Top 10 Universities in Canada Without IELTS

Studying abroad including taking any online degree comes with a lot of preparation, whether preparing their funds, planning for accommodation, gathering the necessary documents, or even ensuring that your grade is acceptable to your desired schools. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the exams that has hindered some students from enrolling in their desired school.

Universities in Canada, not even Canada alone, all English countries require either IELTS or other English tests from international students as a prerequisite to admission. This is to say, no matter how much you may know, if you are not able to provide this, you will never be admitted.

In fact, some students have attempted this exam more than five (5) times and still failed one of the subjects, I’ve even seen a lady who failed “Reading” four (4) times she attempted the exam then gave up with the whole idea of studying abroad.

The good news is that there are some universities in Canada without IELTS, and there are even some universities in the United Kingdom that also don’t require IELTS. 

Pro Tip: If you’re from a country that speaks English as the first language like the United States, UK, New Zealand, Australia, etc., you don’t need to have IELTS or any other English proficiency requirements. Also, if you’re from a country that doesn’t speak English as a first language but you studied for a degree like a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in English Language, you might not submit IELTS proficiency too, depending on the institution.

Finances are another area that comes as a burden for international students especially because their fees are a lot higher, in fact, sometimes international students get to pay more than double what domestic students pay. Taking advantage of some Scholarships in Canada can be one of your best solutions.

Anyway, let’s get started with these universities.

Universities in Canada Without IELTS

• University of Saskatchewan
• University of Winnipeg
• Brock University
• Concordia University
• Carleton University
• University of Regina
• Memorial University
• Cambrian University
• Okanagan College 
• Seneca College

1. University of Saskatchewan

University of Saskatchewan provides an option for IELTS but doesn’t make it mandatory, they allow you to submit other alternative English Proficiency test results like TOEFL, Duolingo English Test (DET), CAEL ( Canadian Academic English Language Assessment), etc. Also if you completed your high school in English, your school is offering a Canadian education system curriculum in English and you had a minimum grade of 65% you can waive the IELTS or even other proficiency tests.

2. University of Winnipeg

This is among the universities in Canada without IELTS or that offer alternatives to students who can’t provide IELTS and who are from countries where English may or may not have been the medium of instruction. Alternative to IELTS, you can submit either a DET, TOEFL, International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC), or Cambridge Assessment English (CAE).

The school also has its own English Language Program (ELP) that you can partake in and avoid the IELTS exam.

3. Brock University

Brock University provides lots of alternatives to IELTS, such as TOEFL, Duolingo, CAEL, PTE, and CAE, amongst others. Also, they provide their own English Language Program which is regarded as IELP Level which when completed will not require to submit any other proficiency test results.

Also, if you completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma with an A in English, it will enable you to waive IELTS.

4. Concordia University

This is another Canadian university that provides other options for IELTS requirements such as TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, CAE, PTE (Pearson English Language Test), etc. Also, if you’re enrolling for a graduate program and completed your undergrad or graduate degree in one of their listed countries, you’ll be exempted from any English Language Proficiency test requirements.

5. Carleton University

This is among the universities in Canada without IELTS that provides exams known as ESLA 1900 or ESLA 1905 which you just need a final grade of B- or higher to qualify. If you completed a degree within the past three years in a country that speaks English as their primary language you’ll be exempted from any English Language Proficiency test requirements including IELTS.

Alternatively, if you have merit in CAEL, TOEFL, or Pearson Test of English you can use the result to replace IELTS.

6. University of Regina

To begin with, some countries are automatically exempted from any proof of English Proficiency. Also, the University of Regina provides English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses which if ace will also enable you to waive IELTS.

Other alternatives include Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate English, CPE/CAE (Cambridge Certificate), TOFEL, PTE, CAEL, Duolingo online English test, etc.

7. Memorial University

This is one of the universities in Canada that doesn’t make IELTS mandatory, and gives other alternatives like submission of either; Cambridge Assessment English, Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment, Duolingo English Test (DET), Michigan English Test (MET), Pearson Test of Academic English (PTE ACADEMIC) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Also, if you went to an English language secondary institution or post-secondary institution, you might be exempted from any of these requirements.

8. Cambrian University

The three major English proficiency test alternatives to IELTS include  TOEFL, PTE (Pearson), and Duolingo. If you’re applying for their open enrolment programs you’ll have the privilege to write their internal English comprehension test which might exempt you from other English requirements.

9. Okanagan College

Just like other universities in Canada without IELTS, Okanagan College provides TOEFL and Duolingo as alternatives. However, if you’re residing in India or Pakistan you must use academic IELTS to meet your English requirements.

10. Seneca College

If you studied in a country where English is their primary language mostly at the postsecondary level, or you successfully completed an intensive English program, you’ll be exempted from English language requirements including IELTS. Also, If you meet the minimum requirements of any of these international English language testing bodies such as CAEL, Duolingo, PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge English Exams, it will excuse you from submitting IELTS.

Key Takeaway

You’ll notice that the biggest way to avoid IELTS or any other English Proficiency requirements is by graduating from a school in a country that primarily speaks English. Because, if you’re not from a country that primarily speaks English, you might be excluded from submitting IELTS, but you’ll still submit one of the results that prove that you’re proficient in English. Which, most of these exams are almost similar to IELTS.

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