The Ultimate Guide to MBA in Canada

Are you preparing to pursue an MBA degree abroad? Look no further than Canada. The MBA programme requires a significant future investment from your side, as it will prepare you for more than just team leadership and spreadsheet analysis.

An MBA in Canada can truly transform your life. It is not just another degree; you can upskill yourself and gain the knowledge required to address real-world business problems. Let us dive into the details that will help you kickstart your MBA in Canada!

Why Pursue an MBA in Canada?

Many students dream of taking their careers to the next level by excelling in Business. Don't worry; you are not alone in this! Here are some reasons why you must consider pursuing an MBA in Canada:

1. Quality of Education

Canada is an ideal destination for international students, providing them with a secure and comfortable learning environment to study and grow. The country has consistently ranked high in well-being, quality of life and safety.

2. Work Opportunities

After earning their MBA, international students can work in Canada under one of the many post-graduation work permits available. This might benefit people who want to launch their professions or look into chances abroad.

3. High Quality of Life

Canada is an ideal destination for international students, providing them with a secure and comfortable learning environment to study and grow. The country has consistently ranked high in well-being, quality of life and safety.

4. Global Business Hub

Major business hubs with booming sectors in finance, technology, healthcare, and other sectors include cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Being near these centres can present several networking and employment opportunities.

5. Language Skills

Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as its official languages. As a primarily English-speaking nation, it is a fantastic opportunity for students to take up language learning as a passion! A very important factor to be considered in the Business realm, indeed.

6. Permanent Residency Pathway

Pursuing an MBA in Canada is a great opportunity for international students to obtain a PR. You get to build a strong professional network and gain work experience with the help of post-graduation work permits. 

Top 10 MBA Colleges in Canada

Canada has become the ideal study-abroad destination for international students. Canada promises high-quality education and diverse cultural experiences that transform you as a person. Below is a detailed list of the best colleges to pursue an MBA in Canada.

1. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

QS Ranking: #1

Required GMAT Score: 670

Total Program Fees: CAD 131,120

The Rotman School of Management is in the bustling city of Toronto, Ontario. It offers Full-time, Part-time, Executive, and Dual-degree MBA options for its students. The course duration of the MBA program is 20 months.

Top Recruiters: American Express, Capital One, Citigroup, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, Google, Hyundai, IBM, Procter Gamble, PwC and Tata.

2. Ivey Business School, Western University

QS Ranking: #2

Required GMAT Score: 680

Total Program Fees: CAD 120,500

Ivey Business School is located in the beautiful city of London, Ontario. Students can choose from Full-time, Executive, and Dual-degree MBA programs. The duration of the MBA program is 12 months.

Top Recruiters: Bain, McKinsey & Co, Procter & Gamble, RBC, Restaurant Brands International and TD.

3. Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University

QS Ranking: #3

Required GMAT Score: 675

Total Program Fees: CAD 99,500

Desautels Faculty of Management is based in Montreal, Quebec. Students can choose from Full-time, Part-time, Executive, and Dual-degree MBA programs. The MBA program is taught over 12 months.

Top Recruiters: ABB, BCG, CIBC, Deloitte, GSK, IBM, Infosys, KPMG, McKinsey & Co, Scotiabank, Unity Technologies and Walmart.

4. Smith School of Business, Queen's University

QS Ranking: #4

Required GMAT Score: 654

Total Program Fees: CAD 102,100

You can find the Smith School of Business in Kingston, Ontario. It offers students Full-time, Part-time, Executive, and Dual-degree MBA programs. The duration of the program is 12 months.

Top Recruiters: Amazon, BMO, CIBC, Deloitte, IBM, KPMG, Microsoft, PwC, RBC and Scotiabank.

5. Schulich School of Business, York University

QS Ranking: #5

Required GMAT Score: 660

Total Program Fees: CAD 106,900

Schulich School of Business is situated in Toronto, Ontario. It offers students Full-time, Part-time, Executive, and Dual-degree MBA programs. The MBA program is 12 months long.

Top Recruiters: Amazon, American Express, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, IBM, KPMG, Microsoft, P&G, PwC, Siemens and Sony.

6. Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia (UBC)

QS Ranking: #6

Required GMAT Score: 650

Total Program Fees: CAD 90,057

Sauder School of Business is located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It offers Full-time, Part-time, and Dual-degree programs within 16 months.

Top Recruiters: Accenture, Aditya Birla Group, Amazon, Amazon.com, Apple, Ernst & Young, Google, IBM, McKinsey, Nestle, SAP and Toyota.

7. Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta

QS Ranking: #7

Required GMAT Score: 650

Total Program Fees: CAD 60,000

Alberta School of Business can be found in Vancouver, British Columbia. It offers Full-time, Part-time, and Dual Degree

20 months

Top Recruiters: Amazon.com, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Google, Honeywell, IBM, Infosys, KPMG, Microsoft, PwC, SAP and Shell.

8. John Molson School of Business, Concordia University

QS Ranking: #8

Required GMAT Score: 640

Total Program Fees: CAD 41,500

The John Molson School of Business can be found in Montreal, Quebec. It provides various MBA options, including Full-time, Part-time, and Executive MBA. The duration of these programs is 20 months.

Top Recruiters: BMO, Deloitte, Desjardins Group, Ernst & Young, IBM, KPMG, National Bank of Canada, PwC, Scotiabank and SNC-Lavalin.

9. HEC Montréal

QS Ranking: #9

Required GMAT Score: 625

Total Program Fees: CAD 54,000

HEC Montréal is situated in Montreal, Quebec. It offers various MBA programs, including Full-time, Part-time, and Executive MBA. The duration of these MBA programs is 12 months.

