Admission And Application

If I fulfill the minimum criteria of admission, what are my chances of entry?
Fulfilling the minimum criteria only guarantees consideration for admission to the Program. Admission into the MBA Program often depends upon both your application and the applications of the other candidates who are applying for the same program. Successful applicants tend to significantly exceed the admissions criteria both quantitatively and qualitatively.

What are the most heavily weighted factors?
All aspects of your application are important. The admissions committee does not weigh one factor more than another and considers the whole picture. The committee looks at the GPA, GMAT, and years of work experience and also the quality of the statement of intent, references, academic background, work and extra-curricular experiences. Your references support your application by providing us with independent assessments of your academic or work experience, while your statement of intent provides you with the opportunity to highlight your strengths and suitability to the Alberta MBA Program.

Do the references have to be prior instructors?
No, the references may be prior or current instructors, supervisors or employers. In most cases, at least one reference will be professional. The second one can be an academic or professional, depending on what is most appropriate to your situation. Your references should give the admissions committee a picture of your managerial experience and potential as well as your ability to handle the demands of the program.

What is a competitive GMAT score?
We consider a minimum score of 550 as desirable.  Assessing how competitive your GMAT score is depends on the overall quality of your application, and the quality of applications of other candidates. The GMAT is just one factor that we consider when making our decision.

How many applications are submitted each year?
We receive, on average, approximately 350 applications to the full-time program each year. We also receive approximately 100 applications to the part-time program each year. 

How many spaces are available each year? 
Admission decisions are based on the overall quality of each applicant.  The maximum capacity for the program is 100 students.   The class size each year will vary depending on the applicant pool.

Does my undergraduate degree have to be in business or commerce to apply to the Program?
No, it does not. We admit applicants who have a variety of academic backgrounds. Our candidates hold degrees from a wide-range of areas including: arts, business, engineering, sciences, music, nursing, education, and fine arts.

Does my applied undergraduate degree meet admission requirements?
Unfortunately, no.  The Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Alberta will not consider an applied degree for admission at the graduate level.

When should I apply?
Apply early. It is to your advantage to submit your complete application as early as possible before the deadline, as competition is strong and enrolment is limited. Completed applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. The admission process is competitive and late applications will be at a disadvantage.

When is the application deadline?
April 30th is the deadline for applications and supporting documents. Due to the length of time required to make arrangements to enter Canada, the deadline for applications from China is April 1st.

When are the entry points into the program?
The beginning of September is the one and only entry point for both the full-and part-time MBA programs. 

If my file is missing just a few materials, will it still be assessed?
Because the admissions committee considers the "whole package" approach, we do not assess a file until it is complete. For this reason, we encourage you to ensure that all documentation is forwarded to us in a timely manner. An application is complete if we receive:

  • A completed application form
  • Sealed and official transcripts for all post-secondary academic programs attended. These must be sent directly from the institution. If your degree is from the University of Alberta, you do not need to send them
  • Detailed resume
  • Statement of intent
  • Official GMAT score report sent directly from ETS
  • Three letters of reference sent to us by the referees
  • English proficiency test results such as TOEFL sent to us directly from ETS.  This test score is required if the language of instructions at your post-secondary institution(s) was not English.

Please note that you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, have taken the GMAT test and have worked for at least two years to be considered for admission.  An application checklist is available to help you with your application.

Will my application be reviewed if it is received or completed after the deadline?
Applications received or completed after the deadline will be given consideration only if positions remain available. It should be noted that late applicants are at a definite disadvantage because of the rolling admissions process.

Can I transfer to the Alberta MBA Program from another MBA school?
Request for transfers from another MBA school are considered on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact our office to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Can I enter directly into the second year of the program if I have an undergraduate business degree?
 No, all candidates are required to take the first year core MBA courses.

Can I waive courses based on my undergraduate business degree?
Undergraduate courses cannot be used to waive graduate course requirements. 

Can applicants check the status of their applications?
 We will email you throughout the application process to keep you updated on your application. Please ensure that you include your email address on the application form. 

Is it possible to get admitted without post-graduate work experience?
In general, a minimum of two years of post-graduate work experience is strongly preferred. In exceptional cases, less work experience may be considered.

Is it possible to get admitted without writing the GMAT?
NO, this is an absolute requirement.

Should I study for the GMAT?
We recommend that you do some revision prior to writing the exam.  Practice tests and study guides can give you a good idea on how well you will be able to perform on the GMAT.  The Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta currently offers a GMAT Test Preparation Course.  More information and scheduled dates are available on the Faculty of Extension Website.

Where can I write the GMAT?
The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council.  For more information about the test itself, refer to the GMAT website.  For test centre locations and to schedule an appointment to write the GMAT, please click here. 

How long is my GMAT score valid?
 Your GMAT score is valid for five years from the date of writing.

Can my GRE score replace the GMAT requirement?
NO, evaluation of your application requires a GMAT score.

What is the minimum acceptable GPA?
An applicant should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0, or a B standing, based on courses taken during the last 60 credits or two years of full-time study. The average GPA for a typical entering class is 3.3/4.0.

How long does the full-time program take?
The full-time program can be completed in 16 months.

How long does the part-time program take?
The average part-time student takes 4 years to complete the degree. The program is flexible and part-time students can speed up the process if desired. All MBA students must complete the degree within 6 years.