As of August 10, 2023, an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0 is your ticket to study in Canada, especially if you are from an SDS country. Find out which colleges and universities you can apply to with this score.
Are you considering taking an English test to study in Canada? From 10 August 2023, you can now apply for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) with an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no minimum score requirement for each band. Although academic institutions have different score requirements, many colleges and universities in Canada accept IELTS Academic scores of 6.0 or lower.
Find out which school is right for you to give you the best opportunity to study in Canada.
What type of colleges and universities are available to SDS applicants?
To apply to a college or university in Canada, you will need an acceptance letter from a Designated Educational Institution (DDI). If you are also from an SDS country, you may be eligible to apply to these institutions through the expedited stream which processes most applications within 20 calendar days. Visit the IRCC website for the latest information.
SDS colleges and universities that accept an overall IELTS band score 6.0
With an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0, not only are candidates eligible to take the SDS, but there are now many SDS-approved colleges and universities that accept this score. Below is a list of SDS-approved institutions and courses that accept scores below 6.0 in speaking, reading, writing and/or listening.
Some Examples of universities accepting band 5 and 6 are given below
Carleton University Undergraduate 5.0, Sault College Undergraduate 6.0 and University of Lethbridge Undergraduate 6.0
*The above information is correct as of 25 August 2023. For the latest updates, please contact the institution directly.*
As IELTS Academic scores are valid for two years from the date you sat the test, you can use your old test score before it expires to secure admission into a university that accepts your score.
Do IELTS score requirements change based on courses and degree levels at SDS colleges?
Yes, IELTS score requirements may vary depending on the course and level at SDS colleges in Canada. While an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0 is the only requirement for SDS applicants after 10 August 2023, specific courses or degree programs may have higher score requirements or lower. It is important to check the specific requirements of the college or university you are interested in and the program you want to pursue. It is important to note that different courses within the same institutions may have different IELTS entry score requirements depending on how these programs have been designed.
To explain this better, let’s look at the following example.
Situation: Susanna doesn’t meet the minimum IELTS score requirement but still gets into her dream university
Susanna sat the IELTS Academic test with the aim to achieve a 6.5 score needed for general admission into the University of Lethbridge. He scored 4.5 each on Listening, Reading and Speaking, and 5.0 on Writing. Although he couldn’t get the desired score, he still managed to get into the university’s English Language program which had a lower score requirement (see above examples).
In summary, achieving an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0 can be a great first step for international students pursuing their goals of studying abroad in Canada. Many colleges and universities in Canada accept scores of 6.0 or lower. Take the time to research and find the right institution to shape your future and realize your academic and career dreams.
