IELTS is the most common English test for Canada, but it is not the only one. Many Canadian universities accept other tests, and some waive the English requirement entirely for students whose previous education was in English. That said, "without IELTS" does not mean "without proof of English" — almost every university and every study permit application still needs evidence that you can study in English. The real question is which alternative your target university accepts, and whether the visa officer will accept it too. This guide maps the routes that actually work in 2027, and the traps to avoid.
Route 1: Take a different accepted test
Most Canadian universities accept several English tests, not just IELTS. The commonest alternatives are TOEFL iBT (usually 86–100 overall, depending on the programme), PTE Academic (usually 58–65 overall), and the Duolingo English Test (usually 115–125). Duolingo is the cheapest and fastest — about US$65, results in two days, taken online from home — which is why it is popular with Pakistani applicants. But acceptance varies sharply by university: the University of Toronto accepts Duolingo (115+ for most programmes), while several other universities do not accept it at all, or accept it only for undergraduate admission. McGill, for example, lists IELTS 6.5 and TOEFL 90 as its standard minimums and does not list Duolingo. The rule is simple and non-negotiable: check the English requirements page of the specific programme you are applying to, and do not assume that because one university accepts a test, another will. A test score that your university rejects is wasted money.
PTE Academic is a strong middle option: it is computer-based, results arrive in about two days, and it is accepted by most large Canadian universities, including UBC, Toronto, McGill, Waterloo and Alberta. TOEFL iBT was redesigned from 21 January 2026 (about 90 minutes, with scores reported on the 0–120 scale during the transition through January 2028), and it remains the safest choice after IELTS because almost every university accepts it. If you are applying to several universities, pick the test that all of them accept — usually IELTS or TOEFL — rather than the cheapest one that only some accept.
Route 2: The medium-of-instruction (MOI) letter
If your previous degree was taught entirely in English, many Canadian universities will waive the English test on the strength of a medium-of-instruction letter from your previous institution, confirming that English was the language of instruction. This is the most valuable route for Pakistani students, because most Pakistani universities teach in English. The letter must come from the university's registrar or controller of examinations, on official letterhead, and it must state clearly that the medium of instruction for your degree was English. Some universities accept an MOI letter only if you completed your full degree in English, and some require a minimum number of years of English-medium study. A few universities — notably some in Quebec and some highly competitive programmes — do not accept MOI letters at all. Always confirm with the admissions office before relying on this route, and get the letter early: university offices can take weeks to issue one.
Important warning: an MOI waiver helps with admission, but it does not automatically satisfy the study permit. The visa officer assesses your ability to study in English as part of the overall application, and a weak English profile — for example, low marks in English at intermediate level — can still lead to a refusal, even with an MOI letter. If your English is genuinely strong, an MOI letter is a legitimate shortcut. If it is not, taking the test and scoring well is the safer investment.
Route 3: Pathway, foundation and ESL programmes
Several Canadian universities and colleges run pathway or English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programmes for students who meet the academic requirements but not the English ones. You complete an English course — typically 8 to 16 weeks — and then move into your degree without retaking a test. Examples include the University of Toronto's International Foundation Programme, UBC's Vantage College, and the English language programmes at colleges such as Seneca, Humber and George Brown. These routes cost extra (often CAD 5,000–15,000 for the English component) and add a semester to your timeline, but they are a real option if your test score is just below the minimum, or if you cannot sit a test before the deadline. Note that you still need a study permit, and the visa officer will look at the whole plan — including how you will pay for the extra semester.
What about the study permit itself?
The study permit application does not have a fixed IELTS score requirement, but the officer must be satisfied that you can succeed in your studies. Your application costs CAD 150 (plus CAD 85 biometrics), and you must show proof of funds of CAD 23,448 for a single applicant (from 1 September 2026), plus first-year tuition. The Student Direct Stream (SDS), which offered faster processing for students with an IELTS score of 6.0 and a Guaranteed Investment Certificate, was closed on 8 November 2024 — every applicant now goes through the regular stream, and processing from Pakistan takes about six weeks. Because there is no fast-track left, a strong English score in your file — even if the university waived it — can only help your visa case. Some students deliberately take IELTS anyway, purely to strengthen the permit application, even when the university does not require it.
Which universities are friendliest to non-IELTS applicants?
Acceptance of alternatives is a programme-level decision, so there is no single list — but as a starting point, the University of Toronto, UBC, Waterloo, Alberta, McMaster, Calgary, Ottawa and Concordia all publish clear alternative-test policies on their admissions pages, and most of them accept TOEFL, PTE and (in many programmes) Duolingo. Smaller universities such as Regina, Windsor, Memorial and Saskatchewan are often more flexible about MOI letters and pathway entry. The practical approach is to shortlist five or six universities, open each programme's English requirements page, and build a table of which tests each one accepts and at what minimum. Then choose one test that covers all of them. Never pay for a test before checking that table — and never trust a consultant's claim that a university "does not need IELTS" without seeing the requirement on the university's own website.
Costs, timeline and the honest verdict
Duolingo costs about US$65, PTE about US$200–250, TOEFL about US$200–250, and IELTS about PKR 60,000–70,000 in Pakistan (the fee varies by centre and currency — confirm on the British Council or IDP Pakistan page before booking). Results take two days for Duolingo and PTE, and 3–5 days for computer-delivered IELTS. For Fall 2027 entry, most Canadian universities close applications between 1 February and 1 March 2027, so you should have your English proof ready by January 2027 at the latest. The honest verdict: studying in Canada without IELTS is genuinely possible — through Duolingo, PTE, TOEFL or an MOI letter — but it is not easier than taking IELTS. It is simply a different route with its own paperwork, its own risks, and the same need to prove, to both the university and the visa officer, that you can study in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a study permit without IELTS? Yes — there is no fixed IELTS requirement for the permit itself. But a strong English score, or clear evidence of English-medium education, strengthens the application.
Is Duolingo accepted by all Canadian universities? No. Acceptance varies by university and programme. Toronto accepts it; several others do not. Check each programme page.
Does an MOI letter work for a master's degree? Often yes, if your bachelor's was taught in English. Some competitive programmes still require a test score.
Can I apply first and submit the English score later? Many universities allow conditional admission with the English proof to follow, but the offer only becomes unconditional once the proof arrives — and the study permit needs the unconditional offer.
Related guides on Pakunii
Canada Study Permit Guide 2027 · IELTS Academic Guide · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · TOEFL iBT 2027 Guide
Sources and verification: IRCC study permit fee CAD 150, biometrics CAD 85, proof of funds CAD 23,448 single from 1 September 2026; SDS closed 8 November 2024; processing from Pakistan about 6 weeks (IRCC, 29 October 2026 update); university English requirements pages (Toronto, UBC, McGill, Waterloo, Alberta) as reported October–November 2026. Duolingo/PTE/TOEFL minimums vary by programme — confirm on the programme's own requirements page before booking a test.