Should you pursue your MBA in Australia or Canada?

All you aspiring MBA graduates, when asked to choose between an MBA in Canada or an MBA in Australia, you’ll have a hard time to pick. You shouldn’t be choosing one country over another based on your likes and dislikes; your choice should be based on research that you should have started early on.

Let’s break down what it means to do an MBA in Australia vs Canada.

AN MBA in Australia? Or an MBA in Canada?

Is it easy to get a study visa for an MBA in Australia?  What types of jobs can MBA students in Melbourne get versus in Canada...?

MBA in Australia or Canada: Ask these questions to help you decide

Here are some questions you can ask yourself when planning to do an MBA abroad:

• What will the course content be? Is it the same in the universities shortlisted in both the countries?
• Are you taking an education loan? How much is the amount, how are you going to repay and in how many years?
• Are you looking at a higher ROI (Return on Investment)? If so, which country will pay you well?
• Are you looking to study and settle abroad? Or do you want to return home after completing your MBA?

These questions along with the details given below will help you make an informed choice.

What’s it like to study an MBA in Australia?

Entry requirements

• In order to study MBA in Australia, you might have to appear for GMAT as most universities require a decent GMAT score.
• A majority of universities in Australia also ask for a 3 or 4-year long bachelor’s degree with a minimum score of 60%.
• At least three years of managerial work experience will be beneficial for you. Don’t lose hope if you don’t have any work experience. There are universities that accept students without experience too.  
• Also, you will be required to submit your English language proficiency – IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores.

Where can you study an MBA in Australia?

Here are our currently trending universities in Australia for MBA aspirants:

• The University of Sydney – It ranks 1st in Australia and 51^st in the world according to the Times Higher Education (THE) 2021 rankings. Its intensive MBA programme focuses on leadership and enterprise and comes with limited class sizes and industry experience through internships. It also offers dedicated career services for MBA students.   
• La Trobe University – It is in the top 400 universities in the world. Ranked 17^th in Australia for graduate employability rate, La Trobe's MBA holds an accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) that gives global recognition. La Trobe also has an extended MBA programme on offer. Students who have relevant work experience, but do not hold an undergraduate degree, may still apply.
• The University of Adelaide – Ranked 118th in the world by the THE and featuring in the top 1% of the world’s universities, the University of Adelaide is the first institution to offer business and management education in Australia. With focus on industry exposure, leadership and strategic management skills, its Adelaide MBA programme was ranked the highest among South Australian universities in 2018. 
• The University of Melbourne – Placed no.1 in Australia and 31st in the world in 2021, the University of Melbourne’s MBA programmes are fast-paced and challenging and train students to lead and manage organisations in the real world. The university’s MBA programmes are among the top 4 in the Asia Pacific region. The university is placed 7^th in the world for graduate employability.
• The University of Queensland – Ranked 70th globally (Times Higher Education Rankings 2024) and featured among the top 50 universities for research work, the University of Queensland is a proud member of Universities Australia. Its business school has a reputation for its strong industry links and research work. Its accelerated 12-month MBA programme covers a wide variety of subjects ranging from IT for business value and business analysis to strategic analysis and leadership.

Other popular Australian universities where you can apply for an MBA include:

• Queensland University of Technology
• Federation University Australia
• RMIT University
• Australian Catholic University
• University of Canberra

The Australian visa processes

To apply for an Australian study visa, you need a firm offer letter from your university, and you should submit your Original Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) letter.

Your COE should clearly state your entry level, course name, CRICOS course, course fee and the date of admission and completion of your degree.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is one among the major requirements to be met.

You’ll also be required to submit photocopies or notarised copies of your original certificates.

Keep all your academic and financial documents in hand to apply for your visa. Financial documents should include your proof of fund sources and cash deposits.

You’ll need to submit your medical reports and proof that you have the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) throughout your programme duration.

Note that the rules and regulations would have changed because of the impact of the pandemic. Keep yourself updated about the latest developments through our international student news page. You can also reach out to our counsellors for more information.

