Find the IELTS score required for your Canada pathway

Study requirements are set by each institution

A Canadian study permit is not a university admission decision. The institution and individual programme determine English evidence, and selective programmes can set higher component minimums.

For university applications, IELTS Academic is normally the version to investigate. Verify the programme page, delivery format, score validity and any pathway option.

Express Entry uses IELTS General Training and CLB levels

IRCC states that Express Entry candidates using IELTS must take General Training. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry. Results must be less than two years old when the profile and permanent residence application are submitted.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program requires at least CLB 7 in all four abilities. The current IRCC table maps CLB 7 to IELTS 6.0 in every skill; higher CLB levels use uneven IELTS thresholds, so set targets skill by skill.

Professional registration is a separate decision

Regulated professions use provincial or national bodies. An immigration or university score does not automatically satisfy professional registration.

Identify the regulator where you intend to practise and confirm accepted test version, component scores, combination rules and recency policy directly.

Universities in Canada to investigate

These records help you shortlist institutions; they do not replace the current programme page. Open the university record and follow its verification source before applying.

• ✓University of Toronto, Toronto: undergraduate 6.5; postgraduate 7.0
• ✓University of British Columbia, Vancouver: undergraduate 6.5; postgraduate 7.0
• ✓McGill University, Montreal: undergraduate 6.5; postgraduate 7.0
• ✓University of Waterloo, Waterloo: undergraduate 6.5; postgraduate 7.0
• ✓University of Ottawa, Ottawa: undergraduate 6.5; postgraduate 6.5
• ✓Dalhousie University, Halifax: undergraduate 6.5; postgraduate 7.0

Which IELTS test should you take for Canada?

IELTS Academic for most study applications; IELTS General Training for Express Entry.

Choose only after confirming every decision that applies to you. Academic and General Training use different material, and One Skill Retake acceptance is not consistent.