As one of the most diverse countries in the world, Canada is quickly becoming one of the top choices for foreign students applying for MBA and EMBA programs. In addition to being recognized for its academic excellence, other factors such as life expectancy, overall GDP, extended three year work visas for graduates, etc. have contributed to the increase in MBA applications by students from abroad.
With more than 15 business schools across the country having AACSB accredited MBA programs; quality of education is certainly a major contributing factor as are more affordable costs for many American students. Three top Canadian business schools also hold a prestigious triple accreditation by the three most respected accreditation associations:
- AACSB – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- AMBA – The association of MBAs
- EQUIS – The European quality Improvement System
Canadian business schools to hold all three accreditation standings are:
- Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario
- HEC Montreal
- The Telfer School of Management in Ottawa, Ontario
Canadian business schools offering MBA programs are also routinely cited in many global school rankings including York Schulich which was ranked as first in Beyond Grey Pinstripes. It was recognized as a program that successfully integrated core aspects of environmental and social stewardship. The University of Toronto Rotman, Queen’s University and Western Ontario Ivey have all had high honours in the non-US rankings in Business Week.
The majority of Canadian business schools are located in Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec which are the country’s two largest cities. Montreal is the smaller of the two cities but many business headquarters are housed there and it has fared much better than some other cities in regards to unemployment. Another important consideration is the fact that Montreal is bilingual and thus attracts both English speaking students as well as Francophones. At Concordia University MBA programs are taught in English but students have the option of submitting their work in French. Another incentive for students who come from France or other French speaking countries is that costs are based on local Quebec fees instead of higher international fees.
York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto has recently added an innovative MBA program for students from India. Titled “MBA in India”, students will complete the first of this two year program in India. At that point they are given a class designed to help them integrate into Canada and then are able to finish the program at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto.
A growing number of MBA students are looking to Canada to gain valuable international experience and exposure. Recognizing this important trend, Canadian business schools across the country are coming up with innovative ways to bring the Canadian MBA experience to MBA applicants all over the world. The following Canadian Universities all offer MBA programs with more details available on their respective university websites:
- Brock University
- Cape Breton University
- Carleton University (Sprott)
- Concordia University (John Molson)
- Concordia University (John Molson – Goodman Institute)
- Dalhousie University
- HEC Montreal
- Lakehead University
- Lansbridge University
- McGill University (Desautels)
- McMaster University (Degroote)
- Memorial University
- Queen’s University
- Royal Roads University
- Ryerson University (Ted Rogers)
- Simon Fraser University (Segal)
- Saint Mary’s University (Sobey)
- Thompson Rivers University
- University Canada West
- University Of Alberta
- University Of British Columbia (Sauder)
- University Of British Columbia EMC (Sauder)
- University Of Calgary (Haskayne)
- University Of Guelph
- University Of Ottawa (Telfer)
- University Of Manitoba (Asper)
- University Of New Brunswick, Fredericton
- University Of New Brunswick, Saint John
- University Of Regina (Levene)
- University Of Saskatchewan (Edwards)
- University Of Toronto (Rotman)
- University Of Victoria
- University Of Western Ontario (Ivey)
- University Of Windsor (Odette)
- Vancouver Island University
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- York University (Schulich)
- York University IMBA (Schulich)
