Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to earn an MBA abroad.
Canadian business schools offer globally recognized degrees, access to major employers, scholarship opportunities, and opportunities to gain work experience in Canada after graduation.
The main challenge is cost. Tuition at several top Canadian MBA programs exceeds CAD 100,000 for international students. Scholarships, however, can reduce the total amount significantly.
This guide covers some of the best MBA programs in Canada for international students, including tuition fees, scholarships, and admission requirements.
1. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Program: Full-Time MBA
International Tuition: Approximately CAD 144,770
Rotman is one of Canada’s best-known business schools. Its Toronto location makes it attractive to students interested in finance, consulting, technology, and corporate management.
The Full-Time MBA includes 16 months of academic study and a four-month paid internship.
Rotman MBA Admission Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- At least a 3.0 GPA or mid-B average in the final year
- Minimum of two years of full-time professional work experience
- GMAT or GRE score, unless eligible for an exemption
- English proficiency where required
- Resume, essays, and references
Rotman’s IELTS requirement is currently an overall score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in each component.
Rotman MBA Scholarships
Rotman provides more than CAD 5 million in scholarships and awards annually.
Entrance awards can range from approximately CAD 10,000 to CAD 90,000.
Applicants are generally considered automatically.
The Joseph L. Rotman Scholarship can cover the full MBA tuition for an exceptional candidate.
2. McGill University Desautels Faculty of Management
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Program: Full-Time MBA
International Tuition: Approximately CAD 108,500 for Fall 2027
McGill’s MBA can be completed in 12, 16, or 20 months, giving students more flexibility than many traditional MBA programs.
McGill MBA Admission Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- A recognized undergraduate degree
- At least two years of relevant full-time work experience
- GMAT or GRE score
- Academic transcripts
- Essays
- Letters of reference
- English proficiency where required
McGill currently requires the GMAT or GRE and does not offer a general test waiver for its Full-Time MBA.
The IELTS Academic requirement is currently 7.0 overall, with no component below 7.0.
McGill MBA Scholarships
McGill offers several merit-based MBA scholarships and entrance awards.
Many scholarships do not require a separate application.
Awards consider factors such as:
- Academic performance
- Professional achievements
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Entrepreneurship
- International background
Some individual awards are worth CAD 10,000 or more.
3. Ivey Business School, Western University
Location: London, Ontario
Program: One-Year MBA
International Tuition: Approximately CAD 136,310 for 2027
Ivey offers an intensive one-year MBA.
The shorter program can be attractive for professionals who want to reduce the amount of time they spend outside the workforce.
Ivey MBA Admission Requirements
Ivey generally expects:
- A university degree
- At least two years of full-time work experience
- GMAT, GRE, or GMAC Executive Assessment
- Professional references
- Essays
- Video responses
- English proficiency where applicable
Some applicants can qualify for GMAT or GRE exemptions based on academic or professional qualifications.
Ivey MBA Scholarships
Around 80% of incoming MBA students receive an admission scholarship.
Awards generally range from CAD 10,000 to CAD 70,000.
Ivey also offers the Global Leader Award to selected international applicants. The award is currently worth CAD 50,000.
This can make Ivey one of the more attractive Canadian MBA options for strong scholarship candidates.
4. Smith School of Business, Queen’s University
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Program: Full-Time MBA
International Tuition: Approximately CAD 110,000 for 2027
Smith offers a relatively short Full-Time MBA and provides significant entrance scholarship opportunities.
Smith MBA Admission Requirements
Applicants typically need:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree
- Approximately a B+ average
- At least two years of work experience
- GMAT or GRE score
- Professional references
- Resume and supporting documents
Some candidates with qualifications such as CFA, CPA, Professional Engineer, or PMP may be considered for a test waiver.
Smith MBA Scholarships
Smith awards more than CAD 1.6 million in scholarships to Full-Time MBA students annually.
More than 70% of students receive merit-based entrance scholarships.
Awards can range from approximately CAD 10,000 to CAD 70,000.
Applicants are generally considered automatically when they submit their MBA application.
5. UBC Sauder School of Business
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Program: UBC MBA
International Tuition: Approximately CAD 112,758 for 2027
The UBC Sauder MBA is a 16-month program based in Vancouver.
It can be attractive to students who want to build careers in Western Canada, particularly in technology, consulting, finance, and entrepreneurship.
UBC MBA Admission Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Approximately a B+ academic average
- GMAT or GRE score
- Professional work experience
- Resume
- Essays and references
- English proficiency where required
UBC currently accepts a minimum GMAT Exam score of 515, although a stronger score can make an application more competitive.
Test waivers are available for some applicants who meet specific academic or professional requirements.
UBC MBA Scholarships
UBC offers several scholarships for international MBA students.
