TOEFL or IELTS for Canada: Which Test is Better for Nepalese Students?

Your English proficiency test score plays a crucial role in getting a Canadian study permit. For many Nepalese students, the biggest challenge is choosing the right test without spending extra money on registration fees, preparation classes, or costly retakes that can delay university admission and visa approval.

Understanding the key differences between IELTS and TOEFL for Canadian university admissions and the IRCC study permit process can help you make the right choice from the start. This guide compares the two tests, including their format, cost, score requirements, visa acceptance, and university preferences for 2026. If you're planning to study in Canada, you can also explore our complete guide on how to study in Canada to understand the entire application process.

What Are IELTS and TOEFL?

IELTS and TOEFL are the two most widely used standardized English proficiency tests for students applying to study in Canada, with IELTS built around British/Australian English conventions and TOEFL built around American English conventions.

• IELTS comes in two versions: IELTS Academic (for university admission) and IELTS General Training (for immigration and work purposes). It runs 2 hours 45 minutes and includes a face-to-face speaking interview.

• TOEFL iBT is fully internet-based and, following ETS's January 2026 format update, now runs approximately 90 minutes (down from the previous 3-hour format), with speaking answered into a microphone and scored by a mix of AI and human raters.

• Both tests cover the same four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

• Both are accepted by Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), though acceptance policies and minimum scores vary by university and program.

• Hitting your required score on either test is the gateway step that unlocks your Canadian study permit application and eventually feeds into work permit and PR planning after graduation.

Why Does Choosing the Right English Test Matter for Canada?

Choosing between these tests is critical because your score dictates not only your university admission but also your ability to secure a study permit without delays, impacting your long-term settlement goals.

1. University-Specific Minimum Requirements

Canadian universities are highly autonomous. While most accept both tests, some master's programs, especially in highly competitive fields like nursing, education, or business, may strictly prefer one test over the other or require higher sub-scores in specific sections like writing or speaking. Submitting the wrong test format could result in an automatic rejection, even if your English is excellent.

2. IRCC Student Visa Acceptance Rules

Understanding how the Canadian immigration department maps your test scores to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs) is vital. A miscalculation or a low sub-score in one specific area can lead to a study permit refusal, as visa officers strictly enforce minimum CLB levels to ensure international students can cope with the academic environment.

3. Test Availability and Costs in Nepal

Factoring in exam fees, travel to test centers, and retake policies in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara can significantly impact your budget and timeline. If you fail to book a slot months in advance, you might miss your university's application deadline, forcing you to defer your intake by an entire semester.

4. Your Personal Test-Taking Strengths

Matching the test format to whether you type faster than you write by hand and whether you prefer a human examiner or a computer algorithm can be the difference between an average score and a passing one. Playing to your natural strengths reduces test anxiety and leads to higher scores.

IELTS vs TOEFL for Canada: Detailed Breakdown

Comparing IELTS and TOEFL reveals distinct differences in how they assess your English skills, from face-to-face speaking exams to computer-graded writing tasks.

 For most Nepalese students who are more comfortable speaking with a real person than into a microphone, IELTS remains the more natural fit. Students who prefer a shorter test day and are used to computer-based academic reading often find TOEFL's newly shortened 90-minute format appealing. If you are torn between IELTS formats, you can review the computer-based and paper-based IELTS difference to make an informed choice.

What Are the Admission and Visa Requirements?

Canada's language requirements work differently depending on whether you're applying for university admission or for post-graduation immigration steps, and this is where most students get confused.

1. Canadian University Requirements

Most Canadian universities require IELTS 6.0–6.5 for bachelor's programs and 6.5–7.0 for master's programs, with TOEFL iBT equivalents typically in the 80–100 range. Exact cutoffs are always program-specific, so always confirm directly with your designated learning institution by checking the complete requirements to study in Canada from Nepal.

2. IRCC Student Visa Language Thresholds

Here's an important clarification: Canadian study permits do not carry a federal Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement. CLB is IRCC's conversion scale, but it applies to Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), not to study permit approval itself. For your study permit, IRCC accepts direct IELTS or TOEFL scores exactly as reported; each DLI sets its own minimum, and there's no CLB conversion step involved.

Where CLB does matter for TOEFL takers: it doesn't currently. IRCC's approved English tests for CLB purposes are IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, and PTE Core. TOEFL Essentials was designated by ETS for future immigration use in 2025, but IRCC has not yet activated it, and there is no official TOEFL-to-CLB conversion chart. This distinction matters only after graduation, not for your study permit application.

3. Impact on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The English test you took for your study permit has no bearing on PGWP eligibility. When you apply for a PGWP after graduating, you'll need a fresh test result from an IRCC-approved test, IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, or PTE Core, showing CLB 7 in all four skills for degree graduates or CLB 5 for diploma and certificate graduates. Since TOEFL doesn't convert to CLB, students who took TOEFL for admission will need to take IELTS, CELPIP, or PTE Core separately for their PGWP application.

