MBA in Canada for International Students

In this page we will also inform you about the duration of the course, fee-structure, cost of living, eligibility criteria and post-study opportunities with respect to MBA programs in Canada for International students.

To study MBA in Canada, the average tuition fee ranges between $30,000 – $40,000, which is considered affordable than other study abroad countries. Typically, completion of an MBA degree takes about two years.

Successful graduates may earn up to CAD 79,076 annually as an average salary. Entry-level salaries start from CAD 34,170 annually, going up to CAD 120,793 per year for experienced professionals.

MBA in Canada Highlights:

Total number of MBA Colleges in Canada	Approximately 40+
MBA cost in Canada	40-45 lakhs in Nepalese Rupees(approx.)
Top Specialisations	General Management, International Business, Business (others), Finance, Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain, Economics
Exams required	GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL

Why MBA in Canada?

Canada offers an affordable tuition fee when compared to other MBA schools amongst the popular study destinations.
Canada is a thriving business and job market that posts 45,000+ job vacancies.
Its high quality education is supported by diverse cultures and an excellent standard of living.
It is easy to obtain a post-study work visa.

Types of MBA in Canada:

Most of the top universities in Canada offer multiple types of business management programmes to suit the requirements of professional applicants applying for an MBA.

Few universities excel in specific types of MBA programmes, such as the following

Full-Time MBA:

Executive MBA in Canada is a 13-month programme, requiring a minimum of 8-10 years of work experience. These colleges offer Executive MBAs in Canada:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- Queen’s University
- York University
- HEC Montreal
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- Carleton University

Part-Time MBA:

This MBA programme has a longer duration as the curriculum is made to suit the schedules of working professionals. It can take 3-7 years for a part-time MBA to finish.

Here is a list of universities offering part-time MBAs in Canada:
- Concordia University
- Queen’s University
- Brock University
- McMaster University
- University of Alberta
- York University

Executive MBA:

Executive MBA in Canada is a 13-month programme, requiring a minimum of 8-10 years of work experience. These colleges offer Executive MBAs in Canada:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- Queen’s University
- York University
- HEC Montreal
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- Carleton University

Top MBA programs in Canada:

MBA in Finance,
International Business,
Business Analytics,
Operations, HRM,
Global Business, and Retail are some of the MBA specialisations that enhance the value of the MBA you pursue, in the job market.

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Top universities in Canada for MBA:

Canada has plenty of universities offering MBA courses. Some of these universities are top-ranked in the QS World Ranking in 2022. Here is a list of the best universities in Canada for an MBA and its QS rankings:

University	QS World University Rankings 2022
University of Toronto	26
McGill University	27
University of Alberta	46
The University of British Columbia	126
York University	494

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5 Affordable MBA Colleges in Canada for International Students:

Canada is known to be the top study destination for an MBA that is affordable to international students. Here is a list of the 5 most affordable colleges for an MBA in Canada:

University of New Brunswick: One of the oldest English-language universities, University of New Brunswick offers both full-time and part-time MBA programmes. The average tuition fee of these programmes is around CAD 12,000-15,000.

Laval University (Quebec): Started in the year 1924, Laval University has always been at the forefront of providing affordable MBAs in Canada. The average tuition fee of this university is around CAD16,000.

Memorial University of Newfoundland: Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the average tuition fees paid by international students for an MBA from MUN is CAD 24,000.

Vancouver Island University: A renowned name in the business school league of Canada, Vancouver Island University offers affordable average tuition fees of CAD 37000 for international students.

Victoria University: One of the best business schools in Canada, Victoria University is known for giving new career paths to students enrolling in MBA programmes with budget-friendly tuition fees of CAD 40,000.

How to get admission into the affordable MBA Colleges in Canada as an international student?

Intake season:

Fall (September) is the primary intake season in Canada, although winter and summer intakes are equally busy for admissions. Applicants need to make sure that their applications are received by the universities just in time for the specific intake season.

Online Application:

All MBA programmes in Canada require applicants to submit an online application on the university website. This application process includes submitting your undergrad score, work experience, referral letter, etc.

To pursue an MBA in Canada, international applicants need to fulfill a few mandatory requirements. These requirements are crucial for the admission process, and are listed below:

Academic Transcripts
One-page Resume (preferably professional resume)
Letters of Recommendation/Letters of Reference
Essays
GMAT Score
Work Experience
Interview
IELTS score

MBA in Canada Admission Requirements

Applicants aspiring to pursue an MBA in Canada have to fulfil certain set criteria to ensure admission into MBA universities. Here are they key admission requirements for an MBA in Canada:

A bachelor's degree in any discipline is mandatory for admission into a Master’s in Business Administration programme.
Work experience of 2-3 years minimum is taken as a primary admission requirement.
A good GMAT score will ensure a seat in one of the top MBA colleges in Canada.
IELTS or any other English proficiency test is mandatory for international students seeking admission for an MBA in Canada.

