A prominent research university formerly known as the University of Western Ontario, Western University’s rebrand in 2009 signalled the institution’s move from regional university to global player. Known for its medicine and business programs, the university has produced world-renowned doctors, medical researchers, and business leaders.

What Sets the Ivey Business School Apart? 

Announced in 2019, the Ivey School of Business’ blended online MBA is built for working professionals in the GTA. The program is 12 months long and is delivered primarily online, with one 3-day weekend (Friday to Sunday) required per month at Ivey’s outpost campus in Toronto. Taking the same elements as Ivey’s immersive on-campus 12-month MBA program, the blended program aims to give more flexibility to student-professionals who can’t make the move to Western’s primary campus in London, Ontario.

With a focus on helping students make connections, Queen’s University has built a robust network of student groups and clubs plus an extensive international exchange program. The university pulls from its multidisciplinary departments for all degrees and programs, meaning that whatever your focus, you will have a well-rounded education from a globally-ranked university.

What Sets the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University Apart? 

Taught via Queen’s University’s dedicated interactive teaching studio, this online program aims to give students the full in-person experience. The custom-built technology platform for online students boasts discussion capabilities, team collaboration tools, and personal or group coaching for students. Queen’s also encourages virtual networking as a key element of career progression and facilitates networking opportunities like employer roundtables, 1:1 networking, and other special events.

With a key focus on applied professional education, the University of Fredericton offers a variety of degree, diploma, and certificate programs for professionals. Based out of Fredericton, New Brunswick, the university boasts extensive experience delivering online education, with faculty averaging 11 years of experience specifically in teaching remote learners. Notably, UFred does not charge international students more than Canadians, which has helped the relatively young university build a global footprint and alumni network.

What Sets the University of Fredericton Apart?

The part-time, fully online MBA program offers 9 specializations for students to hone in and focus their education, from real estate to innovation to social enterprises. Further, the program has four pillars to its online education, including live virtual classes, collaborative group work, online campus environment for student and professor connections (including office hours), and a virtual library for students. Every student also ends the program with an integration project that allows them to deeply research a topic they are passionate about, which can be done remotely or via an international field study trip.

Athabasca University was founded on the premise of openness and flexibility. Whether undergrad or graduate education, the university has many different ways to learn and was a pioneer in accredited online learning for higher education. It also aims to make it easy for students with previous education to transfer credits over, enabling them to complete their degree from a reputable university with more flexibility and potentially lower costs.

What Sets Athabasca Apart? 

Founded in 1994, Athabasca University boasts creating the world’s first fully interactive online MBA program. In the 25 years since, the fully accredited program grew in prestige and is now recognized globally. It’s specifically made for working business leaders, and the online format is developed for as-you-can flexible schedules, including people with extensive work travel or those who work long hours.

The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 1908, it offers undergraduate studies as well as more than 500 graduate programs, 250 specializations and 300 research areas. The university is home to more than 41,000 students attending classes at five campus locations, making it the fifth largest university in Canada. It has an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences.

What Sets the University of Alberta School of Business Apart?

The part time online MBA program offered by the University of Alberta is designed to give students the ability to take the program while balancing their work and personal commitments. Online courses are offered asynchronously, meaning you can study and learn when it is convenient for you. Students typically complete the program in three-to-four years. However, you have up to six years to complete the degree.

Built on a foundation of core business courses and more specialized elective courses, students work towards completing 20 courses as part of the Online MBA program. Course materials and lectures are available on demand so you can learn on your own schedule. The structure of the online program will allow you to build strong relationships with your peers during the program. However, the program is flexible enough that, if needed, you can take a reduced course load and extend your time in the program. Graduates of the program earn a base salary of about $99,000.

McMaster University is one of Canada’s most prestigious institutions and has grown into prominence in multiple disciplines, thanks in part to generous donations from the DeGroote family to establish the DeGroote Schools of Business and Medicine, respectively. From its campus in Hamilton, Ontario, the university delivers world-wide cited research and welcomes 30,000 students between its on-campus and online programs.

What Sets the DeGroote School of Business Apart? 

