Canada is known for its public education system, multicultural society, varied natural environments, and wide range of study options. With that, it is not surprising that it is a magnet for international students. The high-quality education, warm welcome, chance to learn about new cultures, and access to career opportunities have made many individuals choose to earn their bachelor’s degree in this country.
This article will discuss a few essential things you should know before applying to Canadian universities. Let’s take a look at them!
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
To enter a Canadian bachelor’s program, you generally need a secondary school diploma or equivalent, competitive grades, and any program-specific prerequisites. Many successful international students exceed the minimum academic requirement. For example, Nadya Heryanto applied to the University of Toronto with an IB score of 44/45. Canadian universities emphasize academic performance, and standardized test requirements vary by university, applicant background, and program. For example, the University of Toronto allows students who have written the SAT or ACT to submit scores for consideration, while Engineering applicants must disclose all test scores. In addition to grades, admissions committees value rigorous preparation. Ngoc Anh Thu Huynh, a Lester B. Pearson Scholar, entered the University of Toronto with both an International Baccalaureate diploma and an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, demonstrating exceptional academic readiness. Applicants should prepare to submit official transcripts, proof of completed coursework, and program-specific documents. For example, STEM, commerce, or engineering programs may require advanced math or other senior-level prerequisites, and some programs or scholarships may require a personal statement, resume, portfolio, interview, or supplementary application.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Bachelor’s Studies
Many Canadian universities teach in English, so international applicants who do not qualify for an exemption must demonstrate English proficiency. Two widely accepted tests are IELTS and TOEFL iBT. For instance, the University of Waterloo requires IELTS Academic scores of 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing, 6.5 in speaking, 6.0 in reading, and 6.0 in listening; Waterloo also accepts an IELTS profile of 7.0 overall with no band below 6.0. TOEFL requirements vary by university. For example, the University of Toronto lists an IELTS Academic minimum of 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. For TOEFL iBT, U of T lists 89 overall with 22 in Speaking and Writing for tests taken before January 21, 2026, and separate new-scale requirements for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026. Some universities also accept alternative exams such as the PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, CAEL, or Cambridge English qualifications. If your prior education was in English, you may qualify for a test exemption, but otherwise, it is important to plan for these exams and aim to meet or exceed the published score requirements for each university and program.
We will use the University of British Columbia as an example for language proficiency requirements. UBC lists nine ways to meet its minimum English Language Admission Standard for undergraduate admission on the Vancouver campus. These include completing four or more consecutive years of recognized, full-time education in English within Canada immediately before attending UBC; completing four or more consecutive years of full-time education in English in a country where English is the principal language; earning a final exam grade of 70% or better on the provincial examination portion of Alberta English Language Arts 30-1, BC English 12 achieved in August 2019 or earlier, or equivalents; earning at least 4 on AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition; earning at least 5 on IB English A: Language and Literature or English A: Literature; meeting the minimum score on an approved English language test; successfully completing the equivalent of six credits of transferable first-year English studies at a recognized university in an English-speaking country; graduating from a recognized degree program at an accredited university where English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the principal language; attending four or more years at an eligible international secondary school that uses English as the language of instruction; or achieving the UBC Certificate in English Language by completing Level 600 and Level 650 of the English for Academic Purposes program at UBC’s English Language Institute on the Vancouver campus. Approved tests include CAEL, CEL, Cambridge English Qualifications, Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and TOEFL. You may also request a waiver if you are fully proficient in English but do not meet one of UBC’s listed options.
The University of British Columbia waiver process involves sending Admissions your UBC student number, a brief letter or email explaining why the requirement should be waived, a letter of recommendation from your high school English teacher, guidance counselor, principal, or headmaster confirming that your English proficiency is close to or equal to that of a native speaker, and an official transcript of grades if it has not already been sent. Additional evidence, such as SAT scores, may also be attached.
Bachelor’s Degree Application Process
Required Documents and Essays
International applicants must submit applications, often online through the university or a provincial portal, along with required documents. This usually includes official transcripts, proof of graduation or current enrollment, English proficiency documentation if required, and any program-specific materials listed in the applicant portal. Letters of recommendation, essays, personal statements, resumes, portfolios, or interviews are not required for every Canadian bachelor’s program, but they are common for competitive scholarships and some selective programs. Applicants often work on these materials months in advance. For example, Kazakh student Alina Zholaman spent the summer after 10th grade polishing her resume and essays, gathering recommendation letters, and preparing scholarship nomination materials. As part of her broader university application plan, she also completed her Common App by the end of August and continued updating it as needed. The personal essay can be especially important for scholarships or programs that require one; Alina reports writing many drafts of her admissions and scholarship essays, seeking feedback to ensure her story was communicated genuinely. When a program or scholarship has its own questions or prompts, tailor your statement to those requirements. In general, be prepared to tell your story, including your academic interests, achievements, goals, and community impact, authentically. Hannah Emambocus followed this advice when applying for scholarships at the University of Toronto and emphasizes being genuine in essays.
Scholarship Applications
Many international students apply for scholarships alongside admission. These can have additional steps. For example, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto is extremely competitive and requires a school nomination. Each high school can nominate only one student per year. Hannah Emambocus explains that for the Pearson scholarship, each high school can only nominate one student, so the selection is very tough. In her application, Hannah compiled transcripts from grades 10–12, listed all academic awards, and wrote a personal essay. Ahnaf Rahman also won the Pearson Scholarship with top credentials, including a 45/45 IB score, and notes that no extra standardized tests were required beyond his IB predicted score and the Pearson application process. In practice, once your basic admission documents are ready, you should follow each scholarship’s official guidelines carefully, including nomination rules, deadlines, essays, and any additional forms.
Some scholarships are awarded on the basis of admission merit. Nadya Heryanto, for instance, did not submit a separate scholarship application for her University of Toronto admission awards. With her outstanding grades, including an IB final score of 44/45, she received multiple merit-based offers from the University of Toronto upon admission. In one offer, U of T listed an International Scholars Award valued at CAD $92,500 and a University of Toronto Scholar Scholarship valued at CAD $7,500, for a total of CAD $100,000. In another offer, she received an International Scholars Award valued at CAD $100,000 and a President’s Scholar of Excellence Scholarship valued at CAD $10,000, for a total of CAD $110,000. This illustrates that strong academic and extracurricular performance can lead to major admission-based funding consideration. Nonetheless, always check each university’s scholarship pages: some scholarships, such as Pearson, require nomination and a separate application, while many admission awards are assessed automatically from your admission application.
If you are interested, there are many scholarships offered at Canadian institutions for international students, and you can check these out in our database of Bachelor’s Scholarships in Canada. Also, check out stories of scholarship recipients who have received bachelor’s scholarships in Canada.
We hope that this article on studying for a bachelor’s degree in Canada was helpful. To learn more about how you can study in Canada, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
