Can you study in Canada without IELTS? 

Not all international students know that they may attend university in Canada without taking or passing the IELTS exam. There are several alternative options open to international students wishing to study at Canadian educational institutions.

But how can students prove their English proficiency in other ways?
The first and most basic landing step is to look for universities that do not require the IELTS exam. These universities usually offer you lower-level ESL or bridge programs designed to improve your English before you begin your degree. Other universities may exempt you from the IELTS requirement if you have completed a certain amount of education in an English-speaking country.

English proficiency certificates
This alternative might be self-evident, but it should nevertheless be mentioned. Instead of the IELTS test, you may take other English proficiency certificates. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is one such example. Like the IELTS exam, it assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Some universities also accept the Pearson Test of English (PTE). CAEL, Cambridge Test (CAE/CPE), Duolingo English Test, and CanTEST are additional options. We should mention that not all universities accept every single one of these certificates. Make sure to check the requirements of your chosen institutions before you start preparing for an English proficiency exam. Moreover, some Canadian colleges may even offer you their own English placement test to assess your language level.

English Pathway Programs
If you do not meet the English proficiency requirements, you may also choose the university’s English language courses that will exempt you from the IELTS test requirement. In general, Canadian universities offer a variety of English language courses to help international students improve their language skills and prepare for the academic rigours of university-level study. The courses are designed to meet the needs of students at different levels of English proficiency, and they typically cover such topics as grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Before enrolling in an English language course at a Canadian university, you should make sure that the course is recognized by the university you are interested in attending.

Academic Pathway Programs
Academic pathway programs are similar to English pathways in that they assist foreign students to adapt to the challenges of higher education in Canada. Academic pathway programs, on the other hand, differ since they allow international students to complete first-year academic courses on a university or college campus. Students in an academic pathway program benefit from smaller class sizes. In comparison to a typical first-year university or college class, an academic pathway session has 35 students instead of 300 or more. The courses are exclusively for international students, allowing you to join a worldwide group of students who are studying similar subjects. Instructors are also trained to work with foreign students and will assist you in effectively engaging with the course material. Academic pathway programs are mainly focused on academic credit, although there is some language assistance. After your first year, you will have completed the equivalent of a typical first-year class load.

Now you know that studying in Canada is possible without the IELTS exam. If you want to study and work in Canada, you are in the right place! Glinks International is here to assist you in every step. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team would be more than happy to help you out.