Management Schools in Canada

Canada MBA Schools and Programs

Canadian Graduate Business Degrees

Interested in applying and studying for an MBA degree in Canada? We have created a guide to help you select a MBA school and program as efficiently as possible. We have included 16 important criteria you should consider when choosing a MBA School. To help in your research, our guide contains detailed descriptions and profiles of 39 MBA schools and over 160 distinct MBA programs. Once the important decision of which MBA school you wish to attend has been decided, the process of applying can begin. Our guide to the MBA application process in Canada will help you know what information to supply in your application. Our MBA guide also includes links to the department's admissions, course descriptions, tuition fees, financial aid, scholarship pages and other key and relevant information for a prospective MBA student.

Canadian MBA Tuition Fees for International Students

What does it cost for an international student to study for an MBA in Canada?

In Canada, the average total tuition cost for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program for international students is $30,435-$31,856. Perhaps not surprisingly, as with the fees for Canadian students, the tendency is for the largest and most prestigious institutions to have tuition that is over the national average. However, somewhat of a surprise may be that HEC Montreal and the Schulich School of Business at York University, which are often grouped among Canada's, and often the world's, elite schools by reputable sources like BusinessWeek and the Financial Times, and many major employers have tuition fees that fall below the national average for MBAs. Except for Lansbridge University, Queen's University, and Simon Fraser University, all tuition fees for international students are higher than those for Canadian students.

Canadian MBA schools, listed in alphabetical order, whose tuition for international students fall under the national average (tuition is in parentheses):

• Asper School of Business at University of Manitoba ($26,650)
  

• Cape Breton University ($24,925)
  

• Carleton University ($15,265.08)
  

• Dalhousie University ($11,500-$15,300)
  

• John Molson School of Business at Concordia University ($25,309.11)
  

• First Nations University ($29,000)
  

• HEC Montreal ($21,000)
  

• Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at University of Regina ($13,083-$22,000)
  

• Lakehead University ($12,500-$17,500)
  

• Lansbridge University ($14,000)
  

• Laurentian University ($26,500)
  

• Lethbridge University ($20,349.75)
  

• Memorial University of Newfoundland ($5,718)
  

• Odette School of Business at University of Windsor ($14,134.50)
  

• Royal Military College ($24,000)
  

• Schulich School Business at York University ($27,500)
  

• Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University ($25,326)
  

• University of New Brunswick at Saint John ($24,500)
  

• University of Newfoundland at Fredericton ($21,880)
  

• University of Ottawa ($16,552.53-$24,986.49)
  

• University of Saskatchewan ($29,000)
  

• University of Victoria ($28,600)
  

• Wilfrid Laurier University ($24,500)
  

Canadian MBA schools, listed in alphabetical order, whose tuition for international students meet the national average (tuition is in parentheses):

• Malaspina University-College ($30,576.38)
  

• Segel Graduate School of Business at Simon Fraser University ($31,500)

Canadian MBA schools, listed in alphabetical order, whose tuition for international students exceed the national average (tuition is in parentheses):

• Athabasca University ($48,510)
  

• Brock University ($33,000)
  

• College of Management and Economics at Guelph University ($34,500-$42,500)
  

• DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University ($42,845)
  

• Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University ($44,958.36)
  

• Haskayne School of Business at University of Calgary ($39,080-$49,080)
  

• Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto ($78,940)
  

• Queen's University ($55,000-$58,000)
  

• Richard Ivey School of Business at University of Western Ontario ($66,000)
  

• Royal Roads University ($50,500)
  

• University of Alberta ($43,000)
  

• Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia ($36,000)
  

Canadian MBA schools, listed in alphabetical order, whose tuition for domestic students exceed the national average (tuition is in parentheses):

• Athabasca University ($40,425)
  

• College of Management and Economics at Guelph University ($24,000-$38,500)
  

• Haskayne School of Business at University of Calgary ($24,540)
  

• Joesph L. Rotman School of Business at University of Toronto ($56,450)
  

• Malaspina University-College ($23,026.38)
  

• Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario ($56,000)
  

• Royal Roads University ($33,700)
  

• Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia ($36,000)
  

• Segel Graduate School of Business at Simon Fraser University ($31,500)
  

• Queen's University ($55,000-$58,000)
  

• University of Victoria ($27,750)
  

Average MBA GMAT Scores in Canada

What is the average GMAT score required for a student attending an MBA School in Canada?

