The GMAT has been an essential part of the MBA journey for students all around the world for many years. It is a challenging test that not only tests students but also intimidates them. A good GMAT score increases a student's chances of being accepted into a strong business school, while a poor score can put a dream school out of reach. But recent changes have made it possible to pursue an MBA in Canada without the GMAT in 2026. Many colleges in Canada and around the world now exempt students from the GMAT if they meet certain conditions, such as having enough work experience. All in all, pursuing an MBA without taking the GMAT is undoubtedly possible.
- Many Canadian universities admit MBA applicants without a GMAT, accepting the GRE or granting waivers for candidates with strong academics or relevant work experience
- Queen's Smith full-time MBA costs about CAD 110,000 for international students, York's Schulich about CAD 124,000, and Western's Ivey around CAD 136,000 for its one-year MBA
- Note that New York Institute of Technology's Vancouver campus stopped enrolling new students after spring 2026.
Which Universities in Canada Offer MBA Without GMAT?
Many Canadian universities admit MBA applicants without a GMAT score, accepting the GRE or waiving the test entirely for candidates with strong academics or relevant work experience. Schools such as Queen's Smith, York's Schulich, Lakehead, Thompson Rivers and Wilfrid Laurier's Lazaridis assess CVs, undergraduate performance and professional achievements instead of relying solely on standardised test results.
Many universities in Canada accept scores from tests other than the GMAT, and many do not treat the GMAT as a primary requirement for admission to their MBA programs. Apart from the GMAT, the GRE is widely accepted by students and universities alike. Additionally, universities in Canada consider aspects such as a candidate's work experience and academic performance.
Here is the 2026 list of top universities in Canada that offer an MBA program without requiring students to take the GMAT:
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- University of Toronto
- University of Calgary
- University of Windsor
- University of Manitoba
How to Do an MBA in Canada Without Taking the GMAT in 2026?
Start by shortlisting Canadian universities whose MBA programmes offer GMAT waivers, then decide between full-time, part-time, executive or online formats. Confirm you meet each programme's eligibility, prepare your transcripts, references, statement of purpose and proof of work experience, sit an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL, then submit your application and pay the fee before the deadline.
First, look at different universities and colleges in Canada and consider the types of MBA programs they offer. Decide whether to pursue a full-time MBA, part-time MBA, or an executive MBA. Check whether you are eligible for the program you want to pursue, then confirm which tests the college or university accepts, if any. Provide all relevant documents while applying to your desired college and pay the application fee. The application is then processed, and an acceptance letter is sent to the student if accepted.
The process is simple, but a student must meet a few basic requirements to pursue an MBA in Canada without the GMAT. We have listed them below.
- A student must possess a Senior Secondary School Certificate, with the language of instruction being English.
- A student must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or college. Some universities in Canada may only consider students with a four-year bachelor's degree.
- A student must have the minimum work experience specified by the university. The number of years of work experience required varies from university to university.
- A student must provide proof of language proficiency by taking the language proficiency test specified by the college.
- A student must provide the relevant documents required by the college.
What Are the Types of MBA in Canada Without GMAT?
Beyond the standard full-time MBA, Canadian schools offer several GMAT-optional formats. Executive MBA programmes at the University of Toronto, HEC Montreal and McGill suit experienced managers, while accelerated, part-time and co-op options are available at Thompson Rivers, Lakehead and York's Schulich. Several universities also run online and blended MBA programmes that accept GRE scores or waive testing.
Aside from regular full-time MBA degrees, several colleges in Canada offer a variety of MBA formats that do not require the GMAT. Full-time and part-time options are available for these programmes.
The following table shows a few of the top MBA formats available in Canada without the GMAT:
| Types of MBA in Canada Without GMAT (2026) |
|---|
| Executive and Part-time MBA – University of Toronto |
| Executive MBA – HEC Montreal |
| Executive MBA – McGill University |
| Executive MBA – Concordia University |
| Accelerated and Executive MBA – Ivey Business School |
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What Are the Eligibility Requirements for MBA in Canada Without GMAT?
Without a GMAT score, Canadian MBA programmes weigh other parts of your profile. Most expect a recognised bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA, two or more years of full-time work experience, and proof of English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. Strong references, a clear statement of purpose and, for some schools, a GRE score strengthen your application.
Pursuing an MBA at a top Canadian university requires a student to work on their CV. In the absence of the GMAT, colleges and universities look for other elements in an application that prove the student is a good fit for the programme.
We have outlined the eligibility requirements of some top Canadian universities that offer MBA programs to students:
- University of Alberta: Applicants must hold a 3 or 4-year undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 and at least 2 years of full-time work experience, with proof of professional experience highlighting achievements, plus a competitive GRE or GMAT score. Applicants must meet the minimum English requirements in TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or CAEL, and submit two letters of reference and a letter of intent.
- McMaster University: Applicants must possess a respectable GPA (3.0/4.0) in the final two years of their undergraduate degree, hold a competitive GRE/GMAT score, and submit a CV along with proof of two years of work experience, two letters of reference, and an online interview.
- University of Toronto: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA, a respectable GRE score, and two years of work experience. They must submit two professional references and language proficiency test scores, and attend a video and essay interview.
- University of Calgary: Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0, submit an essay, a CV and two letters of recommendation, and hold a respectable score in the GRE and language proficiency tests.
What Are the Requirements for MBA in Canada Without GMAT?
Alongside academic eligibility, applicants must submit a set of supporting documents. Almost every Canadian MBA programme asks for official academic transcripts, proof of work experience, letters of recommendation, an English language proficiency score, and evidence of financial stability such as bank statements for your visa. Some schools also request a resume, essays or an admissions interview before deciding.
