If you are looking to go into a business program in Canada and have no clue where to start your research, this is the guide for you!
Ivey HBA (Western University)
Admission Requirements
- 90%+ grade 12 average
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of a 4U math course
- Strong extracurricular/volunteering/work experience
Tuition
- First two years: ~$70,000 – $14,000 per year
- Last two years: ~$28,000 per year
Program Characteristics
- 2+2 program (two years of general studies, two years of HBA)
- If you are applying from high school, you must maintain AEO Status for two years in order to enter the HBA Program in your third year
- Pro: Suitable for those who are unsure if a business career is right for them
- Con: Maintaining AEO status requires a 80%+ average and multiple extracurricular activities, which may be stressful.
- Solutions: Carefully pick your backup degree & take electives you genuinely enjoy
- Broader types of material
- Case-based learning
- Virtually no theory-based lectures
- More reliant on soft skills
- Small number of students
Work Opportunities
- The most domestically and internationally recognized of all Canadian business programs
- Has better connections with companies and a stronger alumni network
- There is an especially huge advantage for finance
- NOTE: This is not an automatic ticket to finding work after you graduate. Employers care about education experience for only a few years.
- Median salary of $73,000
Campus and City Life
- Beautiful residences
- Community-oriented (eg. generally cooperative culture, many student events and study groups, etc.)
- Cheaper living expenses in London compared to larger cities
- Not the most vibrant city, but offers enough places to visit
- Less food choices
Smith School of Business (Queen’s)
Admission Requirements
- 87%+ grade 12 average
- Prerequisites:
- ENG4U, minimum mark of 80%
- MCV4U, minimum mark of 80%
- One other 4U course in math, minimum mark of 80%
- 3 additional 4U/M courses
Tuition
- ~ $18,000 per year
Program Characteristics
- 4-year program (two years of general business classes, two years of specialization)
- Pro: 4 years to learn about business and build network
- Con: Harder to switch out if you decide to move to another career path
- Con: First and second-year students have little to no freedom in course selections
- Slightly more technical curriculum, with lots of math in the first two years
- Smaller class sizes, lots of groupwork
Work Opportunities
- Many industry events throughout the year
- Recruitment starts in the fall, but different industries recruit at different times
- Great support network (eg. mock interviews with career center, cover letter reviews)
- Average base salary of $80,000
Campus and City Life
- Huge array of restaurants
- Not the most interesting town
- More competitive environment
- 200+ clubs
Rotman Commerce
Admission Requirements
- 85%+ grade 12 average
- Prerequisites: ENG4U + MCV4U + four other U/M courses
Tuition
- First two years: ~$7,000 per year
- Last two years: ~$18,000 – $20,000 per year
Program Characterisitics
- After 1st year, specialize in Accounting, Finance and Economics, or Management
- Focus on hard skills, more academically challenging
- Larger classes
Work Opportunities
- The school as a whole has strong international reputation
- Offers co-op for some specializations
- Career services is not as useful
- Lack of strong alumni network
Campus and City Life
- Exclusive Rotman clubs and events
- Bright and bustling city
- Able to interact more with the city, not just the campus
Other Programs to Consider
- Waterloo: AFM
- McGill: Desautels
- Laurier: Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Engaging Young Entrepreneurs 