25 Top Universities in Canada for MBA

This post contains an up-to-date, well-detailed list of the top universities in Canada for MBA which have been broken down with different subheadings for better understanding. The universities listed here should help in kick-starting your career in professional business.

You have completed a bachelor’s degree in business, statistics, economics, accounting & finance, or any other business-related course and want to go professional.

The next step is to enroll in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and equip yourself with professional skills in the area of business you want to concentrate on.

MBA programs are designed to make you a professional business person and make you successful in whatever you want to pursue in the business world. It could be setting up your own business, taking top leadership roles in an organization, or becoming an academic professor.

Whichever of these options you want to go for an MBA is the right next thing to earn as long as it is business-related.

After settling on getting an MBA, it then begs the question “where do I get an MBA?”

Truth is, you can get an MBA in any university or college that offers it and you necessarily don’t need to go to Canada, the United States, Australia, or the UK to get it. You can get an MBA at schools in your region as long as they offer the program of your choice

However, international education has become a thing and people have seen that getting an education from one of the top countries above offers even better opportunities especially if you are from a poor, underdeveloped, or developing country. This is why some countries are top education spots and others aren’t, the quality of the degree.

Now, this post is focusing on just one country – Canada – which is one of the top three education hubs in the world. So if you want to for an MBA in Canada, this guide is clearly for you. This country does not reject students knocking on her doors for study purposes, you are only rejected if you do not meet up with the requirements, which makes you non-eligible and you are turned down.

However, if you meet up with the eligibility requirements – which are mainly set by your host institution and the Canadian government – there is no way you would be turned down.

So, here we have it…

Studying for your MBA in Canada one of the top education spots in the world.

Many, many universities and colleges in Canada offer MBA programs but some of these institutions have been ranked as the top, that is, the best ones.

Let’s take a look at the 5 top universities in Canada for MBAs…

5 Top Universities in Canada for MBA

The following are the top 5 universities in Canada for MBA ranked by major educational ranking platforms;

  • Rotman School of Management
  • Desautels Faculty of Management
  • Ivey Business School
  • Smith Business School
  • Schulich School of Business

Rotman School of Management

The Rotman School of Management is the business school of the University of Toronto which translates to making U of T one of the top universities in Canada for MBA. The Rotman School of Management offers a variety of business-related programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels of study.

The MBA is one of these business programs offered by the School for master’s students. The MBA curriculum here is designed to equip students with a solid background in business fundamentals and creative methodology to allow them effectively handle business problems.

The full-time MBA program is completed in 2 years and allows students to specialize and enhance their skills in one of the Majors. Students may also choose from a variety of specializations to build their expertise or chart a new career path.

Desautels Faculty of Management

The MBA program from this Faculty is ranked among the best in the country, it is a faculty of McGill University thus it one of the top universities in Canada for MBA. With new, flexible specializations, students at Desautels can personalize the content of their degrees to gain a competitive and chart their own course.

The MBA at Desautels is a full-time program that can be completed in two years which at the end of study takes students to a higher ring of leadership within their organization.

Ivey Business School

Ivey Business School has to be the most popular on this list and it offers one of the top MBA programs in the country. Ivey is the business school of the University of Western Ontario, thus, one of the top universities in Canada for MBA.

The MBA program at Ivey Business School takes one year to complete and develops students to become high-achieving leaders who are ready to accelerate their careers to success.

Smith Business School

The MBA at Queen’s University Smith Business School is ranked among the best in the country and national levels thus becoming one of the top universities in Canada for MBA.

Taking a flexible and highly personalized approach that allows you to build the right program for your career goals, the Smith MBA will advance your career and become leadership-ready.

The MBA program is completed in one year and has specializations that you can choose from to chart a new career path.

Schulich School of Business

This is the business school of York University and ranks among the top universities in Canada for MBA. The MBA program at Schulich has both full-time and part-time learning options which can be completed in 16-20 months.

Students will be equipped with the specialized knowledge and leadership skills required to gain a competitive edge in a business organization. You may also choose from the areas of specialization to hone your skills in your field of interest.

So, these are the top universities in Canada for MBA and they offer admissions to international and domestic students. Another thing they have in common is how expensive they are, tuition ranges from $70,000 – $100,000 for the whole academic session.

