Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT

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Aarushi Jain
Updated on Jul 05, 2022 08:27 AM IST

With some of the world's greatest universities, pursuing an MBA in Canada is a sure path to success. MBA programs in Canada might be incredibly competitive, but there is a chance to prove your potential without taking the rigorous GMAT exam. Let us find out how!

Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT

Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT: Pursuing an MBA degree abroad is a dream of thousands of Indian students. Especially, when the country is Canada, Indian students do not think twice before making their decision of pursuing an MBA. Acquiring an MBA in Canada will help you advance your career in the long term. Also, when compared to the UK or the US, studying in Canada is far less expensive.

The GMAT exam is globally recognised as the most significant criterion for admission to MBA abroad. That said, students can definitely pursue an MBA degree without GMAT in countries like Canada. So, in case you have not taken the GMAT, you can still go ahead and apply to MBA universities in Canada offering a GMAT waiver.

Let us now explore some of the best universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT, the different MBA programs that are available for international students, eligibility criteria and more.

Find and apply to top business schools in Canada with the help of experts and boost your chances of securing admission without GMAT.

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Can I Study MBA in Canada Without GMAT?

One of the most asked questions among MBA aspirants is whether they can pursue their MBA in Canada without GMAT. Surprisingly, the answer is a big yes! There are a plethora of universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT that allow international students to pursue an MBA in Canada without having taken the GMAT.

This option, however, is only available to people who have other qualifications that demonstrate exceptional academic and professional accomplishment, thereby exceeding the requirement for the GMAT. In addition to the GMAT, certain universities may demand GRE scores or other entrance examinations.

Applicants must complete additional admission standards for an MBA in Canada to be eligible for a GMAT waiver. The enrollment criteria are expanded on throughout the article as complete guidance on eligibility, application procedure, and other key information.

How to Get Admission to MBA in Canada without GMAT?

Now that you have learned that you can study MBA in Canada without GMAT, it is time to shed some light on the required eligibility criteria that you have to meet in order to pursue your MBA in Canada without GMAT:

  • GPA of 3.0 or above in the bachelors degree

  • A minimum of 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs) from professional and academic recommenders

  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)

  • Work experience of at least 2 years if you have a 4-year bachelor's degree, or work experience of at least 3 years if you have a 3-year bachelor's degree

  • Updated CV/Resume

  • Competitive GRE scores (if asked by the university)

  • Scores of an English Language Proficiency test like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo.

Note: The admission standards listed above are simply guidelines. Actual MBA qualifying requirements in Canada may differ depending on the program and the university.

Top Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT

In Canada, where the business sector is both competitive and rewarding, an MBA degree is regarded as a significant deal. Given the excellent management of this nation's economy, Canada offers a wealth of work prospects for MBA graduates. Although the GMAT is one of the prominent eligibility criteria to pursue an MBA in Canada, several Canadian universities allow candidates to pursue MBA without GMAT.

Here are some of the leading universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT for international students:

Canada B-School & MBA Program(s)

MBA Programs Available

Admission Requirements without GMAT

University of Toronto

1-year Executive MBA

Work Experience: 8+ years

3+ years of experience in a mid-to-senior management role

People/Project management experience

Concordia University

Executive MBA

Work Experience: 5 years or more

A bachelors degree or equivalent

2-3 LORs

Executive Assessment (EA)

York University

Full-time MBA

Work Experience: Minimum 2 years

2 LORs

1 Essay

TOEFL: Minimum 100

IELTS: Minimum 7.0

Queens University

Full-time MBA

GRE score > 315

Work Experience > 2 years

2 Professional References (LOR)

Western Ontario University

Full-time regular MBA

Executive MBA

Accelerated MBA

MBA Direct for HBAs (Honours Business Administration)