The average Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score required by MBA schools in Canada is 550, ranging from a low of 500 to a high of over 600. The average GMAT score attained by MBA students, however, is 606. A proportional relationship appears to exist between a school's supposed place on the hierarchy of business education and its average GMAT score. That is, schools higher up on the hierarchy tend to have higher scores. For example, students at the traditionally elite business schools of Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, Queen's University, and Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario have, on average, a GMAT score of 654 ranging from 642 to 661. The higher scores that the more prestigious schools average are most likely the result of their higher admissions standards. Furthermore, schools with no established minimum GMAT score for admission tend to have a student body whose average scores are higher (622) than those who have set a minimum score (600). However, except for McGill University and Queen's University, most of those schools usually viewed among the elite in Canada do not have a minimum required GMAT score; thus, because these schools have higher overall admissions' standards helps explain why, on average, those with no set minimum have a higher average GMAT score. There is no apparent correlation between age and/or work experience and a higher or lower GMAT score. 

Average Work Experience for Canadian MBA Students

What is the average number of years of work experience for a student attending an MBA School in Canada?

In Canada, MBA students have, on average, 6.4 years of real world work experience; this is about 4 more years than the average number of work experience years required by MBA schools. There is no definitive correlation between a school's supposed educational standards, rankings, reputation, and/or size and the average number of work experience years of its students. There is, however, a proportional relationship between work experience and age; a school that has a student population with a higher average number of work experience years tends to also have a higher average age. Moreover, schools with extensive cooperative learning opportunities tend to have students with less than average work experience while institutions with ample distant education opportunities have students with a higher than average work experience. Furthermore, it is often believed that having more work experience will result in a higher Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score. However, this hypothesis, from the schools examined, is not supported because GMAT scores between those with more and those with less than average work experience tend to be relatively equal.

 

UNIVERSITY	WORK EXPERIENCE
Athabasca University	Applicants with a bachelor degree must have at least 3 years of managerial-level work experience; those with an acceptable professional designation but no degree require at least 5 years of managerial-level work experience.
Brock University	Work experience is not required but is preferred
Cape Breton University	A minimum of two years experience in community economic development
Concordia University	At least two years of meaningful work experience
Dalhousie University	At least 3 years.
First Nations University of Canada	Minimum 3 years work experience.
HEC Montreal	A minimum of three years of work experience.
Lansbridge University	Applicants should have at least 1 year of full-time relevant work experience for the MBA program or 5 years of full-time work experience, including 2 years of management level employment, for the eMBA program.
Laurentian University	Applicants should have at least 2 years of relevant work experience but this requirement may be waived under specific situations.
Malaspina University-College	No work experience is required.
McGill University	Applicants must have a minimum of two years of relevant full time work experience after their undergraduate degree.
McMaster University	Candidates applying for the full-time or part-time options must have a minimum of one year of full-time, continuous managerial, professional or technical work experience.
Memorial University of Newfoundland	You must complete Employment Experience Information Form
Mount Saint Vincent University	A minimum of two years of full-time, relevant work experience.
Queen's University	A minimum two years of full-time, post-degree, professional experience (excluding internships and/or co-op placements).
Royal Roads University	Applicants must have at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
Ryerson University	Ryerson’s MBA:Preference will be given to applicants who have a minimum of two years full-time work experience or equivalent after graduation from undergraduate studies.
Saint Mary's University	Full-time students should normally have at least two years of relevant post-degree experience. Co-op experience will be given consideration.
Simon Fraser University	Two years of relevant work experience is the minimum required but the University recommends at least three years.
University of Alberta	Applicants should possess a minimum of two years, full-time work experience after completion of an undergraduate degree.
University of British Columbia	Work experience is preferred and will help an applicant's chances of being acceptedl however, no minimum number or years of work experience is set.
University of Calgary	Three years of appropriate employment at increasing levels of responsibility.
University of Guelph	If the applicant has a 4-year degree then 3 years of industry-related work experience, including managerial responsibilities, are required; otherwise, the applicant will need 5 years of relevant work experience including managerial responsibilities.
University of Manitoba	Three years of professional work experience.
University of New Brunswick-Fredericton	A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience is required; preferred experience is that which makes use of your undergraduate degree.
University of New Brunswick-Saint John	A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience is required; preferred experience is that which makes use of your undergraduate degree.
University of Ottawa	2 years of full-time managerial or professional work experience.
University of Regina	Usually, applicants are required to have a minimum of 2 years of full-time, relevant work experience.
University of Saskatchewan	Minimum 3 years work experience.
University of Toronto	Two years of full-time work experience.
University of Western Ontario	Two years of work experience
University of Windsor	No work experience is required
Wilfrid Laurier University	Two years of work experience
York University	Two years of full-time, relevant work experience.

