Master of Science in Finance (MSc)
FAQ
Have a question about our research-based masters programs? We invite you to review our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you don't find what you are looking for, please contact us.
Admissions
No, the GMAT or GRE are not an admission requirement for research-based Master’s programs.
We recommend taking the time to deliberate over the choice between different programs that may generate an equal level of interest in order to arrive at one preferred program that will most meet your career objectives.
That being said, it is possible to apply to more than one program. You would need to submit distinct applications that are tailored to each program and pay the $100 CAD fee for each application submitted (i.e., you cannot apply to two different programs within the same application).
No. We do not pre-assess prospective applicants.
If you meet the minimum admission requirements, then you are eligible to apply for the program. However, the competitiveness of your application will also depend upon the other applicants for that same term. The only way to find out for sure whether you are accepted into the program is to apply and, as such, we advise you to focus on putting together the best overall application you can. Our Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to assessing an application and will consider every aspect including the GMAT score, academic history, research experience, professional experience, reference letters, statement of purpose, etc.
As a business school, we accept and encourage applicants from all academic disciplines. In fact, we believe that our graduate programs benefit from bringing together students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. As such, please do not consider a non-business background as a hindrance to applying to our programs.
Depending on their background, accepted non-commerce students may be asked to take one or more supplemental courses.
We take a holistic approach to admissions, meaning we take all parts of an application into account. However, please note that the class average in our competitive programs is closer to 3.4/4.3. Should your CGPA be below our minimum requirement, we recommend raising your CGPA and demonstrating academic improvement through additional courses in an undergraduate program. You may also consider John Molson’s Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, for which the minimum CGPA requirement is 2.7/4.3.
Contact us for more information and to discuss your case: gradadvisor.jmsb@concordia.ca.
No. Seats are limited in our graduate programs and we do not grant conditional admissions on incomplete applications. Once all the admission requirements are uploaded to your application and the application fee is paid, it will be considered complete and, thus, ready for assessment by the Admissions Committee.
You may start your application and ensure that you have uploaded all the other admission requirements prior to the application deadline. Please add a “Note from Student” to your application explaining when you expect to be able to submit your unofficial test results. The Admissions Committee may grant you a 2–3 week extension to submit this last requirement.
Please consult the international degree equivalency webpage to check whether your previous degree length and final grade meet our minimum requirement, according to the country in which you earned the degree.
Program details
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.
International students must pursue full-time studies to satisfy the requirements of their study permit.
Canadian citizens and Permanent residents may study part-time and it is possible for them to switch from full-time to part-time studies, or vice-versa.
Full-time or Part-time status does not change according to the number of courses you take in a given semester; your status will reflect the choice made in the application.
Canadian citizens and Permanent residents who wish to study part-time should understand that:
- some classes may only be offered in the Fall or Winter terms. There are no courses offered during the summer. and;
- some classes may only be offered in the morning or afternoon. Students who wish to work while studying should reach an arrangement with their employer about the potential need for a flexible work schedule.
On a full-time basis, the program is typically 20–24 months long. Part-time students can complete the program in 3–4 years.
No. Although courses were switched to online in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 safety measures, John Molson’s programs are designed to be delivered in person. Concordia University returned to offering all classes in person in February 2022.
For the most up-to-date information on Concordia University’s response to COVID-19, please visit this webpage.
We may, in exceptional circumstances, consider credit transfers from another relevant program. However, any exempted courses must be replaced with another elective; students must complete the full 45 program credits at John Molson in order to earn the degree.
No. The first half of the MSc program is only academic seminars. Thesis topics and supervisors are decided towards the end of the course-work phase of the program.
Any questions related to admissions should be directed to gradadvisor.jmsb@concordia.ca, however, you are free to reach out to our faculty with research-related questions.
Non. Nos programmes se déroulent en anglais seulement.
Financial considerations
Tuition and fees are paid in installments at the beginning of each term. Please consult the tuition estimates for a tuition and fee estimate. There is also more detailed information on our webpages about Fee payment deadlines, Methods of payment, and How fees are billed.
Applicants who complete their application before the February 1 deadline are automatically considered for Entrance awards. The awards are granted based on merit and may vary from one year to the next. There is no need to fill out any additional paperwork. If you are granted an Entrance award, you will be notified at the same time as your letter of acceptance (or soon thereafter).
You can also look into more information on other funding opportunities, which you need to apply to, depending on your eligibility.
Canadian citizens and Permanent residents may qualify for financial aid from Canadian and Quebec student loan and bursary programs. Please visit the Financial Aid and Awards Office for more information.
Yes. We have Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) positions that are posted and that you would be able to apply for during your first term in order to start the position as early as your second term. There is no guarantee of receiving a TA or RA position since hiring is at the discretion of the professor.
You can also consult external funded research and training programs for students offered by Mitacs.
Immigration Quebec regulations require that all international students be covered by a health insurance plan that meets government standards. 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 international students must have. Consequently, personal health insurance plans are not accepted. Canadian citizens and Permanent residents may register with Concordia’s health insurance plan, however, they may also be covered under another plan.
Beyond the program
Co-op internships, facilitated by Concordia's Institue for Co-operative Education, are available to students in the following research-based graduate programs:
- MSc in Business Analytics and Technology Management
- MSc in Finance
- MSc in Management
- MSc in Marketing
- Master of Supply Chain Management
In addition, students are encouraged to apply for internships and other work opportunities with the help and support of our Career Management Services (CMS).
CMS has a multitude of events and tools to support students, including:
- a database for jobs/internships on Connexions
- opportunities to connect with a career coach
- C-RISE (Career Roadmap for International Student Excellence) events that help international students better understand the Canadian job market and etiquette
- various workshops, networking events and employer info sessions
The MSc and MSCM degree leads to specialist roles in industry or further into academia through a PhD. As it is a specialized degree, you graduate with a certain level of expertise (depending on your particular thesis research area/topic), which you may use to apply to jobs in the field. John Molson’s Career Management Services provides yearly employment statistics.
Upon graduating, international students are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows them to work in Canada. The PGWP can grant access to work up to a maximum of three years. To qualify for the PGWP, you must meet certain requirements; for more details, please visit Concordia University’s International Students Office website and the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
Generally, international students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week off-campus, however, there are strict guidelines. The International Students Office provides useful information on its Working in Canada webpage and you may also consult the Canadian government's Studying and working in Canada as an international student webpage.
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.
