What English level do I need to study in Canada?

English (or French, for Quebec) requirements for studying in Canada depend on your institution and programme. Here are the typical benchmarks:

Undergraduate programmes:
- IELTS Academic: 6.0–6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
- TOEFL iBT: 80–90
- PTE Academic: 58–65
- Duolingo: 100–115

Graduate programmes (Masters/PhD):
- IELTS: 6.5–7.0 overall
- TOEFL iBT: 90–100
- PTE: 65–73

Top universities (Toronto, UBC, McGill, etc.):
- Typically require IELTS 6.5–7.0 with no band below 6.0

College programmes:
- Generally lower requirements — IELTS 5.5–6.0

Pathway options if you do not meet the requirement:
- English Language programmes (ESL) at colleges: Improve English while earning credits
- Conditional admission: Many universities offer admission conditional on completing an English pathway programme

For the study permit itself:
You do not need to submit a separate English test for the study permit — your institution's acceptance letter is sufficient evidence that you meet their language requirements.

For the PGWP (new since 2024):
You need CLB/NCLC 7 (approximately IELTS 6.0) in English or French. This is a newer requirement, so if you are planning for post-study work, ensure your language skills are at this level.

For Express Entry:
Higher English scores dramatically boost your CRS score. CLB 9+ (IELTS 8.0+) adds up to 136 CRS points if you have strong French too.