Important Deadlines for MBA in Canada

Following are the important deadlines for admission into an MBA program in Canada:

Name of the College	Application Deadline Round 2
Rotman School of Management	January 13, 2023
Desautels Faculty of Management	January 15, 2023
Schulich School Business	July 13, 2022 (closed)
Ted Rogers School of Management (Ryerson University)	December 1, 2022
Beedie Business School	January 29, 2023

GMAT Requirements for MBA in Canada

Most of the universities in Canada consider the GMAT score as a mandatory requirement for admission into MBA programmes. Applicants need to meet the minimum score requirement in order to get admission in the desired university.

Here is a list of top Canadian universities and their minimum GMAT score requirement:

University	GMAT Score Required
Toronto University	550
McGill University	550
Western University	550
Queen’s University	600
York University	550
University of Alberta	550
University of British Columbia	550
Concordia University	580

Is GMAT compulsory for an MBA in Canada?

This is a common question asked by international students and the answer is No, international students can get admission in Canada without GMAT.

This requires applicants to have exemplary academic qualifications and profound professional experience to exclude GMAT as a mandatory requirement.

Some business schools may require applicants to present a GRE score instead of GMAT. Also, few universities conduct their own respective entrance exams for admission into MBA programmes.

How to get admission in MBA in Canada without GMAT?

For applicants looking to apply for an MBA in Canada without GMAT, here are the key requirements:

GRE scores
IELTS/TOEFL scores (mainly for international students)
A GPA of higher than 3.0 (undergraduate degree or potential postgraduate degrees)
A minimum of two years of work experience (depending on the bachelor’s degree duration)
Two or more letters of recommendation
A resume of your entire academic and professional experience (including paid and unpaid internships)

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5 Popular affordable universities for MBA in Canada without GMAT:

GMAT is considered to be a mandatory test requirement for an MBA in any international business school. However, international students can get admission for an MBA in Canada without GMAT.

For students wanting to skip GMAT to get admission into MBA programmes, here is a list of universities that you can apply for:

1. Schulich School of Business:

Located in Toronto, Schulich school of Business offers admission into MBA programmes without GMAT.

Here are the requirements of admission into the Schulich School of Business:

An undergraduate degree
GRE (Graduate Record Examination) instead of GMAT scores
A minimum of two-years of work experience after graduation
English-language proficiency
Two essays
Resume/CV
Two recommendation letters
Academic transcripts (copies)

2. Smith School of Business:

A part of the Queens university, Smith School of Business actually has a programme for pre-MBA which teaches students the fundamentals of MBA and business. GMAT or GRE are primary requirements for admissions, but applicants with an exemplary academic and professional record are exempted from the GMAT.

3. Ivey Business School :

Known for its distinguished teaching methods, Ivey Business School is another school that exempts GMAT from its admission process. Although GMAT or GRE is mandatory for admission, applicants may receive a GMAT waiver if they score more than 160 in LSAT. Applicants who have cleared three levels of CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam may also receive a GMAT waiver.

4. Lazaridis School of Business and Economics:

Ranked as one of the most competitive institutes in Canada, GMAT or GRE is a mandatory requirement for admission into full-time MBA programmes. However, applicants may receive a waiver from GMAT if they score 550 in GRE or clear CFA level 1.

5. Thompson Rivers University:

Focused on global economic development, Thompson Rivers University invites applicants for MBA in-campus and online. Students who apply need to have a graduate degree in business and professional experience in the field. GMAT is not a mandatory requirement for applicants with a minimum score of 3.0 in GRE and 6.0 in IELTS can fill in the application form for MBA in Thompson Rivers University.

MBA in Canada without IELTS

It is a critical requirement for international students to prove their English proficiency skills to universities abroad. However, there are a few selected universities and colleges in Canada that offer MBAs without IELTS.

In some cases, universities will accept students who have finished a 4-year education in Canada or any other English-speaking country without IELTS.

Here are 5 Universities in Canada for MBA that do not require IELTS:

1. University of Winnipeg:

The University of Winnipeg accepts English-speaking certificates from students as given by certified academic institutions. Applicants can get an IELTS waiver when presented with this English speaking certificate.

2. University of Saskatchewan:

Applicants are not required to present an IELTS score, they can instead go for CanTEST (Canadian English Test) to prove their English proficiency.

3. Brock University:

Brock University accepts both IELTS and TOEFL scores. Applicants who finish an undergraduate degree from Canada do not need to prove their English proficiency.

