Pursuing MBA from a reputed foreign university has many advantages. You can get international exposure, quality infrastructure and a better starting salary on pursuing a reputed management programme from a good foreign university.
Therefore, it is no surprise that many US institutions like Harvard or Yale remain a buzzword for MBA aspirants and GMAT applicants. However, many such students ignore Canada, a fast becoming attractive alternative for destination MBA.
Before we move further, read this blog that I recently wrote – a guide for international students looking to pursue an MBA in Canada.
Reasons for Pursuing MBA in Canada
- Affordable Cost
Pursuing a management course in Canada can cost you less. The course fees and cost of living are significantly lower than the obvious MBA destinations like the USA or UK.
While the average fees for a two year MBA course can cost you anywhere near USD 75,000 per year, the course fees in Canadian Universities can be between USD 50,000 to USD 60,000. Therefore, you can save around USD 12,000 every year on preferring a Canadian MBA over the USA.
- Quality of Education
Canadian universities are renowned for their excellent curriculum and updated courses. The B-schools here offer good practical and theoretical knowledge to the students that help them get quality exposure and excellent career opportunities.
Many Canadian universities regularly feature in the list of global top 100 B-Schools compiled by prestigious groups like QS Research, Academic Ranking of World Universities, and Times Higher Education. The degrees awarded by such universities are internationally recognised and are some of the most sought after options.
- Multicultural Environment
Canada is friendly and open to embracing multiple cultures from different countries, with more than 5,00,000 international students coming every year on a study permit. The political stability, low crime rate and overall peaceful environment provide the perfect backdrop for experiencing a diverse, multicultural environment.
Furthermore, Canada has two official languages – English and French. So, you can also try to pick up some French language skills during your stay there.
- Friendly Immigration Policies
Unlike some other developed countries, Canada has friendly visa policies for students. As a result, international students with a Canadian student visa can easily apply for permanent residence and work permits immediately after completing their studies in Canada. This can also open the path to Canadian citizenship for them in future.
- Better Acceptance Rate
Canadian universities have a better acceptance rate compared to a b-school in USA. Read this blog where I share the acceptance rate of top b-schools in Canada.
Top MBA Colleges in Canada
Following institutions regularly feature on the list of best MBA colleges in Canada that offer the two-year MBA programme.
| Sr. No. | MBA Colleges | Location |
| 1 | The University of Toronto- Rotman School of Management | Toronto |
| 2 | McGill University Desautels Faculty of Management | Canada |
| 3 | Smith MBA at Queen’s University | Kingston |
| 4 | Ivey Business School | London (Canada) |
| 5 | Schulich School of Business, York University | Toronto |
| 6 | Sauder School of Business | Vancouver, Pittsburgh |
| 7 | Alberta School of Business | Edmonton |
| 8 | John Molson School of Business | Montreal |
| 9 | HEC Montreal | Montreal |
| 10 | Dalhousie University | Halifax |
Source: TopUniversities
Emerging Industries in Canada
Canada has a vibrant economy with many new and promising sectors opening up that can potentially witness exponential growth soon. Following is the list of some of the emerging industries that look poised to contribute significantly toward the generation of jobs.
- Clean Energy Sector
Clean energy refers to any such energy source that does not pollute the air and can be sustainable in long term growth. Wind and solar energy are perfect examples of clean energy.
The Canadian job scenario is traditionally dominated by quarrying, mining, oil and gas extraction, etc. However, a significant number of businesses in Canada are now focussing on clean energy businesses. The sector is growing faster than the whole Canadian economy.
- Technology
Canada is home to one of the strongest technology sectors in India. Therefore, the country stands to be benefitted from the post-covid thrust toward technology. In addition, the friendly immigration policies and relatively lenient visa norms are likely to attract some of the top global talents into this industry.
- Cannabis
Canada was the second country to legalise cannabis for recreational purposes in 2018. Since then, the industry has grown exponentially. While cannabis remains banned in the traditional cannabis consumption markets like India, Canadian companies can probably witness unhindered growth for years to come.
- Human Resource
Human resource is an integral part of any organisation. As the organisations step up their hiring to meet the demand of skilled workers, the need for HR managers is expected to see healthy growth as well.
- Online Businesses
Although online businesses and e-commerce already have a sizable presence in Canada, the sector is still growing rapidly. It is expected to continue churning out new jobs for the next few years.
Job Opportunities and Salary in Canada after MBA
You can seek and apply for a management job at any multinational company with a Canadian MBA degree. However, many people find Canada so comforting and attractive that they want to take up job opportunities in the country. It is quite reasonable, as Canada has a booming economy with multiple job opportunities.
Many renowned companies like KPMG LLP, Deloitte, Siemens, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canada Goose, etc., regularly offer jobs in Canada.
An MBA graduate can find a plethora of job opportunities in Canada which can include
- Project Manager
- Investment Analyst/Advisor
- Business Development Manager
- Operations Manager
- Business Analyst
An MBA graduate can expect to earn an average annual salary equivalent to USD 60,000. However, a salary can depend on various factors such as field, specialisation, company and the prevailing job scenario at the time of passing out.
How to Get into Top MBA college in Canada
The common eligibility criteria for admission to MBA colleges in Canada are as follows
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- Proficiency in English. Bilingual proficiency in English and French can be an added advantage.
- A good GMAT or GRE score.
- Having work experience can be advantageous.
The application process in Canadian colleges is lengthy. Therefore, you need to apply at least 15 to 18 months before a particular session begins. You can check the college websites to know the entire application process and the documents required.
However, you should pay special attention to securing a high GMAT score as it will be instrumental in getting into the top colleges. You can consider taking professional help from experts in this field. Also network with alumni to find out how they got in.
To get started, read a few success stories of applicants cracking top b-schools in Canada.
Success Story 1- Getting into Rotman
Success Story -2 – Cracking Top B-school with Low GMAT score
Success Story 3- Cracking Top B-school with low GMAT and a Gap Year
MBA from a reputed Canadian B-school can prove to be a good value for money as you can expect a high return on investments. Furthermore, a management degree from Canada can open the floodgates of different opportunities and professional challenges for you worldwide, making it an important milestone for your life and career.
Read More:
MBA without work experience – Is it worth it?
Getting a Top MBA in Switzerland | Everything You Need To Know
How to get into Kelley School of Business | Indiana University?
How MBA Applicant cracked 6 Top MBA Programs with a GMAT 660?
How to Get Top MBA Scholarships Despite a Low GMAT Score
Success Stories:
Indian male engineer with GMAT 720 admitted to Stanford and IIM-A
How Jyoti earned Four top TIER MBA Admits with 1.2 Crores of Scholarships?
From a Low GPA, and 1.5 Year work experience gap to A US Top 3 Business School
