List of Colleges in Canada Accepting IELTS 5.5 Band

IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada: Many international students consider Canada to be their ideal country. Immigrants from all over the world have been drawn to the area in recent years due to its great quality of life and rewarding employment prospects. Students from India are not an exception to this. However, many Indian students struggle with their English language proficiency scores or IELTS scores and frequently do not end up getting admission to some of the best and most prestigious universities in Canada.

Finding universities and colleges in Canada that accept low IELTS scores may be difficult for these aspirants. Since most Canadian universities do not accept band scores lower than 6, students with IELTS scores of 5.5 may struggle to gain admission to their desired universities.

However, such students should not be concerned because there are various IELTS 5.5 band colleges in Canada for international students. Thus, in this article, we will list the top 5.5 band colleges in Canada. 

What is IELTS?

Let us take a moment to acquaint ourselves with the basics of the IELTS exam before getting into a detailed discussion on the colleges in Canada accepting 5.5 bands. The IELTS or International English Language Testing System is the most popular English language proficiency in the world that has maintained its authority in the domain for several years. If you want to study abroad, you must have heard the name of the test which all colleges accept abroad to testify the proficiency of English skills for native speakers. 

The candidate’s proficiency across the four parameters: reading, writing, speaking and listening is measured through the test. The IELTS exam has two major sub-divisions: one is IELTS Academic (taken for academic purposes) and the other is IELTS General Training (taken for immigration and work purposes). It is crucial to know both types of IELTS exam patterns so that you can decide which one will be more apt for your purpose.

Minimum IELTS Band Requirement to Study in Canada

The IELTS band requirement for Canadian universities keeps differing. However, if you wish to get a study visa for Canada, your IELTS score must be at least 5.5 in each of the four sections and the overall band must be at least 6.0 or higher for diploma and undergraduate courses. The score requirement for masters program are higher depending on the course type you are choosing:

• For a master's degree course in Canada, you must have a minimum of 6.5 or above score.

• Education, engineering and teaching degrees require an IELTS score of 7.0.

• A few top universities may require a score of above 7.0 bands. 

On the other hand, the IELTS score for Canada PR is 6.0 bands or Canadian Language Benchmark 7.

List of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in Canada

Many students who know their native English and desire to study in Canada have challenges when taking the IELTS or English language test. Students who do not get the 6.0 qualifying level in IELTS may find it challenging to enrol in their desired degree at their dream university or institution. At the same time, there are a handful of 5.5 band IELTS Canada colleges and universities.

Now that you know that you can study in Canada with a 5.5 band IELTS score, let us check out the various IELTS 5.5 band colleges in Canada for international students with the help of the table mentioned below:

Apart from the above-mentioned list, there are some more IELTS 5.5 colleges and universities in Canada as follows:

• Concordia University

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University

• Capilano University

• Niagara College Canada, Welland Campus

• University of Winnipeg

• Royal Roads University

Conditions to Study in 5.5 IELTS Score Universities in Canada

Candidates with low IELTS scores can also gain admission to a top-tier Canadian university. If a candidate meets the following criteria, the chances of admission to reputable Canadian colleges with IELTS 5.5 band might increase:

Take the CanTEST

In addition to the 5.5 Band Colleges, different Canadian institutions have established several provisions for IELTS candidates with low IELTS scores. The CanTEST is one such provision. This test assesses a candidate's ability to talk in English.

Opt for ESL (English as a Second Language ) Program

For students who are unable to pass the CanTEST, universities and colleges extend this program. These students can enrol in this program if the university provides it. This program is only available at St. Claire College, and students need to sign up for it before commencing their regular academic program.

Submission of Your MOI

Students with an IELTS score of 5.5 have several possibilities to demonstrate that they can advance their language skills. Students with the necessary time may provide documentation of their English language proficiency. Additionally, students might get a certificate from their prior institution attesting that English was used as the classroom language. Before choosing this course of action, applicants must confirm that the institution approves this procedure. After acquiring confirmation, the learner would find it very simple to proceed with its administration.

Documents Required for the Application Process of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges

There are certain documents that are required of students applying to study in an IELTS 5.5 band college in Canada. They are:

• All the academic transcripts and mark sheets

• Application form duly filled

• IELTS score proof (many universities and institutions do not recognize TRFs; instead, they only accept electronic scores)

• CV or resume

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

• Health Insurance

• Proof of bank statements

• Valid Passport or Permanent Resident Card

Canada Student Visa Process with IELTS 5.5 Band

Those who wish to study in Canada must first apply for a study permit. The needed visa must be applied for through the Citizen and Immigration division, and the cost of applying for a study permit is roughly INR 8,400. The direct student stream is the second way to get immigration status.

In Canada, there are two sorts of visa categories for visa application: SDS and Non-SDS. Students applying for the SDS visa must have 6 bands in each module of the IELTS. Students must have obtained 6 bands in each module of the IELTS test in order to apply under the SDS visa category. In addition, they must deposit the first-year tuition cost and a CAD 10,000 GIC.

On the other hand, students who are unable to meet the SDS requirements can apply for the non-SDS category, which requires 5.5 in one module or 5.5 in two modules. As a result, students applying to these Colleges in Canada must also consider the following non-SDS criteria:

IELTS Test

There is no minimum IELTS score necessary for the non-SDS category. However, students should be aware that their chances of obtaining a visa may be contingent on their performance. A candidate with a score of less than 5.5, for example, will have a relatively low probability of obtaining a visa.

Passport

A valid passport is required in order to apply for a student visa in Canada. After the student's passport expires, no immigration documents will be granted. As a result, individuals must extend their passports before applying for a visa.

GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)

GIC is not a mandatory criterion in the non-SDS category. Students can choose liquid money over GICs.

Tuition Fee

Certain students may find it difficult to cover the entire year's tuition for the 5.5 Band Colleges In Canada. In such cases, individuals might initially deposit the DLI charge for the first six months. However, before using this service, students must demonstrate their financial stability.

In addition to the prerequisites listed above, students must also submit the following:

• Letter of acceptance from the university

• Medical test reports

• Visa fee

• All the financial documents

• Statement of purpose

• Educational documents

Can I Study in Canada without IELTS?

Until recently, a minimum of 5.5 in each component and an overall IELTS score of 6.0 were required to qualify for Canada's study permit requirements, however, this is no longer the case. You can now apply for a study visa in Canada without having an IELTS score, thanks to new visa requirements.

Although documentation of acceptance from a Canadian university is required, you would have it otherwise if applying for a study permit. So, if you have an IELTS score of 5.5, you no longer need to worry about meeting the IELTS requirements for a study permit.

It is clear from this article that IELTS is an important test and significant in pursuing higher education in Canada. Immigration to Canada, in fact, comes with a plethora of interesting facilities and prospects. Candidates with a 5.5 IELTS band score should work hard to achieve the qualifying requirements for admission to their selected university.

Still have doubts about how to study in Canada with an IELTS 5.5 band score? Write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com and seek the best mentorship.