Study in Canada Without IELTS (2024) – Alternatives & Universities

To Study in Canada Without IELTS as an international student, you must take an alternative exam and fulfill certain terms and conditions. It is possible to apply for admission to Universities in Canada Without IELTS. More than 20 Canadian universities and colleges are already admitting students without an IELTS score. Canadian Universities use different factors to assess students’ English language skills. They don’t only focus on IELTS tests. If you do not have an IELTS then do not worry. Check out the Top 10 Scholarships to Study in Canada in 2024.

Universities in Canada have introduced many IELTS alternatives. Such as the Duolingo English Test. Many universities in Canada ask for English Language Proficiency from previous academic institutions. Also based on nationalities many applicants do not need to show IELTS proof. Additionally, many universities in Canada grant you an English Test exemption if your University/Institute’s name falls in the WHED Portal. All of these details, a list of Canadian Universities without IELTS, and how to get admission without IELTS in Canada are all details given below.

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List of Universities to Study in Canada Without IELTS

Here is a list of universities in Canada without IELTS:

  • The University of Alberta (Faculty wise vary)
  • University of Winnipeg
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Cambrian College
  • Seneca College
  • Brock University
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Okanagan College
  • University of Guelph
  • McGill University
  • Algoma University
  • Brandon University
  • Carleton University
  • University of Regina
  • Concordia University
  • University of Prince Edward Island

Process No. 1 to Study Without IELTS in Canada

First: You can get English Language Proficiency poof from your previous University and you can show that as an IELTS alternative. It will state that the candidate has completed their previous degree from an English Medium Institute.

Second: If you are from an English-speaking country such as the UK, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada, and many other officially Recognised English-speaking countries then you do not need to take any IELTS or any other Alternative. 

Process No. 2 (Use WHED Portal) 

The World Higher Education Database (WHED) Portal is a comprehensive online resource that provides authoritative information on higher education systems, credentials, and institutions worldwide.

You do not need to take the IELTS if your university’s language of instruction is English and it is listed on the World Higher Education Database (WHED) Portal.

This is because Canadian immigration authorities recognize these universities as having English language proficiency standards that meet their requirements.

Many Universities in Canada allow English Test exemption if your previous University/Institute’s name falls in the WHED Portal.

If you are applying to a university that is not listed on the WHED Portal, you may also be required to take the IELTS.

So you need to check which Canadian university is listed on the WHED Portal.

Here are a few Canadian Universities available on the WHED Portal so you can apply for them without IELTS. Such as:

  • University of Toronto
  • McGill University
  • University of British Columbia
  • McMaster University
  • University of Alberta
  • University of Montreal
  • Queen’s University
  • University of Waterloo
  • Western University
  • University of Calgary

This list is not exhaustive, so it is always best to check with the admissions office of the university you are applying to.

You can Visit the WHED Portal website: https://www.whed.net/home.php

How to Find Your University in the WHED Portal

  • Go to: https://www.whed.net/home.php
  • Then you will see on the right side a search bar
  • Choose a country and/or enter a keyword
  • For example, You select your country “Pakistan”
  • Then you select your University: For example LUMS
  • It will list out LUMS. Open it. If the 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 is listed only as “𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡” then it’s your Lucky Day. It means students from LUMS University can apply to Canadian Universities without IELTS.

Current English Test Scores Set by the Above Universities

University of Winnipeg

  • Duolingo English Test – Minimum score 120
  • TOEFL iBT Test – A minimum score of 86 with no less than 20 in each section.
  • Cambridge Assessment English (CAE): C1 Advanced – Minimum score 180
  • Cambridge Assessment English (CAE): C2 Proficiency – Minimum score 180
  • Cambridge Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) – Minimum score 60
  • CAEL CE – Minimum score 60
  • CAEL Online – Minimum score 70
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) – Minimum score 58
  • English Language Program (ELP) – Completion of Academic Level 5
  • ELP Part-time Evening Program – Minimum C+ in Academic Writing 1 and 2
  • Academic English Program from University and College Entrance (AEPUCE) – Successful Completion

University of Saskatchewan

  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based) – Overall score is 86 with minimum scores of 19 in each section
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced – Overall score is 176
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) – Overall score is 115 with minimum scores of 95 in each area
  • PTE Academic – Overall score of 63 with minimum scores of 59 in each area
  • CAEL – Minimum score is 70% with minimum individual scores of 60 or MELAB
  • University of Saskatchewan Language Centre Level 4 (graduate bridging) – Successful completion
  • University of Regina Intensive ESL Advanced Level (ESL 50) – Successful completion
  • General Certificate of Education of A/AS/AICE Level English
  • Completion of any one of the following:
  • GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-Level English
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) English A1 or A2 Higher Level
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) English B Higher Level
  • Advanced Placement (AP) English

Cambrian College

  • TOEFL (Internet-based test) – 80 score for Diploma/Certificate; 84 score for Grad Certificate; 88 for Degrees.
  • TOEFL (Paper-based test) – 550 score for Diploma/Certificate; 570 score for Grad Certificate
  • PTE – 58 score for Diploma Certificate; 61 score for Grad Certificate; 58 for Degrees
  • Duolingo – Between 105 and 115 for Diploma/Certificate; above 120 score for Grad Certificate.

Seneca College

  • CAEL CE and CAEL Online – Minimum 60
  • Cambridge English Exams (B2 First/FCE, C1 Advanced/CAE or C2 Proficiency/CPE) – Minimum 169 with no skill below 162
  • PTE Academic – Minimum score is 58
  • TOEFL iBT (including MyBest TOEFL and Home Edition) – Minimum 80 with no section below 20
  • TOEFL Revised Paper Delivered – No skill below 20

Algoma University

  • CAEL – 60
  • Cambridge English Qualifications – Overall 176 with no band less than 169
  • Duolingo – Overall 110 (no individual band below 90)
  • TOEFL – 550 (paper-based) or 79 (Computer or Home Edition)
  • PTE – 60
  • ENG4U (OSSD) or ENGL12 (BC Curriculum): 3 years of full-time course with a minimum grade of 70%
  • Students successfully completing the International Baccalaureate may take a w

Conclusion: Do not make IELTS an obstacle for you. There are always ways. Try to search out, read out, and find the best possible way.

As Opportunities Corners founder, my name is Muhammad Saim Rasheed. I completed my higher education from University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar. I have been to Egypt for the AIESEC internship in 2016. In addition, I am an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State's (SUSI 2017) Exchange Program. I participated in the Young Leaders Fellowship in the Maldives in 2021, and I went to the International Youth Leadership Summit in Turkiye in 2022. Since 2017, I have participated in numerous fully funded educational and leadership programs. I therefore created this blog based on my own personal experiences, and I mentor students who are eager and enthusiastic about pursuing fully funded opportunities. You can visit the official sources for additional information by clicking on the links provided at the end of each post. Read more about me and our partners here. I am also Featured by Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network