These include:
- International Talent Scholarships: CAD 10,000 to CAD 60,000
- Global Leadership Awards: CAD 20,000 to CAD 60,000
- Dean’s Entrance Scholarship: CAD 20,000 to CAD 60,000
Some UBC MBA entrance scholarships may cover up to 50% of tuition.
6. Schulich School of Business, York University
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Program: Full-Time MBA
Estimated International Tuition: Approximately CAD 124,011
Schulich is another major MBA option in Toronto.
Its location gives students access to employers across Canada’s finance, consulting, technology, and corporate sectors.
Schulich MBA Admission Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- At least a B average in the final two years
- Minimum of two years of relevant work experience
- GMAT or GRE score
- Resume
- References
- Essays and video responses
- English proficiency where required
Schulich currently requires an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in each section.
International applicants are encouraged to apply early because scholarship funding can become limited in later admission rounds.
How Much Does an MBA in Canada Cost for International Students?
International tuition at the schools covered in this guide ranges from approximately CAD 108,500 to CAD 144,770.
However, tuition is only part of the total cost.
You should also budget for:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transportation
- Health insurance
- Books
- Flights
- Study permit expenses
- Personal expenses
International students should calculate their total cost of studying in Canada before accepting an admission offer.
MBA Scholarships in Canada for International Students
Most leading Canadian business schools offer scholarships to international MBA students.
Scholarships can range from CAD 10,000 to more than CAD 70,000.
Some schools also provide full-tuition or percentage-based scholarships.
Applicants with the strongest scholarship chances usually have:
- Strong academic results
- Career progression
- Leadership experience
- Good GMAT or GRE scores
- Community involvement
- Strong essays
- Excellent professional references
Applying early can also improve your chances of securing funding.
General MBA Admission Requirements in Canada
Requirements differ between universities, but most Canadian MBA programs ask for:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Two or more years of work experience
- GMAT or GRE score
- Resume
- Academic transcripts
- Essays
- Professional references
- English proficiency test where required
Some universities allow GMAT or GRE waivers for applicants with strong academic backgrounds or professional qualifications.
Can You Work in Canada After an MBA?
Eligible graduates of qualifying master’s programs may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, PGWP.
Under current Canadian rules, eligible master’s graduates may qualify for a PGWP of up to three years, even when the master’s program is shorter than two years, provided the program and applicant meet the applicable requirements.
International students should always check the latest immigration rules with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before applying.
Which MBA in Canada Is Best for International Students?
The best MBA depends on your career goals, budget, scholarship opportunities, and preferred location.
Best for Toronto
Rotman is a strong option for students targeting finance, consulting, technology, and corporate careers in Toronto.
Best for a One-Year MBA
Ivey Business School is attractive if you want an intensive one-year program with strong scholarship opportunities.
Best for Flexible Program Length
McGill Desautels offers 12, 16, and 20-month MBA options.
Best for Vancouver
UBC Sauder is a strong option for students who want to study and potentially build a career in Western Canada.
Best for Scholarships
Smith and Ivey both offer substantial scholarship opportunities to qualified international applicants.
Another Strong Toronto Option
Schulich offers an established MBA program with access to Canada’s largest business market.
When comparing schools, focus on the total cost after scholarships, rather than tuition alone.
For example, a CAD 130,000 MBA with a CAD 50,000 scholarship may cost you less than a CAD 110,000 MBA where you receive no funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada Good for an MBA for International Students?
Yes. Canada has internationally recognized business schools, major employment centres, scholarship opportunities, and post-graduation work options for eligible students.
How Much Does an MBA Cost in Canada for International Students?
At many leading schools, international MBA tuition ranges from approximately CAD 100,000 to CAD 145,000, excluding accommodation and other living expenses.
Can International Students Get MBA Scholarships in Canada?
Yes. International students can receive MBA scholarships from Canadian universities. Depending on the school and applicant profile, awards can range from CAD 10,000 to CAD 70,000 or more.
Can I Study an MBA in Canada Without GMAT?
Yes, at some universities. Schools such as Ivey and UBC offer waiver options for certain applicants. Other schools may still require a GMAT or GRE score.
How Much Work Experience Is Required for an MBA in Canada?
Most top Canadian MBA programs expect applicants to have at least two years of professional work experience.
Final Thoughts
Studying for an MBA in Canada can require a significant financial investment, but scholarships can reduce the cost substantially.
Before applying, compare:
- Tuition fees
- Available scholarships
- Program duration
- Admission requirements
- Living costs
- Career opportunities
- Location
- Post-graduation work eligibility
The cheapest MBA on paper is not always the cheapest overall.
A school with higher tuition but a large scholarship could offer better value than a lower-cost program with little or no financial aid.
