Minimum IELTS score to study in Canada universities in 2026
- Published: 10 June 2025
Stepping out of your home country to study is a major milestone and a serious investment.
The good news is, Canada has already declared its clear position on welcoming new international students, up to graduate level study. Find out what is required of you to study in Canada, like taking IELTS to meet visa and admission criteria.
Scoring a minimum IELTS band score may lead you to enrol successfully into the school or programme of your choice, and also helps if you decide to stay on to work in Canada post-graduation.
Minimum scores for Canadian universities
Should you need an English language requirement as part of your university application, you have to attain a minimum overall score of 6.5 in the IELTS Academic test at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Most international students starting undergraduate level at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) will have to provide a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) before applying for a study permit with the immigration authority IRCC.
Among other study permit requirements for eligibility, you will need a letter of acceptance (LOA) for enrolment into the university and financial proof for living expenses and tuition. IRCC also recommends a letter of explanation stating your reasons for studying in Canada.
Keep reading for the minimum IELTS scores required by top-ranked universities in Canada.
Student Community
Join the IDP student community
Connect with peers and student ambassadors to hear real experiences, tips, and advise about studying abroad.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2026
One of the world’s most established metrics, the Times Higher Education world rankings assesses universities based on the following five key performance indicators: teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook and industry income.
Rank | University | Global rank | IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) | IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
1 | University of Toronto | 21 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
2 | McGill University | =41 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
3 | University of British Columbia | 45 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
4 | McMaster University | =116 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
5 | University of Alberta | 119 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
6 | Université de Montréal* | 150 | - | - |
7 | University of Waterloo | =162 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
8 | University of Ottawa | =187 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
9 | University of Calgary | 200 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
10 | Western University | 201 – 250 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=11 | Queen’s University | 301 – 350 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=11 | Simon Fraser University | 301 – 350 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=11 | University of Victoria | 301 – 350 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=14 | Dalhousie University | 351 – 400 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
=14 | University of Saskatchewan | 351 – 400 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=16 | Université Laval | 401 – 500 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=16 | University of Guelph | 401 – 500 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=16 | York University | 401 – 500 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=19 | Carleton University | 501 – 600 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=19 | Memorial University of Newfoundland | 501 – 600 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=19 | Université du Québec* | 501 – 600 | - | - |
=19 | University of Manitoba | 501 – 600 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
=19 | University of Windsor | 501 – 600 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
*At this university, the language of instruction is French and proficiency in English is not an admission requirement.
QS World University Rankings in 2026
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is another global premier ranking system that rates universities by institution and subject through academic reputation, citation, faculty to student ratio, employer, international research and sustainability indicators.
Rank | University | Global rank | IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) | IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
1 | McGill University | 27 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
2 | University of Toronto | 29 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
3 | University of British Columbia | 40 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
4 | University of Alberta | =94 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
5 | University of Waterloo | =119 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
6 | Western University | 151 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
7 | Université de Montréal* | 168 | - | - |
8 | McMaster University | =173 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
9 | Queen’s University at Kingston | =191 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
10 | University of Calgary | 211 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
11 | University of Ottawa | 219 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
12 | Dalhousie University | 283 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
13 | Simon Fraser University | =308 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
14 | York University | 333 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
15 | University of Victoria (UVic) | =358 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
16 | University of Saskatchewan | 378 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
17 | Concordia University | =465 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
18 | Université Laval | =469 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
19 | University of Guelph | =504 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
20 | University of Windsor | =546 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Take your IELTS test with IDP
Are you planning to pursue your studies in Canada?
Take the next step with IELTS by IDP! As a co-owner of the IELTS test, IDP has decades of experience in helping students to prepare and achieve their target IELTS score for study abroad.
Start on the right foot with IDP IELTS Prep Hub, your one-stop online test resource for accessible how-to videos, IELTS Academic practice tests and preparation tips from IELTS experts.
Book your IELTS test today!
一个帐号满足你所有的留学需求
创建您的个人资料，解锁一系列功能，包括个性化推荐、快速申请等等。
