MBA Without GMAT In Canada: Top MBA Colleges That Do Not Require GMAT Score

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Getting an MBA in Canada would improve your career opportunities in the long run. Compared to the UK or the USA, studying in Canada is much more affordable. The business schools in the many cities like Toronto and Montreal of the country offer quality education, excellent exposure, and practical infrastructure.

The MBA programmes offer a holistic experience to get you to the top of the competitive job market. Postgraduate students will also be given the opportunity to gain employment experience off-campus. After earning your MBA, you may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Work Permit that will let you seek employment within Canada. With all these benefits, Canada is a haven for those looking to complete their postgraduate degrees. However, many prospective students feel deterred by the GMAT requirements from most universities.

How Often Is GMAT Required for an MBA in Canada?

The GMAT exam is a standard measure used by colleges to determine your eligibility for admissions in their MBA program. Each college has its guidelines on the score considered acceptable to apply for the course. Perhaps, you attained a low score in your GMAT exam, or you have not taken the exam at all. Does this mean you cannot pursue a full-time MBA course in Canada? Not to worry, you do not need to give up on your MBA dreams just yet. We have curated a list of the top universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT scores. The colleges listed may have other eligibility criteria that need to be met for admission, and we will cover them here so you can consider the best universities options.

1. Smith School of Business at Queen’s University

The Smith School of Business at Queen’s University is a prestigious university. The Accelerated MBA for Business Graduates programme offers you an MBA after completing the 12-month long course. It is one of the few universities that offer an MBA without a GMAT in Canada. While a GMAT score would strengthen your application, it is not a requirement. Instead, your application will be evaluated based on your work experience, academic background including bachelor’s degree, and your leadership and management skills. The main requirements to enrol in the programme are:

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MBA Without GMAT In Canada: Top MBA Colleges That Do Not Require GMAT Score
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  1. A minimum B average grade achieved in an undergraduate course in business, commerce, or a related field.
  2. The following courses must have a minimum B grade in your undergraduate programme:
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Statistics
  • Strategy
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Operations

3. At least 2 years of work experience in a relevant field When you apply for the course, you will be assigned an application advisor. They will review your applications and provide suggestions on how you can improve your application to increase your chances of admission.

2. Lakehead University Thunder Bay and Orillia

If you have completed the Business Skills Development Program provided by the Faculty of Business Administration at Lakehead University, you are eligible to enrol in their MBA programme without a GMAT score. The admission requirements for an MBA at Lakehead University are:

  1. Evidence of completing a four-year undergraduate course at a recognised college, university, or institute.
  2. The last 20 half courses or equivalent must be completed with a minimum second class standing or a B grade.
  3. If the undergraduate course is not related to the business and commerce field, the application will be evaluated based on the courses taken and academic standing. Applicants may be required to take a year of a qualifying undergraduate course to complete the admission requirements.
  4. In place of GMAT score, students who have been granted a conditional offer can complete the Business Skills Development Program.
  5. A Statement of Academic Intent that outlines the academic and professional experience of the applicant, career goals, and their strengths and weaknesses. The statement must be 750 to 1000 words.
  6. A curriculum vitae (CV). Preference will be given to candidates with two years of experience or longer.

3. Schulich School of Business – York University

The MBA programme at Schulich School of Business is renowned for its value. The GMAT and GRE score requirements will be waived if you have achieved a minimum B+ GPA in the last two years of your bachelor’s degree at Schulich within the past five years. An alternate option is earning a cumulative B+ GPA or higher in the Master of Management programme in the school. An additional perk of this avenue is that you will also be waived the $150 application fee. Other requirements for an MBA application at Schulich are:

  1. Minimum of two years full-time work experience in a relevant field after completion of the graduate course
  2. Completion of the online admission application, which requires five essays, the latest resume, two letters of recommendation, and unofficial transcript copies from the post-secondary institutions attended
  3. An overall IELTS score of at least 7.0 or TOEFL scores 100 iBT if the studies were completed in a language other than English.

4. Thompson Rivers University Business and Economics

Thompson Rivers University prioritises the quantitative and computing skills of candidates rather than their GMAT scores. Hence, earning an MBA without the GMAT in Canada is a great option. The university has three options for MBA programmes: a two-year full-time programme, a five-year part-time MBA programme, or an accelerated programme to be completed in a year. In place of the GMAT, you will be required to submit your TOEFL score. Additional requirements to join one of their MBA programmes are:

  1. A three-year or four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline from any acceptable institution with a minimum B grade average in the final 60 credits.
  2. If the candidate completed the undergraduate course in a language other than English in a country where English is considered the primary language, an IELTS overall score of a minimum of 7.0 is required. All sections of the tests must be above the 6.5 band.

  Alternatively, a minimum TOEFL score of 547, with a written English score of 5.0 or more is required. A TOEFL score of 94 and above, with all sections graded above 20, is also acceptable. In place of IELTS and TOEFL, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) is also valid with a minimum overall grade of 68 and all sections above 62. 3. Quantitative skills, including a background in algebra and statistics. If a candidate lacks this requirement, they may have to take an undergraduate upgrading course before applying for the MBA. 4. A letter of intent (statement of purpose). 5. A resume. There is no minimum work experience required. However, the university recommends having some work experience.

5. New York Institute of Technology

The New York Institute of Technology offers two specialised MBA degrees: the Management MBA and the Finance MBA. The Management MBA is accredited by the AACSB, while the Finance MBA is one of the more popular courses in the institute. A GMAT score is not required if you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Other admission requirements are:

  1. A four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
  2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a scale with the highest grade as 4.0. An equivalent of the minimum grade is also acceptable.
  3. A minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS or at least 79 on the TOEFL iBT.

Conclusion

Applying for postgraduate programmes abroad is a stressful endeavour even without all the additional exams you need to take. If you are concerned about the costs of living and other expenses that come with taking up an MBA in Canada, you can refer to this blog for more information. We hope these MBA programme options in Canada helped ease your concerns around GMAT requirements and how to get there without a GMAT score.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are admissions guaranteed if the minimum requirements are met?

Ans: Admissions are not guaranteed by any university or academic institution due to the limited seats available in each programme. You must put forward your strongest applications to improve your chances of admission to your preferred university.

2. What is the difference between a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master’s Degree in Canada?

Ans: In brief, a Postgraduate Diploma is a one- to two-years long programme that is relatively cheaper and will be eligible for a one-year work permit after completion. A Master’s Degree has a longer duration of two to three years, and on completion, you can opt for a three-year work permit.

3. Am I eligible for the Permanent Resident status after completing a postgraduate degree?

Ans: Canada offers several options for immigration to international students. However, other requirements are to be met apart from completing studies in Canada. These requirements vary based on each immigration programme.


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Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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