Being from a family where most of my cousins did their MBA in Canada, I am well aware of situations they encountered during their admission process. One of the most common things I came across was the GMAT score requirements at most universities.
But what if you did not give the GMAT or did not score well in it? Should you give up on your dream degree? Well, there are some universities in Canada where doing an MBA without a GMAT is also possible.
These higher-education institutions may require work experience or other mandatory requirements, if not the GMAT. Let’s explore further details about pursuing an MBA degree without a GMAT score in Canada.
The GMAT is considered to be an essential eligibility criterion for studying MBA. However, in Canada, several top-ranked universities offer an MBA without the GMAT.
An MBA in Canada without GMAT for international students is possible at the following institutions in 2024:
University
QS Global MBA Rankings 2024
Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto)
46
Ivey Business School, Western University
74
Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
201-250
DeGroote Business School, McMaster University
151-200
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University
=92
MBA Courses in Canada Without GMAT
Let’s now look at some of the popular MBA courses without the GMAT offered by Canadian universities.
Accelerated MBA at Queen’s University (Smith School of Business) for Business Graduates. The course requires work experience of 2 years and an undergraduate degree in accounting, business, or marketing.
Executive MBA at York University. GPAs should be higher than or at least B+ to gain admission. Also, students graduating in the Schulich BBA course in the last five years need not provide GMAT scores.
Part-Time & Accelerated MBA at Ivey Business School Toronto.
Executive & Part-Time MBA at the University of Toronto.
Executive MBA at McGill University.
Executive MBA at HEC Montreal.
Executive MBA at Concordia University.
The Business Skills Development course at Lakehead University. It is a 1-year course with 3 terms in all. Students completing this course can join an MBA course without the GMAT score.
A part-time MBA program of 5 years or 1-year accelerated MBA course at Thompson Rivers University. In this case, TOEFL scores are a must.
MBA in Canada Without GMAT: Admission Requirements for Indian Students
You must have a thorough understanding of the admission requirements to get into an MBA in Canada without the GMAT. Though the GMAT Exam is waived for these courses, there may be other mandatory requirements for international students to get into MBA colleges in Canada.
Here are some of the general admission requirements for Indian students to study MBA without GMAT in Canada:
A minimum of 3.0 GPA or more in an undergraduate course.
Work experience of minimum 2 years for students graduating with 4 years of undergraduate courses.
Work experience of minimum 3 years for students graduating with 3 years of undergraduate courses.
At least 2 or 3 LORs from academic and professional supervisors.
Latest Resume or CV showcasing the details of work experiences and internships.
Traditional MBA vs MBA Without GMAT: Differences in Admission Criteria
Parameters
Traditional MBA
MBA without GMAT
Standardized Tests
GMAT required
GMAT or GRE
Work Experience
Mandatory
May not be required
Interview
Optional
Mandatory for some universities
Admissions Deadline for MBA Without GMAT in Canada
The admission deadline for an MBA without a GMAT in Canada varies in different colleges and universities. The deadline for January intakes for international students lies between June and July. For September intakes, is between October and January.
Is it Possible to Pursue MBA in Canada Without GMAT and Work Experience
While most universities in Canada may have strict requirements for GMAT and work experience, some universities offer some flexibility to students.
For example, the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, offers the option of submitting GRE scores rather than GMAT or a complete GMAT waiver for academically excelling students with a strong profile.
The Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, offers MBA programs with no minimum work experience requirements.
What are Benefits of MBA Without GMAT in Canada
There are several advantages of pursuing an MBA without a GMAT in Canada.
Accessibility: MBA programs without GMAT requirements are more accessible to individuals who may not excel in standardized tests but have strong professional backgrounds and academic records. This opens opportunities for a broader range of applicants.
Cost Savings: Eliminating the GMAT requirement saves the cost associated with GMAT preparation and the test itself. This can make pursuing an MBA more affordable for many students.
Avoiding Added Preparation Time and Stress: Choosing an MBA without the GMAT in Canada helps students bypass the additional time and stress involved in taking the examination. They can devote more time to improving their applications.
Streamlined Admission Process: Without the need for GMAT scores, the application process is simpler and quicker. This allows applicants to focus on other crucial aspects of their application, such as work experience, essays, and interviews.
Average Cost of MBA Without GMAT in Canada
Wondering what is the average cost of an MBA in Canada without the GMAT? The average costs for pursuing an MBA in Canada without GMAT may vary depending on the chosen university and specialization. They may range from around CAD 55,000 at average universities to CAD 129,750 at popular universities.
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While a Canadian MBA degree is a promising choice to accelerate your career growth, an MBA in Canada without GMAT allows aspirants with professional experience to skip the entrance exam and access the opportunity to study in Canada by fast-tracking their admission process. So, if you have not taken the GMAT or have not met the GMAT scores, you need not worry much. You still have the option to give wings to your dream of pursuing an MBA from Canada.
Most Canadian and global universities need GMAT scores for testing the skills and knowledge of MBA applicants. Yet, there are some universities and business schools in Canada that accept aspirants without GMAT scores. However, many of them insist on other requirements like the professional experience of two-three years or even specific TOEFL scores. They may also require minimum GPA scores from candidates.
Which Exam is Required for MBA in Canada?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is the main examination for pursuing an MBA in Canada. Most universities and colleges need GMAT scores for admitting aspirants to their MBA programs.
However, some institutions accept candidates without GMAT scores as well. They follow other requirements like TOEFL or IELTS scores (proof of English language proficiency), work experience, SOPs, CVs or Resumes, and LORs. Hence, in an ideal scenario, both GMAT and IELTS or TOEFL help get admission into an MBA program in Canada.
Is GMAT waived for 2024?
With the continued occurrence of coronavirus cases and fluctuations in travel and health and safety guidelines throughout the world, many international universities have already waived their GMAT and GRE admission requirements for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2024 sessions. It will be a relief to many international applicants who have been unable to sit for these examinations.
What GMAT score do you need to do an MBA in Canada?
Our research shows that 550 is the minimum GMAT score needed for getting admission into an MBA college/university in Canada. The average score is usually between 500-600 per the criteria at most institutions.
It is, of course, possible to apply for an MBA without GMAT at several institutions. However, you should meet the other criteria like specific IELTS scores, submitting a good SOP, LORs, resume, and clearing the interview. Many institutions insist on a GPA of 3.0 or higher as the candidate’s score in their undergraduate course.
Can I get into a top MBA college without GMAT in Canada?
Yes, many top colleges in Canada offer MBA without GMAT. Here’s a brief list:
Schulich Business School
DeGroote Business School
Thompson Rivers University
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Lakehead University
Wilfrid Laurier University
Can a fresher do an MBA in Canada?
Yes, a fresher can do an MBA in Canada. Some universities offer MBA degrees without any work experience. These include:
Thompson Rivers University
New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver
Vancouver Island University
Dalhousie University
Cape Breton University
Saint Mary’s University
University of Alberta
Queen’s University
University of Windsor
When should I start applying for fall 2024?
For Fall (September session) intakes, the deadlines in most Canadian universities are between October to January. So, you can start applying in October.
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience.
She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.
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