Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you have a question about the MBA program? First review our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you don't find what you are looking for, please contact us.
Admissions
Application deadlines differ for international students due to the additional time required to secure study permits and visas.
The application deadlines are as follows:
Canadians (citizens and permanent residents):
Fall intake - June 1
Winter intake - October 1
International (Study Permit) applicants:
Fall intake - March 1
Winter intake - June 1
For more details please see the Application Process webpage.
The minimum admissions requirements are:
- An undergraduate degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (on a 4.3 scale)
- A GMAT score in the 49th percentile or higher
- English Language Proficiency; we accept:
- TOEFL iBT minimum score 95 with no section under 20
- IELTS (Academic) minimum score 7.0 with no section under 6.5
- Duolingo English Test, minimum score 120 - A Statement of Purpose (500 words)
- A Current CV/resume (2+ years of post-bachelor, full-time work experience required)
- Three letters of reference (academic and/or professional)
- A video interview (instructions provided after your application is submitted)
For full details please see the Admission Requirements webpage.
The GMAT requirement may be waived based on whether an applicant meets one of our exemption criteria.
For full details on the waiver criteria and how to request a waiver, please see the GMAT webpage.
For admission to the John Molson MBA program a satisfactory GMAT score is much preferred over a GRE result. However, if you have already written the GRE and have a strong score, then a GRE score may be considered instead of a GMAT, provided your GRE score is equivalent to our minimum GMAT requirement.
For full details please see the GMAT webpage.
We grant automatic exemptions to the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement if an applicant has completed a 3 or 4-year university degree in English, at an institution listed on our exempt country list or if you have completed a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) and a university degree at a Quebec university (proof of DEC is required);
If your country does not fall into the exemption list and you do not meet one of the exempt conditions, you will be asked to take one of the following proficiency tests to meet the ELP requirements:
- TOEFL iBT (minimum 95 overall, minimum 20 in each band),
- IELTS Academic (minimum 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band), or
- Duolingo English Test, minimum score 120
For full details please see the Graduate Admissions English Language Proficiency webpage
No, to be eligible for the John Molson MBA, applicants are required to have a minimum of two years, post-bachelor's degree, full-time work experience. Internships, co-ops or part-time work will not count toward the minimum of two years work experience.
Note that the class average for successful MBA applicants is 5.5 years of work experience.
For full details please see the Admission Requirements webpage.
We take a holistic approach to admissions, meaning we take all parts of an application into account. Generally, to be eligible for the John Molson MBA, we recommend applicants to have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) or 3.0 on a 4.3 (or equivalent).
Note that the class average for successful MBA applicants is a CGPA of 3.3 on a 4.3 scale.
If your CGPA is below the minimum requirement, it is recommended that to show academic improvement by completing a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or through additional courses in an undergraduate program. A strong performance on the GMAT will also be considered.
International applicants must have obtained their degree from an accredited university; see a listing of international equivalencies.
No. Although we are aware of the economic challenges that many applicants are currently facing, Concordia University has a strict policy of not waiving the application fee. Please ensure that you have the financial means to pay the application fee, as well as plan your finances to cover the costs of studying and living in Montreal. Please visit our website for more comprehensive information on financial matters relating to pursuing a graduate degree in Canada.
There are no transfer credits; students must complete the full 45 program credits at John Molson. We may, in exceptional circumstances, consider credits from another MBA program for exemption from our standard MBA curriculum. However, any exempted courses must be replaced with another elective.
Program details
The John Molson MBA offers two intakes per year:
- Fall intake where classes where classes will begin in September, and
- Winter intake where classes will begin in January.
No. The John Molson Full-time / Part-time MBA program is only offered on our downtown Montreal campus. Students are expected to attend in-person courses.
Full-time students: Generally take 4 courses per term for a program length of 20-24 months.
Part-time students: Generally take 2 courses per term for a program length of 3 to 4 years.
Note that International students are required to maintain a full-time status to satisfy the conditions of their study permit.
For full details please see the MBA Structure and Schedule webpage.
MBA courses are offered throughout the year during the Fall, Winter and Summer terms.
MBA courses are offered in the mornings, afternoons and evenings Monday to Friday. Students are able to create their own schedules that fit with existing responsibilities.
For full details please see the MBA Structure and Schedule webpage.
Yes, students are permitted to work while attending the John Molson MBA. Please note that each course requires approximately 12-15 hour commitment per week (3 hours in class + study and group work).
While on a study permit, international students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during a study term.
It is not recommended to work full-time and study full-time within the John Molson MBA program.
Yes, all MBA students, regardless of whether their status is part-time or full-time, have access to all MBA courses.
Note that international students must maintain a full-time status to satisfy the conditions of their study permit.
For full details please see the MBA Structure and Schedule webpage.
The MBA and the MSc programs offered at the John Molson School of Business are very different.
