List of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada | Documents Required, IELTS Score Requirement

IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada: The IELTS or International English Language Testing System is a vital exam required to be attended by the various aspirants who want to pursue an education in foreign countries. Canada is one of those esteemed countries which is packed with elite colleges or universities and colleges. IELTS is one of those examinations that are considered essential for entry to Canadian institutes.

However, the standards set for these institutes and universities are often high and do not accept score bands than 6. So those students with average scores of band 5.5 find it quite challenging to get admission to their dream universities. But, let us look into the options for the students who achieve a 5.5 band in Canada.

List of Canada Universities that accept IELTS 5.5 Band Score

Each of the Canadian universities has its minimum IELTS band requirement. Many of these universities are not intrigued to put the benchmark down. But at the same time, there individual good colleges and institutions in Canada which are more than happy to accept students with an IELTS band of 5.5. Given below is a list of the best IELTS 5.5 band colleges and universities of Canada:

  • Concordia University
  • Lethbridge College
  • Canadore College
  • Niagara College Canada, Welland Campus
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  • Charles Sturt University
  • Capilano University
  • Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • University of Winnipeg
  • Algonquin College
  • Royal Roads University
  • University of Alberta
  • Brock University
  • Camosun College

Canada IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges

Is it Possible to get Admission into a Canadian University with IELTS Band 5.5?

Yes, you can definitely secure admission to an excellent Canadian college with this score. All you need to do before you apply for universities and colleges in Canada with 5.5 bands is to make sure that you are fulfilling these conditions:

  • MOI Submission to the University of your choice: For the students who belong to the IELTS 5.5 band, there are numerous provisions to prove that they can increase their English language proficiency, given the time required. This can be done appropriately through academic measures, like through submitting documents. A student can also ask their previous institution to issue a certificate stating that English was the MOI for the course. It is highly recommended that before you take this route, you check it once with the universities of your choice directly. It would be fabulous to manage to do this before applying for any degree course and then proceed accordingly with the administration’s replies.
  • Take a substitute test, CanTEST: There are provisions in various colleges in Canada for those who do not meet the required IELTS band. Canadian universities offer CanTest, which is a test for the purpose of analyzing language proficiency as well. You can opt for this test if you have a low band in IELTS.
  • Opting for English as a Second Language (ESL) Program: This option is for the students who cannot pass the test. If they don’t but are willing to continue in the University, then they can register in this program, specifically in St. Clair College. They should register in this before they begin their actual academic programs.

Documents Required for Applying in Canadian Colleges

Things To Keep In Hand Before Applying In Canadian Colleges:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Proof of IELTS Score
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Reference Letter
  • Application Form
  • Purpose Statement
  • School certificates
  • College mark sheets
  • Other Documents, like Age Proof, ID Proof
  • Valid Passport
  • Health Insurance

5.5 Band Colleges in Canada with their Section-Wise Acceptable Threshold

The table that is given below will give you a clear idea of the acceptable threshold of IELTS Bands:

Top Universities IELTS Score Required Listening Test Reading Test Writing Test Speaking Test
Champion College 6.5 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5 5 5 5
Camosun College 6.0 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
The University of Alberta 6.5 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
Athabasca University 6.5 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5 5 5 5
St. Clair College of
Applied Arts  and Technology
6.0 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
Charles Sturt University 6.0 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
Brock University 6.5 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
Huron University College 6.5 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5 5 5 5
Lethbridge College 6.0 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
MacEwan University 6.5 on average.
No band acceptable lower than 5.5
5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5

Minimum Threshold required to apply for a Canadian University

Canada has a vibrant culture, and its economy is thriving at its best. To make sure that the students coming from other countries have no difficulty adjusting to the English setting, the universities in Canada set a minimum requirement for various fields. For the top-notch universities, the demand is often an average 6.5 band, with a minimum of 6 in all the sections. This score is demanded in all the undergraduate courses and even for the diploma courses. In Engineering colleges or the methods of teaching or education, the IELTS band’s demand can also reach as high as 7.

Also, Read:

IELTS Score Requirement by the Top Universities of Canada

University of Toronto

  • This University holds a world record of 21 in Times Global amongst the universities.
  • The minimum IELTS band required for admission here in the undergraduate courses is 6.5.
  • The minimum IELTS band required for admission to the postgraduate courses is 7.0.