How to Decide Which Test is Better for You?

The right English test for you comes down to four practical checks: your target university's specific requirement, your natural speaking and reading style, test center availability in Nepal, and a mock test comparison, not a generic 'IELTS vs. TOEFL' ranking.

Step 1: Verify IRCC Rules First

Because IRCC no longer accepts TOEFL for study permits, IELTS Academic (or PTE Academic) must be your default choice if your goal is to physically travel to Canada on a student visa. Do not let a university's admission page convince you to take TOEFL if you need a study permit.

Step 2: Check Your Target University’s IELTS Preference

Since you will be taking IELTS, check the specific DLI's minimum IELTS bands for your exact program. Ensure you focus your preparation on meeting both the university's IELTS requirement and the visa officer's CLB 7 requirement.

Step 3: Evaluate Your IELTS Skills

Decide whether to take paper-based or computer-delivered IELTS. If you have slow handwriting, the computer-delivered IELTS will save you crucial time in the writing section. If you are terrified of speaking to a human, remember that even the computer IELTS requires a face-to-face or video call speaking test; there is no AI speaking option for IELTS like there is for TOEFL.

Step 4: Consider Test Center Availability in Nepal

Check local dates in Kathmandu/Pokhara well in advance, as IELTS slots (especially computer-delivered) fill up very fast due to the massive influx of Nepalese students applying for Canada.

How Much Does It Cost to Take IELTS vs. TOEFL in Nepal?

As of 2026, IELTS costs more upfront than TOEFL in Nepal, but the total cost of your test journey depends heavily on preparation time and the risk of a retake.

Preparation classes in Nepal typically cost NPR 5,000–20,000 for either test, depending on the institute, duration, and whether mock tests are included. Retaking either exam means paying the full registration fee again, so investing in solid preparation the first time rather than treating the test as trial-and-error is usually the more cost-effective path. To maximize your score on the first attempt and avoid this financial drain, consider enrolling in the IELTS Preparation classes to get expert feedback on your writing and speaking.

Budgeting NPR 40,000–55,000 for IELTS and NPR 35,000–50,000 for TOEFL (registration plus preparation classes) gives most students a realistic buffer, even accounting for a possible retake. Keep in mind that this English test cost is just one small part of your overall total budget for studying in Canada.

Which Test Do Canadian Universities Actually Prefer?

Canadian universities generally do not discriminate between IELTS and TOEFL. However, specific patterns exist:

• Top-tier universities (U of T, UBC, and McGill) accept both equally without any preference, as long as you meet their high minimum cutoffs. They care more about your overall sub-scores than the brand of the test.

• Some specialized health science programs prefer IELTS because they value the face-to-face speaking component, believing it better simulates real-world patient interactions required in nursing or pharmacy.

• American-border universities (near the US) may slightly lean toward TOEFL due to their close academic partnerships with American institutions.

• Engineering faculties often require higher sub-scores in writing regardless of the test, as technical report writing is a core part of the curriculum.

When researching schools, you can explore the universities in Canada to see their specific program requirements.

What Happens If You Don't Get the Required Score?

If you do not achieve the required score, you still have several strong options such as retaking the exam, switching test formats, or enrolling in pathway programs to ensure your Canadian study plans are not completely derailed. Canadian universities and immigration policies are highly flexible, meaning a low score is rarely a permanent roadblock if you know how to pivot strategically

1. Retake the Test After a Waiting Period

Retake the specific test after a mandatory waiting period (usually 15 days for IELTS, 3 days for TOEFL) to try and improve your score. If you were only 0.5 bands away, focused tutoring on your weak section can get you over the line. This is often the fastest route since you are already familiar with the test format and question types.

2. Switch to the Alternative Test

Switch to the other test if your score profile is weak in one area (e.g., if you scored low on IELTS writing because of handwriting speed, taking TOEFL iBT, where you type, might yield a significantly better result). Different grading styles can sometimes naturally boost your overall score.

3. Apply for a Pathway/ESL Program

Apply for a pathway/ESL program at a Canadian college where you can study English for a few months before transitioning into your main degree program without needing to retake the test in Nepal. This option secures your Canadian study permit while helping you adapt to the Canadian academic environment.

4. Secure a Conditional Offer Letter

Apply for a conditional offer letter from a university that allows you to enroll provisionally, provided you hit the required English score before the program begins. This strategy secures your seat while buying you necessary time to improve your language skills.

Conclusion

Selecting the right English test is a strategic decision that protects your finances and prevents devastating visa delays. The cost of guessing which test to take can result in wasted money, missed intakes, and rejected study permits. Whether you choose IELTS or TOEFL, understand your university's exact requirements, verify IRCC's latest guidelines, and book your test at least 2–3 months before your application deadline.

For expert guidance on choosing the right test and mapping your scores to Canadian university and IRCC requirements, contact SAS Education Consultancy or submit a free inquiry today