MBA in Canada Without GMAT in 2024: Top Universities, Fees, Admission Requirements

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.  

MBA in Canada: Country Key Highlights

Canada-economy/GDP growth (2023)	7.4%
Population	38,929,902
Capital	Ottawa
Number of international students	1,040,985
Number of Indian students	426,803 (41%)
Number of universities	383

Top Universities in Canada for MBA Without GMAT

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.  

Cheap MBA Programs in Canada Without GMAT

University	Program Types	Duration	Fees
Thompson Rivers University	Full-time MBA	12 months	$16,139- Year 1 $35,241- Year 2
Lakehead University	Full-time MBA and Part-time MBA	12 months or 16 months	$7,092.51 per term
Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU)	Full-time MBA and Part-time MBA	12 months to 2.3 years	$1,490 to $9,935 per term

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.

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