IELTS Scores For Different Universities in Canada

Canada is among the popular study abroad destinations for international students. In fact, the number of international students studying in Canada has nearly tripled in the last ten years and was found to be 572,415 in the year 2018. Indian students play a huge role in Canada’s booming educational sector. With over 172,600 Indian students in Canada in the year 2018, the number of Indian students heading to Canada has grown by a whopping 40% in the last year alone. According to a study conducted by Roslyn Kunin and Associates (RKA) for Global Affairs Canada, the total spending by international students in Canada in 2016 was CDN$15.5 billion.

1. What is IELTS?
2. Scoring of IELTS
3. Importance of IELTS Score in Taking Admission
4. Benefits Other Than Admission

 If you are an Indian student who plans to study in the best universities or colleges of Canada, then you must be aware of the fact that you need to take the IELTS for admissions in Canada and score the required minimum score. In this blog, we will take a look at the minimum IELTS score requirements for studying in Canada.

What is IELTS?

Before starting with the scores, let us first understand a little about IELTS. The IELTS or the “The International English Language Testing System” is an English language proficiency test that is conducted by the British Council. This test score is needed by students or employees whose primary language is not English and wish  to study or work in a country where the primary language of communication is English. IELTS scores are trusted by more than 10,000 organizations. These include universities, employers, professional bodies, and migration authorities too. This exam can be taken a number of times by paying a nominal fee of INR 12100 every time you take the test.  

Keep Reading - IELTS: How To Ace The Exam

IELTS is of two types, namely Academic and General Training.  Students who wish to study an undergraduate or postgraduate program in English Language speaking countries need to take the first one. The IELTS test can be taken on paper or on the computer. This English Language Requirements test consists of four sections, namely, listening, reading, writing, and speaking. One reason why many prefer to take IELTS is that unlike other English language proficiency tests where test-takers talk to a machine during the “Speaking Test”, the IELTS allows the test taker to talk to an examiner face-to-face in a relaxed environment. Also, it places emphasis on the student’s ability to communicate effectively in English in authentic and real-life situations. 

Scoring of IELTS

The test scores of IELTS are between 0 and 9 and are available in a band score table - like the one given below.

The description of each band score is given below:

Students can view their test scores on the website of The British Council or IDP - through which the student had booked their test - after 13 days. Students can request the British Council to courier their IELTS score for a nominal fee. 

Importance of IELTS Score in Taking Admission 

IELTS Score plays a very important role in getting admission to a Canadian University, and almost every Canadian University require students to submit an IELTS score. Students who apply for a Canadian visa for undergraduate study would need a minimum IELTS overall score of 6 and a score of 5.5 in all segments. Students applying for a graduate program need minimum average IELTS scores of 6.5 and a score of 6 in each segment. For the Student Direct Stream Program, the minimum IELTS score required is 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Students can also check the minimum IELTS score requirement with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). However, the minimum IELTS score may vary from University to University and from program to program. Let us take a list of few top Canadian Universities that require an IELTS score.

• Mandatory IELTS Score for Top Ranking Universities of Canada

• Let us also take a look at the required IELTS scores for the four most popular Canadian universities among international students (GyanDhan’s research)

• Required IELTS score for the five most popular colleges in Canada (Post-Graduation Diploma) (GyanDhan’s research) 

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Benefits Other Than Admission 

A good IELTS, GMAT, GRE score, and along with relevant GPA, would undoubtedly help Indian students get admission to their chosen University in Canada. A good IELTS score can also have other benefits such as:

1. Increase your Express Entry point- A good IELTS score is one of the ways to improve Express Entry Point. Also called the Comprehensive Ranking System, these points are awarded to candidates who wish for a permanent residence in Canada. The points are awarded on the basis of language ability, age, work experience, etc. Those who have a high IELTS score can get up to 160 Express Points. 
2. Highlight your application form - Since most Canadian universities have a minimum IELTS score requirement, anything above the minimum would catch the eye of the admission committee. 
3. Help get a Teaching Assistantship role -  Students with a good score in IELTS along with other relevant qualifications will have higher chances of getting a teaching assistantship role than those with a lower IELTS score. 

Taking the IELTS is a good way of ensuring your admission to your dream university in Canada. If you score well in the IELTS, GMAT or GRE and have other relevant qualifications, who knows that you might even land a scholarship for your entire program and provide you with a chance to study in the best university of Canada.

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