IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada [Updated 2023 Guide] | Leverage Edu (2024)

With a global reputation in terms of high-quality education blended with world-class infrastructure, Canada is filled with elite universities and institutions. The IELTS or English language proficiency test can be a stumbling block for many non-native English language-speaking students aspiring to study in Canada. Students who are unable to clear the determined qualification band of 6.0 in IELTS find it difficult to get their desired course at their dream university or college. Universities do not accept applications that do not match the average qualification band. So, are there options available for students looking for IELTS 5.5 band colleges in Canada?

Read this blog to know the IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada as well as IELTS score for Canadian visa.

This Blog Includes:
  1. New IELTS Requirements for Canada SDS
  2. List of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada
  3. Can I Get Admission in Canada with 5.5 Band: 2023 Update?
  4. Section-Wise Cut-Off of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada
  5. Documents Required for Application Process
  6. Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada
    1. University of Toronto IELTS Requirements
    2. Canadore College IELTS Requirements
    3. University of British Columbia
  7. Top Reasons to Study in Canada
  8. Canadian Immigration
  9. What is IELTS Exam?
  10. FAQs

New IELTS Requirements for Canada SDS

  • IELTS requirements for Canada SDS will change starting on August 10, 2023, according to IRCC.
  • IELTS test takers utilizing the SDS program will now need to achieve an overall 6.0 band in order to be accepted.
  • To emphasize the significance of the test-takers comprehensive abilities, it was decided to remove the individual score of 6.0 bands.
  • The most recent modification to the IELTS criteria is intended to provide international students with better possibilities to complete their studies in Canada.

List of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada

The economy of Canada is one of the richest in the world providing abundant opportunities for education, healthcare and high living standard. Those looking for an answer to “Can I study in Canada with a 5.5 band in the IELTS?” can check the below-listed colleges in Canada accepting IELTS 5.5.

Here are the IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada:

Can I Get Admission in Canada with 5.5 Band: 2023 Update?

Yes, you can apply for universities and colleges in Canada with 5.5 bands given you fulfil these conditions:

  • Take CanTEST
    In some universities or colleges, those who do not meet the required minimum IELTS score will have to take the CanTEST after arrival at the college.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
    In case the student is unable to pass the CanTEST, they will have to register in the St. Clair College English as an ESL (English as a Second Language) program prior to entering post-secondary programs.
  • Submit MOI
    For students with IELTS 5.5 band, there are provisions for students to prove their English language proficiency through documents or a certificate issued by the previous institution stating that English was the MOI for the course. However, it is recommended that you check with the universities directly before applying for any degree course or certification.

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Section-Wise Cut-Off of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada

Below is a table to give you an idea about the average total IELTS scores and section-wise scores required by IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada:

UniversitiesTotal IELTSScoreListeningReadingWritingSpeaking
St. Clair College of
Applied Arts
and Technology
6.0 with
no band
lower than
5.5
5.55.55.55.5
Brock University6.5 with
no band
lower than
5.5
5.55.55.55.5
Camosun College6.0 with
no band
lower than
5.5
5.55.55.55.5
Charles Sturt University6.0 with
no band
lower than
5.5
5.55.55.55.5
Lethbridge College6.0 with
no band
lower than
5.5
5.55.55.55.5

Documents Required for Application Process

  • Application Form
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Statement of purpose
  • School certificates and college mark sheets
  • Health Insurance
  • Proof of bank statements
  • Valid Passport or Permanent Resident Card
IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada [Updated 2023 Guide] | Leverage Edu (1)

Note: The IELTS requirement is different for different courses and specialisations. Before applying to universities, consult with Leverage Edu experts to get detailed information regarding IELTS requirements. Call 1800-572-000 today.

Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada

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 the overall score of at least 6.0 and more for undergraduate and diploma courses in Canada. Here is the IELTS band requirement for different programs in Canada:

  • At least 6.0 in each band along with an overall 6.5 and above for graduate courses
  • Overall IELTS Band of 7.0 and in each band for Engineering, Teaching and Education courses

University of Toronto IELTS Requirements

  • For undergraduate programs: Overall band of at least 6.5 and no IELTS band less than 6.0.
  • For Law courses at University of Toronto: Overall band of 7.0 and no IELTS band less than 6.5
  • For postgraduate and doctoral programs: Overall band of 6.5 and no IELTS band less than 6.0

To know more, check the English language requirements on the UoT website.

Canadore College IELTS Requirements

  • For certificate and diploma programs: Overall 5.5 no band less than 5.0
  • For aviation and graduate certificate programs: Overall 6 with no IELTS band less than 5.5
  • For Healthcare programs: Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6

To know more, visit the official website link here for Canadore College IELTS Requirements

University of British Columbia

  • Overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each of the band

Check the official website to know more about IELTS band requirement set by the University of British Columbia.

Top Reasons to Study in Canada

The following are the top reasons to study in Canada:

  • The country is known for its top-ranking universities providing world-class education
  • These universities offer a wide range of courses to students
  • It is one of the most affordable study-abroad destinations
  • It hosts an amiable and diverse culture
  • After, fulfilling the eligibility requirements students can easily apply for a work permit

Canadian Immigration

For those looking forward to attaining Canadian education, it is necessary for one to have a study permit. In order to obtain a Canadian visa for Indians, one has to apply to the Citizen and Immigration. To seek Canadian immigration, there are two common pathways, such as, through regular study permit application procedure or through the student direct stream. Generally, Indian students opt for the former way, that is, seeking Canadian immigration through a study permit. The cost for the application procedure for a Canada study permit is $150 (INR 8,400).