The MBA (Master of Business Administration) offers a very hands-on, case-based approach to business administration, focused on developing a wide range of professional skills that are needed to move into managerial and leadership roles. The MBA is entirely course-based, with no mandatory research aspect to it (i.e., no thesis). A minimum of two years of work experience is required of all candidates to contextualize the theoretical concepts being taught.
The MSc (Master of Science) programs are research-based programs, which help students to become specialists in one subject (finance, management, marketing, or supply chain management). In the first half of the program, students complete advanced academic seminars, while the second half of the MSc programs involves the production of an independent research thesis under a faculty supervisor. The MSc leads to specialist roles in industry, or further into academia through a PhD. No work experience is required for this program, although relevant experience is considered an asset.
The Graduate Diploma and Certificates in Business Administration (GDBA, GCBA, GCQBS) are between five to 10 courses in length (core courses + one elective) and can be completed between 6–12 months. The programs are designed for graduates of non-business programs who wish to enhance their profile with a wide range of business skills sought by employers. The courses consist of a mix of lectures and case work in broad business topics. Work experience is not mandatory to apply to this program.
The Full-time/Part-time MBA program consists of 15 courses (10 core courses and five electives) which can be completed in 20–24 months full-time, or 3–4 years part-time. The core courses are taught entirely through a case-based approach, allowing candidates to go deeper into business administration in a practical way. A minimum of two years of work experience is required of all candidates to contextualize the theoretical concepts being taught. The MBA offers further skill-development opportunities through a wide variety of electives, both in-class and experiential (e.g., Co-op, Community Service Initiative, Concordia Small Business Consulting Bureau, International Case Competition, and much more).
The Full-time/Part-time MBA is a general business administration degree with 10 case-based core courses and five electives covering a wide variety of topics. The program provides students with the flexibility to build a broad skillset and move into various fields post-graduation, such as consulting, finance, marketing, etc. The average profile of students in this program is around six years of full-time, post-graduation, professional experience. However, we do consider candidates with as little as two years of full-time professional experience.
The MBA in Investment Management is a specialized MBA program that integrates the CFA charter materials and focuses on building a skillset in finance. Offered by the Goodman Institute of Investment Management, the program is available in both Montreal and Toronto. Delivered over three years, classes are held on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays, allowing candidates to continue working or pursue work opportunities while studying. The program boasts a high pass rate for CFA Level I first-time takers (double the global average). No work experience is required for this program, although relevant experience in finance is considered an asset.
The John Molson Executive MBA (EMBA) is a 46-credit program that covers fundamental contemporary business concepts. The program is divided into four themes over the fall and winter terms. Each term is capped by an integrative course where the acquired knowledge is applied to real business contexts. Classes are held weekly, alternating on Fridays and Saturdays, and are designed for professionals to work full-time while completing their MBA simultaneously over 20 months. Cohort members average between 12 and 15 years of professional experience. This dynamic environment is set for executive-level discussions that go beyond the classroom and underscore the need to keep abreast of rapidly changing business landscapes. The program includes an international study trip, executive coaching, and health and wellness modules — features that help students develop their careers even further as leaders.
Case-based learning is a unique approach in which students break off into groups to work out strategies and reasoning for resolving a business issue. While the team’s solution is being presented, the class has the opportunity to ask questions so that the team can be further challenged by their peers in order to improve their learning. This hands-on approach is common among leading MBA programs.
Co-op is a non-credit, optional, four-month, full-time, paid work-term to be completed in the second half of the MBA program. Co-op internships allow students to get work experience in a desired industry and to develop their professional network before graduating. In order to apply for Co-op, students must have maintained a 3.3+ CGPA after completing 24 credits in the program.
Financial considerations
The University’s health insurance plan is mandatory for all full-time students, for Canadian and international students. Immigration Quebec regulations require that all international students be covered by a health insurance plan that meets government standards, while studying in Quebec. In keeping with this government directive, Concordia University has negotiated a compulsory health and accident insurance plan with Blue Cross at a competitive cost that all Concordia international students must have. Consequently, personal health insurance plans are not accepted. Please consult the Health Insurance section for more details.
Applicants to the John Molson MBA who complete their application (all documents received) before March 1 are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships and entrance awards. In-course scholarships (based on program CGPA) and application-based scholarships through external organizations are also available throughout the program. Canadians (citizens and permanent residents) may qualify for financial aid from Canadian and Quebec student loans and bursary programs. More information available on the Tuition and financial aid website or on the School of Graduate Studies Awards and Funding website.
Yes. Though not guaranteed, Teaching and Research Assistantships are available in all John Molson graduate programs, which are awarded at the discretion of the supervising professor.
Beyond the MBA
All of them! Our MBA program is a general business administration program with 15 of the 45 credits being electives, allowing students to steer their career into any field. Our graduates quickly accelerate their career after completion of the program, becoming business consultants, managers, analysts, specialists, team leads, and more. For details on our employment statistics, please consult our Career Management Services website.
Absolutely! Please contact our team so we can assess which of our ambassadors would be the best fit to chat with you and to share experiences that are relevant to your goals.
