MBA in Canada Without GMAT (2023 Guide)

MBA in Canada Without GMAT

Canada is one of the earliest countries for business investment globally, and it is known for having one of the strongest economies. Pursuing an MBA at a Canadian university means learning with high academic standards in institutions that are among the best in the world. Business schools in Canada rank among the top best universities globally, and some of them offer MBA programs to students without GMAT scores.

Can I Study MBA in Canada Without GMAT?

Although GMAT is a crucial part of the application process to business schools, in Canada, you can find universities that will allow you to pursue an MBA without entering the GMAT exam. One of the reasons you are allowed to apply without submitting GMAT scores is that the admissions committee will focus on other relevant aspects of your application.

Business schools focus on other relevant aspects of your application: professional experience, letters of recommendation, interviews, personal statements, or essays. In addition to this, your academic performance remains a critical factor in your application. A high GPA can give you an advantage over other applicants.

MBA Colleges in Canada Without GMAT

While a large number of universities list GMAT scores as obligatory for admission to their MBA programs, in Canada, you can find outstanding universities that offer MBA programs to you without GMAT scores.

Here are some MBA colleges in Canada without GMAT:

McGill University

McGill University is filled with students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and professors who bring global perspectives to classroom discussions. MBA students at McGill University land internships in different companies and develop local startups. Due to these opportunities, you will have the chance to apply your skills in solving current problems.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at McGill University, you must meet the following requirements:

At least 2 years of work experience.
2 letters of recommendation.
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.
GRE or GMAT test scores.
English Proficiency Test: TOEFL iBT 100 minimum; IELTS 7.0 overall.
Pass the interview.
Complete three essay questions.

University of Calgary - Haskayne School of Business

MBA programs at the Haskayne School of Business aim to empower your leadership skills, enhance your business thinking skills and teach you the approaches to solving challenges of the business world. By pursuing an MBA at the Haskayne School of Business, you will also build and expand your network.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at the University of Calgary - Haskayne School of Business, you must meet the following requirements:

A GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0).
Minimum 2 years of work experience.
GRE or GMAT score.
English language proficiency test scores. If English is not your first language you must submit English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL 97 or higher on the internet version; OR IELTS 7 or higher on the academic version).

HEC Montreal

Pursuing an MBA at HEC Montreal will allow you to benefit from the dynamic and personalized teaching offered at the university. It will also give you the opportunity of becoming a part of the largest business network in Quebec (a network comprised of more than 82,000 graduates). You will also meet students of various professional backgrounds that create a diverse and enriching learning experience.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at HEC Montreal, you must meet the following requirements:

Have obtained an undergraduate degree.
Have at least 3 years of full-time work experience.
Submit GMAT score of 630 or higher, minimum 570; GRE equivalent to GMAT score; or TAGE MAGE score 300 or higher, minimum suggested: 250.
Submit proof of English proficiency.
Submit supporting documents. Such as copies of official transcripts, photocopy of diplomas, CV, four video essays, and two letters of recommendation.

DeGroote Business School

Professionals at the DeGroote Business School invest in students who want to change the world. The university is interested in hearing business ideas from professionals in different fields such as science, engineering, political science, and not only. At DeGroote Business School, you learn the tools you need to bring your ideas to the job market.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at the DeGroote Business School, you must meet the following requirements:

A competitive GPA (8.0 out of 12.0 or a 3.0 out of 4.0.)
A competitive GRE or GMAT score. There are exceptions for candidates that meet the competitive GPA requirements.
Two reference letters.
Pass KIRA online video interview.
Submit your CV.
A minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience. In managerial and professional positions.

University of Alberta

At the University of Alberta, MBA programs are inspiring, challenging, and focused. You can complete an MBA program at the University of Alberta in 20 months. During your studies, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge you need to push your career forward.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at the University of Alberta, you must meet the following requirements:

An undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA.
GRE or GMAT scores.
Proof of English language proficiency. Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL 600 paper-based test, or 100 internet-based test); IELTS 7.0 or 6.0 on each band; PTE 68; CAEL overall 60 minimum.
Two years of full-time work experience. Ideally, you must possess at least two years of full-time work experience.
Two reference letters. These assist the admissions committee evaluate your administrative, managerial, and academic skills.
A Statement of Intent. Including one to two pages that show the reason you chose to enter the program and your career goals.
Pass the interview.

UBC Sauder School of Business

An advantage of pursuing an MBA at UBC Sauder School of Business is that MBA programs are offered part-time and as a Dual Degree. Studying at UBC Sauder School of Business will allow you to understand how business operates globally.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at UBC Sauder School of Business, you must meet the following requirements:

Three or four-year Bachelor's degree with a B+ average and academic transcripts.
155 GRE score on both the verbal and quantitative sections, if you manage to score a 320+ GRE score on the combined verbal and quantitative section you would have a competitive edge.
Be proficient in English (submit scores of TOEFL 100, Print: 600, Computer: 250; IELTS 7.0; MELAB 84; PTE 7.0; or CAEL 70.
Minimum one year of full-time work experience (3-5 years of full-time work experience if you want a competitive edge).
Have foundational proficiency in Quantitative Methods and familiarity with Statistics and Economics.

Schulich Business School

The Schulich Business School offers 17 areas of specialization. You can also customize your MBA which allows you to switch between full- and part-time enrollment. The MBA program at Schulich combines classroom learning with real-world cases allowing you to work on real business problems.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at Schulich Business School, you must meet the following requirements:

Have an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
GRE or GMAT scores.
Minimum two years of full-time work experience.
Complete two written essays, one-timed written, two videos, an up-to-date CV, two references, unofficial copies of academic transcripts, and GMAT or GRE scores as part of the online application.
If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English language proficiency - IELTS 7.0 overall or a minimum of 6.5 on each dimension; TOEFL 100 iBT a minimum of 23 on each dimension.

