Business and MBA in Canada: Undergraduate Degrees and Graduate Programs

Undergraduate business degrees

At the undergraduate level, Canadian universities offer business degrees such as the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), or Bachelor of Management. These programs cover foundations such as accounting, finance, marketing, operations, organizational behaviour, and strategy, often with the option to specialize in a concentration.

Degree names, lengths, and structures vary by university, and some business schools admit directly while others require students to apply after a first year. Confirm the current program structure and entry route on the official program page.

The MBA in Canada

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate management degree usually taken after a bachelor's degree, often with some professional work experience. Canadian MBA programs vary in length and format — full-time, part-time, and accelerated options exist — and many include experiential or capstone components.

Admission typically considers your academic record, work experience, essays, references, and interviews, and many programs require a GMAT or GRE score; some waive it under certain conditions. Specialized master's degrees (for example in finance, business analytics, or management) are also widely available. Requirements differ by school and change, so verify them on the official admissions page.

When GMAT or GRE is required

Many MBA and some specialized business master's programs ask for a GMAT or GRE score as part of the application, while others make it optional or offer waivers based on experience or prior study. There is no single national rule — each program sets its own policy.

Because test policies, accepted tests, and any minimum expectations change from year to year, check the specific program's official admissions page for the current requirement before you register for a test.

• Some MBA programs require GMAT or GRE; others make it optional or waivable
• Specialized master's programs vary in their test policy
• Always confirm the current policy on the official program page

Co-op and experiential learning

Many Canadian business programs — both undergraduate and graduate — offer co-op or internship streams, where paid work terms are integrated into the degree, along with case competitions, consulting projects, and other experiential learning.

As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students on a study permit no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a work placement that is a required part of their program, provided they meet the conditions set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current rules on the official Government of Canada source.

Outcomes and a note on claims

A business degree or MBA can support careers across management, finance, marketing, consulting, operations, and entrepreneurship, but specific roles and outcomes depend on your background, the program, your experience, and the job market — they are not guaranteed by the credential.

We do not publish salary or placement figures, since these vary widely and change. For neutral labour-market context, consult official Government of Canada resources and verify current details on official sources.