Scholarships

Australian universities and the Government offer plenty of scholarships and financial assistance to deserving international students. These may be based on merit, talent, need or specific to the programme you choose. Roughly the financial aid could be anywhere between AUD 2000 and 100% tuition fee waivers. These could vary vastly depending on the university you pick and what scholarships they have on offer.

Some universities offering international scholarships to help with your study in Australia:

• University of Technology Sydney
• University of Wollongong
• University of New South Wales
• Curtin University
• The University of Western Australia
• The University of Queensland

Living conditions

According to the OECD report, Australia is performing reasonably well in the fields of income and wealth, housing, jobs, health and environmental quality. The report shows that even in terms of employment, Australia fares good with around 73.5% of people having a paid job.

What’s it like to study an MBA in Canada?

Entry requirements

To study an MBA in Canada, you need to appear for a GMAT exam. Some universities might also ask for at least three years of work experience.

While most universities require proof of your English language proficiency through either IELTS or TOEFL scores, few universities may demand Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) tests.

Where can you study an MBA in Canada?

Here are our popular MBA picks for Canada:

• University of Alberta – A top 5 Canadian University and a top 119^th global university, the University of Alberta promotes active leadership and efficiency in its campus. Alberta School of Business offers a general MBA programme and several other course-specific MBA programmes such as MBA–MAg, MBA-MEng, MBA-JD and MBA-PharmD – to name a few.
• Western University Ontario – The Western University features in the top 210 universities in the world. It is home to over 4,500 international students coming in from 121 countries. Its Ivey Business School offers a top-ranking MBA programme.
• University of Calgary – The university is ranked 8^th in Canada by Times Higher Education (THE) 2021 rankings and 1^ST in the country by THE Golden Age rankings. It also boasts a 91.1% graduate employability rate. The university’s MBA programme provides several options for students to customise their learning such as internships and case studies. Students will also have the option of combining the MBA programme with other course-based degrees such as Juris Doctor, Master of Public Policy, etc.  
• University of Toronto – Ranked 18^th in the world, the University of Toronto is a global leader in teaching and research. The university’s Rotman School of Management is a leading prestigious business school. Its 2 year MBA programme focuses on an innovative curriculum, a self-development lab and tailored career services which enable students to develop skills and accelerate their careers as leaders and high-value decision makers.
• The University of British Columbia – Placed 34^th in the world, the University of British Columbia is recognised as the most international university in North America. Its prestigious list of alumni includes 3 former Canadian Prime Ministers, 8 Nobel Prize winners and 71 Rhode Scholars.

Other popular Canadian universities where you can apply for an MBA include:

• Cape Breton University
• Wilfrid Laurier University
• York University
• Carleton University
• Royal Roads University

Visa process

To get a study permit for your higher studies in Canada, you need to have an offer letter from a Designated Learning Institute.

You should provide enough evidence that you can support yourself financially and have money for your return transportation.

You need to be in good health condition (normally, the visa officer will inform you if you need to undergo a medical examination).

You should prove that you have no criminal record.

Scholarships

All prominent Canadian universities offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid to deserving students. The aid may be based on merit, talents and nationality.

Additionally, you can work part time on the university campus if you are a registered full-time student of the university. (You may have to abide by certain norms laid down by your university.) If you choose to work off-campus, you can do so for 20 hours a week. You can work only once your studies begin.

Here are few universities offering international scholarships to help you study in Canada:

• University of Prince Edward
• University Canada West
• University of Calgary
• University of Alberta
• Dalhousie University
• University of Saskatchewan

Living conditions

Canada is known for offering personal security, good health status, income, social connections, jobs and earnings, education and work-life balance. The Canadian job market and visa regulations are also very promising- as you may already know. You can a get working visa for up to 3 years post-graduation.

 So there you go- this is the bird’s eye-view of MBA in Canada and Australia.

Hmmm…still can’t seem to decide? Simply speak to our experts. They will help you pick the right course from the right university based on your academic profile and your expectations. 

Get started now- we are literally just one click away!

Editor's note: This article was originally published in February 2019. We have included up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.