Top Recruiters: BMO, Deloitte, Desjardins Group, Ernst & Young, IBM, KPMG, National Bank of Canada, PwC, RBC and Scotiabank.

10. Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University

QS Ranking: #10

Required GMAT Score: 550+

Total Program Fees: CAD 82,205

Rowe School of Business can be found in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The university provides students with Online, Corporate Residency and Dal MBA programs. The MBA program spans a duration of 18 to 24 months.

Top Recruiters: BMO, CIBC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, IBM, KPMG, PwC, RBC, Scotiabank and TD Bank Group.

Top MBA specialisations in Canada

Canada provides various MBA specialisations to accommodate various career objectives and industry preferences. The following are some of the top MBA specialisations in Canada:

1. MBA in Finance

In Canada, finance is in high demand due to the numerous career prospects it offers in the banking, investing, and corporate finance industries. It's frequently regarded as one of the best options for MBA students nationwide.

Jobs after MBA in Finance

1. Financial Analyst

Job Description: Analyses financial data to provide insights for decision-making.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 72,408

2. Corporate Treasurer

Job Description: Manages a company's financial assets and liquidity.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 211,913

3. Financial Manager

Job Description: Oversees financial operations and planning.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 109,963

4. Chief Financial Officer

Job Description: Leads financial strategy and management at the executive level.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 332,834

5. General Manager

Job Description: Manages overall operations and staff in a business.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 72,760

2. MBA in Marketing

Marketing specialisations are available through MBA programs in Canada, focusing on brand management, digital marketing, and market research. Graduates with this specialisation can find employment with marketing agencies, consumer goods, and technology companies.

Jobs after MBA in Marketing

1. Marketing Manager

Job Description: Plans and executes marketing strategies.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 75,103

2. Marketing Executive

Job Description: Implements marketing campaigns and initiatives.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 78,000

3. Marketing Analyst

Job Description: Analyses marketing data to inform strategies.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 74,638

4. Chief Marketing Officer

Job Description: Leads the company's marketing efforts.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 173,098

5. Market Development Manager

Job Description: Explores new markets and opportunities.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 95,820

3. MBA in Operations Management

This area of specialisation focuses on improving efficiency and managing the supply chain. Graduates frequently land jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and consulting firms.

Jobs after MBA in Operations Management

1. Operations Manager

Job Description: Oversees daily business operations.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 88,465

2. Operations Analyst

Job Description: Analyses operational processes for improvement.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 63,074

3. Supply Chain Manager

Job Description: Manages the flow of goods and materials.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 87,854

4. Business Operations Associate

Job Description: Supports various business operations tasks.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 54,902

5. Operating Officer

Job Description: Oversees all aspects of company operations.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 189,019

4. MBA in Human Resources

An MBA in Human Resources prepares students for leadership roles in managing and developing a company's workforce by focusing on strategic HR management, talent acquisition, and employee relations.

Jobs after MBA in Human Resources

1. Human Resources Manager

Job Description: Manages HR functions and personnel.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 97,366

2. Human Resources Officer

Job Description: Assists in HR tasks and administration.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 69,525

3. Chief People Officer

Job Description: Focuses on human capital and organisational culture.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 311,856

4. Human Resources Training Executive

Job Description: Develops and delivers employee training programs.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 78,091

5. Recruiting Manager

Job Description: Leads recruitment and hiring processes.

Average Salary Per Year: CAD 86,279

Some other MBA specialisations include:

5. MBA in Healthcare Management

MBA specialisations in healthcare management are becoming increasingly popular because of Canada's strong healthcare system. Graduates can find employment in health policy organisations, pharmaceutical companies, and hospitals.

6. MBA in Technology Management

A specialisation in technology management equips students for managerial positions in technology companies, which is growing rapidly in Canada.

7. MBA in International Business

This specialisation prepares students to work in international business environments owing to Canada's strong international trade links.

Cost of MBA in Canada

The average first-year MBA tuition fee in Canada is CAD 42,360. The annual average cost of living is around CAD 9,750. The cost of living can go up and down depending on the candidate’s lifestyle and preferred style of accommodations.

Student Visa Requirements for MBA in Canada

A student is required to obtain a student visa before entering Canada. This applies to students who wish to pursue academic, professional or vocational training from educational institutions in the country. To travel there, a student must first apply for a Temporary Residence Visa issued by the Canadian High Commission and handled by Visa Application Centres. The cost of a Canadian student visa is CAD 150.

MBA in Canada Requirements

Candidates must meet the following prerequisites to pursue an MBA in Canada:

• In any discipline, students must hold a bachelor's degree.
• A minimum score of 75% in bachelor's or equivalent CGPA
• For admission, the majority of universities demand GMAT or GRE scores.
• Students must take English proficiency exams like the IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE to pursue an MBA in Canada. Some universities may then conduct a personal interview.
• Enrolling in several Canadian universities requires at least two to three years of work experience.

Work Permit after Studying MBA in Canada

The chosen course and its length are important in obtaining a PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) while studying in Canada. Typically, permission to work under the PGWP is granted for the length of the study programme. The PGWP may last up to three years in Canada. If your postgraduate programme lasts two years, you will receive a three-year PGWP visa. A postgraduate work permit can only be granted for the length of the programme. For you to be granted a PGWP permit in Canada, the course's length must be at least eight months.

An MBA in Canada can be life-changing for aspiring business leaders. With its excellent education system, job opportunities, and a high standard of living, international students can pursue their MBA dreams through specialisations and top-ranked universities. What makes Canada an appealing location for MBA aspirants is the dream of obtaining a work permit after graduation and, eventually, a PR. Start planning your MBA in Canada today and open new doors to fruitful and fulfilling careers! You might want to checkout best countries for MBA Students before you make your decision. if you are open for more locations make sure to check out MBA in UK vs MBA in USA.