Exams like GMAT, GRE, and IELTS have been among the prerequisites to study in most Canadian higher institutions. Although this applies to most universities, some universities make it possible for students to study in Canada without IELTS, GMAT, or any other Exams.
Read on to see what it takes to get admitted into a Canadian school with IELTS and GMAT exam scores and some top universities that do not require these exam scores in Canada.
Taking a glance at the table of contents will give you an overview of all that this post entails.
Choose to study in Canada, and you’ll have the opportunity to encounter vastly different cultural and natural experiences – from the ski slopes of British Columbia to the prairie province of Manitoba, with cities such as Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, and Quebec famously friendly, tolerant and multicultural. Let us explore how to Study in Canada without IELTS and Other Exams
Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada is famous for its pure beauty, few nations in the world can boast anything close to its wealth of forests, lakes, and mountains – and for its multicultural diversity. The country has an official bilingual status, together with English and French used simultaneously in official and government documents.
Additionally, it is famous for its sparse population (despite being the world’s second-largest nation, it has a population smaller than that of one US state, California) and because of the harsh winters. In a few portions of Canada, snow covers the earth for nearly half an entire year — however, you are not likely to obtain some Canadian universities in those regions!
Now, to the main reason why this article was written in the first place.
A study in Canada without IELTS, GMAT, and Other Exams
Competitive entrance exams including SAT, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS and the TOEFL are required for abroad studies. Normally if you must study abroad you should score high in one or more of these exams. though most times exams to be taken solely depend on your course of study and study destination.
These exams are required for all levels which include undergraduates, masters, or Ph.D. levels.
A passport to your dreams
Thousands of aspirants migrate to various parts of the world every year to complete their higher studies. Whilst the global study abroad scene has opened up tremendously to accommodate students of all academic backgrounds and interests, there are still certain preset academic standards that need to be met in order to gain admission to a university or college abroad.
These are achieved by clearing competitive international entrance exams. Good performances in competitive ‘study abroad’ exams also help you to win scholarships and other forms of financial aid, no small consideration for a majority of the applicants.
Popular International Entrance exams
Some of the most popular, and most important, international entrance exams for abroad studies include the SAT, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, and the TOEFL. These are required for admission to universities and colleges in various countries across the globe; at times, the need may be a combination of one or more of these and other tests/examinations specific to that country and its education system.
What You Need To Know About TOEFL vs IELTS
The TOEFL and the IELTS probably top the list with regard to the sheer number of students across the world needing to undertake one or the other to demonstrate English language proficiency.
The widest possible selection of universities and colleges accept TOEFL scores, including the top 100 in the UK, U.S, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The IELTS is a mandatory exam for Indian and other non-native English speakers, especially in the Commonwealth countries, for entry into most reputed universities and colleges overseas, and occasionally for immigration requirements as well.
The TOEFL is held throughout the year, usually on weekends; the TOEFL is to be held only on weekends, both in the metros and the tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The IELTS, conducted by the British Council, is held in 71 centers spread all over the country, over four times a month.
What You Need To Know About GRE vs GMAT
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is another popular examination among International students aspiring to study in the USA or Canada. It is a fairly standardized test that measures the verbal, mathematical, and general analytical skills of the candidate, though the format has undergone quite a few changes over the years.
It is an admission requirement for many graduate courses, especially in engineering and the sciences, in the USA. Management aspirants need to take the GMAT, which is an admissions assessment for business colleges.
Average GMAT scores are in the range of 570-580; however, for top school admissions, a score of at least 700 is almost mandatory. New sections have been introduced recently, such as Integrated Reasoning, which has made the test more competitive than before.
GRE and GMAT tests are available throughout the world in more than 500 locations, though you will have to book your slot in advance.
What You Need To Know About SAT
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) test, required for entry into some universities in the USA if you have not completed an equivalent, is of two types –
- The Reasoning Test to check general writing skills and grammar
- The Subject Test is to check a candidate’s knowledge of the subject chosen.
The SAT is owned, developed, and conducted by the College Board of the United States of America.
Within the USA, the SAT is offered seven times a year, generally on the first Saturdays of October, November, December, January, March, May, and June. Most other countries follow the same dates.
All You Need To Know About MCAT and LSAT
Other competitive studies abroad examinations include the MCAT and the LSAT, mandatory for getting into medicine and law respectively in the USA.
The MCAT is a multiple-choice test that is designed to evaluate the examinee’s aptitude and knowledge about relevant subjects, while the LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council for students who wish to pursue a career in law in the USA, Australia, and Canada.