The blended, part-time program is built for students who are working while getting their degree. Half the program is delivered online, but in-person requirements are only three weekends a semester, making it manageable for working professionals. Further, in many cases the program allows you to complete required ‘work-integrated assignments’ at your place of employment, giving student-professionals ultimate flexibility to complete their degree and work at the same time.

One of the oldest universities in Canada, Dalhousie University grew from a regional educational institution to a globally recognized university. With around 19,000 students across all programs, the university is large enough to have all the resources its students need but not so big that students feel lost in the crowd. The university also attracts students from around the world, making diversity a key element of the Dalhousie experience.

What Sets Dalhousie Apart? 

Despite being labelled a ‘blended’ program, Dalhousie’s Blended MBA is delivered 90% online. You only come in-class at the end of each course for an ‘intensive’ on campus, including group work and other career services for students. Further, the program intensives are 3-5 day sessions that are offered in different cities across Canada, making it even more flexible. Only once during the program do students have to go to Dalhousie’s Halifax campus, which is for a 5-day summer capstone seminar.

With a mix of online and on-campus programs, the Vancouver-based university focuses exclusively on professional and business education. It’s also part of the Global University Systems, an international consortium of universities. With a key focus on employability skills, the university boasts a 100 per cent employment rate for its MBA program graduates.

What Sets UCW Apart?

The UCW online MBA program focuses on building critical thinking capabilities as a foundation for everything else. As the business world changes rapidly, UCW aims to make sure its students understand how to strategically plan, conduct data analysis to make the right decisions, and how to communicate their ideas so people get behind them.

One of the premier universities in the world for agriculture, hospitality, and environmental sustainability, the University of Guelph takes those strengths into all its degree programs. Over 24,000 students attend the university between its on-campus and blended online programs, and over 800 faculty conduct thousands of research projects across all departments.

What sets Guelph Apart? 

Because the MBA program draws from the University of Guelph’s core strengths of agriculture, hospitality, and sustainability, it may not be a fit for the finance-intensive MBA candidate. However, if you’re looking for education in business within those specialities, Guelph is one of the strongest options in the world. The blended program takes place over 2 years, with the majority being online. During the program, students participate in three ‘residential periods’ where they are on campus, ranging from 5-11 days each.

In the heart of Northern Ontario, Laurentian University is explicitly “tri-cultural” (English Canadian, French Canadian, and Indigenous Canadian) and bilingual in its instruction, culture, and programming. Students on-campus get to embrace the rural setting with lakes, waterways, fields, and forests. For online learners, Laurentian’s programs share the culture and mentality of an open rural university via the internet.

What Sets Laurentian Apart? 

Delivered in either French or English, Laurentian’s online MBA program welcomes people from all over the world. Fully embracing Laurentian’s ‘tri-culturalism,’ courses focus on managing complex information systems, the ethics of business, and operating within a globalized context.

Located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is home to the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics which aims to connect the interior of British Columbia to the world through experiential education and high-quality research. TRU prepares students to excel in their workplace and communities.

What Sets the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics Apart?

Thompson Rivers MBA students can complete the program entirely online or on-campus, part-time or full-time, or combine course delivery options to fit their needs. Learners also have the choice to complete the program in a one-year accelerated program or over two years.

Located in Canada’s national capital city of Ottawa, Carleton University is a research and teaching institution. Its reputation is built on its strengths in journalism, public affairs, international affairs, architecture, and the technology sector. Its students benefit from the numerous partnerships the university has with the federal government, other universities, and private sector partners.

What Sets the Sprott School of Business Apart?

The Sprott School of Business online MBA program from Carleton University provides the ability to complete an MBA entirely online in 12-24 months, along with experiential learning opportunities, career-relevant insights and a supportive environment focused on developing each student’s talents and helping them succeed. These graduate-level programs are designed for students with a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years’ professional work experience. The Sprott School of Business is AACSB Accredited and it’s MBA is one of the world’s leading MBAs for sustainability and responsible management. For the second year in a row it has placed in the top 40 of the Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking.