Study Abroad

Top 10 Universities in Canada without IELTS 2023

January 10, 2023

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Are you aware that you can study in Canadian universities without IELTS? You may or may not know this fact. We will make known to you in this article at World Scholars Hub, how you can get to study in the universities in Canada without IELTS.

Canada is one of the top study destinations. Canada also has three cities ranked as the best student cities in the World; Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto.

Canadian Institutions demand IELTS from international students just like every other Institution in top study destinations like U.S.A and UK. In this article, you will be exposed to some of the top universities in Canada that accept other English proficiency tests. You will also learn how to study in Canada without any English proficiency test.

Table of Contents

What is IELTS?

Full meaning: International English Language Testing System.

IELTS is an international standardized test of English language proficiency. It is an important exam required to study abroad.

International Students, including native English speakers, are required to prove English proficiency with an IELTS score.

However, this article will expose you to how to study in universities in Canada without an IELTS score.

Studying in Canada without IELTS

Canada is home to some of the World’s top institutions, with over 100 Universities.

There are two authorized English proficiency tests widely accepted in Canada Institutions.

The proficiency tests are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).

Why Study at Universities in Canada without IELTS?

The Universities in Canada without IELTS are part of the best universities in the World.

Canada has about 32 Institutions ranked among the best in the world, according to Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2022.

You get to earn an accredited and widely accepted degree from the universities in Canada without IELTS.

The Universities also permits Students with valid study permit for at least six months to work part-time or off-campus.

Students are also offered several Scholarships based on either financial need or academic performance.

There are also opportunities available for international students to stay and work in Canada after graduation.

The cost of studying in universities in Canada is affordable, compared to top universities in UK and US.

Check out the list of the Best Universities in Canada for MBA.

How to Study in Canadian Universities without IELTS

Students from outside Canada can study in universities in Canada without IELTS scores through the following ways:

1. Have an Alternative English Language Proficiency Test

IELTS is one of the most accepted English proficiency tests in Canada Institutions. However, the universities in Canada without IELTS accepts other English language proficiency test.

2. Completed Previous Education in English

If you had your previous education in English then you can submit your transcripts as proof of English proficiency.

But this can only be possible if you scored at least a C in English courses and submit proofs that you have studied in an English medium school for at least 4 years.

3. Be a Citizen of English-Exempted Countries.

Applicants from countries widely recognized as English-speaking countries may be exempted from providing an English language proficiency test. But you must have studied and lived in this country to be exempted

4. Enroll in English Language Course in a Canadian Institution.

You can also enroll in an English language course to prove your English language proficiency. There are some ESL (English as Second Language) programs available in Canadian Institutions. These programs can be completed within a short period of time.

Some of the Universities listed under the top universities in Canada without IELTS have English programs you can enroll in.

Alternative English Language Proficiency Test accepted in Universities in Canada without IELTS

Some universities accept other English language proficiency tests apart from IELTS. These English language Proficiency tests are:

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment
Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST)
Cambridge Assessment English (CAE) C1 Advanced or C2 proficiency
Pearson Tests of English (PTE)
Duolingo English Test (DET)
Academic English Program for University and College Entry (AEPUCE)
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB).

List of Top 10 Universities in Canada without IELTS

The listed below universities permits international students to prove English language proficiency in different ways. However, the Universities also accepts IELTS score but IELTS is not the only proficiency test accepted.

Below are the Top Universities in Canada without IELTS:

1. McGill University

The University is one of Canada’s best-known institutions of higher learning. It is also one of the leading universities in the World.

Applicants don’t need to provide proof of English language proficiency if they meet any of these conditions:

Lived and attended high school or university for at least four consecutive years in an English-speaking country.
Completed a DEC at French CEGEP in Quebec and the Quebec Secondary V diploma.
Have Completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) Group 2 English.
Completed a DEC at an English CEGEP in Quebec.
Have Completed English as language 1 or Language 2 in the European Baccalaureate Curriculum.
Possess the British Curriculum A-Level English with a final grade of C or better.
Completed the British Curriculum GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-level English, English Language, or English as a Second language with a final grade of B (or 5) or better.

However, applicants who don’t meet any of the listed above conditions will have to prove English proficiency by submitting an accepted English language proficiency test.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: IELTS Academic, TOEFL, DET, Cambridge C2 proficiency, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CAEL, PTE Academic.

Applicants can also prove English proficiency by enrolling in McGill language in English programs.

2. University of Saskatchewan (USask)

Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency in the following ways:

Completion of high school or secondary studies in English.
Possess a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution, where English is the official language of instruction and examination.
Have an accepted standardized English proficiency test.
Completion of an approved English language proficiency program.
Successful completion of the highest level of English for Academic Purposes program at USask’s Language Centre.
Completion of either Advanced Placement (AP) English, International Baccalaureate (IB) English A1 or A2 or B Higher Level, GCSE/IGSCE/GCE O-Level English, English Language or English as a Second Language, GCE A/AS/AICE Level English or English Language.

NOTE: Completion of secondary or post-secondary studies must not be more than five years ago before application.

The University also accepts the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at the University of Regina as proof of English language proficiency.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, CanTEST, CAEL, MELAB, PTE Academic, Cambridge English (Advanced), DET.

3. Memorial University

The University is ranked among the top 3% of universities in the World. Memorial University is also one of Canada’s leading teaching and research universities.

English proficiency in this university is based on one of the following methods:

Completion of three years of full-time education in an English language Secondary Institution. Also includes the completion of English at Grade 12 or equivalent.
Successful completion of 30 credit hours (or equivalent) at a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the language of instruction.
Enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Memorial University.
Submit an approved standardized English proficiency test.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, CanTEST, DET, PTE Academic, Michigan English Test (MET).

4. University of Regina

The University exempts applicants from submitting an English proficiency test. But that can only be possible if they meet any of these criteria:

Completed post-secondary education at a Canadian Institution.
Completion of post-secondary education at a university at which English is listed as the only language in the World Higher Education.
Have completed post-secondary education at a university at which English was the primary language of instruction, as indicated on the University of Regina’s ELP exemption list.

Applicants who are non-native English speakers must submit proof of English proficiency in the form of a recognized test unless they attended a university recognized by the University of Regina and where the language of instruction was English.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: TOEFL iBT, CAEL, IELTS Academic, PTE, CanTEST, MELAB, DET, TOEFL (paper).

NOTE: English language proficiency test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

5. Brock University

English language proficiency test is not required, if you meet any of these conditions:

You can provide Brock’s Intensive English Language Program (IELP), ESC (language school pathway), ILAC (language school pathway), ILSC (language school pathway), and CLLC (language school pathway).
Completion of the program must not be more than two years ago at the time of application.
Applicants who have completed the required years of post-secondary studies in English, at an institution where English was the only language of instruction, may request a waiver of the English Proficiency test submission requirements. You will require documents that support that English was the language of instruction at your previous institution.

Applicants who don’t meet any of the listed conditions will have to submit an English proficiency test.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: TOEFL iBT, IELTS (Academic), CAEL, CAEL CE (computer edition), PTE Academic, CanTEST.

NOTE: Test must not be more than two years old at the time of application.

Brock University no longer accepts Duolingo English Test (DET) as an alternative English Proficiency Test.

6. Carleton University

Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency in the following ways:

Studied in any country in which the primary language is English, for at least three years.
Submitting an English language proficiency test result.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: TOEFL iBT, CAEL, IELTS (Academic), PTE Academic, DET, Cambridge English language test.

Applicants can also enroll in Foundation ESL (English as a Second Language) programs. The program allows students to begin their degree and study academic courses while completing the English as a Second Language Requirement (ESLR).

7. Concordia University

Applicants can prove English proficiency in any of these conditions:

Completion of a minimum of three full years of study in a secondary or post-secondary institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
Studied in Quebec in English or French.
Completed GCE/GCSE/IGCSE/O-Level English language or first language English with a grade of at least C or 4, or English as Second Language with a grade of at least B or 6.
Successful completion of the Advanced 2 level of the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) with a minimum final grade of 70 percent.
Completion of any of these qualifications; International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, Baccalaureate Francais.
Submit English language proficiency test results, must not be less than two years old at the time of application.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: TOEFL, IELTS, DET, CAEL, CAE, PTE.