Want to study an MBA for less in Canada? See our compiled list of cheapest MBA in Canada

You can also check out our compiled list of the cheapest online MBA programs from schools in Canada that you can sign up for from anywhere around the globe.

Moving on…

MBA program requirements vary by institution but it still revolves around the following;

  • A bachelor degree in a business-related field with a minimum of B or 75% or 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Work experience
  • GMAT/GRE
  • IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
  • Academic transcripts, statement of purpose, essays, and reference letters.

Above are the major requirements that schools in Canada will request for and while some schools will waive the GMAT/GRE some won’t. And in some schools also, the “work experience” requirement may be waived.

Now concentrating on the “work experience” requirement, let’s look at some of the top universities in Canada for MBA that won’t require candidates to have working experience.

Top Universities in Canada for MBA without Work Experience

The following are the top universities in Canada for MBA without work experience;

  • New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
  • Thompson Rivers University
  • Cape Breton University
  • Carleton University
  • The University of Windsor

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

The New York Institute of Technology offers full-time and part-time MBA program to international and domestic students and do not require applicants to have working experience.

However, you need to have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and international students are mandated to take the IELTS or TOEFL with a minimum score of 6.0 and 79 respectively.

The NYIT MBA program will take your career to the next level equipping you with hands-on professional experience, team building, leadership, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills. With these skills, you can be able to transform a business and boost its value in the global marketplace.

Thompson Rivers University

The MBA program at Thompson Rivers University has total flexibility and choice, you may go for the part-time or full-time program which you can decide to study fully online or on-campus.

Your career skills are being developed while you engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by industry professionals and equip you with skills to become a leader with a global perspective and innovate in a global economy.

Thompson’s MBA is one of the best in Canada and does not require candidates to have work experience but a 3 or 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of B or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. IELTS or the TOEFL are required for international students with minimum scores of 7.0 and 94 respectively.

Cape Breton University

Cape Breton University is one of the top universities in Canada for MBA without work experience but other academic requirements are compulsory. They include an undergraduate degree with a CGPA of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale or a B, GMAT, and IELTS of 6.5.

The MBA program at Cape Breton is completed in 1-2 years and offers a leading-edge curriculum that includes all business subjects found in traditional MBA programs with an emphasis on economic development, leadership, governance, and management of change.

Carleton University

The Carleton University Sprott School of Business is one of the top universities in Canada for MBA without work experience. The MBA program is designed for the stage in your career and life featuring an integrated management curriculum, project-based, and experiential learning.

An undergraduate degree in business or its related field with a minimum score of B or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, TOEFL/IELTS, and GMAT/GRE are all required.

The University of Windsor

Odette School of Business offers a host of business and management degree programs at the University of Windsor. The MBA is one of them and does not require candidates to have the working experience to apply.

The MBA at Odette is an accelerated learning environment using an experiential learning approach, equipping students with personalized preparation for a successful career in business.

The TOEFL or IELTS is compulsory with a minimum score of 100 and 7.0.

Top Universities in Canada without GMAT

The GMAT is a test taken to test the analytical, verbal, quantitative, reasoning, reading, and writing skills of a candidate and it is for international students. The GMAT is taken to test the academic performance of candidates before accepting them for admission.

The GMAT is another “compulsory” academic requirement to study in an MBA program at Canadian universities. For this subheading to be here, that means some universities do not require it and you will learn of them now.

Some of these schools that do not require GMAT usually require high academic standing in bachelor’s degrees, work experience, and a remarkable CV.

If you are looking for the top universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT, check the following universities below.

  • York University
  • McMaster University
  • Thompson Rivers University
  • New York Institute of Technology
  • Lakehead University

York University

The Schulich School of Business at York University offers MBA and other management and business-related programs to all degrees. The School waives off GMAT for its MBA program and instead requires students to have a B+ or an aggregate of 87-89% or a GPA of over 3.3 on a scale of 4.0 in their bachelor’s degree.

Work experience of 2 years is required as well as 2 letters of recommendation, an essay, and the English language proficiency tests, TOEFL or IELTS, with minimum scores of 100 or 7.0 respectively.

