How to Study MBA in Canada Without Work Experience?

Did you know that you can pursue MBA in Canada without work experience? In Canada, there are a number of universities that students can consider if they wish to pursue an MBA without work experience. This article gives complete details about these universities, eligibility requirements, fee structure, alternatives to work experience, etc.

It is a matter of constant debate among fresh business graduates in business and related programs whether they should pursue MBAs directly after graduation or gain work experience first. In spite of both sides holding their own advantages, there are strong reasons that have caused more and more students to look for MBA programs without prior work experience. So if you are seeking an MBA in Canada without work experience, this article is for you!

Table of Contents

• Top MBA Universities in Canada Without Work Experience
• Eligibility Requirements for Studying MBA without Work Experience in Canada 
• Benefits of Studying MBA Without Work Experience in Canada
• Alternatives to Full-time MBA in Canada Without Work Experience
• Alternatives to Lack of Work Experience 
• Cost of MBA for Indian Students in Canada 

Top MBA Universities in Canada Without Work Experience

While most Canadian business schools require applicants to have at least 2-3 years of work experience to apply to MBA programs, students seeking to enroll in an MBA without work experience also have many options of taking admission into top-ranked business schools in Canada. The following table provides a list of top universities for MBA in Canada without work experience: 

University	MBA Courses	Tuition Fees (in CAD)
New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver Campus	General Management, Finance	38,487 CAD
Thompson Rivers University	TRU MBA	30,571 CAD
Cape Breton University	Community Economic Development	20,013 CAD
The Sprott School of Business (Carleton University)	Professional MBA, Accelerated MBA	55,000 CAD
University of Windsor	General MBA, MBA for Managers & Professional, MBA in Professional Accounting	11,550 CAD
Goodman School of Business (Brock University)	Full-time and Part-time MBA, International Student Pathway MBA program	57,730 CAD
Rowe School of Business (Dalhousie University)	Corporate Residency MBA	72,183 CAD

New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver Campus

With AACSB accreditation, NYIT's MBA program is among the top 5% of business schools worldwide. Applicants are not required to have any work experience and are also eligible for academic scholarships. Applications are accepted during the Fall, Summer, and Spring semesters, provided that seats are available. At NYIT, students get an opportunity to learn from highly qualified faculties who possess years of industry experience.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A 3 or 4-year UG degree in a relevant field with at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0/ 4.0 or its equivalent
• A minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or a TOEFL (iBT) score of 79
• An updated resume
• Two academic reference letters from UG university
• Statement of purpose
• GMAT scores for applicants who have a grade point average below 3.0 

Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University is another good option for pursuing MBA in Canada without work experience. The MBA program at Thompson Rivers University accepts both GMAT scores and work experience. Students enrolling in this university can opt for a thesis-based, course-based, or project-based curriculum for MBA. The program is very flexible in nature as students can pursue it on or off-campus or go for combined course delivery options. The curriculum is exhaustive and taught by highly experienced industry professionals.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A 3 or 4-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent)
• An updated resume
• Letter of Intent
• English language proficiency test scores ( IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL-iBT: 90 or equivalent)
• GMAT scores are optional

Read More: Thompson Rivers University

Cape Breton University

Cape Breton University accepts students with no prior work experience, as long as they demonstrate potential to succeed in their careers. The MBA program at Cape Breton University consists of a leading-edge curriculum with a focus on subjects like leadership, economic development, management of change, and governance. Students need to meet certain eligibility requirements for admission into this program. These requirements are listed below.

Eligibility Criteria:

• An undergraduate degree from a recognized institution with atleast 3.0 GPA 
• GMAT Scores (minimum 500)/ GRE scores
• TOEFL/IELTS scores
• Statement of purpose (500-800 words)
• 3 letters of references (one academic and one professional)

Read More: Cape Breton University

The Sprott School of Business (Carleton University)

Carleton University's Sprott School of Business offers an MBA without prior work experience in Canada. These applicants must, however, complete an internship during their MBA program if accepted. Accredited by AACSB, the Sprott School of Business focuses on delivering a high-quality management education through its MBA program. Students interested in pursuing MBA at Carleton University can look at the eligibility requirements listed below.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A 4-year UG degree with a minimum GPA of 8.0 out of 12
• A minimum GMAT score of 550 or equivalent
• 2 academic letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• An updated resume
• A video interview (if required)

Read More: The Sprott School of Business 

University of Windsor

The University of Windsor offers 3 variants of the MBA degree. The general MBA program at the University of Windsor is known as Odette MBA and does not require applicants to demonstrate work experience. It comprises an intensive curriculum including lectures, case studies, real-world client presentations, etc. The eligibility criteria for admission to MBA at the University of Windsor are given as follows.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A minimum GMAT score of 520 (26 in verbal, 30 in quantitative, and 4.0 in analytical writing)
• A minimum IELTS score of 7
• A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100
• A minimum Pearson score of 68
• An updated CV
• Letter of intent

