In today’s world, almost all the students prefer to pursue their higher education from foreign countries out of which Canada is the most preferred one. Canada is a country that has become one of the most in-demand destinations for international students as along with a high-quality education, it also offers a welcoming environment and diverse culture which attracts the students. It can be noticed that the number of students moving to Canada is rising day by day, it offers a warm environment to all its students. But for this, you should have appropriate knowledge of the documents required to start your study journey there. One of these documents is IELTS, which is an internationally valid certification which shows the level of your English proficiency in both written and spoken English. But do you know that you can study in Canada without IELTS?
There are a number of universities in Canada that welcome students without the IELTS certification. So, it is not necessary to prepare for the IELTS exam if you wish to study in Canada. You can study in Canada even without IELTS. In this blog, we will be exploring the alternatives to IELTS, the universities in Canada where you can study without IELTS, the Visa process to study in Canada without IELTS, various scholarships offered by Canada, the benefits of studying there and many more.
How to Study in Canada without IELTS?
Even if you do not have taken IELTS, you can study in Canada by providing some documents which are as follows: –
- First of all, you need to have your statement of purpose and letter of recommendation.
- Then, you will need to have a transcript or mark sheet of your last degree (diploma or graduation).
- You will also need to have proof that you have studied in an English medium school.
- You will be required to have the letter of acceptance.
- You may also need a Standardised exam score of IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE
- You will need your resume or CV
- You must have your health insurance.
- You must have proof of funds to study in Canada.
Alternatives to IELTS to Study in Canada
IELTS (The International English Language Testing Exam) is an exam for testing the level of English language proficiency (both written and spoken) of non-native speakers. This exam is necessary to study or work abroad. Fortunately, there are a few countries like Canada, Australia, etc which accept some other exams in place of IELTS. These alternatives are as follows: –
- TOEFL (test of English as a foreign language)
- PTE Academic Cambridge English
- Advanced CAE
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment – CAEL, CAEL-CE, CAEL online
- Cambridge Assessment English (C1 advanced/C2 proficiency)
- CanTest by the University of Ottawa
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- Academic English Program for University and College Entry (AEPUCE).
Universities in Canada Where You Can Study without IELTS
There are several universities that welcome students from all over the world to pursue their higher studies in Canada without IELTS: –
- University of Winnipeg
- Brock University
- University of Saskatchewan
- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Cambrian University
- Okanagan College
- Concordia University
- Seneca College
- Carleton University
- Algoma University
- Brandon University
- University of Guelph
- McGill University
- University of Toronto
- The University of Canada West
- University of Prince Edward Island
- Thompson Rivers University
- University of Regina
So, these are the universities that permit you to study in Canada without IELTS.
Visa Process to Study in Canada without IELTS
To study in Canada, Visa is the most important thing that you need to have. You can get your student visa to study in Canada if you have the following documents:
- A valid passport and visa
- Letter of acceptance from the university where you have applied.
- Proof of financial backing (Enough funding to support your study)
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- Proof of language proficiency in English
- Documents for a Canadian bank account in your name
- Acknowledgement letter for student loan
- Bank statements
- Draft for convertible money from the bank
- Proof of payment for tuition and accommodation fees
- Letter of acknowledgement from the scholarship organisation
- Medical certification and police verification.
Scholarships Offered by Canada to International Students
It is almost the dream for almost all the students to pursue their higher studies in a country like Canada. However, their financial conditions stop them from fulfilling this dream of studying abroad. For this, Canada offers a number of amazing scholarships to international students:
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
This scholarship provides a taxable amount of 70,000 CAD every year.
- Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program (CFSP)
This is a fully funded scholarship offered to international students. It provides an amount of around $35000 on an annual basis.
- The CIFAR Global Scholars program
It provides around $ 100,000 CAD to the students for 2 years.
- Mitacs Elevate
This scholarship is for two years and it provides $60,000 on an annual basis.
- McCall MacBain Scholarship
It is an excellent scholarship that provides the students with funds to pursue their Master’s or professional degree at McGill University, Canada.
- Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Program
It is a program which invests in the coming generation who wishes to engage in public relationships and assist in global challenges.
- Trudeau doctoral scholarship
This scholarship provides financial assistance to the exceptional doctoral students.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS)
Like the Trudeau doctoral scholarship, this scholarship also provides financial assistance to the exceptional doctoral students.
- Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarships
This is another amazing scholarship, the value of which ranges from $8000 – $11,000.
- Canada-ASEAN Scholarships
This scholarship also provides a value that ranges from $10,200-$12,700.
Benefits of Studying in Canada
Being a student at a university in Canada comes with its fair share of benefits. The benefits that you can get being a student in Canada are: –
Cultural knowledge
Canada has a diverse culture which provides the students with a rich cultural experience and knowledge. It helps the students in developing a global perspective.
Post-graduate work prospects
Indian students who pursue their higher studies in Canada get many excellent post-graduate work opportunities. The post-graduation work permit program (PGWPP) permits students to work in Canada after the completion of their respective courses.
Permanent Residency
Seeking your higher education in Canada also assists the students in getting PR (permanent residency).
Canada has numerous immigration pathways like the Express Entry System.
Strong Economy
Canada has a strong job market and students get a lot of job opportunities in numerous fields such as technology, healthcare, engineering and many others. If you have relevant skills, knowledge and dedication towards the work, it is not difficult to find jobs in Canada as compared to various other countries
Language Skills
As Canada has language diversity, the students get an opportunity to learn numerous languages at one time, which can assist them in getting a more secure future. Many students get the opportunity to learn French during their time in Canada, which is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and Africa.
High-Quality Education
The universities of Canada offer world-class education. Also, the universities of Canada have excellent And highly experienced professors.
Earn While Studying
Canada offers numerous employment opportunities. Thus, being a student, you can engage yourself in various jobs that will allow you to work part-time. With this, you can get your pocket money along with practical knowledge and skills that will assist you in the future.
High Standard of Living
Canada is known for its safety and quality of life. It offers a warm and fully safe ambience to all its residents.
Conclusion
So, this was all about the universities in Canada where you can study without IELTS, and the scholarships offered by the country. Now, you can easily study in Canada even if you have not taken the IELTS exam. There is a huge list of universities that accept students without an IELTS exam. Thus, you can pursue your dream of studying abroad and study in Canada without IELTS.
FAQs
Is it expensive to study in Canada?
It depends upon various factors like the place where you are residing there, the course that you are pursuing and the university in which you are enrolled. In general, you need between CAD $7000 to $35,000 on an annual basis.
What is the minimum bank balance needed to pursue higher studies in Canada?
A minimum bank balance of $10,000 CAD will be needed if you need to pursue your higher studies in Canada.
How much can I earn in Canada being a student?
Although it depends upon your job title and job type, being a student, you will be able to earn around CAD $23.50 per hour.
Which exam is easier – IELTS or TOEFL?
IELTS is easier as compared to TOEFL, and, especially the reading part of TOEFL is tough. Thus, you will need to prepare more for TOEFL than IELTS.
How much score do I need in the TOEFL exam to study in Canada?
You need a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based test (IBT) if you wish to pursue undergraduate programs.
If you wish to pursue postgraduate programs, you need a minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test (IBT).
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