McMaster University

McMaster is one of the top universities in Canada without GMAT as it is waived off. To get into an MBA program at McMaster University DeGroote Business School, you will need a minimum score aggregate of 75% in a bachelor. The TOEFL or IELTS are required with a minimum score of 100 and 7.0, 2 letters of reference are also required.

Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University also ranks among the top universities in Canada without GMAT.

The MBA program at Thompson waives both the GMAT and work experience and it appears in the subheading above.

New York Institute of Technology

Like Thompson, the New York Institute of Technology also waives the GMAT and work experience requirements.

Lakehead University

Candidates with excellent academic records are exempted from taking the GMAT at Lakehead University and even as an international student you can apply for a GMAT waiver. The IELTS or TOEFL are required though with minimum scores of 6.5 and 85 respectively.

Apply for Lakehead MBA

From checks, some of these universities may be costly for international students; thus we have an already published article on the cheapest MBA in Canada for international students to help candidates with lower budgets.

Top Universities in Canada for MBA in Marketing

The following are the top universities in Canada for MBA in marketing;

  • Concordia University
  • The University of Saskatchewan
  • Queen’s University
  • The University of Guelph
  • York University

Concordia University

Concordia University offers an MBA in Marketing to develop students into professionals using the most updated marketing theories, techniques, and tools to conduct advanced marketing research.

Students will develop analytical and technical skills valued by employers and engage with peers in small classes.

The University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan is one of the top universities in Canada for MBA in Canada and offers the program in full-time and part-time options. The program is a transformational experience that focuses on team building, leadership, and business strategy.

You simply need to apply for the MBA program and choose Marketing as your specialization. Got it?

Queen’s University

Again, Queen’s University makes it to the rank of top universities in Canada for an MBA in marketing. Since the MBA has many specializations you can choose from, applicants can apply for the MBA program and choose marketing as the specialization.

The MBA in marketing at Smith will offer you up-to-date marketing techniques, strategies, and methodologies that the modern business market requires.

The University of Guelph

The MBA program at the University of Guelph is one of the top universities in Canada for MBA in marketing offered by the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics.

The program equips students with the critical thinking and decision-making skills required to understand the behavior and trends of consumers and also be capable of leading marketing research projects.

York University

The MBA in marketing at the York University Schulich School of Business is tailored to help students to develop an understanding of the elements of marketing strategy, the details of marketing tactics, and the general principles of marketing in the current business model.

Top Universities in Canada for MBA with GMAT

So, we did the top universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT and it is just right to also discuss the top universities in Canada for MBA with GMAT. Therefore, below are these universities;

  • The University of Toronto
  • Western University
  • Queen’s University
  • HEC Montreal
  • The University of British Columbia

The University of Toronto

The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto has globally and nationally been ranked among the top universities in Canada for MBA. Now, you have known that among its host of academic requirements it also requires that international students fulfill the average GMAT score of 673.

Western University

The Western University Ivey Business School is one of the top universities in Canada for MBA with GMAT and has been discussed severally through this article containing other admission details. Now you are sure it requires students to submit a minimum GMAT score of 656.

Queen’s University

Queen’s University boasts of the prestigious Smith School of Business which offers one the best MBA programs in the country. International applicants are required to take the GMAT, amidst other requirements, with an average score of 650.

HEC Montreal

HEC is a French-language business school and requires a GMAT score of 638 among a host of other requirements.

The University of British Columbia

The Sauder School of Business is the business school of the University of British Columbia and offers the MBA program and other business and management degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The MBA program at Sauder requires candidates to take the GMAT and achieve an average score of 635.


FAQs About Top Universities in Canada for MBA

What MBA is the best in Canada?

According to rankings, the best MBA in Canada is the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Which MBA is in demand in Canada

MBA in Human Resources (HR) is in demand in Canada and is projected to rise to 49% in the next 10 years.

How much does an MBA cost in Canada?

The cost of an MBA in Canada varies by institution and international and domestic students. However, it varies from CAD 20,000 – CAD 120,000.

Is Canada good for MBA?

Canada business schools are becoming a choice for MBA applicants from all over the world, seeing a surge of over 16% in the last year.

The information here should guide you in choosing the right university in Canada for MBA and even though they are expensive, they offer quality degrees and hold international prestige.

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