University of Saskatchewan

  • It is one of the top-notch academies in Canada with a specialization in public research.
  • Candidates with a 6.5 IELTS band are considered to be qualified for admission.
  • The minimum score in each section should be 6.0.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia holds a world rank of 21 in Times Global.

  • THE minimum IELTS band required for undergraduate programs is 6.5.
  • THE minimum IELTS band required for postgraduate programs is 7.0.

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta holds a world record of 132 in Times Global.

  • For the undergraduate courses, the IELTS band required is 6.5
  • For the postgraduate courses as well, the IELTS band required is 6.5

McGill University

  • This public University demands an IELTS band of 6.5 or even higher.
  • The minimum score of a candidate in each section should be a minimum of 6.0.

Understanding the IELTS Examination

From the above discussions, it is pretty much clear that the IELTS or International English Language Testing System is significant for pursuing higher education in Canada. So now we can take a look as to what is this examination and why is it considered to be so important. It is a language test for English that international students usually take, especially the students from those nations wherever English is not the first language, to take on admissions in various universities.

Countries like the USA. Canada, UK, Australia accept university admissions based on the IELTS Score. This renowned examination is conducted and owned jointly by the British Council, IDP Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. The examinations test the students on four parameters or basic English, Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing skills. There are two significant variants of this examination: those who are willing to go for academic purposes and those going for job tours or business.

These two versions are, namely, IELTS General and IELTS Academic. The academic examination is the more popular one among the two. Many people are often confused about why they need to take this examination for a simple academic degree. The answer to this is that it is required to make sure that those coming to a new country will not have any communication difficulties while they stay.

Procedure to Apply for Canadian Immigration

Canada puts maximum value on its international students. Those who are looking forward to having an academic journey in Canada need to apply for study permits. In the Citizen and Immigration section, one has to apply for the required visa, and the cost of applying for a study permit is approximately INR 8400. The second option to receive an immigration status is through the direct student stream. Immigration to Canada comes with loads of exciting opportunities like having access to excellent healthcare facilities and getting access to fantastic job opportunities.

FAQ’s on IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada

Question 1.
Which IELTS Examination Should I go for? General or Academic?

Answer:
The IELTS examination is available in two formats, General and Academic. If you are visiting Canada for study purposes like any undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs, or any diploma programs, then you must take the Academic exam. But if you are visiting for work-related purposes, then you must take the General test.

Question 2.
Which are the organizations, apart from educational institutes, that accept IELTS scores?

Answer:
Apart from the educational institutions, there are various companies, government agencies, and professional departments that demand IELTS Scores.

Question 3.
Which are the eminent bodies that own IELTS Examinations?

Answer:
Three prominent organizations jointly own this examination. These three organizations are IDP Australia, British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. These three organizations have an expert team of eminent writers who contribute to this examination through their continuous researches.

Question 4.
What is the format of the test for the IELTS Examination?

Answer:
There are four sections in this examination, namely Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Each unit has a unique time slot. There are 30 minutes allotted for the Listening section, 60 minutes each for both the Reading and Writing section, and 11 to 14 minutes for the Speaking section. The tests for Reading, Writing, Listening are done on the same day without any breaks, and the Speaking test is done either in a day or two or after a week.

Question 5.
What is the marking scheme for IELTS?

Answer:
The total band score for IELTS Examination is 9. There are individual sections for each of the four sections, and finally, there is the overall band score.

Question 6.
What is the estimated expense of the IELTS examination?

Answer:
The IELTS examination registration fee is approximately INR 13,250. If an applicant does not appear in the examination, then there is no refund. The case is the same if they reschedule the test in less than five weeks. But if they cancel the examination before five weeks, they are eligible for a refund after deducting 25% of the fees.

Question 7.
Is it possible to get a Canadian visa without IELTS?

Answer:
No, a student can’t get a visa for Canada without an IELTS scorecard.

Question 8.
What is a good score in IELTS for studying in Canada?

Answer:
Most Canadian universities demand a minimum band of 6.5 or 6. But there are several other universities and colleges which accept admissions with a band of 5.5