Admissions to MBA programs in Canada have started for 2023. There are three main intakes for overseas students applying to MBA programs in Canada. The fall, winter, and summer seasons are when intake begins. In Canada, the fall intake, which starts in September, is the main intake. September marks the start of Round 1 for international applicants to the best business schools in Canada. Applications for McMaster University will open on September 1st, 2022, and for McGill University in the middle of September.
Deadlines for the upcoming round of MBA admissions in Canada
- Toronto University: September 2
- September 1 Queen's University
- September 19 Western University
- Alberta University: September 1
- Winter deadline at the University of Manitoba: October 1
Huge numbers of aspirant foreign business students apply to MBA programs in Canada. Canada is extremely well-liked as a location for overseas students. Canada's high-quality education and immigrant-friendly regulations are what place it among the top 10 places to study MBA abroad.
A wide range of MBA programs, including those in international business, finance, community economic development, executive MBA in Canada, global management, etc., are also offered by Canadian universities and business institutions. International applicants to MBA programs in Canada must have competitive GPAs of at least 80% and GMAT scores between 550 and 650 in order to be accepted (depending on the choice of university).
Canada boasts of being one of the top destinations for MBA education thanks to its top-ranked B-schools, including Rotman, Sauder, Smith, and others. The best business schools in Canada provide top-notch instruction at a lower cost and with significantly laxer admission requirements than those in the US. Whereas an MBA in Canada costs about 80,000 USD per year, it can cost as much as 110,000 USD in the US.
Deadlines for MBA Admission in Canada
The majority of Canadian MBA programs start their admissions process at least six months before the start of the session. As a result, most colleges are only accepting applications for the last stages of admission as round 1 admissions to the full-time MBA program for the year 2022 have already ended.
In parallel, the majority of Canadian business schools have already begun accepting applications for the academic year 2022. The following top MBA programs in Canada have their forthcoming application deadlines:
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
- The early round application deadline is September
- The deadline for Round 1 admission applications is October 3
- The deadline for Round 2 admission applications is January 13
- The deadline for Round 3 admission applications is March 6
- The deadline for Round 4 admission applications is April 28
Desautels Faculty of Management, Mcgill University
- There are two deadlines at Desautels Faculty of Management for admission application submissions: November 15, and January 15.
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University
- The deadline for admission applications is September 1
Schulich School Business, York University
- The first two rounds of admission application are already closed, however, you can apply for round three, which ends on September 7, or round four, which ends on October 26.
Sauder School of Business, The University of British Columbia
- The deadline for admission applications is September 20.
Ivey Business School Western University
- The first three rounds of admission application are already closed, however, you may apply for round four, which closes on September 19, round five on November 7, and round six on January 9.
Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta
- The deadline for admission applications for Alberta School of Business is September 1.
Department of Business, HEC Montreal
- The deadline for the first round of applicant admissions is November 15.
- The deadline for the second round of applicant admissions is January 15.
- The deadline for round three of the applicant admission procedure is March 15.
- The deadline for round four of the applicant admission procedure is May 15.
Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University
- The applicant admission procedure closes on October 31, for January entry and February 28, for May entry.
Degroote School of Business, McMaster University
- The deadline for the first round of applicant admissions is October 12.
- The deadline for the first round of applicant admissions is December 1.
- The deadline for the first round of applicant admissions is February 28.
Beedie Business School, Simon Fraser University
- The deadline for application admission is October 14.
Lazaridis Business School, Wilfrid Laurier Waterloo
- The deadline for application admission is January 15.
- Ivey Business School also conducts a 5th and 6th round of admissions, the deadlines for which are on November 7, and January 9.
- International Students are encouraged to apply by round 2 for MBA admissions in Canada.
MBA Admissions in Canada Timeline
Ideally, aspirants should begin preparing for admission to MBA in Canada at least two years before the actual joining year. This will give them enough time to research Business Schools, spruce up their resume, and work on GMAT and other tests required for MBA admissions in Canada. Apart from MBA, Canada also has MSBA in Canada as a business program. However, even if that’s not possible, prospective applicants should at least start their preparations a year before. A brief sketch of the MBA Admissions Timeline has been provided below:
- Year 2 before applying to Business Schools in Canada Research and shortlist Business Schools in Canada
From September through December- Make a list of admission requirements and assess your shortcomings. - January- Register for the GMAT
- From January through April- Prepare for the GMAT/GRE as well as IELTS or TOEFL (If required)
- April (5 months before Round 1 Application)- Take the GMAT exam as well as IELTS or TOEFL.
