Study in Canada: Experts welcome change in IELTS for Canada study visa, students fret over quality, job security

This move has been welcomed by several experts, but existing Indian students in Canada have expressed concerns.

“This step will open doors for a lot of such talented students who deserved a chance but missed out on the technicality of a test score. While test scores are an amazing way to rationalise a student’s skill, the bridge that this drop in 0.5 band score will create for students is huge,” says Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu.

However, Indian students who are currently studying in Canada believe this will have a negative impact on the ‘quality of students’. “It is unfair and I am concerned that it will negatively impact the quality of students coming to the country and reduce its diversity. Since India is the largest source of students for Canada, removing this bar means that students from all backgrounds and abilities may come, potentially affecting other students’ job prospects and reducing accommodation options,” Priyahans Gaur, who went to Canada in 2022 to pursue International Business Management said.

Students believe that since English proficiency will not be a hurdle now, it can negatively affect the confidence level of Indian students when they start studying and interacting with locals in Canada. “More than the quality it’s the adjustment for the student that gets difficult. They are unable to be confident, remain in their own community circle, work in curtain jobs and just disconnect from the entire experience,” says Sameeksha Dandriyal who is currently studying in Canada.

“Lowering the standards could lead to students with inadequate language skills struggling academically and degrading the education system’s overall quality,” another student, Bhavya Sharma, from Toronto added.

However, experts believe that this can help those students who wish to pursue higher education from abroad but were unable to do so simply because of the language barrier. “It can be viewed as an opportunity for individuals who previously faced difficulties achieving higher band scores. It offers a chance for those who possess exceptional skills beyond their proficiency in the English language but have been impeded by the same,” said Sayantan Biswas, co-founder, UniScholars.

With this new change in student visa requirements, experts are claiming that the number of Indian students applying for Canadian study visa may increase. However, this is worrying the existing students in Canada as they believe that this will lead to an increase in job search competition. “With Canada currently experiencing a recession, it will become even more challenging for students to sustain themselves here,” Gaur said.

Recently there had also been reports that Indian students in Canada are facing a shortage of part-time jobs, which is making it difficult for them to even sustain themselves. In a report by The Indian Express, students had stressed on the scarcity of jobs, coupled with a drastic increase in housing and food costs.

However, calling it a ‘students first’ country, experts claim that this should not be a problem for international students who are hoping to get a part-time job to earn their daily expenses, along with their university schedule.

“I wouldn’t say there is a job scarcity in Canada at all, however, there are fewer jobs available for people with higher education, that is, a university degree and higher versus vacancies for positions requiring only a university degree. But this is good news for anyone looking to work while they’re studying as there are tons of vacancies for part-time roles that can fit with their class schedule,” says Matthew McLellan, CEO and co-founder of halp.co.

Arun Rajamani, Managing Director, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, South Asia also stressed that reports of job scarcity will not deter the determination of Indian students to pursue higher education from abroad. “Canada is not only renowned for its world class and multicultural education system with high academic standards but also for its pluralistic and inclusive society and hence will remain a favourite for Indian students in time to come,” he said.