Read More: University of Windsor

Goodman School of Business (Brock University)

The Goodman School of Business at Brock University provides a full-time and a part-time MBA program. However, there is an international Pathway MBA program, which can only be pursued full-time. It is not mandatory to have work experience for getting admitted into the MBA program at Brock. Students seeking admission to the MBA program of this prestigious university can understand the eligibility criteria given below.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree with at least 75% marks
• GMAT score (minimum 550)
• English language proficiency test scores (IELTS: 7.5, Pearson: 72)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume/CV

Read More: Goodman School of Business

Rowe School of Business (Dalhousie University)

A Corporate Residency MBA program is offered by the Rowe School Business at Dalhousie University. The school does not require pplicants to have prior professional experience in order to apply for this program. It is an eight-month work experience program wherein students will get an opportunity to experience the real business world and develop leadership skills. Students can benefit from small batch sizes and great employment opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A 4-year UG degree with a minimum of 75% marks 
• A minimum GMAT score of 550 or its equivalent (GRE/MCAT/LSAT)
• TOEFL score: 100 (paper-based: 600, computer-basaed: 237)
• 2 academic reference letters
• Proof of financial support
• Personal statement ( up to 2000 words)
• Resume

Read More: Rowe School of Business

Eligibility Requirements for Studying MBA without Work Experience in Canada

In order to pursue an MBA in Canada without work experience, students must be aware of some important requirements. These requirements have been listed below:

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a high GPA (or as specified by the university)
• GMAT scores (or equivalent)
• English proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• A resume that showcases qualities like leadership and teamwork abilities
• Copies of academic transcripts
• A personal statement that demonstrates the goals and ambitions of the student
• Letters of recommendation
• Essays (wherein students highlight their skills and achievements)

Benefits of Studying MBA Without Work Experience in Canada

Studying an MBA with or without experience has its own advantages and disadvantages. No option is better than another since it entirely depends on the individual's preferences, interests, and goals. Students should, therefore, evaluate both options before making a decision. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of an MBA in Canada without work experience:

• Students who have the right networking skills are likely to get a head start in their careers.
• The candidate will have the opportunity to acquire academic and professional experience at an early stage.
• MBA graduates can gain management and business skills without taking a break from their professional lives.

Alternatives to Full-time MBA in Canada Without Work Experience

If you are a recent graduate looking for an MBA but are unwilling or unable to commit to a full-time program, there are other options. It is possible to opt for a part-time MBA online, through distance education, or by attending evening classes. Additionally, you can also go for an accelerated MBA program which is completed in less than two years.

Here is a list of universities that offer part-time MBA programs without requiring work experience as a prerequisite for admission:

University	Course Name	Course Delivery	Duration	Fees (in CAD)
Queen’s University	Executive MBA	Lecture Centre/ Online	16 months	106,000
St Mary’s University	Online MBA	Online	12 months	595/ credit hour
University of Alberta	Part-Time MBA	Evening Classes	Up to 6 years	31,600
Brock University	Part-Time MBA	Classroom	4 years	33,525- 35,145
Ryerson University	Ted Rogers MBA	Hybrid/ Modular	2 years	38,740

Alternatives to Lack of Work Experience

In recent years, the application process for MBA programs, particularly in terms of work experience, has changed significantly. Nowadays, the admission critiques emphasize evaluating candidates' current potential rather than relying on their past records. Previously, at least 3 to 5 years of work experience was strongly recommended. Applicants with no prior work experience are expected to address certain questions in their applications. The following questions are frequently asked:

• Do you want to engage in any kind of volunteer work, or have you ever done so in the past?
• Have you participated in any entrepreneurial campaigns in your college?
• What extracurricular activities have you taken part in?

Admissions committees of top colleges now focus more on skills, academic achievements, and participation in extracurricular activities, as opposed to internships and jobs. If you are planning to pursue an MBA without work experience in Canada, here are some points that you must consider for drafting a better application:

• A high GPA in the undergraduate degree 
• A good GMAT score or equivalent
• A better score in English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Well written MBA essays 
• A greater number of references from multiple institutions

Cost of MBA for Indian Students in Canada

Now that you know all the details about the MBA programs offered by various Canadian universities, you might be wondering that how much it will cost you. The cost of the program completely depends on the university that you wish to attend. On average, the cost of an MBA program in Canada ranges between 3 lakhs to 73 lakhs per annum. Let us now look at the fee structure of some of the top colleges in Canada that provide an MBA without work experience:

University	MBA Cost (in INR)
New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver Campus	21.8 lakhs
Thompson Rivers University	17.3 lakhs
Cape Breton University	11.3 lakhs
The Sprott School of Business (Carleton University)	31.3 lakhs
University of Windsor	6.54 lakhs
Goodman School of Business (Brock University)	32.7 lakhs
Rowe School of Business (Dalhousie University)	40.88 lakhs