- From April until May- Retake the GMAT/IELTS/TOEFL if necessary.
- From May through July- Begin writing your Statement of Purpose, Personal Essays, Cover Letters, and Resumes. Additionally, seek for references to write LOR.
- August- Check all documents to ensure that all information is proper.
- September to October- Apply for Round 1 and ensure that recommendations are received on time.
- October to November- Prepare for interviews if you are chosen.
- November to December- Give an interview and wait for an acceptance letter
- From December until January- Prepare for round 2 admissions and apply
- February- Prepare for interviews if you are chosen.
- March- If you receive offers from multiple business schools, choose one and notify the university.
- March- April- Pay the deposit cost, receive enrollment confirmation, and apply for a Canadian student visa. Also, look into scholarships.
- May- A visa interview may be scheduled.
- From June through August- Make plans to travel to Canada after you have received your visa.
MBA in Canada Admission Process
Each Canadian university has a unique admissions procedure for its MBA program. However, most Canadian business schools will invite students for an interview round before eventually processing the application. The university or business school in issue is taking the applicant into consideration for admission if they have extended an invitation for an interview. Therefore, the interview stage is the last chance for applicants to leave a positive impression on the admissions committee members.
The following are typical inquiries that are made during the interview round:
- Academic history questions in depth
- Experience at Work
- career objectives or aspirations
- the choice to pursue a higher education
- How the MBA program will aid them in achieving their professional objectives
- The contribution the candidate might be able to make
Documents Needed For Canadian MBA Admissions
- Academic transcripts and all other records
- Work history documentation (if any)
- LOR (at least 2)
- results of the language tests required to study in Canada
- Financial documentation, bank statement SOP for MBA essays (if asked)
- updated CV or resume image.
Candidates should be aware that depending on the business school one is applying to, entrance requirements may change. Furthermore, if the University in question determines that more documentation or information is required, they may request it.
KIRA Interviews for MBA Admissions in Canada
The entrance standards for MBA programs at major Canadian universities are increasing including video interviews or video essays submitted through KIRA, an online video admissions platform. In this round, potential applicants will watch pre-recorded video interviews with questions from the admissions team before recording their responses.
Candidates will be given 30 to 45 seconds to prepare before having 90 seconds to record their responses on the KIRA interview platform, which features various sets of randomly generated behavioral questions. Additionally, candidates will only have one opportunity to record their responses. Three to four videotaped questions and one written answer make up the KIRA interviews.
Some of the inquiries are as follows:
- What would you do if you had a year off after getting your MBA?
- What color would you pick if you could use it to symbolize who you are?
- Why would you like an MBA?
- When was your proudest accomplishment, and what influence did it have?
- Tell us about a time when you had to give a group presentation. Describe what you did, what happened, what you learned, and how you would handle it differently in the future.
Admission decision for an MBA in Canada
In addition to the standard academic history, GMAT scores, English proficiency scores, and undergraduate grades, universities in Canada also consider factors including work experience, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Using undergraduate grades to determine MBA admission. When choosing an applicant for admission, management, and leadership abilities are also taken into account. Additionally, qualified candidates will need to show up for a final round of interviews.
Errors To Avoid While Applying
Avoid these errors while applying for an MBA in Canada
- It takes skill to write an application for admission to an MBA program. As a result, when applying, aspirants frequently make blunders that could give the admissions committee a bad first impression. Below is a list of some of these errors:
- Instead of outlining their interests and aspirations, candidates should write about what they believe the admissions committee wants to hear.
- Candidates should refrain from embellishing or lying in their applications regarding their accomplishments.
- not selecting suitable references for a LOR
- While writing their essays, applicants should avoid using a robotic or artificial tone, they also shouldn't be too casual or personable.
- Not all resumes, cover letters and essays should be the same. Additionally, they shouldn't contain material, achievements, etc. that are repeated.
- Students can also consult a Canadian MBA Sample SOP.
