In this guide, you will be learning about 10 Canadian Universities that Waive IELTS for International Students. Among best Canadian universities, one big requirement is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) remain a barrier for many international students to battle with.
In the light of this factor, we are making a list of universities that waive IELTS for some or all international students who apply for undergraduate, Masters and other degrees in their institutions.
To begin, you should understand that these schools waive IELTS for students from selected countries in the world.
So, it is critical that ( as a student or sponsor) you visit the official website to ascertain your eligibility before proceeding with application.
Read Also: 15 Universities in Canada with No Application Fees
Why study in Canada?
Canada without iota of doubt, has become one of the best students’ destinations in the world. Students from various countries seek admission for thousands of courses and degrees.
Studying in Canada paves way for international students form nations like mine (where leadership is still being tested) because they can get jobs and be exposed to other career opportunities upon graduation.
The reasons why people migrate to Canada for studies, to be frank, is beyond the scope of this post. However, studies have shown that there are schools that do not center their requirement on IELTS.
But we also advise you visit the University website through the links we leave here. Policies do change and you have to be very sure that these are Universities in Canada that Waive IELTS for international students.
Canadian Universities that Waive IELTS for International Students
(Here is the list of schools that waive IELTS for some international students in Canada)
- University of Saskatchewan
- University of Winnipeg
- Brock University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Cambrian College
- University of Regina
- Concordia University
- Carleton University
- Seneca College, Toronto
- Okanagan College, Canada
IELTS Alternative for International Students in Canada
There are many legitimate travel routes to Canada except from these alternatives for international students on IELTS. When it comes to IELTS criteria for entry, there are some exceptions to the rules.
All exemptions and options available to students who do not wish to take the IELTS test are provided in the following list:
- Other examinations of English proficiency, such as TOEFL and PTE
- 4-year evidence of study at an English-medium school
- Evidence that your country’s official language is English
- For a semester or a year to attend a Canadian English language school
You would be eligible to study in Canada without IELTS if you meet all of the above requirements, provided that your chosen Canadian University is versatile in doing so.
Other Language Testing Systems Accepted in Canada:
Many Canadian higher education institutions often accept test results from each of the following English proficiency exams, in addition to the IELTS exam.
- TOEFL (Test of Foreign Language English)
- CAEL evaluation (Canadian Language of Scholarly English)
- PTE (Test for the Pearson English Language)
- CanTEST (Canadian for Scholars and Trainees Test of English)
Note: Exemptions are decided separately by each school, so be sure to review the criteria on the institutions’ official websites before applying.
1. University of Saskatchewan
The University is well-known for producing renowned Nobel Prize winners for important scientific studies.
Not only that the school is home to many foreign students worldwide. So, compared to other universities, the criteria for English are relatively strict.
Even you have a chance to get enrolled without IELTS at this prestigious university. Also, the institution recognizes TOEFL.
You may also appear in the advanced Canadian Examination of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST) for emerging scholars.
In the same light, you can participate in the English Language Training program, the other way to get admitted to this university.
You will only apply if you have 3 years of full-time study with a school that has a Canadian program in English, whether in Canada or not.
Also, you can apply without IELTS if you have an International Baccalaureate diploma or an Advanced Placement English qualification.
2. University of Winnipeg
To begin with, if the applicants have proof of proficiency in the English language, the University of Winnipeg does not ask them to have an IELTS certificate.
In the IELTS test, however, students can also appear, but other forms are also available. For example, the English Language Program (ELP) may be used by students to add value to their applications for admission.
The course is offered at the university, and IELTS exempts students who have enrolled in this course.
Not only this but other forms to get IELTS waived are also available. If you’ve been living in Canada for the past ten years, you don’t need to go to IELTS.
Moreover, students from English-speaking countries are also exempted from the English proficiency test.
There are other forms, of course, in which English standards can be waived. You are excluded if you have been living in Canada for 10 years or have been studying in Canada for 3 years.
3. Brock University
In getting admission to foreign universities, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is beneficial, but it is not a compulsion. The TOEFL is also approved by many universities.
For entry to any study course in Canada, Brock University has its language program called the Brock Comprehensive English Language Program (IELP).
Besides, the university will approve your application if you have earned the International Baccalaureate diploma.
In addition, three years of educational experience will allow you to access university programs with English as the medium of instruction.
4. Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
Memorial University is one of the top-ranked universities in Canada, with 18,000 students and a 66 percent acceptance rate.
A lot of foreign students would like to be enrolled at the university with its reputation for engineering, business, and medicine.
Instead of IELTS, you can give a CanTEST, TOEFL or CAEL, Canadian Academic English Language, to those international students who are interested. The university also provides courses and tests for its ESL or ELP.