Updated resume with professional experience

2 Reference Letters

Work experience: 8 years

A Bachelors degree

Wilfrid Laurier University

1-year full-time MBA

Work Experience: 2 years

CV/Resume

SOP

TOEFL: minimum 89

IELTS: minimum 7.0

Thompson Rivers University

Online MBA

Full-time MBA

Work Experience

GPA: 3.0 out of 4.0 or B grade OR 80-86% in bachelor's degree

SOP

CV/Resume

IELTS: Minimum 7.0

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

MBA in Management

MBA in Finance

GPA: 3.0 or higher

TOEFL: Minimum 79

IELTS: Minimum 6.5

DeGroote Business School

2-year MBA

Work Experience: Minimum 4 years

75% score in the bachelors degree

CV/Resume

2 LORs

TOEFL: Minimum 100

IELTS: Minimum 7.0

Lakehead University

MBA

MBA with Advanced Studies in Management

Work Experience: 2+ years

SOP

CV/Resume

3-year/4-year bachelors degree with additional five-course equivalents

TOEFL: Minimum 85

IELTS: Minimum 6.5

Vancouver Island University

MBA with four-month summer internship

Grade average of 'B' for 2 continuous years in Bachelors

CV/Resume

Work Experience (at least 1 year)

2 LORs

MBA SOP

University Canada West

Online MBA

GRE score, BBA,B.Com degree, OR 3 year Work experience

3.0 GPA (4.33 scale)

6.5 bands in IELTS

The University of Northern British Columbia

Flexible MBA

4 year Bachelor's degree

3 year Work Experience

LORs

MBA SOP

Whitman School of Business

Online MBA

Full-time MBA

Joint dual degree programs

GRE score (Quant: 160 & Verbal: 150)

3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)

7.0 bands in IELTS Academic

McGill University

Full-time regular MBA

Work experience: 10 years or more

Management experience of a minimum of 5 years

A bachelors degree or equivalent

English and French language proficiency

University of Alberta

Dual MBA programs

Full-time MBA

GRE score (GRE Percentile of 50)

Affordable Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT

As most of us already know that pursuing an MBA degree abroad can certainly create a big financial burden or hole in your pocket. MBA is just like any other investment that you do and hence, you expect a better ROI on your investment or money spent.

Having said that, not all universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT are offering expensive MBA programs with tuition fees reaching sky-high. International students at top business schools often pay between CAD 30,000 and CAD 80,000. There are very few universities in Canada that provide an affordable MBA degree that does not require GMAT.

Below are some of the most affordable universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT:

Affordable Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT

Average Estimated Annual Fees in CAD

New York Institute of Technology

30,000

Thompson Rivers University

23,000

Lakehead University

27,000

DeGroote Business School

32,500-33,500

Schulich Business School

40,100

Wilfrid Laurier University

11,000-33,000

MBA in Canada Without GMAT And Work Experience

If you are wondering that universities in Canada do not provide MBA without GMAT and work experience then you are highly wrong! Since some universities waive the GMAT exam for students with other qualifications, the job experience requirement may be removed as well. Prior work experience is likewise listed at the top of the qualifications for an MBA in Canada. Whether or not the university requires GMAT/GRE scores, work experience is another criterion.

To avoid requiring work experience and GMAT scores both, applicants must demonstrate academic brilliance, a high GPA, and an undergraduate degree in business-related disciplines. Although job experience is desired for increased admission chances, it is not generally a mandatory requirement in some universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT.

Applicants who are unable to submit GMAT results and have no prior professional experience may instead submit GRE scores. Except for the MBA, the GRE is used as an entrance exam for all graduate schools. Many universities, however, accept it as an authorized substitute for the GMAT.

Here are some prominent universities in Canada where you can pursue your MBA without GMAT and work experience:

Universities in Canada

GMAT

Work Experience

Goodman School of Business Brock University

Not Required

Not Required

Vancouver Island University

Not Required

Not Required

Lakehead University

Not Required

Not Required

Cape Breton University

Not Required

Not Required

University Canada West

Not Required

Not Required

Thompson Rivers University

Not Required

Not Required

Odette School of Business The University of Windsor

Not Required

Not Required

If you are still confused about which course and university you should opt for, then you can always reach out to our experts at abroad@collegedekho.com.