8. University of Winnipeg

Applicants from or who live in Canada and also Applicants from English Exempt Countries may request a waiver of the English Language Requirement.

If English is not the Applicant’s primary language and they are not from an English Exempt Country, then the applicant must prove English proficiency.

Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency in any of these ways:

Enroll in the English language program at the University of Winnipeg
Submit an English language proficiency test.

English Language Proficiency Tests Accepted: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Assessment (C1 Advanced), Cambridge Assessment (C2 Proficiency), CanTEST, CAEL, CAEL CE, CAEL Online, PTE Academic, AEPUCE.

9. Algoma University (AU)

Applicants may be exempted from providing proof of English language proficiency test, if they meet any of these conditions:

Studied in a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or USA, for at least three years.
Completed a two or three years diploma from a recognized Ontario College of Arts and Technology.
Successful completion of three semesters of full-time studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Students who completed the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, or Pearson may be granted a waiver, provided they meet minimum academic results in English.

However, Applicants who do not meet any of the listed requirements, can also take AU’s English for Academic Purposes Program (EAPP), or submit an English language proficiency test results.

English Language Proficiency Test accepted: IELTS Academic, TOEFL, CAEL, Cambridge English Qualifications, DET, PTE Academic.

10. Brandon University

International Students whose primary language is not English will be required to submit proof of English proficiency, except those from English Exempted Countries.

Applicants may obtain an English language Waiver if they meet any of the following conditions:

Successful completion of a three-year secondary school program or post-secondary program in Canada or the United States.
Graduates from a Manitoba high school with at least one Grade 12 English credit with a minimum grade of 70% or better.
Completion of the International Baccalaureate (IB), Higher Level (HL) English course with a score of 4 or greater.
Graduates from a Canadian high school (outside Manitoba) with at least one Grade 12 English credit equivalent to Manitoba 405 with a minimum grade of 70%.
Completed an accredited first undergraduate degree from an English-speaking institution.
Residence in Canada for a minimum of 10 consecutive years.
Completion of Advanced Placement (AP) English, Literature and Composition, or Language and Composition with a score of 4 or greater.

Applicants who do not meet any of the listed requirements can also enroll in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program at Brandon University.

EAP is primarily for students who are preparing to enter English-speaking post-secondary educational institutions and need to improve their English skills to University-level fluency.

Check out, the 15 Cheap Diploma Courses in Canada for International Students.

Requirements needed to study in the Top Universities in Canada without IELTS

Apart from the English language proficiency test, the following documents are required:

A Secondary school/post-secondary school diploma or equivalent
Study permit
Temporary resident Visa
Work permit
Valid Passport
Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
A letter of recommendation may be required
Resume/CV.

Other Documents may be required depending on the choice of University and program of study. It is advisable to visit the website of your choice University for more information.

Scholarship, Bursary, and Award Programs available in the Top Universities in Canada without IELTS

One of the ways to fund your education is by applying for a scholarship.

There are several ways to get Scholarships in Canada.

The Universities without IELTS offer Scholarships to both domestic and International Students.

Some of the Scholarships offered by the Universities without IELTS are listed below:

1. University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Awards

2. International Students Ambassador Award Program at Brock University

3. International Special Entrance Scholarship Program at the University of Winnipeg

4. UWSA International Student Health Plan Bursary (University of Winnipeg)

5. University of Regina Circle Scholars Entrance Scholarship

6. Memorial University Entrance Scholarships

7. Concordia International Tuition Award of Excellence

8. Concordia Merit Scholarship

9. The Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence

10. Centrally-administered Entrance Scholarships at McGill University

11. Algoma University Award of Excellence

12. Board of Governors (BoG) Entrance Scholarships at Brandon University.

The Government of Canada also offers to fund International Students.

You can read the article on 50+ Easy and Unclaimed Scholarships in Canada to learn more about Scholarships available in Canada.

I recommend also: 50+ Global Scholarships in Canada for International Students.

Conclusion

You no longer have to worry about spending so much on IELTS, in order to study in Canada. World Scholars Hub has provided you with this article on Universities without IELTS because we are aware of the difficulties students face to get an IELTS.

Which of the listed Universities without IELTS are you planning to study?

Let us know your thoughts in the Comment Section below.