By taking an online learning class for English offered at university, you can also get a head start.
Often as long as you can submit documentation that you are fluent in English, including your grades from your school in the English language, the university can exempt you, however, they prefer the previous grades.
5. Cambrian College
Cambrian College, a college with a wide emphasis on study and after-school employment, warmly welcomes foreign students.
With other universities in Canada, the college has concluded agreements where foreign students can begin their studies with other educational institutions. The procedure for applying is also very democratic.
There’s no need for IELTS and TOEFL. In fact, according to their website, once an international student applicant arrives on their campus, the school will assess their speaking and writing skills.
So, there is no need for expensive certifications or hours spent studying for an English proficiency exam at Cambrian College.
6. University of Regina
The University of Regina is a comprehensive, medium-sized university with campuses located in Regina and Saskatoon on the territories of Treaty 4.
And Treaty 6, the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakoda, and Lakota nations and the homeland of the Métis, which traces its origins back to the formation of Regina College, a small residential high school founded in 1911 by the Methodist church.
The College increased in size and importance in 1974, becoming a University of Saskatchewan campus and finally an autonomous degree-awarding university, the University of Regina.
In 2019, the university witnessed 11 consecutive years of increases in enrollment and 37 years of the highest rise in enrollment.
In fall 2019, our student body was 16,501 full-time and part-time students, a record number registered in our 10 schools, 25 academic departments and schools, 18 study centers and institutes.
And three federated colleges. (Campion College, First Nations University of Canada, and Luther College). Colleges bring excellence and diversity to the educational experience offered.
7. Concordia University
In the heart of the world-class city of Montreal, Canada, Concordia is an English-language university.
The Concordia culture is resolutely anchored to the real world, open and active, compassionate and caring, from classroom to lab, in our libraries, and on our streets.
In the teaching and study, Concordia is known for our versatile approach to learning, and for our dedication to addressing social problems from a broad perspective.
It is an approach that is rooted in the 1974 establishment of Concordia, which brought together Loyola College (1896) and the University of Sir George Williams (1926).
At Concordia, approximately 48,000 students are following their educational and research objectives.
Four Faculties (Arts and Technology, Creative Arts, the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science and the John Molson School of Business), a Graduate School, and a Continuing Education Centre make up the University.
To enrich the world’s wealth of knowledge, to bridge societies, and most importantly, to develop and contribute, we inspire our students to become involved, critical and concerned citizens.
8. Carleton University
The Carleton University campus is spread over 62 hectares, situated on Algonquin land between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River near downtown Ottawa.
The campus houses more than 35 buildings linked by 5 km of underground tunnels to each other. All the buildings have top-notch facilities and are fitted with first-rate services.
A collection of over two million books, recordings, periodicals, microfilms, CDs, maps, government records, and archival materials is available at the MacOdrum Library.
In various fields of education, such as arts, languages, history, psychology, philosophy, engineering, architecture, law, economics, journalism, research, business, etc.,
Carleton University offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs About 30,000 part-time and full-time students and a team of more than 900 trained and distinguished faculty members are located at the university.
It has many international partnerships to foster research and academic exchange programs in more than 30 nations.
It has also set up industry partnerships that help provide practical training and employment opportunities for students.
The university’s career services plan numerous activities to advise and encourage students on their chosen career path, such as career fairs, networking nights, and workshops.
9. Seneca College, Toronto
Seneca provides more than just an education. Seneca’s size and diversity, with campuses across the Greater Toronto Area, give students the advantage of partnerships with industry leaders.
The latest in hands-on computer technology, a variety of class sizes, and options for full-time, part-time, and continuing education.
Education should be versatile and open, so in programs related to applied arts, business, financial services, and technology.
Seneca also employs different teaching methods, from in-class lectures and online learning to co-op and field placements.
10. Okanagan College, Canada
Okanagan College retains the right, without advance notice, to make additions, deletions, cancellations, adjustments or changes to its policies, laws and regulations.
Practices, procedures, tuition fees, other fees, availability of classes, delivery modes, schedules, programs, or program requirements at any time.
Okanagan College reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to admit individuals to its programs and courses Okanagan College.
Okanagan College is not bound by the publication of details in the Calendar to include classes, programs, resources, or facilities as specified herein.
The Calendar is not meant to be a full declaration at Okanagan College of all policies, practices, laws, and regulations.
Students must inform themselves of the processes, policies, and regulations of Okanagan College and the particular criteria associated with the degree, diploma or credential sought.
Okanagan College shall not be responsible for any loss or damage sustained or caused by any student or a third party as a consequence of cancellation, modification, delay, or termination of facilities.
