The Top 10 Business Schools in Canada for Employability

Canada was one of the first countries outside of the US to offer an MBA degree and continues to be one of the world’s most popular business study destinations for international students. 

The QS Global MBA Rankings 2024 looks at the best business schools all over the world based on indicators such as diversity, thought leadership, employability, entrepreneurship & alumni outcomes, and return on investment. Here we will look at the universities which rank highest in the employability indicator in Canada. 

Read on as we discover the business schools in Canada which rank the highest in employability. 

10. DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University

DeGroote School of Business aims to foster interdisciplinary thinking in its students. It combines a variety of business topics together and encourages students to use the full breadth of their knowledge to solve problems. Their teaching methods are evidence-based and aim to reflect real-world situations.  

They offer a full-time MBA programme as well as an executive MBA programme and a blended learning MBA. Their MBA students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds, each having an interest in business and improving the business landscape. 

9. HEC Montréal

HEC Montréal aims to excel in the teaching and research of many different business disciplines. Their values of rigour, boldness, engagement, respect, and collaboration help to create a dynamic environment where students can engage with the fast-paced world of business practice.  

They have a full-time and part-time MBA as well as an executive MBA programme, all of which offer students the chance to tailor aspects of their studies to their personal interests and their future careers. 

8. John Molson School of Business at Concordia University

Concordia University is a forward-thinking institution which opened its John Molson School of Business in 2009 in the city centre of Montréal. They aim to create an inclusive environment where students are able to become fully engaged in their studies and in research in order to achieve their potential.  

They offer full-time and part-time MBA programmes, plus an executive MBA programme and an MBA which specialises in investment management, designed to prepare students specifically for the demands of the financial sector. 

7. Schulich School of Business at York University

Schulich School of Business allow their students to be at the forefront of the industry by anticipating the new trends and making sure that their teachings are as contemporary as possible.  

They offer several MBA courses which students can choose from, including:  

• Traditional MBA 

• MBA in India where students study their first year in Hyderabad 

• Joint MBA and Juris Doctor programme 

• Joint MBA/ MFA/ MA programme where students can study the arts alongside business 

• Traditional executive MBA 

• Kellogg-Schulich executive MBA in partnership with Northwestern (Kellogg) 

• MBA specialising in Technology Leadership

6. Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia

Saunder School of Business looks towards the future of business. They provide value to their students by creating a close-knit community within the school as well as offering a plethora of opportunities for students to put their education into practice and take on a leadership role by running clubs, organising conferences, and taking part in competitions.  

They offer a full-time MBA, a professional MBA which allows students to study part-time while working professionally, and an international MBA which allows students to experience studying in Shanghai. 

5. Alberta School of Business

Alberta School of Business aims to inspire and educate entrepreneurs from all over the world so that they can develop their business knowledge and further their careers. While teaching and research are foundational principles of the school, they also value international reach and advocate for the importance of a strong network that spans a range of countries and industries.  

Available MBA courses include a full-time and part-time MBA, an executive MBA and a fast-track MBA which allows students to complete the course in just 10 months. 

4. Desautels School of Management at McGill University

Desautels Faculty of Management values excellence in all disciplines. It brings together some of the most promising students and professors from around the world and connects them with some of the world’s top employers to enhance career prospects. Their research and teaching methods have an interdisciplinary and holistic approach which prepares students for the most prominent leadership roles in the industry.  

Desautels Faculty of Management offers a full-time MBA programme, an executive MBA programme in collaboration with HEC Montreal and a combined MBA and Law programme. 

3. Ivey Business School at Western University

Kicking off the top three is Ivey Business School which has a long and rich history of more than 100 years. Graduates of the school come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds, each with a passion for business and developing the industry to be more sustainable and forward thinking.  

Sustainability is a core principle of Ivey Business School with the Richard Ivey building, the school’s campus, achieving the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the Canada Green Business Council.  

They offer a full-time MBA programme, an accelerated MBA programme which allows students to complete the programme in 14 months, an executive MBA programme, and a MBA direct programme for graduates of the HBA course.

2. Smith School of Business at Queen's University

Smith School of Business places people at the forefront; nurturing students in their pursuit of business education so that they can contribute and benefit wider society. It places great emphasis on community, fostering a sense of connection between peers by encouraging debate of different perspectives while enforcing a sense of respect and openmindedness.  

It offers a full-time MBA programme, an executive MBA, an executive MBA in partnership with Cornell University in the United States and an accelerated programme for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in business. 

1. Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto

The Rotman School of Management is located in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Innovation is the guiding factor in the teaching practices at Rotman. They look at diverse and public initiatives to ensure that their students have a comprehensive view of the world of business today and are able to use that to look towards the future.  

They offer a wide range of MBA programmes, including the full-time MBA, the morning MBA and evening MBA which allows students to work around their professional careers, the global executive MBA in partnership with SDA Bocconi in Milan, the executive MBA for healthcare and life sciences, and the one-year executive MBA which allows students to complete the course in 13 months instead of the standard.  

The MBA course can also be combined with subjects such as engineering, pharmacy, law, global affairs, and medicine.