Canada remains a major destination for international students, but recent federal study permit caps mean international enrollment can change from year to year. Among the country’s popular graduate degrees is the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
The MBA is one of the most widely recognized graduate business degrees in the world. Its popularity among students, entrepreneurs, and professionals comes from the breadth of business skills it can provide. Not only does it equip learners with key knowledge in business administration, but its versatility can also support many different career paths.
Canada is an excellent place to pursue an MBA because of its established universities, internationally recognized business schools, and varied program formats. In this article, we will take you through five well-known universities in Canada that offer MBA programs you can consider.
Top Schools Offering MBA Programs in Canada
Canada offers strong academic options, career-focused learning, and a stimulating environment for MBA students. The following Canadian universities offer MBA programs to domestic and international students, along with information about program structure and current or estimated tuition fees. Fees are subject to change, so applicants should always confirm details on the official university pages before applying.
1. University of Toronto
The Rotman School of Management is the graduate business school of the University of Toronto, located in downtown Toronto. Its history in business education goes back to 1901, when the University of Toronto established a diploma program in commerce. Rotman is one of Canada’s best-known business schools, and its MBA programs are designed for students and professionals pursuing leadership, management, finance, strategy, and innovation-focused careers.
Rotman offers MBA options in different formats, including the Full-Time MBA, Morning and Evening MBA formats for working professionals, and a one-year advanced-standing option for eligible students. International students can apply to the Full-Time MBA, and Rotman also lists scholarships, awards, fellowships, employment opportunities, and loan options for students.
The Full-Time MBA is a 20-month, in-person program that includes 16 months of academic study and an opportunity for a four-month paid internship. For the class entering in 2025, estimated academic program fees for the Full-Time MBA are CAD $92,540 for domestic students and CAD $141,930 for international students on a study permit. Incidental and ancillary fees are extra, and all fees are subject to change.
2. University of Western Ontario
Another well-known school offering MBA programs in Canada is the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School, which began in 1922. The institution offers several business administration programs, including the MBA, Accelerated MBA, and Executive MBA.
Ivey’s MBA has been recognized in major MBA rankings, but ranking positions change by edition. Applicants should check the latest ranking year before relying on any specific claim. The full-time MBA is a 12-month program, and students can customize their studies by selecting up to 12 elective courses from five areas of interest or by choosing a focused specialization.
The tuition fee listed by Ivey for the 2027 MBA intake is an estimated CAD $136,310 for international students and CAD $84,915 for domestic students. Additional academic, health insurance, and living costs may apply, and tuition and fees are subject to change.
3. McGill University
The Desautels Faculty of Management is part of McGill University and is one of Canada’s established business schools. Founded in 1906, it continues to attract students interested in management education in Montreal.
The Desautels Faculty of Management offers a full-time MBA and the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive MBA. The full-time MBA has 48-credit and 54-credit options: the 48-credit option is designed to be completed in 12 months, while the 54-credit option can be completed in 20 months, with an option to accelerate to 16 months. McGill also reports that 83% of Full-Time MBA 2025 students seeking placement were employed within six months of graduation. Moreover, students may consider the joint MBA/Law Program offered with McGill’s Faculty of Law.
The tuition fee for the Fall 2026 entering class is CAD $108,500. Canadian citizens and permanent residents receive a CAD $23,000 tuition waiver, bringing their net tuition to CAD $85,500. The MBA International Study Trip is listed separately at CAD $3,000, excluding airfare. Students should also review available scholarships and financial aid before applying.
4. Queen’s University
The Smith School of Business is part of Queen’s University. The school is well known among domestic and international students for its MBA programs. In the 2026 Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, Queen’s University: Smith was ranked #92 overall, and Smith reported strong Canadian results for several career-related categories in that ranking.
Smith offers different types of business administration programs, such as the Executive MBA and Accelerated MBA. The school also partners with Cornell University through the Executive MBA Americas, where graduates earn MBA degrees from both Cornell and Queen’s.
The program fee listed by Smith for the Full-time MBA is CAD $110,033 for international students and CAD $85,234 for domestic students. All students are also required to pay student activity fees of approximately CAD $1,600, and international students may need to purchase the University Health Insurance Plan unless they can show equivalent coverage. The university teaches using a blended approach that includes experiential learning, simulations, and case studies. In addition to the degree, students can consider graduate certificates and other customization options that may support their professional goals.
5. York University
The Schulich School of Business is the business school of York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened as York’s Faculty of Administrative Studies in 1966 and is now one of Canada’s well-known business schools. Students can choose from 15+ specializations to develop expertise in the areas that interest them most.
Students can customize this degree through flexible study options, including switching between full-time and part-time enrollment where permitted. The full-time MBA has an average completion time of four terms, and students with advanced standing may be able to complete an accelerated MBA in less time. Based on Schulich’s Fall 2026 fee framework, the estimated full-time MBA program total is CAD $124,011 for international students, CAD $73,858 for domestic Ontario students, and CAD $77,431 for domestic out-of-province students. Fees are rounded estimates and are subject to change.
FAQs: MBA in Canada
Which Field of MBA Specialization is the Best in Canada?
The best MBA specialization in Canada depends on your career goals, work experience, and target industry. Finance is a popular option at many Canadian business schools, but students also commonly consider areas such as operations, human resources, marketing, analytics, entrepreneurship, consulting, and strategy.
Before choosing a specialization, review each university’s official curriculum and elective options. Some MBA programs allow students to complete core courses first and then customize their path through electives or concentrations, while others require applicants to choose a stream earlier in the program.
Can International Students Get a Job in Canada?
Yes, eligible international students can work in Canada after their study program starts, as long as their study permit includes the proper work authorization and they continue to meet IRCC conditions. They cannot begin working before their program starts.
During regular academic terms, eligible international students can work off campus for up to 24 hours per week. During scheduled breaks, eligible students may work unlimited hours. Self-employed or freelance work performed in Canada can also count toward off-campus work hours, so students are responsible for tracking their hours and complying with study permit rules. Students should always confirm the latest rules on the official IRCC website before accepting work.
If you want to pursue business administration courses in Canada, you can choose from several MBA programs. The Canadian MBA programs mentioned above are associated with established universities and business schools. Refer to the official program links for the most current information about courses, admissions, and fees, and good luck with your application!
We hope this article on the best universities offering MBA programs in Canada will help you make a choice on where to pursue this degree. You can also visit our Study in Canada page and Available Courses for International Students for more information about studying in the country!