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FAQs

Is GMAT required to study MBA in Canada?

Yes, the GMAT is required to study MBA in Canada. In fact, it is one of the most important admission criterion for international students to pursue their MBA in Canada. Having said that, more and more universities in Canada are nowadays offering different MBA programs without GMAT or with GMAT waivers. 

What is the cost of studying MBA in Canada without GMAT for Indian students?

The cost of studying MBA in Canada without GMAT for Indian students is not fixed and will vary as per the choice of university or the university type, the location where the university is present, and the type of MBA program/specialisation that you will opt or choose. Having said that, an average estimated first-year tuition fee for pursuing MBA in Canada without GMAT is anywhere between INR 24 lakhs to INR 60 lakhs. 

What are the different types of MBA degrees that universities in Canada offer for MBA without GMAT?

The universities in Canada offer different types of MBA degrees to international stuudents who wish to pursue an MBA in Canada without GMAT. Some of the MBA programs that these universities offer are:

  • Full-time MBA 

  • Part-time MBA

  • Accelerated MBA 

  • One-year MBA 

  • Executive MBA 

  • Joint/Dual degree programs

What are the admission requirements to study MBA in Canada without GMAT?

The admission requirements to study MBA in Canada without GMAT is not fixed and will vary from one university to another depending on the type of university and the course/specialisation that you choose. Having said that, the general eligibility criteria for pursuing MBA in Canada without GMAT are as follows:

  • IELTS/TOEFL scores

  • Bachelor’s degree with good marks/GPA

  • GRE (if asked)

  • Work experience 

  • Eligible documents like CV/Resume/SOP/LOR etc.

Can I pursue MBA in Canada Without GMAT and work experience?

Yes, you can definitely pursue your MBA in Canada without GMAT and work experience. There are a handful of universities in Canada that are not only waiving off GMAT requirements for international students but are also allowing those to pursue MBA degrees who do not have any prior work experience. Some of these universities are Thompson Rivers University, Cape Breton University, Vancouver Island University, Lakehead University, The University of Windsor and more.  

Can I pursue MBA in Canada Without GMAT and GRE?

Yes, surprisingly you can pursue your MBA in Canada without GMAT and GRE! The universities in Canada that do not require GMAT and GRE scores are HEC Montréal, Ivey Business School, Desautels Faculty of Management – McGill University, Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto, Vancouver Island University and more. Although some universities may not require them, taking one of these tests is strongly advised for a better chance of admission to the chosen university.

What are the exams required for MBA in Canada without GMAT?

Some of the major and important exams required by universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT are English proficiency tests like IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), PTE (Pearson Test of English) or GRE (Graduate Record Examinations).

Is GMAT waived for MBA in Canada 2022?

Because of the continued prevalence of the coronavirus pandemic and changes in travel and health and safety norms around the world, many international universities have already relaxed their GMAT and GRE admission requirements for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2022 sessions. Many international applicants who have been unable to sit for these exams will be relieved.

Are admissions guaranteed if the minimum requirements for MBA in Canada without GMAT are met?

No, admissions are not guaranteed if the minimum requirements for MBA in Canada without GMAT are met at Canadian universities. To increase your chances of admission to your selected university, you must submit your strongest applications.

Does the University of Toronto offer MBA without GMAT to international students?

Yes, the University of Toronto does offer MBA without GMAT to international students provided they meet its rigorous admission requirements. Students that demonstrate a well-rounded combination of abilities such as professional achievement, interpersonal skills, leadership potential, and the capacity to give value to the class are eligible for a one-year Executive MBA program at the university. Having 8+ years of full-time work experience and 3+ years of experience in a mid-to-senior management role is important!

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