Are you wondering whether securing admission to a university in Canada without IELTS is possible?
Normally, if you intend to study in Canada, you need to meet the IELTS requirements. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to help students to study in a country where English is the native language.
Canada, As we all know, speaks English and French. This means you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency if you want to study in any higher institution in Canada.
Luckily for Nigerian students, there are few Canadian universities recognizing Nigeria as an English-speaking country. For example, the University of Alberta and Athabasca University have both removed Nigeria from their lists of countries to write IELTS before enrollment.
This followed a protest letter written to the universities by a Canadian-based Nigerian, Dr. Olumuyiwa Igblalajobi. He maintained that Nigeria does not need English language competency tests because it is a British colony that teaches its students the language from elementary to postsecondary levels.
More Canadian universities are now waiving the IELTS for Nigerians and other international students. This article lists some Universities in Canada without IELTS for Nigerian students.
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Which University in Canada Accepts Students without IELTS?
Here is a list of some universities and colleges you can choose from to study in Canada without writing an IELTS test:
- University of Alberta
- Athabasca University
- University of Regina
- Brock university
- Memorial university
- University of Saskatchewan
- Concordia university
- Carleton university
- University of Winnipeg
- University of Guelph
- Okanagan College
- Seneca College
The sections below elaborate on these Canadian universities and their English proficiency requirements.
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta tops the list of universities in Canada without IELTS for Nigerians and other international students. Nigeria has now been included in the list of countries for students who do not need to write the IELTS test by virtue of using English as the official language.
Although the University of Alberta offers its own English Language Program that you may attend before applying to or starting your degree. The official manual for the language program exemptions and requirements can be found on the University of Alberta’s website.
Athabasca University
Athabasca University is a world-class accredited university that accepts Nigerian students without IELTS. Applications can be submitted online through the school portal. On June 16, 2022, Athabasca University in Canada added Nigeria to the list of countries exempt from English language competence tests prior to admission. That does not mean that you are exempted from other admission requirements. Please visit Athabasca University’s website for other admission requirements.
University of Regina
The University of Regina waives the IELTS exam for Nigerian students. To study in Canada without taking IELTS, the University of Regina accepts TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, and CAEL results for admission to UG and PG programs. A TOEFL Paper score of 525 or a TOEFL iBT score of 70, a Duolingo score of 95-105, and a CAEL score of 50 are required. Check out how to apply for admission at the university of Regina for Nigerian students.
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan offers a variety of IELTS alternatives to Nigerian students, including, but not limited to, TOEFL, CanTest, Duolingo English Test (DET), and CAEL Assessment. Nigerian and international students who are unable to demonstrate English competency may enroll in the U-PREP program at the University of Saskatchewan Language Centre (USLC) before beginning their chosen course.
Carleton University
To study at Carleton University without IELTS, you must submit official transcripts. You must provide proof that you have completed three years of full-time study at a high school or university in Nigeria or any other country where English is the major language.
You may also present the following papers to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language through the following:
- Canadian Academic English Language Test, with a total of 70 points
- TOEFL iBT, with an 86 average score
- Pearson Test of English, with 60 points overall
What are 3 ways to Study in Canada without IELTS?
If you do not wish to take the IELTS test and thinking of other alternatives, you should know that some Canadian universities will accept other English proficiency tests.
To study in Canada without IELTS, some Canadian universities accept other alternatives like TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, and CAEL scores for admissions to UG and PG programs.
- For a TOEFL Paper score of 525 or a TOEFL iBT score of 70,
- A Duolingo score of 95 – 105,
- And a CAEL score of 50.
Does the University of Alberta require IELTS from Nigeria?
Good News! Alberta University has waived the IELTS requirement for Nigerians and other international students. Nigeria is listed among countries considered English-speaking countries. Hence, the university of Alberta removed the IELTS requirements for Nigeria students.
The English Language Requirement may be met by holding a degree from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, or its academic equivalent, in which the language of instruction is English.
Does the University of Saskatchewan require IELTS for Nigerian Students?
Proof of English Language Fluency is not required at the university of Saskatchewan if you are from Nigeria.
The university of Saskatchewan may waive the requirement to provide proof of English language proficiency for Nigerian students who have completed a minimum of three consecutive years of study exclusively in English.
The Nigerian university must, however, be listed as offering instruction only in English in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) of the International Association of Universities in order to be eligible for exemption.
Is Nigeria Exempted from IELTS in Canada?
Yes, Nigerian students are exempted from IELTS requirements in some schools in Canada. We have listed some of those universities and colleges above on this page.
Besides, IELTS or TOEFL scores are no longer required for international students hailing from Nigeria, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Gibraltar, Grenada, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Montserrat, Zimbabwe, Zambia, US Virgin Islands, Uganda, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Sierra Leone etc.