Admissions – Eligibility, How to Apply, deadlines, Score Requirements
Eligibility for MBA in Canada
Are you eligible for pursuing MBA in Canada? The common eligibility criteria for pursuing MBA in Canada is as follows:
- Graduation Degree: The aspirant should have a Graduation degree from a recognized University
- Work Experience: The candidate should have requisite work experience, as there is a provision of preference for the aspirants with some work experience. In many Universities, work experience is an eligibility criterion to apply for an MBA course.
- Proficiency in English Language:Applicants from non-native English speaking countries have to provide a proof of proficiency in English language. They need a decent TOEFL or IELTS score.
- GMAT Score: The aspirant should have an excellent GMAT score
Score Requirements for MBA at Top B-Schools in Canada
Have a look at the Score Requirements at some of the Top B-Schools in Canada:
University | UG Degree Requirement | Language Scores |
Rotman School of Management | 8.0/10 7.5/10 (for IIT graduates) | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 |
McGill University | Relevant bachelors degree | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 (iBT) 600 (pBT) |
Ivey Business School | Relevant UG degree | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 (iBT) |
Smith School of Business | 75% (B+ on grade scale) | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 96 (iBT) |
Schulich School of Business | UG degree (B+ grade) | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 (iBT) |
Alberta School of Business | 80% or more | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 (iBT) |
Sauder School of Business | B+ grade | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 (iBT) |
Also Read – GMAC Application Trends Survey Report 2019: Canada, Europe Attract More International Candidates
MBA in Canada: GMAT Requirements
University | GMAT Score Required |
UToronto | Minimum required– 550 Average score– 669 |
McGill University | Minimum Required- 550 Average score- 660 |
UWO | Minimum Required- 550 Average score- 667 |
Queen’s University | Minimum Required- 600 Average score- 654 |
York University | Minimum Required- 550 Average score- 660 |
University of Alberta | Minimum Required- 550 Average score- 612 |
University of British Columbia | Minimum Required- 550 Average score- 650 |
MBA in Canada without GMAT
Most Canadian B-Schools require a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score for admission.
However, even without GMAT, there are a couple of MBA Options in Canada.
There are plenty of good Canadian universities accepting candidates without GMAT scores as long as they meet other criteria. A couple of them are: Schulich School of Business, York University, Queen’s University Smith School of Business.
Also Read – Schulich, Canada 2013 MBA placements: $180,000 highest, $84,305 average salary
Instead of relying solely on GMAT scores, these B-Schools consider other aspects of your application such as your scores in your undergraduate degree in business or related fields, with an average grade of B+ or higher, as well as the quality of your work experience.
In such no GMAT cases, applicants are evaluated on their analytical skills, decision-making skills, communication skills, and leadership skills through their educational history and work experience.
MBA in Canada: Work Experience Required
Most Universities offering MBA in Canada, require prior work experience. The typical requirements at the top universities are:
University | Work Experience Required |
University of Toronto | Minimum required- 2 Average- 5 |
McGill University | Minimum required – 2 Average- 5 |
UWO | Minimum required – 2 Average- 4.8 |
Queen’s University | Minimum required – 2 Average- 4.4 |
York University | Minimum required – 2 |
University of Alberta | Minimum required – 2 Average- 5.4 |
University of British Columbia | Minimum required – 2 Average- 3 to 5 |
Study MBA in Canada without Work Experience
While Canadian B-Schools may not stipulate work experience for admissions, class profiles of these B-Schools show they prefer candidates with a work experience of as much as 3-4 years.
That said, you can still find some Universities in Canada that will admit you to an MBA program without work experience (work-ex). Some of these are:
- New York Institute of Technology (Vancouver, BC): For MBA admissions you will need a valid GMAT score but work experience is not mandated
- Thompson Rivers University: Though this university prefers students with work experience, not having it is not a deal breaker at the university
- Cape Brenton University: You can apply for the MBA program at Cape Brenton without any work experience
- University of Windsor: Admission to MBA at Windsor does not need prior work experience
- Brock University: Brock is open to candidates without work-ex
Also Read – Is Canada Scoring Over the US in MBA Admissions?
How To Apply For An MBA in Canada
The application process for an MBA in Canada is quite long and therefore applicants should apply earliest possible (ideally 18 months before the session for which you are applying). Applicants need to visit the official B-School website for application forms.
Following is the list of required documents for application:
- Graduation related documents for academic records.
- GMAT Scorecard as well as TOEFL/IELTS Scorecard
- Financial documents and bank statements
- Documents proving your work experience
- Statement of Purpose or Essay: required for evaluation of candidates.
- Letter of recommendations: from current or previous managers.
- Visa Docs: Visa related documents
MBA in Canada: Documents Required
- Official Transcripts – Students need to provide scanned copies of all official transcripts through an online application portal
- One Page Resume – Applicants need to submit a one-page resume with details of their employment history. A good resume should be crisp and mention the candidate’s job and academic qualifications in a reverse chronological order (latest job/qualification received first)
- Letters of Recommendation/ Letters of Reference – At least two professional letters of recommendation from individuals who have directly managed the candidate and have been responsible for evaluating the candidate’s work performance are mandatory at most B-Schools
- Essays – Well crafted succinct essays can make all the difference in your application. They provide students an opportunity to share their core strengths and vision or their life. Ad com uses these essays to understand the fit between the students past, future aspirations and the course offered at the B-School
- Exam Scores – Scores of exams required for studying in Canada include language proficiency scores (ILETS/ TOEFL) and GMAT/GRE scores. International applicants from non-native English speaking countries are required to submit these scores
- Work Experience – Most top universities prefer candidates with at least two years of full-time experience
- Interview:- After a preliminary review of a candidate’s application, students are shortlisted for the interview process. Usually, for international students, the interview is conducted over Skype, Zoom or Google Meet
- Study Visa – It is compulsory for all international students to obtain a Canadian visa and study permit for the duration of their study, to pursue an MBA in Canada. Canada’s visa policies are less complicated than those in UK or USA, transparent, and accessible for students. To get the study visa, applicants must procure a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) which is applicable at the post-secondary level.
Also read:
- Why Do An MBA In Canada
- Best MBA Institutes In Canada
- Best MBA Programs In Canada
- Affordable MBA Options In Canada
- MBA Salary and Placement In Canada
- Cost Of MBA In Canada
- MBA Study Permit In Canada
- MBA Scholarships In Canada