Onterra Tutor🇨🇦 Canada study permit
The study permit itself sets no fixed IELTS score: your admission letter does the talking. Canadian universities typically ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0), while colleges commonly accept 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5). A stronger score also reads as evidence you will cope, which helps the visa officer's overall assessment.
The requirement at a glance
| Test accepted | IELTS Academic (for admission) |
|---|---|
| Typical university requirement | 6.5 overall, no skill below 6.0 |
| Typical college requirement | 6.0 overall, no skill below 5.5 |
| Competitive programs | 7.0+ overall |
What people miss
- Meet the school's requirement and the study permit has no separate IELTS hurdle.
- Graduate programs often want 7.0 in Writing specifically; check the department page, not just the university minimum.
- A low-but-admitted score plus a weak study plan is a common refusal pattern; a comfortable band strengthens the whole file.
Are you already there?
Find out before you pay the exam fee. Check a real essay or record a speaking answer and get examiner-style bands in about a minute, free.
Questions people ask
Does IRCC require a specific IELTS score for a study permit?
There is no universal published minimum for the regular study permit stream: your designated learning institution's admission requirement is the practical bar.
Academic or General Training for studying in Canada?
Academic. General Training is for work and migration streams like Express Entry, not admission to study.
Figures reflect commonly published requirements and can change. Confirm against the official government or regulator source before booking.