MBA Article Index

MBA Courses in Canada

There are over 160 MBA courses in Canada at 39 different schools. From General and Executive MBA’s to MBA’s focusing on an assortment of subjects, MBA courses in Canada offer students variety and quality in learning as well as an International learning experience.

MBA Courses in Canada - History of the MBA in Canada
In 1948 the first MBA course in Canada was established and it was the first program to ever be created outside of the United States. The program was launched at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) when the top 100 CEO’s and presidents in Canada met there and decided there was a need for a national school of business administration. Two years later the first MBA degree was awarded and since then the quality and diversity of MBA courses in Canada have gone from strength to strength.

MBA Courses in Canada - Typical MBA program in Canada
An MBA course in Canada can vary in length from 10 months to two years and will fall in one of three categories; generalised, specialised and combined.

Generalised degrees are typically two years in length and cover the basic fundamentals of business in the first year with students choosing to concentrate in a specific area in the second. Specialised degrees are often one year or less and give students the chance to become experts in their particular field of study. Combined degrees last up to four years and allow students to simultaneously get their degree in business and another field; for example business and architecture or business and law.

Before concentrating on a specific area of study within your MBA course in Canada some of the core classes you can expect to take will cover areas such as marketing, accounting, management, finance, entrepreneurship, international management and leadership. These classes will give you a solid base to build your MBA education off of.

There is also the option to study your MBA course in Canada online which means you will not have to physically attend classes and can study from your home around your own schedule. This takes personal discipline as you will have to be in charge of your own work schedule and deadlines and making sure you do the work you need to.

The diversity of the student body for MBA courses in Canada gives a strong international feel to the program and brings out the importance of understanding international business. Around 43% of students in MBA programs in Canada are international which makes it important to get a mix of international management styles from both the faculty and students.

MBA Courses in Canada - Cost of studying in Canada
As an international student studying your MBA course in Canada you will pay higher tuition fees than a domestic student will. As well as tuition fees you must also take into account the cost of books, accommodation, health insurance, and general living expenses. To give you an idea of tuition fees the average cost of one years tuition in Canada is between CAD$20-30,000 with the cheapest school coming in at $15,000 and the most expensive at $78,940 per year. These numbers are big but there is a wide range of scholarships and bursaries international students can apply for to help out with the costs.

Here are some average costs in CAN$ you should budget for if you are going to study for MBA course in Canada: one year of health insurance $700, annual textbooks and supplies $4000, monthly rent $700, monthly utilities $80, monthly food $400, monthly telephone $100 and a monthly bus pass $70.

MBA Courses in Canada - Salary increase for MBA graduates

On average your MBA is worth between $10-30,000 per year more over your bachelor’s degree, but the salary increase you will see may be much less or much more. With this in mind it takes the average MBA graduate around 10 years to pay off their tuition fees, but after that they can enjoy the high salary they will be earning to its full benefit.

MBA Courses in Canada - Career prospects

Most MBA courses do not allow you to apply to them unless you have a minimum of three years experience in business or a relevant field. This is so that you can take real world experience with you into the classroom and use it to get more out of your MBA course. With this in mind many students return to their previous jobs when they complete their MBA’s.

Once you have finished your MBA you will able to progress through your company quicker and move higher up with greater ease. As mentioned above you will also be able to demand a higher salary based on the educational experience you now have.

MBA graduates who are new to the job market or are looking for a new company, increase their chances of finding work through having an MBA. The average employment rate for MBA graduates in Canada six months after graduation is 93.9 percent which is a good statistic. Not only do employers favour candidates who have chosen to further their education but companies very often recruit straight from MBA programs giving students the first option on jobs. The institution where you choose to do your MBA course in Canada will also help you increase your career prospects helping you succeed by offering proven strategies to assist with your resume, networking and interviewing.

MBA Courses in Canada - Can International MBA graduates stay in Canada to work after graduation?

As an international student who has studied their MBA course in Canada it is possible to stay there and work after graduation. In order to be able to work in Canada you need to apply for a visa and work permit, as you cannot just stay there on your student visa. The visa application process is complicated and long so you must apply for it as soon as you know you will be staying in Canada. Many students find it beneficial to find work with a company and then get that company to sponsor them for their visa. This means they are more likely to have it approved as they have work and a means to support themselves.

To apply for your visa you need to apply to the Canadian embassy in your home country for a permanent visa to live and work abroad. If you are going to work in Quebec you need a certificate of acceptance from the Quebec government. You can find out all you need to know about visa’s from the Canadian Visa website.

MBA Article Index