Study in Canada
Canada: A great MBA destination
Its high standards of living, easy access to quality education, great healthcare and friendly immigration laws have made Canada a favourite among international students
Canada is among the top-ten study destinations worldwide, in terms of hosting international students. Between 2008 and 2016, the number of study permits that become effective each year more than doubled. Almost half of these students study in Ontario, with British Columbia and Quebec following close behind. At the University of Toronto, more than double the number of American students accepted their admission offers for 2017, as compared with 2016. Brock University saw an increase of 30 percent in applications from international students.
One United Nations report ranks Canada as the seventh happiest nation in the world, its high standard of living, easy access to quality education, high quality of healthcare and friendly immigration laws has made it a favourite among international students. Canada is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the world, the largest segment of which comprises Asians. To ensure quality standards are met at the educational institutions that cater to a diverse student pool, all academic programmes are subject to periodic review by the institutions that offer them, and in some provinces, by government bodies.
Many universities are members of organisations like the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada that have rigorous standards to be met before membership is granted.
High quality education is provided at a lower cost as compared to the US. As an added perk, degrees handed out by universities in Canada have a high international recognition. The ‘QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey 2014′ has cited Canada to be the third most popular MBA study destination in the world. A total of 18 business schools in Canada feature in the QS 200 Business Schools Report 2014/15.
In Canada, high quality education is provided at a lower cost as compared to the US. As an added perk, degrees handed out by universities in Canada have a high international recognition.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF MBA DEGREES AVAILABLE IN CANADA:
- Full-time MBA (two years)
- Accelerated MBA programme (18 months)
- The one-year MBA: An undergraduate degree in business plus work experience of at least one year is required.
- Part-time MBA: Its duration can go up to seven years; financial assistance and the school’s recruitment facilities may be limited or unavailable for part timers.
- Executive MBA: (One – two years); eight years work experience is required.
- Online MBA: Flexible hours, video-conferencing, Lotus Notes, and discussion platforms are some methods used for imparting lessons.
Although the duration of the programme varies according to the intensity of the programme and the university, as a general rule, one year of study comprises 30 credits.
Canadian B-schools mandate 16 years of education, including a four-year undergraduate degree. If the applicant has a three-year undergraduate degree, it is advisable to complete a two-year Master’s degree and then apply. The average GMAT score is 550; top business schools may require scores over 640. Some Canadian B- schools also accept GRE scores for their MBA programmes. Also, a minimum of three years work experience is required. Popular/ commonly applied courses or specialisations are Accounting and Finance, Marketing, international Business, Entrepreneurship, Health Management, Fluman Resource Management, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, General Management, and Natural Resources and Energy.
Business schools which scored highest, based on employability (as per QS Global 250 Business Schools Report 2017) are:
- Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto
- Ivey Business School, Western University
- Smith School of Business, Queen’s university
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
- Schulich School of Business, York University
- Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia
- HEC, Montreal, Universite de Montreal
- Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta
- Plaskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
- Telfer School of Business, university of Ottawa
The three industry sectors where Canadian B-school graduates are highly placed are consulting, finance and accounting, and products and services. Also, the Canadian government provides a post graduate work permit, valid for three years, upon completion of any graduate programmeof two years.
The Canadian government is considered as the initiator of multiculturalism, due to its focus on the social impact of immigration. Canada recognises people’s individuality, regardless of their racial/ ethnic origins, language, or religious affiliations. International students have the freedom to practice their traditions and maintain their cultural identity in Canada; this is obviously a huge draw for students.