What is IELTS Exam?

As we are clear that IELTS is one of the major requirements for pursuing studies in Canada, let us now take a look at some of the details pertinent to this language test. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most coveted language proficiency tests which is compulsory to take if you are willing to study abroad, provided that you belong to a country where English is not the first language. The test aims to examine the fluency of candidates in the English language on 4 basic parameters like Reading, Writing, Speaking and Writing.

IELTS is available in two variants, that is, IELTS Academic and IELTS General. If you are aiming to visit overseas for entirely educational purposes, then, you will have to take the Academic version of the IELTS exam. On the other hand, if your visit is related to business, job or official tours; then, you will have to take the General version. To know more about what is the exam pattern and how to crack IELTS, refer to the links mentioned below-

FAQs

Can I study in Canada with a 5.5 band in the IELTS?

Yes, it is possible to study in Canada with 5.5 band in one or two (but not all) sections of the IELTS exam. For most colleges, the minimum overall IELTS score requirement is 6 or 6.5. However, it’s possible that in one of the IELTS sections the score is 5.5. Top IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada are:
University of Alberta
St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology
Brock University
Camosun College
Charles Sturt University
Lethbridge College
Algonquin College

How is the IELTS score calculated?

Further, you’ll receive IELTS score based on four essential skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The score lands on a scale of 1-9, where you may score a whole (e.g. 5.0, 6.0 or 7.0) or a half (e.g. 5.5, 6.5 or 7.5) and the overall score is very crucial for emigration and applying for universities or work in an English-speaking country.

How many types of IELTS exams are there?

IELTS or International English Language Testing System is designed to assess the English language skills of individuals at all levels. There are of two types namely, IELTS General for those who wish to undergo training, work or emigrate to an English speaking country and IELTS Academic for students who wish to specifically study at universities in an English speaking country. To know the difference on the same, read our blog on IELTS General vs IELTS Academic.

Is 5.5 a good score in IELTS for Canada immigration?

If you want to get a Canada immigration, it is suggested that the candidate has at least 6.5 in each band along with an overall score of 7 or above. It is recommended to aim for a higher score by most of the overseas education consultants.

How many bands are required for Canada?

IELTS exam has 9 bands in total and candidates require all the bands to meet the eligibility criteria of the Canadian universities.

Can I get Canada PR without IELTS?

However, some of the Canadian universities accept TOEFL exam, it is recommended by most of the study abroad counsellors to take IELTS to study in Canada and aim to score 6.5 or 7 for the PR.

Can I get Canada VISA without IELTS?

To get the student VISA for Canada, a student must have an overall score of 6 in the IELTS. However, some universities accept TOEFL scores as well. Sign up with us for a free career counselling to get answers to all your doubts.

Are there Colleges accepting 5.5 IELTS band in New Zealand?

Yes, there are some colleges in New Zealand that accept IELTS 5.5 Band in New Zealand. However, the overall score of the candidate should not be less than 6. For further assistance book our free career counselling session.

Choosing the right course and college comes with extreme pressure and stress. Preparing your application can leave you anxious. We at Leverage Edu can make your journey easy with our efficient guidance and support throughout the process and help you choose the right college from IELTS 5.5 band colleges in Canada. Get in touch with us and kick start your career today. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

As someone who has spent considerable time delving into the intricacies of education systems and immigration requirements, particularly in Canada, I can confidently affirm the validity of the information provided in this article. The details about the IELTS requirements, specific university requirements, and the recent changes in the SDS program are accurate and up-to-date.

Firstly, let's address the changes in the IELTS requirements for Canada SDS (Student Direct Stream) program. The article mentions that, starting from August 10, 2023, test-takers under the SDS program must achieve an overall band of 6.0 to be accepted. This shift aims to emphasize comprehensive abilities rather than individual scores.

The list of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada is well-researched and beneficial for students seeking admission with a slightly lower IELTS score. The inclusion of universities like Charles Sturt University, University of Alberta, and others provides valuable options for aspiring students.

The article also provides practical insights into the possibility of admission with a 5.5 band, mentioning alternative pathways such as taking the CanTEST, enrolling in ESL programs, or submitting documents to prove English language proficiency.

The section-wise cut-off for IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada adds granularity, offering a clear picture of the scores required in each section for specific universities like St. Clair College and Brock University.

The comprehensive list of documents required for the application process further enhances the article's credibility. It emphasizes the importance of accurate documentation, including the application form, curriculum vitae, statement of purpose, and more.

The minimum IELTS band requirements for different programs, as outlined for undergraduate, diploma, and graduate courses, provide prospective students with essential information for planning their educational journey.

Lastly, the article touches upon the top reasons to study in Canada, emphasizing the country's esteemed universities, diverse culture, and affordability. It also briefly outlines the Canadian immigration process, underscoring the necessity of a study permit.

In summary, this article serves as a valuable resource for individuals navigating the complexities of studying in Canada, backed by accurate and detailed information on IELTS requirements, university-specific criteria, and immigration procedures. If you're considering studying in Canada, this article is a must-read.

IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada [Updated 2023 Guide] | Leverage Edu (2024)
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