Study in Canada

Would you like to study in Canada? IELTS can help to get you there!

The Canadian Study Permit is the most common visa for international students  . To qualify, you'll need an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada and proof that you have enough funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses. If you want to stay and work in Canada after completing your studies, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)  . This allows you to work in Canada for a period dependent on the length of your studies.

IELTS is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as evidence of English language proficiency. All Canada based universities, colleges and professional associations with a minimum language requirement trust IELTS. If you are applying to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in Canada, it is likely that you will be required to present your IELTS result as part of your application.

Download our free guide to studying or working in Canada

Student testimonial from Canada

"IELTS is easier to access than many other language proficiency tests and is well-recognised by most universities."

Tina Lok Sun Ko, Ying Wa Girls' School, IELTS score 8

"British Council allows online registration and credit card payment."

Carlo Kim Nemeño, NCR Corporation, IELTS score 8

"I think IELTS is the most desirable and accurate test for your English proficiency. It tests four areas of English and I am pretty sure that my test results reflect my proficiency."

Minkyou Kim, IELTS score 7

"IELTS is popular and accepted by many schools."

Hanh Phuc Nguyen, Institute of Population, Health and Development, IELTS score 8

"British Council was easy to access."

Rhesaldi Hartono, Petra Christiran University, IELTS score 7

"I took IELTS with British Council because both the exam and organisation are credible."

Sham Yee Sammi Yu, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, IELTS score 8

"IELTS is the preferred test when applying to Canadian colleges."

Marisol Devesa Conde, IELTS score 6.5

"British Council is doing great work! I personally advise everybody to take IELTS at British Council."

Sujesh Mohan, Micron, IELTS score 6.5

Work in Canada

If you are planning to work in Canada, you must take a language test to prove your English proficiency. The IELTS General Training test can satisfy the requirements of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if you are applying for a work visa, professional registration or permanent residency in Canada. 

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are the national standards used in Canada for describing, measuring and recognising the English language proficiency of prospective immigrants intending on living and working in Canada. You can find out from IRCC which CLB standards you will be required to meet for visa purposes.

Your IELTS test result demonstrates your English language proficiency level within the CLB standards. The table below matches IELTS band scores with the CLB standards:

CLB Level IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking
12 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0
11 9.0 8.5 8.0 8.0
10 8.5 8.0 7.5 7.5
9 8.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
8 7.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
6 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
4 4.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
3 3.5 3.0 3.0 3.0
2 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
 

Migrate to Canada

IELTS was the first test to be recognised by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Immigration Quebec as proof of English language proficiency for Express Entry (Skilled Immigrants), Quebec-selected skilled workers and Provincial Nominee program.

If you are planning to apply for permanent residence or Canadian citizenship, there are different processes you can apply through.  The most common is Express Entry, which is an online system that manages applications from skilled workers for permanent residence through three economic immigration programmes:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Programme
  • Federal Skills Trade Program
  • Canadian Experience Class

Canadian provinces and territories also recruit applicants from the same Express Entry pool that you apply to through the Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) to meet their local labour market needs. More information on the eligibility for Express Entry programmes can be found on Canada.ca  website.

Similarly, you can apply to the Quebec-selected skilled worker process if you hold a Quebec Selection Certificate from the Government of Quebec.  If you choose this route, you will need to submit a complete residence application, including police certificates. 

IELTS General Training is an internationally-available English language proficiency test accepted for immigration into Canada by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) . The test evaluates your English proficiency on a scale of 0 to 9 in each of four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. You will need to meet the level stipulated by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in all of these skills.

In order for your visa to be processed, you will need to include your IELTS results as part of your application.

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