Average Age for Canadian MBA students

What is the average age of a student in a MBA School in Canada?

In Canada, the average age of an MBA student is 29.9 years. There is no apparent correlation between the age of a student and the size, reputation, and/or ranking of the MBA school he or she attends. However, there is a proportional relationship between age and work experience. That is, schools whose students' average age exceeds the national average age for MBA schools tend to have student bodies with an average of approximately 2.4 years more of work experience than those whose average age is at or below the national average. However, there is no correlation between higher than average work experience and the size, reputation, and/or ranking of the school. Similarly, there is no relationship between an higher average age and a higher than average score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Moreover, MBA schools with extensive cooperative learning opportunities, such as the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University and the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor, tend to have a student population whose average age falls under the national average. While there is no definitive reason for this, cooperative programs may attract younger students because they usually have less real-world work experience than more mature learners, and cooperative education provides the former an avenue through which to garner real-world workplace familiarity.

On the other hand, MBA schools who have more opportunities for distance learning, like Athabasca University and Queen's University, tend to have an older than average student body. Again, there is no conclusive answer as to why this is the case. However, older students tend to have extensive business and work experience and, often, a full-time career. Distance learning, therefore, provides these students, who may not believe they require a traditional classroom education, a flexible learning option which makes minimal demands on their regular schedules and routine and allows them to, among other things, continue working full-time.

 

UNIVERSITY	AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
Concordia University	30
Dalhousie University	30
HEC Montreal	31
McGill University	150
Memorial University of Newfoundland	10-40
Queen's University	61
Royal Military College	Class for core courses average 20-25 students; classes for elective courses average 8-10 students
Ryerson University	The classes will be small, facilitating a dynamic interactive learning environment.
University of Alberta	43
University of British Columbia	100-150
University of New Brunswick-Fredericton	10-25 students in elective courses; 30-45 students in core courses.

How to choose an MBA School in Canada

What is the criteria for deciding on a Canadian MBA school and program in Canada?

Once you have determined that earning an MBA is important to achieving your objectives you must choose the appropriate program and school which is right for you. The search for the right education will be an involving and time-consuming project but will be worthwhile if you want to find the proper degree for you. The following is a list of 16 of the most important things to consider when choosing an MBA, albeit every individual may not take all of them into consideration:

  Critera for Choosing a MBA School and Program

1. Costs and benefits

2. Specialized, general, or combined MBA

3. Curriculum

4. Teaching quality

5. Reputation of the MBA school

6. Cooperative MBA programs

7. Distance MBA programs

8. Full-time vs part-time MBAs

9. Internationalized MBA

10. Recruitment possibilities

11. Rankings

12. International accreditation

13. Peer group

14. Size of student population

15. Competition

16. Bilingualism/Linguistic choice
    ( Source: http://www.canadian-universities.net/ )

List of Business Schools in Canada