Ivey Business School

At Ivey Business School you will work with a top-ranked management team, expand your network and make connections. 97% of the graduates of Ivey Business School receive a job offer within three months of graduation. Graduates of the MBA program offered at Ivey Business school earn an average of $122,525 per year.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at Ivey Business School, you must meet the following requirements:

Unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended.
GMAT or GRE score.
If you have passed all 3 Levels of the CFA designation, possess a CPA designation (CPA Canada), possess a P.Eng designation (P.Eng Canada), or have a valid and competitive MCAT or LSAT score, you can waive the GMAT requirement.
CV demonstrating at least two years of full-time professional experience.
IELTS or TOEFL scores (if English is not your first language).
Two references.
Fill out the online application form (including completing two written essay questions and two required video questions).

Rotman School of Management - University of Toronto

An MBA at Rotman School of Management provides you with hands-on learning, gives you the knowledge and confidence to advance your business career, and most importantly, it teaches you business fundamentals that allow you to grow as a leader.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, you must meet the following requirements:

Recognized undergraduate degree.
8+ years of full-time experience.
Be employed full-time.
Successfully complete the Rotman Executive Diagnostic Test (EDT) or GMAT/GRE equivalent.
Have experience in project management and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills.

Vancouver Island University (VIU)

An MBA program at Vancouver Island University can be completed in 20 months. MBA classes at VIU offer you the opportunity to learn with students from all over the world whose experience brings diverse perspectives to classroom discussions. By the end of your studies, you will graduate with specialized expertise and become a confident leader in the business community.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at Vancouver Island University, you must meet the following requirements:

Undergraduate degree.
Minimum B average.
Letter of introduction.
CV.
Two letters of recommendation.
A minimum of one year of professional experience.
No GMAT scores are required.
English language proficiency (if English is not your first language).
Certified copies of all documents and their official translation. If you are an international student.

Lakehead University

MBA programs at Lakehead University are designed to prepare you for the challenges of the business world, through the development of analytical and communication skills. Lakehead University offers two types of MBA programs, one takes 12 months to complete and the other (Advanced Studies in Management) takes 16 months to complete.

To be eligible for admission to an MBA program at Lakehead University, you must meet the following requirements:

Three or four-year undergraduate degree.
GRE (300 minimum), or GMAT (500 minimum). If you have an excellent academic record you will be considered for a GMAT/ GRE waiver.
Statement of Academic Intent. Comprising 750-1000 words detailing your academic history and career goals.
CV.
Work experience (preferred).

Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT and Work Experience

MBA scores and work experience are both crucial requirements for MBA programs. However, some business schools in Canada accept students without GMAT scores and years of professional experience.

Here are some universities in Canada for MBA without GMAT and work experience:

Thompson Rivers University

In Canada, Thompson Rivers University offers MBA programs to students with no prior work experience and GMAT scores. Requirements that you must meet to attend an MBA program at Thompson Rivers University include:

An undergraduate degree.
Meet the language requirements (TOEFL - minimum score of 587 with a TWE of 5.0 or Pearson Test of English - an overall score of 68).
Have a strong knowledge of algebra and statistics.
You must also show you possess the necessary skills to succeed in this MBA program.
Submit a CV.
Letter of intent.

Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University requires that you complete the application form as the first step of your application process. Once completed, you must submit the supporting documents, including:

CV (detailing how well you can perform in the MBA program).
Letter of Intent.
Official Transcripts.
English Language Requirement Scores (7.5 IELTS score and a minimum 102 TOEFL score).
Academic Letters of Reference.
Letter of Financial Guarantee (non-Canadian students).
Two letters of recommendation.
Letter of financial guarantee.

Saint Mary’s University

At Saint Mary’s University, you must meet the following requirements to pursue an MBA program:

An undergraduate degree from a recognized university.
GRE or GMAT scores.
Work experience is not required, but 2-3 years of professional experience is preferred.
English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson scores). Tests should not be more than 2 years old.

Can I Study MBA in Canada Without GMAT or GRE?

For some business schools in Canada, GMAT or GRE scores are not compulsory admission requirements. Generally, business schools focus on your GPA, extracurricular activities, or other elements that prove your academic success. Other compulsory requirements may include having at least three years of work experience.

Some business schools in Canada may require that you enter an entrance examination similar to GMAT or GRE but that the business school itself administers it. These tests may be similar to GMAT or GRE in what they ultimately analyze. Tests like GMAT or GRE aim to predict how well you can perform in an MBA program.

MBA in Canada Requirements

To be considered for an MBA program in Canada, the eligibility criteria you must meet vary depending on the university you choose to attend. In Canada, same as in plenty of other countries, admission requirements for MBA programs differ between universities. Requirements may also not be the same for international and local students.

One of the main requirements for admission to an MBA program in Canada is obtaining a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. In addition to an undergraduate degree, you must also possess fluency in the English language. If English is not your first language you must submit IELTS (6.5 - 7.5) scores or TOEFL (iBT - 100).

Considering the nature of MBA programs (learning relies on case studies), work experience is one of the main requirements. Therefore, having years of professional experience will most likely give you a competitive advantage over other applicants. However, there are universities in Canada that value your academic achievements despite the length or lack of your work experience.