Universities in Canada Accepting IELTS Band 6 for Masters (MS)

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Mar 03, 2023 08:02 PM IST

There is a minimum IELTS 6 band requirement to study at some top universities in Canada for masters. The band 6 IELTS score indicates your ability to comprehend and interact with moderately complicated language in typical environments. Let us discuss the top 8 colleges in Canada that accept an IELTS score of band 6.

Universities in Canada Accepting IELTS Band 6 for Masters (MS)

IELTS 6 Band Universities in Canada: With Canada being on the list of top five study abroad destinations in the world, getting admission to its universities has become quite competitive. With students clamouring to get admission to Canadian universities with high IELTS scores, there are certain universities admitting students on the IELTS score of 6 bands for master's programmes.

Students wanting to continue their education for a master's abroad, see Canada as the place where their search comes to an end. There are world-class universities with renowned faculties offering excellent academic programmes to international students. There can be no denying that students with high IELTS scores can get admitted into some of the best universities in Canada. Depending upon the type of programme, university and specialisation you choose, the IELTS band requirement may vary.

An IELTS band score of 6 denotes a sufficient command of the English language with some errors, misconceptions, and inappropriate usage. Let us first fully comprehend what IELTS is and what the band imply so that we may better understand the requirements for these universities.

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What Does the IELTS Band Score Imply?

The IELTS score band, as already mentioned, measures the English language proficiency of the candidate across four sections or skills. The measurement is done in terms of band score which ranges from 0 to 9, with zero being the lowest band score and nine being the highest one. Each band score indicates the level of expertise the candidate has in the English language. The score can be represented with a whole number and a half only, like 7.5, 5.5, or 6.5 bands. The total score on the IELTS scorecard is the average of all the scores the candidate obtained in various sections of the exam.

How is the IELTS Band Score Calculated?

To answer this question we can take an example of a candidate scoring 7.0 bands in Reading, 5.5 bands in Writing, 6.0 bands in speaking and 6.5 bands in listening, respectively. Here, the average of the four scores obtained is 6.25 bands, which can be rounded off to 6.5 bands. These 6.5 bands will be the candidate's overall IELTS score that would be printed on their scorecard.

Meaning of Each IELTS Band in Terms of Candidate's English Proficiency

The below table provides information on the candidate's English proficiency skills based on their IELTS score band:

IELTS Band Score

Expertise Level

English Proficiency

0

Test not attempted

The candidate did not attempt any questions in the test.

1

No knowledge

The candidate has little knowledge of the English language.

2

Intermittent knowledge

The candidate has very little or equivalent to no knowledge of the English language. They face problems while speaking and writing English.

3

Very limited knowledge

The required vocabulary for IELTS is very limited. The candidate can only convey them in familiar situations and only general meaning.

4

Limited knowledge

The candidate is unable to use and understand complex words, and also faces frequent problems while communicating in English.

5

Modest knowledge

The candidate has partial command over the language and can understand the overall meaning of the conversation in most situations. They can handle basic conversations efficiently.

6

Qualified knowledge

The candidate has a sufficient amount of knowledge in English with some inaccuracies in reading and speaking. They can use and understand a reasonable amount of complex language in familiar conditions.

7

Good knowledge

The candidate can understand and use complex language reasonably well. They have operational command over the language, with very few inaccuracies or misunderstandings.

8

Very good knowledge

The candidate can handle detailed conversation in complex language, though can make mistakes in understanding occasionally.

9

Expert level knowledge

The candidate has a complete understanding of the language, rarely making any mistakes in understanding. They have full command over accuracy, fluency and vocabulary of the English language.

Candidates must note that there is no such thing as passing or failing the IELTS exam, each university has already set its requirement of the IELTS score for admission.

Interested to learn more about the IELTS band score calculator as well as IELTS Writing task 1 and task 2? Check out the following links:

IELTS Listening Band Score

IELTS Bar Graph

IELTS Band Score Calculator

IELTS Task 1: Line Charts and Graphs

IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

 

Important Note for IELTS 6 Band Universities in Canada for Masters: Students who do not reach the required minimum IELTS score can enrol in an ESL (English as a Second Language) programme before joining post-secondary programmes at some universities or institutions.

IELTS 6 Band Universities in Canada for Masters

Many universities in Canada accept admission at IELTS 6 band score in their master's programme. The candidate is required to score a minimum of 6.0 bands on the IELTS test to gain admission to these Canadian universities. Following is the list of some best universities with their minimum IELTS band requirement in each section of the test:

University/College

IELTS Score

IELTS Score (Listening)

IELTS Score (Reading)

IELTS Score (Writing)

IELTS Score (Speaking)

Fleming College

6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Niagara College

6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

The University of Lethbridge

6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Vancouver Island University

6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Lambton College

6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

St. Clair College

6.0

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Oxford College

6.0

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Northern Island College

6.0

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Charles Sturt University

6.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Concordia University

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Fairleigh Dickinson University

6.0

-

-

-

-

HEC Montreal

6.0

-

-

-

-

University Canada West

6.0

-

-

-

-

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Nipissing University

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Saint Mary’s University

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Top Canadian Universities Accepting IELTS 6 Band Score