Apart from meeting the specific academic requirements of the college or university, a student has to submit several documents. These documents may vary depending on the college.
A few documents that almost all colleges and universities offering MBA programs require are:
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of work experience
- Letter of recommendation
- Proof of financial stability, bank documents, visa documents
- English language proficiency test
What Are the Fees for MBA in Canada Without GMAT in 2026?
MBA tuition in Canada varies widely by school and format. Among GMAT-flexible programmes, Queen's Smith full-time MBA costs about CAD 110,000 for international students, York's Schulich roughly CAD 124,000, and Ivey around CAD 136,000 for the one-year degree. More affordable options like Lakehead and Thompson Rivers fall well below CAD 40,000, plus living costs.
The fees for an MBA in Canada depend on the institution. The total fee may include various charges and expenses, such as application fees, insurance charges, and the cost of books and materials. To give you an overview of the fees at some top Canadian universities, we have listed them below.
- University of Alberta: Upwards of 20,000 CAD for one year for the full-time, part-time, fast-track and executive MBA programs.
- University of Toronto: Upwards of 60,000 CAD for one year of the full-time MBA program.
- University of Windsor: Upwards of 11,000 CAD for one term of the full-time MBA program.
- McMaster University: Upwards of 80,000 CAD for the whole program.
What Are the 2026 Intakes for MBA in Canada Without GMAT?
Many colleges and universities in Canada that offer MBA programs have different intakes. The deadlines for application submission and everything else are specified by each college, so students need to keep an eye out for them. The most common intake is the Fall intake. The total number of students accepted also depends on the college or university.
Many colleges and universities in Canada that offer MBA programs have different intakes. The deadlines for application submission and everything else are specified by each college, so students need to keep an eye out for them. The most common intake that universities have is the Fall intake. The total number of students accepted at a time also depends on the college or university.
- University of Alberta: One intake in the Fall for a full-time MBA. The part-time MBA has Winter and Fall terms.
- McMaster University: Three rounds of admissions for the MBA, MBA with Co-Op and accelerated MBA.
- University of Toronto: Applications start in the Fall.
Which Business Schools Are Best for MBA Without GMAT in 2026?
Canada's strongest GMAT-flexible business schools include Queen's Smith, York's Schulich, Western's Ivey, Wilfrid Laurier's Lazaridis, Lakehead and Thompson Rivers. These schools consistently rank among Canada's best for management education, accept the GRE or grant GMAT waivers for qualified candidates, and combine co-op placements, strong alumni networks and solid graduate employment outcomes across full-time and accelerated formats.
The list of top universities that provide an MBA without the GMAT is given below:
- Smith School of Business, Queen's University
- Lakehead University
- Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Ivey Business School, Western University
- Schulich School of Business, York University
- Thompson Rivers University of Business and Economics
Smith School of Business, Queen's University
The Smith School of Business was formerly known as Queen's School of Business and was established in 1919. Located in Kingston, Ontario, Smith is an elite business school that consistently ranks among Canada's top management schools. It offers many MBA programs, such as the Full-time MBA, Executive MBA and Accelerated MBA. The fee for the full-time MBA program is approximately CAD 110,000 for international students (2027 intake). To be eligible, a candidate must hold a bachelor's degree with a respectable GPA. Candidates must submit a CV/resume, proof of work experience, a GRE score, proof of language proficiency, letters of reference and an essay, and appear for a video interview and a personal interview.
Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a public university located in Ontario, Canada. It has two campuses, in Thunder Bay and Orillia. It offers two MBA programs: a 12-month full-time program and a 16-month program with Advanced Studies in Management. The fee for the full-time MBA program is around 13,596 CAD for a term. Candidates must hold a 4 or 3-year bachelor's degree from any recognised university with a competitive GPA, submit proof of language proficiency, and hold a respectable GRE/GMAT score to be eligible. They must also submit a letter of intent and a CV. Candidates should have more than two years of work experience.
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics is an integral part of Wilfrid Laurier University. It has multiple campuses across Waterloo and Toronto. It offers MBA programs of various kinds, such as the Full-time MBA, Part-time MBA and MBA with Co-Op. The full-time MBA costs around 49,000 CAD. To be eligible, a student must hold a 4 or 3-year bachelor's degree from any recognised university with a minimum score of 73%, and possess a minimum of 2 years of work experience. They must submit academic transcripts, GRE scores and language proficiency test scores.
Ivey Business School, Western University
The Ivey Business School is the business school of Western University in London, Ontario. It was named after Richard Ivey, whose family made major donations to the school. It runs a 12-month full-time MBA program, and its fee is approximately CAD 136,000 for international students (2027 intake). A student must hold a bachelor's degree and two years of full-time work experience. They must submit a GRE score, language proficiency test scores, a CV and two professional references.
Schulich School of Business, York University
Located in Toronto, Ontario, the Schulich School of Business is a top business school in Canada and consistently reports strong graduate employment outcomes. The full-time MBA fee is approximately CAD 124,000 for international students (2025-2026). To be eligible, a student must hold a 4-year bachelor's degree and possess at least two years of work experience. Students must submit GRE/GMAT scores (a waiver is available on a case-by-case basis for strong candidates) and language proficiency test scores, along with an essay and two references.
Thompson Rivers University of Business and Economics
Thompson Rivers University is a public university located in Kamloops, British Columbia. Its MBA programs are of two types, full-time and part-time, and it also has a one-year accelerated program. The fee for the full-time MBA program is upwards of 14,000 CAD for one year. To be eligible, students must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.33. They must submit proof of language proficiency, a CV and a letter of intent. They may be required to take undergraduate upgrading courses if the university feels their quantitative skills are not up to the mark.