in TOEFL internet-based exam can also study in Algoma University without IELTS.

9- Brandon University
Brandon University also offers international students various IELTS alternatives. Students can appear in TEOFL, PTE, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, CAEL, or CanTEST.

10- University of Guelph
Students who have completed the last four years of their previous qualification are exempted from IELTS at the University of Guelph. In contradicting scenario, students can present an ELCP, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, CAEL, DET, PTE, or TOEFL exam results.

11- Okanagan College
Students can study in Okanagan College without IELTS by presenting Duolingo English Test results instead.

12- Brock University
Brock University is a well-known university to consider if you want to study in Canada without IELTS. The management provides various IELTS alternatives for students.

Those who cannot submit English language competency scores can enroll in the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) offered by the university. Students are also exempted from the English proficiency score criteria if they have completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Degree program with English as the language of instruction, depending on the degree program they are applying to. The university also accepts TOEFL, PTE, CAEL Assessment (Canadian assessment English language), MELAB, and YELT scores in addition to IELTS.

13- Seneca College
Seneca College has lenient admission requirements for students. This includes exemption from IELTS if the student has completed the last two years of their previous education from an English-medium institution. Alternatively, students can give CAEL, CE, Duolingo, PTE, or TOEFL as IELTS alternative language proficiency tests.

14- University of Regina
The University of Regina also facilitates international students by offering multiple IELTS alternatives. Students can appear in the TOEFL, Duolingo, CAEL exams, or TOEFL iBT to get admission in their desired undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The institute also exempts students from taking the IELTS if they belong to certain countries.

However, the institute has specified the minimum band scores for each alternative exam. Students who are presenting the TOEFL must have an overall score of 525. Likewise, the minimum score for the Duolingo English Test is between 95 and 105. A CAEL score of 50 is acceptable, and for TOEFL iBT, the institute has specified a minimum cap of 70 marks.

15- McGill University
Students whose mother tongue is English, who have passed their previous degree from a Canadian, American, or foreign English-medium institute, or who have lived for four years in an English-speaking nation consecutively are automatically exempted from IELTS at the McGill University.

Students who do not satisfy either of these conditions will be required to give either the TOEFL or McGill Certificate for Proficiency in English to the admission department.