Almost all Canadian universities expect international students from non-English-speaking nations to have a decent command of the English language. As a result, English language competence exams such as the TOEFL and IELTS are required for international students to be able to keep up with the curriculum. A good IELTS score of at least 6 bands will boost your CV or resume and assist you in obtaining a Canadian PR. Given below is the brief information on the above-mentioned universities or colleges in Canada:

Fleming College

With four campuses at Peterborough (the main campus), Lindsay, Haliburton, and Cobourg, the college is named after the famous inventor and engineer Sir Stanford Fleming. One-third of the college population comprises international students, who are offered over 100 full-time academic programs in various disciplines. Fleming College offers admission on the minimum IELTS score band of 6.0 for its various master's Programmes.

Niagara College

With two campuses in the Niagara region at Welland and Niagara, the college offers more than 130 programmes to its students. Both campuses offer different programmes such as Liberal and Access Studies, Academic, English Language Studies, Media, Justice and Fitness, Technology and Trades. Other programmes include Nursing at the Welland campus, Liberal and Access Studies, Business & Management, Environmental and Horticultural Studies, Hospitality and so on at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. To get admission to Niagara College, the candidate must score an overall 6.5 band score on the IELTS test, with a minimum band score of 6.0.

The University of Lethbridge

With more than two campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, the University of Lethbridge offers more than 75 graduate programmes, including Business Management, Arts and Science, Education, Fine Arts and so on. The University has the requirement of a minimum of 6.5 bands in the overall IELTS scorecard, with at least 6.0 bands in each section.

Vancouver Island University

With three campuses at Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River, Vancouver Island University (VIU) offers several courses under master's degrees, post-degree diplomas and advanced diplomas. The minimum overall IELTS band score requirement is 6.5, with 6.0 bands in each section for getting admission to VIU.

Lambton College

Lambton College is known for its various science and management courses offered under its post-graduation programme. The college requires a minimum of 6.5 bands in the candidate's overall IELTS scorecard, with no IELTS score of less than 6.0 bands in each section.

St. Clair College

With campuses at Windsor, Chatham, and Downtown, the college offers many specialised programmes to its students. The college provides a number of full-time and part-time courses in IT, Community Studies, Nursing, Art and Design, Business, Engineering and so on. The candidate is required to have at least score an IELTS band score of 6.0, with no individual IELTS band less than 5.5.

Oxford College

With six campuses in the region of Ontario, the college offers many courses under its postgraduate programmes such as Clinical Research, Business administration, Pharmaceutical Quality Control Technologies and many more. The minimum IELTS band score requirement for getting admission to the college is 6.0, with at least 5.5 bands in each section.

Northern Island College

With four campuses at Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port Alberni, and Port Hardy, the college was founded in 1975 on Vancouver Island in the British Columbia region. The international students are required to submit their IELTS scorecard with a minimum score of 6.0 bands, and no sectional IELTS score of less than 5.5 bands.

 

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University has campuses all throughout Australia, and its Ontario campus was one of the first international institutions to be granted Univerity status in Canada. It is one of just a few colleges in Canada that accepts IELTS scores of 6. CSU Ontario's Partner institutions include Mohawk and Sheridan Colleges, McMaster University, Fleming College, the University of Regina, the University of Fraser Valley, and Thompson Rivers University.

Concordia University

There is a reason why Concordia University is one of Canada's most applied universities. According to QS Rankings, Concordia is ranked 462nd out of the top thousand institutions in the world. It is a public university in the province of Quebec. Concordia's John Molson School of Business is frequently ranked among Canada's Top 10 Business Schools. Concordia University's IELTS requirement for many programmes is 6.0, with 5.5 in each module.

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University allows overseas students to study at an American university while remaining in Canada. The private institution has two campuses in the United States, one in New Jersey near New York City and one in Canada, in Vancouver. Farleigh Dickinson University is one of the few universities in Canada that accepts IELTS 6 for postgraduate programmes.

HEC Montreal

HEC Montréal, founded in 1907, is a business school affiliated with the Université of Montreal. In the World University Rankings, the university is rated 137th. It is one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious institutions. HEC Montreal was named the finest business school in Canada for an MBA in 2016. As a result, it is one of the most renowned and well-known universities on the list, accepting IELTS scores of 6.0.

University Canada West

The University of Canada West, founded in 2005, is a private university in British Columbia. David Strong, the previous President of Victoria University, created the university. The University provides master's degree programmes in business, commerce, communications, tourism, geography, and economics. The institution is located in Vancouver, a gorgeous and cosmopolitan city.

With a high score on IELTS, you almost certainly will be able to get into the universities you have been dreaming of. You will have the best chance of getting into a top university in Canada if you have a good IELTS score. However, many Canadian universities require a minimum score of 6 bands for admission. Furthermore, a band score of 6 is considered good in Canada.

Why Study Masters in Canada? (Bonus)

Now that you have a list of some of the best universities in Canada accepting IELTS band 6 for masters, let us quickly understand why pursuing a masters degree in Canada is beneficial for aspirants and international students.