Cost of MBA Colleges in Canada
In Canada, around 50 universities provide well-liked MBA programs. Seven universities out of 150 are ranked lower than that in the QS World Rankings for 2023. The following are MBA schools in Canada that accept Indian students:
- University of Toronto charges 40.98 Lakhs for a Full-Time MBA
- McGill University charges 61.59 Lakhs for a MBA in Business Analytics
- Cape Breton charges University 5.3 Lakhs for a MBA in Community Economic Development
- University Canada West charges 23.95 lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- University of British Columbia charges 41.81 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- The University of Alberta charges 16.2 Lakhs for MBA In Finance
- University of Montreal charges 36.47 lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- McMaster University charges 56.87 Lakhs for MBA With Co-op
- University of Ottawa charges 39.56 Lakhs for Executive MBA
- University of Manitoba charges 29.86 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- The University of Calgary charges 15.48 Lakhs for MBA in Management
- Ryerson University (Toronto Metropolitan) charges 31.29 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- Edwards School of Business charges 37.47 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- Western University charges 37.47 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- Queen’s University charges 64.35 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- University of Victoria charges 24.58 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- York University charges 39.36 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- University of Moncton charges 16.7 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- ancouver Island University charges 30.26 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- Brock University charges 21.12 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- Trinity Western University charges 22.39 Lakhs for MBA in International Business
- Saint Mary’s University charges 35.85 Lakhs for Full-Time MBA
- The University of Windsor charges 22.3 Lakhs for MBA in Professional Accounting
- Carleton University charges 21.25 Lakhs for MBA in Business Analytics
Why do Indian students opt for a Canadian MBA?
A huge difference of 7–11 lakhs can be seen between Canadian universities and those in the United States and the United Kingdom, making MBA study fairly reasonable. Indians prefer to study in Canada over the United States and the United Kingdom because of the simple post-work visas, the affordable universities, and the rise of SMEs and startups.
MBA program options in Canada
To accommodate the various interests and needs of overseas students, Canada offers a variety of MBA degrees. Here are a few of these in more detail:
MBA full-time
In Canada, a full-time MBA typically lasts two years. The program curriculum is best suited for a student with the ability to focus entirely on their academic work. There aren't many MBA schools in Canada that provide full-time programs.
- University of Toronto
- University Canada West
- University of British Columbia
- University of Manitoba
- University of Montreal
MBA part-time
A longer-term MBA program than the FT-MBA, but one that is better suited to working professionals wishing to earn a degree while also working. Depending on the university you choose to study at, the course lasts typically three to six years. Canadian universities that offer part-time MBA programs:
- Concordia University
- Queen’s University
- Brock University
- McMaster University
- University of Alberta
- York University
MBA in Executive
The average length of an Executive MBA in Canada is 13 months, with both a personal and professional return on investment. For admission to executive MBA programs in Canada, candidates frequently need to have at least 8–10 years of prior experience. Some Canadian colleges offering executive MBAs are:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- Queens University
- York University
- HEC Montreal
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- Carleton University
In addition to this, international students can pursue Dual Degrees (MBA/JD or MBA/MFA/MA) and Joint MBA degrees (a combination of pharmacy, law, engineering, and global affairs) available for study in Canada.
Canadian MBA Admissions: All You Need To Know
Those from outside Canada who intend to pursue an MBA must make sure they meet the minimal prerequisites for the degree. You must be aware of the fundamental requirements for admission to the best MBA programs in Canada. The information that international students need to be aware of while applying for an MBA in Canada is provided below.
Admission Intakes
There are three main intakes for international students applying to MBA programs in Canada. The fall, winter, and summer seasons are when intake begins. In Canada, the fall intake, which starts in September, is the main intake.
Application Process
Each university has a separate application portal where applicants must register and fill out the application form. In some circumstances, you might be required to submit your applications through portals for each individual province, such as OUAC/ApplyAlberta, etc.
Application Cost
Candidates must pay an application fee that ranges from 2,500 to 8,400 Indian rupees (INR). When submitting the online application form, this charge must be paid by credit card and is not refundable.
The MBA is one of the most popular and high-paying graduate degrees in the world.
The MBA degree in Canada can be obtained from a diverse range of institutions and programs. There are many factors to consider when choosing an MBA program. These include the location, cost, duration, specialization, and reputation of a school or program.
Conclusion
Comparatively speaking, studying in Canada is less expensive than doing so in the US, Australia, or the UK. More importantly, Canadian colleges offer degrees that are respected around the world, enabling graduates to compete successfully in the job market when they graduate.
Students can frequently work on and off campus while studying in Canada, and after graduating, recent graduates can apply to continue working in Canada by submitting an application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Many foreign students decide to remain in Canada and apply for permanent residency.