High quality of life, top job opportunities, and accessible visa requirements are just some of the reasons to study in Canada. Here’s why more MBA students are choosing it
Canada is now the third most popular study destination, according to the BusinessBecause Top Countries for Business School Candidates 2019 report. No other country in the top 25 has matched Canada’s growth in popularity over the past five years, with the report also finding that 8.5% of candidates indicated a desire to study there.
So why are so many students choosing to study in Canada?
Ease of getting a work permit
In our Top Study Destinations report, ease of getting a work permit was the number one factor for Canada’s popularity, with 49% indicating it as a factor for preferring Canada as their top study destination. This is compared to just 29% over all.
For students at UBC Sauder School of Business in Vancouver, being able to get a work visa straight after graduation is a big pull factor for students. Graduates from the school’s 16-month MBA program can stay to work for up to three years after graduation with a post-graduate work permit (PGWP).
UBC Sauder places a great emphasis on MBA internships for its students, where students can gain experience while expecting to earn between CA$3k-to-6k (around US$2300-to-$4600).
UBC MBA alumni Michael Emerson, from the UK, recalls his first experience working at software company SAP during his MBA internship. He is now Vice President of planning product strategy at SAP’s German headquarters.
“I had the opportunity to expand my network and learn about opportunities and roles I didn’t know existed,” Michael recalls.
For international students, Canada is a particularly welcoming and diverse place. “International students will have an easier time transitioning from their home countries, and take less time to adapt to a ‘home away from home’ like Canada,” insists Ivan Yuen, MBA careers associate director at UBC Sauder.
Growing choice of industries
On top of visa accessibility, Canada’s diverse and exciting job market is making the country appealing to MBA applicants.
“Many multinational companies have expanded their presence in Vancouver, not to mention the growing startup community,” Ivan explains.
This is particularly true for the tech industry, where a growing number of MBA graduates are finding employment. Amazon recently established an office there, while tech startup successes including Hootsuite and Slack were born and launched in Vancouver.
Opportunities stretch far beyond the tech sector. Manufacturing and energy remain some of Canada’s biggest industries—two industries which are moving towards sustainable innovation. Renewable energy has risen significantly as the country looks to move away from exporting natural gas. In 2017, there were already 100,000 more Canadians working in clean energy than in oil and gas.
Vancouver has been at the forefront of electrical vehicle manufacturing, with industry leaders such as Electra Meccanica and Corvus Energy based there. As British Columbia aims for 100% electric vehicle sales by 2040, the industry has much to offer MBA graduates.
Whatever the industry, the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre at UBC Sauder takes students on their journey from degree to employment. This includes mentoring, one-to-one coaching, and an emotional intelligence assessment, which gives students a comprehensive assessment of their leadership potential.
High quality of life
But it’s not all hard work and career focus that are drawing people in their droves to Canada. Its famed quality of life is a big pull factor to come and study in Canada.
In our Top Study Destinations report, 44% gave safety and security as a reason for preferring Canada as a top study destination.
Canada is ranked number one for quality of life, according to US News, a ranking based on access to food, housing, education, as well as job security, individual freedom, and political stability.
“Vancouver’s amazing diversity means the city offers plenty of cultural festivals, celebrations and rich cuisine along with the opportunity to make friends and meet co-workers from all over the world” Ivan reveals.
Moreover, Vancouver sits nestled between mountains and sea, a dream surfing and skiing destination for any nature-inclined applicants. Given an outdoors lifestyle directly contributes to health and wellbeing, it’s no surprise people are choosing the British Columbia city to study in.
Top Business Schools for an MBA in Canada
| No. | B-School | Ranking | Weighted/Average Post MBA Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management | #65 (Global)
Financial Times |
$101,270 |
| 2 | Western University – Ivey Business School | #94 (Global)
Financial Times |
$99,142 |
| 3 | Queen’s University- Stephen J.R. Smith School of Business | #100 (Global)
Financial Times |
$93,102 |
| 4 | Schulich School of Business, York University | #69
The Economist |
$91,860 |
| 5 | HEC Montréal | #54
KUBS Worldwide Business Research Rankings |
$93,865 |
| 6 | McGill University – DesautelsFaculty of Management | #25 International Rank, Bloomberg Businessweek | $89,500 |
| 7 | University of British Columbia – Sauder School of Business | #38
QS Rank for Business Degrees |
$59,000 |
| 8 | University of Alberta | #101-#150
QS Rank for Business Degrees |
$72,175 |
Before we jump into the details of the full, part, and executive, MBA programs in the top business schools in Canada, let us get a fair understanding of what these varieties imply.
Full & Part Time MBA in Top B-Schools in Canada
| Program | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Rotman School of Management
Full Time MBA |
2 years | $84,028 |
| Rotman School of Management
Morning/Evening MBA |
32 months | $109,970 |
| Ivey Business School MBA
(Option of Advanced Entry – Deferred Admission- Available) |
1 year | $101,500 |
| Ivey Business School Accelerated MBA | 8 months | $61,000 |
| Queen’s Smith School of Business Full Time MBA | 1 year | $71,445 |
| Queen’s Smith School of Business Accelerated MBA (Part-Time) | 1 year | $81,000 |
| York University – Schulich Full Time MBA
(Part Time & Accelerated available) |
2 years | $99,400 |
| York University – SchulichInternational MBA
(Part Time available) |
20 months | $99,400 |
| York University – Schulich MBA India | 16-20 months | $83,400 |
| HEC Montréal – Full Time MBA | 1 year | $33,200 |
| McGill Desautel – Full Time MBA | 20 months | $89,000 |
| McGill Desautel – Professional Part Time MBA | 32 months | $79,500 |
| UBC Sauder – Full Time MBA | 16 months | $60,440 |
| UBC Sauder – Professional MBA | 2 years | $56,000 |
| UBC Sauder – International MBA | 20 months | $54,000 |
| University of Alberta – Full Time MBA | 20 months | $53,392 |
| University of Alberta – Part Time MBA | Maximum 6 years | $51,020
|
| University of Alberta – Fast Track MBA | 10 months | $1,220/course plus additional charges |
Executive MBA in Top B-Schools in Canada
| Program | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Rotman School of Management
Executive MBA |
13 months | $89,325 |
| Queen’s Smith School of Business Executive MBA – The National Program | 16 months | $101,000 |
| Queen’s Smith School of Business Executive MBA, Cornell-Queen’s | 17 months | $137,794 |
| Kellogg – Schulich Executive MBA | 16 months | $94,212 |
| HEC Montréal/McGill – Executive MBA | 15 months | $69,900 |
| University of Alberta – Executive MBA | 20 months | $67,000 |
Is Canada right for you?
Making the decision about where you want to study your MBA is deeply personal. Each student has a number of factors that will influence their preferences about study destination.
information is dynamic and we encourage you to explore Canada as a viable, and excellent, alternative, to USA, for an MBA in North America. The favourable work permit, and the overall welcoming culture, are compelling reasons to pursue an education in Canada.
Good Luck and hope you find your best fit.