  • With nearly one hundred universities in Canada providing master's degrees, you should have no trouble finding a subject that fits your interests, needs, and budget.

  • As an international student, you will not feel so isolated because the country attracts over 150,000 international students who pursue postgraduate degrees. You can learn a lot from other overseas students who have begun their university careers in Canada.

  • Furthermore, Canada features top-ranked colleges that offer master's degree programmes at lower costs than other popular study destinations such as the UK and the US, but more on that later.

  • The Canadian government invests much in higher education. This accounts for about half of university funding, allowing colleges to charge lower tuition than universities in other locations.

  • It also implies that universities have more money to invest in R&D; recent statistics show that this has expanded to more than CAD 14 billion, as well as quality laboratories, equipment, and technology.

  • Other advantages to getting a master's degree in Canada include:

    • Quality programmes

    • Quality programmes

    • Accessible and affordable education

    • Fast application procedure

    • Simple application procedure with a useful online information guide

    • Excellent opportunity for hands-on lab experience

    • Excellent university culture

Apart from understanding the top institutions in Canada that accept IELTS band 6 for master's degrees, it is crucial to remember that these are general requirements for some of the courses offered by the colleges and universities mentioned above. Depending on your area, severe IELTS requirements may apply for a Canada Student Visa. Students are urged to research the courses and immigration policies of the country from which they are applying.

Related Reads:

Universities in Australia Accepting Low IELTS Scores

UK Universities for Indian Students with Low IELTS Scores

Universities in Germany Accepting Low IELTS Scores

Canadian Universities Accepting Low IELTS Scores

Feeling this information is insufficient? Or, got queries to ask our experts about how to apply for Canadian universities accepting IELTS band 6 for masters? Askus at abroad@collegedekho.com.

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FAQs

Which Canadian universities accept IELTS band 6 in one or two of the sections?

Some Canadian universities that accept IELTS band score of 6 in 1 or 2 sections are HEC Montréal, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Nipissing University, University of Lethbridge, Saint Mary's University, Oxford College, College of New Caledonia, Niagara University in Ontario, and The Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Community Services.

Is 6 band in IELTS good for studying in Canada?

Yes, a band score of 6 in IELTS Academic is considered to be decent and good enough for aspirants to pursue a master's in Canada at a decent college or university. A band score of 6 is the minimum admission requirement in many Canadian universities. Having said that, if you aspire to study at one of the leading universities in Canada, then you have to score more than just an IELTS band 6. 

Apart from Canada, which country accepts an IELTS band score of 6 for a master’s degree?

Apart from Canada, the countries that accept an IELTS band score of 6 as a prerequisite admission criteria for a master’s degree are the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France and Ireland. The exam is used to assess a candidate's ability to communicate in an English-speaking country.

Should I take the IELTS exam again if my IELTS score is 6 bands?

Whether you should take the IELTS exam again if your IELTS score is 6 bands depends on the university to which you are applying. Universities often prefer accepting students with an overall band score of 6.5 or more when you apply for a master's degree in Canada.  Certainly, there are universities and colleges that accept a band score of 6, but you will have a better chance of getting into a decent university if your IELTS score is higher. 

Is there a Canadian university that accepts IELTS band 5.5 in one or two sections?

Yes, there are many Canadian universities that accept IELTS band 5.5 in one or two sections. These include Concordia University, Vancouver Island University, Camosun College, Durham College, etc. In general, these universities accept applicants who have an overall IELTS score of 6.0 bands.

Can I get admitted to Nipissing University with 5.5 bands in IELTS Reading?

No, you cannot get admitted to Nipissing University with 5.5 bands in IELTS Reading. Students with IELTS scores of 5.5 in any IELTS section are not eligible for admission to Nipissing University. This is because IELTS scores with no individual band lower than 6.0 are accepted by Nipissing University for admission to its masters programmes.

Is it possible to study in Canada without IELTS for masters?

Yes, it is possible to study in Canada without IELTS for masters. Many Canadian universities offer admission to their masters programmes without the mandatory requirements of an IELTS score. These include the University of Regina, University of Winnipeg, Brock University, University of Saskatchewan, etc. For detailed information, check out our article on how to Study in Canada Without IELTS.

Is an IELTS score of 6 bands good for Canadian immigration?

Yes, it can be said that an IELTS score of 6 bands is good for Canadian immigration. To be eligible for any immigration programmes to Canada, you must receive an IELTS score of at least 6. That corresponds to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 bands.

Can I get admitted to HEC Montreal with an overall IELTS score of 5.5 bands?

No, you cannot get admitted to HEC Montreal with an overall IELTS score of 5.5 bands. This is because there are more than 100 business programmes available at the graduate, undergraduate, and doctoral levels at this university. Candidates applying for these programmes must have an overall minimum IELTS band score of six.

Which universities in Canada accept an IELTS score between 5.5 to 6.0 bands?

There are many universities in Canada which accept an IELTS score between 5.5 to 6.0 bands. These include Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology, Camosun College, Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, Niagara University in Ontario, Concordia University College of Alberta, Vancouver Island University, Nipissing University, Royal Roads University, etc.

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