Competitive entrance exams are a standardized and reliable mode of evaluating the millions of applicants who aspire to study abroad every year, so take your time, prepare well and get ready to go places!
Here is the good news!!
Looking at these exams you will agree that one of the hindrances to studying in international universities is the requirement for a good grade in one or more of these exams.
This often makes it a cumbersome task for students who tend to appear for these tests repeatedly to earn better scores and gain admission into top universities.
Thus, To make it easier for students to gain admission easily, several universities in Canada have started waiving off the requirement of scores of some of these examinations. One popular waiver is that of the IELTS.
Why You have to choose Canada
Canada has ranked as one of the top ten places in the world to live in according to a United Nations survey. Canada’s major cities are known for their high standard of living, cultural activities, and safety, which makes them attractive places to work and live.
IELTS was the first test to be recognized by Canada’s immigration authorities, so if you would like to move to Canada, IELTS is the right test for you. You can find more information about immigration procedures on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
Why the move?
Canadian universities have found that students who have completed their degrees from a recognized educational institution and have received their instructions in English often show a good degree of English knowledge – be it reading, writing, or speaking skills.
Hence, they felt it made sense to do away with the requirement of an English language proficiency test like the IELTS which has a minimum score requirement of 6.0, to make it easy for students to apply for higher education in Canada.
Can I go to Canada to study without IELTS?
You can Get a Study Visa in Canada without any Language Test Like IELTS, TOEFL, or GMAT. There are some Alternative English Proficiency proofs for Studying in Canada without IELTS. It is important to note that English language proficiency is the best and most widely acceptable alternative if you choose to study at a university that waives IELTS.
Can I apply for Canadian study visa with a 5.5 bands?
To apply for a study visa for Canada, you will need a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four bands in IELTS and an overall score of at least 6.0 and more for undergraduate and diploma courses in Canada. At least 6.0 in each band along with an overall 6.5 and above for graduate courses.
English language Proficiency Requirement
Students who apply to universities in Canada that do not demand the submission of IELTS scores, however, need to submit certain documents to support their claim of English language proficiency.
These may include requisite certificates, documents stating that the medium of instruction in the first or last obtained degree was English, transcripts, and the like.
READ ALSO: Study in Canada: All You Need to Know About Studying in Canada
Top universities that do not require IELTS scores In Canada
Some of the general rules governing the non-requirement of IELTS scores are that students are either native English speakers; or, students hailing from non-English countries and have received a formal degree education of three or more consecutive years in English.
Besides, students who have completed either an O-Level or A-level examination also earn an IELTS exemption.
Individual universities have their set of exemptions and requirements to prove applicants’ English language proficiency. The following is a list of universities in Canada that offer this exemption:
- University of Saskatchewan
- Brock University
- Carleton University
- University of Winnipeg
- University of Regina
- Memorial University
- Concordia University
Will there be visa hindrances if IELTS scores are not provided?
Canada has introduced new student visa regulations that not only help ensure that international students genuinely study in the country’s universities, but also give them certain levels of freedom to work.
For instance, while earlier prospective students only needed to show an intent to study in Canada, now they need to prove their enrollment in a college that accepts international students to be eligible for a visa.
Hence, students applying for visas without providing IELTS scores need to ensure their enrollment in the university of their choice that does not require IELTS papers. While the college of their choice does provide them with a letter of admission, students may provide supporting documents to prove their English language proficiency when applying for a student visa.
What’s more, students can now no longer stay on a study permit beyond 90 days of completing their course. This is to ensure that students do not switch to short-term programs after enrolling in a long-term degree course.
Such moves with stringent regulations are set to help Canadian authorities curb the inflow of study permit holders unwilling to pursue studies, and instead ensure that genuine students are issued student visas.
This move is expected to help Canada weed out educational institutions of poor quality and offer high-standard education to international students seeking quality degrees.
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Iam requesting for full masters in religious studies scholarship. Iam a deffered MA studunt at Kenya Methodist University in Kenya.
Iam eager to earn a scholarship to study in keMU__ Kenya Methodist University.
Hi Peter. Yes, but you have to check with this exact University if they offer any kind of scholarships and if yes, if you are eligible for one of them and then you could apply.
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I want diploma scholarship
I recommend checking out scholarship databases such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board’s Scholarship Search to find diploma scholarships. These platforms offer a wide range of scholarships for various educational levels, including diplomas. You can also reach out to your school’s financial aid office or specific diploma program for potential scholarship opportunities. Good luck in your search!