Courses, classes, programs, tuition, or fees as a result of God’s actions, burning, strikes, lockouts, work stoppages or slowdowns, labor disputes, lack of funds, college property damage, failure to obtain.
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Interested in studying in Canada without IELTS?
Canada recently revised the Student Visa and Job Rules for foreign students. It has helped to give students tremendous independence, along with foreign lifestyle experience to achieve financial stability.
Without IELTS, are you able to travel to Canada to study? Ensure that you have an in-depth understanding of admission processes and other admission criteria.
You can get support from education experts in Pakistan to deal with the criteria for language proficiency certificates and other procedures for landing in Canada.
To pursue a career of your choosing, do not hesitate to choose your study program wisely! All of the best
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are IELTS scores expected at international universities?
IELTS is a test designed to assess the proficiency of an applicant in the English language comprehensively.
Such results are a requirement since they enable universities to assess whether a potential candidate can keep up with the coursework and whether they will be able to adapt to an environment in which English is the primary mode of communication in all aspects of their daily lives.
Is it compulsory to take the IELTS exam for foreign students?
Nope, that isn’t it. It is important to know, however, that not taking the IELTS exam would make it considerably more difficult for you to study abroad, as it will restrict the pool of universities from which you can choose.
In the article, there are exemptions listed above that will allow you to miss the IELTS exam if you want to study in Canada.
Are there other languages I can use to apply to Canada’s universities?
If you apply to study in regions of Canada such as Quebec where French is a primary language, you would instead be expected to demonstrate competence in the French language.
However to find out the exams you will have to take, you can visit the university websites of the respective institutes.
Can I get Admission in Canada without IELTS?
In popular study abroad destinations such as the USA, UK, Australia, etc., IELTS scored is a required part of the admission requirements. Yes, you can, but you will also need to understand other eligibilities for studying in Canada.
There are, however, some provisions that allow prospective students to obtain admission to Canadian higher education institutions without having to take the IELTS exam.
Any of the reasons why students would consider failing to take the IELTS exams are:
- INR 13,250 is the price for an IELTS examination submission, which can be overwhelming for certain applicants.
- The framework of the IELTS exam includes writing short and long essays, making it challenging for students who are not confident in their writing skills.
- As the speaking portion with the teacher is separate from the other sections of the test, IELTS can take more than one day to complete.
- The IELTS Speaking Segment Review is done face-to-face, which may scare certain applicants who might be personally anxious about answering questions.
If IELTS or TOEFL scores are not issued, will there be visa problems?
Canada has implemented new rules on student visas that not only help to ensure that foreign students study at universities in the country, but also provide them with some degrees of freedom to work.
For example, although former prospective students only needed to demonstrate a desire to study in Canada, they now need to prove their enrollment in a college that accepts visa eligibility for foreign students.
Therefore without having IELTS ratings, students applying for visas need to guarantee their enrollment at the university of their choosing, which does not require IELTS documents.
Since the college of their choice provides them with a letter of acceptance, when applying for a student visa, students can have supporting documentation to prove their English language proficiency.
What’s more, after 90 days of completing their course, students can no longer remain on a study permit.
This is to ensure that after enrolling in a long-term degree course, students do not turn to short-term programs.
These strict regulatory measures are intended to help Canadian authorities curb the inflow of study permit holders who are unable to undertake studies and instead ensure that student visas are given to legitimate students.
This move is expected to help Canada weed out low-quality educational institutions and offer foreign students pursuing quality degrees with high-standard education.
Unlike many others, you can look up them when applying for admission without an IELTS outcome. These universities are open to exempt you from IELTS.
Scholarships are also eligible to study at some of the universities mentioned above, so you can also lookout for some scholarships to study at universities in Canada without IELTS to help you minimize costs.
Which university in Canada has no IELTS and application fee?
Outside this list, the Quest University is another Canadian University that has no application charges and no IELTS requirement. This institution offer admission for undergraduate and postgraduate studies and is located in Squamish, British Columbia.
To learn more about the Quest University, Canada, kindly visit the official website for admission.
Can an International student study in Canada without IELTS?
Answer: Some colleges and University do institutions accept international students for various degrees without requiring IELTS scores. Another important note is that schools accept many other tests, such as TOEFL or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
It is not up to a student or sponsor to determine which school in Canada, and their preferred testing system. Knowing this will help a well-informed decision during and after each application.
Note: Many of these institutions require application fees from international students. For this reason, we have compiled a list of universities in Canada that do not demand acceptance fees.
Conclusion
The entirety of this post point to the Canadian Universities that Waive IELTS for Foreign Students. On the other hands, critical questions regarding admission requirements for various universities.
As a student who is seeking academic admission into any of these universities in Canada, getting adequate information is paramount and you are advised to always visit the official institutional website for more up to date information.