4. Memorial University of Newfoundland:

Applicants applying for this university can be exempted from IELTS if they present their academic records from the past 4 years. This process justifies both their English proficiency and academic ability to study an MBA.

5. Carleton University:

Similar to the previous university, Carleton exempts IELTS on terms that the applicants present their past 3 years of academic records, or attempt the Canadian Academic English Language Test instead.

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MBA in Canada without work experience

It is a general rule to have work experience prior to getting admission for an MBA. However, exemptions to work experience are made by certain universities.

Here is what international students need to provide to get admission for an MBA without work experience:

A bachelor's degree from a recognised university
GMAT or equivalent scores
TOEFL/ IELTS scores validating English proficiency
Copies of transcript
A briefly-written Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Resume showcasing leadership abilities, goals, teamwork abilities, etc.
Letter of recommendation

List of universities that take admission in MBA without work experience

Universities	MBA Courses	Requirements
Thompson Rivers University	TRU MBA	-A 3 or 4-year UG degree in a related discipline with at least 3.0 GPA -GMAT score is not necessary but if the application is not up to the mark, the candidate can be asked for a GMAT score -A minimum 7.0 band score in IELTS academic (with no band below 6.5)/ TOEFL score 587 with TWE of 5.0 or higher (paper-based test)/ at least a score of 94 with none of the sections below 20 in IBT
New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver Campus	-General Management MBA -MBA with a concentration in Finance	-A 3 or 4-year UG degree in a related discipline with at least 3.0 GPA or higher out of a 4.0 scale -It is necessary for international students to present a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS or 79 in TOEFL IBT -1 or 2 page resume/CV -Statement of Purpose -Two letters of recommendation from UG institution
Cape Breton University	Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development	-A bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution -Minimum three letters of reference including 1 professional and 1 academic -GMAT or GRE scores -TOEFL or IELTS scores
The Sprott School of Business	The Sprott MBA	-A 4-year UG degree with at least 8.0 cumulative grade point out of 12 on Carleton’s scale -Minimum GMAT score of 550 or its equivalent -At least two academic recommendations from previous professors -The candidates without work experience need to have the following document checklist in mind while applying to in MBA programme: Language proficiency in English Resume Statement of intent Video Interview MBA Application form
Brock University’s Goodman School of Business	-MBA (full-time and part time) -MBA International Student Pathway	-A 4-year UG degree in any field -GMAT or GRE scores (550 or 60th percentile) -At least 7.5 overall band in IELTS academic with minimum 6.5 bands in each section/ TOEFL IBT: 10 overall/Pearson (Academic) 72 overall -A 4-year bachelor’s degree from a reputed institution -At least GPA of B/75% or its Canadian equivalent -At least 6.5 overall band in IELTS academic with a minimum of 6 band score in each section and 88 in TOEFL
University of Windsor	-Odette Master Of Business Administration -MBA Professional Accounting Specialisation -MBA for Managers and Professionals	-Minimum 520 GMAT score with 26 in verbal, 30 in quantitative and 4.0 in analytical writing -Minimum IELTS band score 7.0 -Minimum TOEFL IBT score 100 -Minimum Pearson score 68 -Resume
Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University	Corporate Residency MBA	-A 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution by the Dalhousie University -An average of grade point B or 3.0 in the last two years (20 credits) -Minimum GMAT score of 550 or its equivalent of GRE, MCAT, DAT, LSAT -Minimum TOEFL score of 100 IBT, 600 paper-based, 237 computer-based -Resume -2 Academic letters of reference -Personal essay within 2000 words -Letter of financial guarantee -Score for other language proficiency tests are also accepted but it shall not be lower than 60

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Work Experience Requirement for MBA in Canada:

Work experience plays a vital role in getting admission for an MBA in Canada. On an average, 2-3 years is the minimum work experience required for an MBA degree. However, few universities ask for 7-8 years of work experience with a GMAT exemption. Check out the minimum work experience required for an MBA by top Canadian universities in the list below:

University	Average Work Experience
University of Toronto	5 years
McGill University	5 years
Western University	4.8 years
Queen’s University	4.4 years
York University	5 years
University of Alberta	5.4 years
University of British Columbia	3 to 5 years
Concordia University	6 years
McMaster University	4 years

Exams to study MBA in Canada:

Admission in MBA requires applicants to go through a series of tests like GMAT, GRE, IELTS,etc. These tests come with mandatory requirements for admissions in Canada.

GMAT:

It is a standardised timed examination known as Graduate Management Admission Test. The average score required for admissions is 550-600. Top universities require scores to be on the higher side.

GRE:

Graduate Record Examination is an entrance test for admissions in business schools. Applicants looking to learn and train for GRE can check out the details here: ETS GRE Exam | GRE Full Form | GRE Exam Fee in Nepal

IELTS:

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language academic test that examines non-native English speakers' English language skills. Most academic institutions around the world expect applicants from non-English speaking countries to present the score of IELTS along with their application.

