Canada’s universities offer a variety of benefits that attract the best minds from around the world.
Consistently ranked among the best in the world, Canadian universities have a global reputation for academic excellence. According to analytics firm QS Quacquarelli Symonds, three of the world’s top 50 universities of 2022 are in Canada. It’s no surprise, then, that many of Canada’s MBA programs attract international students. But it’s more than just a high-quality education that draws some of the best and brightest from around the world to Canadian schools.
Multiculturalism and acceptance.
According to Gallup’s Immigrant Acceptance Index, Canada is the most welcoming country in the world when it comes to immigrants, and Canadian universities often boast incredibly diverse student and faculty populations. “[When] international students join our community, they have the opportunity to network with a diverse cohort of exceptional students with unique perspectives and experiences to broaden their worldviews,” says Rima Vasudevan, Director of Recruitment and Admissions at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC
The structure of some Canadian MBA programs can also help international students feel welcome. “Our programs are incredibly interactive and foster relationships between students despite different time zones, locations, and nationalities,” says Dr. Sheri McKillop, academic vice president at the University of Fredericton, where the MBA program is entirely online. . “There is also a high degree of group work in each course, giving students the opportunity to learn and grow with their peers in Canada and around the world.”
Affordability and accessibility
Getting an MBA can be expensive, and Canadian universities generally have lower tuition and a more affordable cost of living than in the United States. The Government of Canada has a number of scholarships available to international students, and many Canadian universities have financial aid initiatives specifically geared towards foreign students.
Additionally, some schools, such as Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, offer programs to help international students adjust to living, studying, and working in Canada. “[We run] an intensive four-week business English and transition skills program to help international students thrive in a North American learning environment,” says Narongsak Thongpapanl, associate dean for research and graduate studies at Brock’s Goodman School of Business.
Postgraduate opportunities
Once they have completed their MBA, eligible international students can stay and work in Canada for up to three years through the Postgraduate Work Permit Program (PGWP), giving them invaluable professional experience. Some Canadian universities offer specialist support to help graduates stay here and excel. “East [school] year, we launched an international graduate internship program,” says Liz Lemon-Mitchell, director of outreach and operations at the University of New Brunswick’s business school, “which provides salary subsidies to employers in the high-growth tech sector that They look for the best talent.”
Ultimately, international students who choose Canadian MBA programs set themselves up for success in the global marketplace. “Diversity in the classroom and workplace contributes to a higher level of cultural intelligence,” says Thongpapanl. “This will help graduates advance their careers, whether working for themselves or someone else, as diverse workplaces have been shown to work best to achieve financial, social and environmental outcomes.”