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By Olami, AbroadPilot · Reviewed September 2026
Canada’s study permit process works differently from the UK’s visa system, and that trips up a lot of applicants who assume it must involve its own fixed English test score. This guide clarifies what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) actually requires for a study permit, where IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, and PTE fit into the picture, and where students most often get confused. For the broader four-test comparison, see our IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo guide.
Canadian immigration policy changes fairly often. Always confirm current requirements directly on canada.ca (IRCC) before applying.
The Key Distinction: Study Permit vs. University Admission
For a standard Canadian study permit application, IRCC does not itself mandate a fixed, universal English test score the way UKVI requires a SELT for certain UK visa categories. Instead, English proficiency is primarily verified through your Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — the university has already applied its own English requirement (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo, depending on the institution’s policy) before issuing that offer. A visa officer reviewing your study permit application isn’t typically re-testing your English against an IRCC-set score; they’re assessing your overall application, including whether your background supports your stated study plan.
Where CELPIP, TEF, and IELTS General Actually Come In
This is the biggest source of confusion: CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada, and IELTS General Training are language tests tied to Canada’s economic immigration pathways — Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class, and various Provincial Nominee Programs — where scores are converted into Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. These are not requirements for getting a study permit itself. Many international students only encounter these tests later, when they’re applying for permanent residence after graduating. Don’t confuse a future PR-pathway requirement with your current study permit application.
What Happened to the Student Direct Stream?
Previously, IRCC operated the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a faster-processing study permit pathway available to applicants from a defined list of countries, which specifically required an IELTS score (Academic or General Training) of at least 6.0 overall. IRCC discontinued the Student Direct Stream in November 2023, folding SDS applicants back into the regular study permit stream, which does not carry that same fixed test-score threshold. If you’ve seen older guides or forum posts referencing “IELTS 6.0 for SDS,” treat that as outdated — confirm current processing options and any language-related evidence requirements directly on the IRCC website.
Typical English Requirements at Canadian Universities
Independent of the study permit process, Canadian university admission requirements typically run:
- IELTS Academic: approximately 6.5 overall for undergraduate and master’s programs, with no section below 6.0 at many institutions
- TOEFL iBT: approximately 80–90 total
- PTE Academic: approximately 58–60 overall, with acceptance expanding across more Canadian institutions
- Duolingo English Test: accepted by a growing number of Canadian universities, typically in the 110–120 range for competitive programs
These are planning ranges — always confirm the exact figure on your specific program’s admissions page. For a full breakdown of how these scores compare across tests, see the equivalency table in our main comparison guide.
What This Means Practically
- Focus first on meeting your chosen university’s English requirement — this is the actual gatekeeping step, and it’s what secures your Letter of Acceptance.
- Don’t take CELPIP or TEF Canada under the assumption it’s needed for your study permit — it generally isn’t, unless a specific program or institution requests it as an alternative to IELTS/TOEFL/PTE for admission purposes.
- Keep your admission test score result on hand through your study permit application, as visa officers may reference your acceptance file, which includes it.
- If you plan to pursue Canadian permanent residence after graduating, research CELPIP, IELTS General, or TEF Canada requirements separately, closer to that stage — it’s a different test, for a different purpose, on a different timeline.
FAQ
Does IRCC require a specific English test score for a study permit?
Not as a fixed, universal number. English proficiency is primarily assessed by your university at the admission stage; IRCC’s study permit review focuses on your acceptance letter, financial proof, and overall application, not a standalone language test score.
Do I need CELPIP to study in Canada?
Generally no. CELPIP is mainly relevant for Canadian permanent residence and citizenship pathways, not for the study permit or university admission stage, unless a specific institution lists it as an accepted admissions test.
Is the Student Direct Stream still available?
IRCC discontinued the Student Direct Stream in November 2023. Applicants now go through the regular study permit process. Confirm current processing streams and timelines on the official IRCC website.
Related Reading
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Which to Take and What Score You Need
- IELTS Band Score Requirements by University
- Duolingo English Test: Full Prep Guide and Sample Questions
Olami is the founder and lead writer at AbroadPilot. He started the site after going through the visa process himself — a German student visa in 2019 and a Canadian work permit in 2023 — and learning first-hand how confusing official immigration language can be, how often rules change, and how easy it is to lose money to bad advice. He spent three years as an international education and travel consultant, helping people source and verify the information that landed their visas and planned their trips. Every guide on AbroadPilot is built from official sources — embassy pages, government immigration portals, and .gov fee schedules — and reviewed as requirements change. AbroadPilot does not sell visas or applications; it is a free resource to help readers apply with confidence.