To know more about IELTS, click here: IELTS Full Form | IELTS Exam Fee | IELTS Date in Nepal

Know more about English Proficiency Courses

Cost of studying MBA in Canada

Courtesy to its diversity, Canada has a premium global ranking in higher education, making it a top study destination for international students.

The average cost of studying an MBA in Canada is between CAD 30,000 - 40,000 which is lower than many other countries.

Along with tuition fees, there are other factors that affect the entire cost of studying in Canada, such as:

Types of Expenses	Costs
Application Fees	CAD 50 to CAD 150
Academic Test	CAD 100 to CAD 200 per exam
Score Reporting	Typically costs up to CAD 20 per university
Average Tuition Fees	CAD 34,000 to CAD 120,600
Canada Student Visa fee	CAD 150

Cost of Living in Canada while pursuing an MBA:

Cost of living in Canada includes accommodation and transportation, along with various other living expenses.Here is a brief overview of how these expenses will cost an international student while pursuing an MBA in Canada:

The cost of accommodation hugely depends on the city. Students have an option of university accommodation, shared apartments or private rented accommodation.
The rent of accommodation will vary from CAD 950 - 14,000 annually.

On-campus accommodation- CAD 3000 - 7000 annually

Off-campus accommodation- CAD 8,000 - 9500 annually

In bigger cities, like Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa, accommodation costs along with various other living expenses are on a higher side.

Accommodation costs in cities like Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa are CAD 750-1200 monthly.

Tuition Fee for MBA in Canada:

University	Tuition Fees (Per Year)
Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario	CAD 111,750
Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University	CAD 44,500
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto	CAD 59,450
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University	CAD 91,000
Schulich School of Business, York University	CAD 52,040

5 Scholarships/Financial Aid for MBA in Canada for international students

1. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program:

It is a merit-based scholarship offered to master’s or doctoral students in the Ontario region. Participating universities of this scholarship include Carleton University, York University, University of Windsor, and University of Waterloo.

2. Rotman School of Management Scholarships:

This is a popular scholarship programme amongst international students. This is because it grants a tuition fee waiver to at least one third of the students. The award price for an MBA degree is CAD 30,000, selected based on the applications received.

3. Sauder School of Business Entrance Scholarship:

Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia offers MBA scholarships especially to international students. The value of this scholarship award is between CAD 10,000-15,000, based on GMAT/GRE scores along with college application.

4. Alberta MBA Scholarships:

Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta, extends a number of MBA scholarships in Canada to meritorious international students. The value of this scholarship is CAD 10,000.

5. Ivey MBA Scholarships:

Ivey MBA Scholarships tops the chart in offering multiple scholarships for international students in MBA programmes.

MBA Graduate Salary in Canada:

Canada is known to be one of the thriving job markets for business graduates. It offers diversified roles in the business arena with competitive salaries. CAD 130,000 is considered to be an attractive salary offered to MBA graduates in Canada.

The exact amount of the salary differs based on the nature of the role, job location, years of work experience among a few other factors.

Here is a list of universities and their average salary packages after an MBA in Canada:

Name of College	Average Salary offered to students after MBA in Canada
University of Toronto	CAD 87,000
University of British Columbia	CAD 92,084
University of Alberta	CAD 79,000
Concordia University	CAD 86,000
McGill University	CAD 85,500
York University	CAD 94,200
Western University	CAD 117,000
Ryerson University – Ted Rogers School of Management	CAD 92,000
University of Ottawa – Telfer School of Management	CAD 131,000
University of Manitoba	CAD 80,000
University of Victoria	CAD 104,000
University of Calgary	CAD 59,000

Scope after an MBA in Canada:

Students finishing their MBA in Canada have a high employability in the Canadian job market. This is assisted by universities along with top recruiters, always looking for top university graduates to fill in spots at their office.

Here is a list of top recruiting companies after studying an MBA in Canada, based on the job markets study:

Microsoft
EY
InBC Investment Corp
General Mills
Google
IBM
Morgan Stanley
Amazon
RBC Bank
Siemens
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Deloitte

Here is a broad spectrum of the highest-paying jobs after an MBA in Canada:

Project Manager	CAD 84,000
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)	CAD 151,000
Management Consultant	CAD 85,000
Senior Business Analyst	CAD 86,000
Financial Analyst	CAD 62,000

Work Visa after MBA in Canada:

Canada offers a relaxed visa regime and welcomes international students to explore the multicultural and thriving job market that it offers.

MBA students get work permits after graduation in Canada under the Post-graduation Work Permit category. The work experience acquired under this visa tenure is eligible for the permanent residence visa requirements.

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