Is Work Experience Needed for an MBA program in Canada?
While many universities in Canada ask for work experience as part of their admission requirements to an MBA program, there are some universities where the work experience requirement can be waived.
A Glance at What is Usually Required
The typical requirement list to a Canadian university for an MBA program includes:
Recognized undergraduate degree with GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.
English Language Proficiency for Non-native English speakers
Professional work experience.
2 or 3 references
CV (resume)
That’s an imposing list. But what if you have just completed your bachelor’s degree and want to head straight into your MBA? The work experience requirement is the snag that holds you up as often a university is not satisfied with one year experience, they want a minimum of 2 years. Some even want up to 5. Is there a university in Canada where work experience is not required?
6 Universities That do not Require Work Experience
Thompson Rivers University – Students from any discipline can apply and neither GMAT nor work experience is required. Work Experience is a nice to have, but if you don’t have professional work experience, you can apply and receive an admission offer. If deficiencies in your academics are found, you might be asked to supply GMAT after you apply. Because you are studying a professional designation program, English proficiency in the workplace is a must and at Thompson Rivers University, International students need an IELTS score of 7 overall.
Carleton University – Two years of professional work experience is not required to do an MBA at Carleton’s Sprott School of Business. But GMAT is required as is an overall band of 6.5 in IELTS. If you do not have work experience, you will need to supply reference letters from two of your professors and you will need to complete their internship portion of the MBA program.
University of Windsor – No work experience is required for students applying to Windsor’s MBA program, but GMAT is a requirement. The University of Windsor asks international students to provide an IELTS band of 7 to meet their English Language Proficiency requirement.
Dalhousie University – No work experience is required for applicants to Dalhousie’s Rowe School of Business, but GMAT is required, and international students must submit a letter of financial support in addition to an IELTS band of 7.5.
University Canada West – For students who have a Bachelor of Business Administration, Commerce or similar degree, there is no need for either work experience or GMAT. For admission to University Canada West, students are required to have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no band less than 6. This is also the requirement for the SDS (Fast Track) visa processing route.
Brock University – Brock has an impressively long list of admission requirements to get into their MBA program, but work experience isn’t one of them. So if you are a fresh graduate from Business Administration then you might want to consider Brock University. Both GMAT and IELTS, with an overall band of 7.5 (IELTS) are required for students who graduate outside of Canada.
Financial Investment, Financial Return
Studying an MBA program will cost you – there is an investment. An MBA is a professional designation so students, whether national or international, pay more for tuition than for some other programs. Nevertheless, the salary and position you will obtain in the workforce once you graduate will confirm that your investment in an MBA program was worthwhile.
Tuition for an MBA varies by institution and there are very few scholarships for MBA programs because they are course-based, not thesis-based. International students can find employment during their time at university. Work could be on campus or off, but it will be limited to 20 hours per week while in school, as per the guidelines set by the Canadian government. Many MBA students may also find part time jobs online with companies such as Amazon, Tableau or IBM or they may find a job in a bank, in retail or other financial offices. And work is always to be found in places like McDonalds, KFC and other hospitality establishments.
When considering where to study, as an international student, you will also want to check the market where you are studying. If taking your degree in BC at University Canada West or Thompson Rivers, you are sure to find employment when you graduate. British Columbia has one of the best economies in Canada and Vancouver is a financial and business hub. Ontario, which is home to Carleton and Windsor also has a robust economy with Toronto being Canada’s financial hub. Windsor is a border city so lots of activity and trade goes on between the US and Canada and it is also home to Chrysler Motors with General Motors just across the Detroit River, visible from the campus. Dalhousie as a major university in Nova Scotia also readies their students for employability upon graduation.
Deciding Where to Study
So there you have it. Universities that don’t require work experience and universities that don’t require GMAT or work experience and opportunities to work where you study. Where will you study? If still in doubt, make sure to contact us for further information. We also help with the applications for Thompson Rivers and University Canada West (UCW).
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