We’re excited to connect international students with study abroad opportunities at International Business University (IBU) in Toronto, Canada. IBU offers students a personalized and inclusive student experience with classes that will prepare graduates for excellence in their careers. Read on to learn more.
Set your application up for success with our Canadian study permit FAQ videos.
Image courtesy of International Business University.
Get to Know International Business University
IBU evolved from a dream shared by a group of Canadian academics and businesspeople to become Canada’s newest not-for-profit independent university. The founders’ goal was to create a university that offers business education with a global perspective, effectively preparing grads for roles in Canadian and global businesses.
IBU received final consent from Ontario’s Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board in June 2020. A year later, the university welcomed its first class of students. Today, programs build students’ business expertise while connecting them with world-class faculty and mentors. The Bachelor of Commerce in International Management and Technology is the first of these programs open to international students. IBU also offers a Master of Business Administration in Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
As IBU’s President and Vice Chancellor Joanne Shoveller notes:
We are excited to welcome all our international students and create personalized learning experiences for their success. They will be part of our IBU community from day one, building a Canadian experience that sets a strong foundation for their future.
Students also benefit from small classes (capped at 30 students), so they can connect meaningfully with fellow students and instructors. IBU’s Dean, Dr. Artie Ng, shares: “Building a community of peers is beneficial for sharing experiences and developing one’s lifelong learning capacity.”
Image courtesy of International Business University.
About the Bachelor of Commerce in International Management and Technology Program
This Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program is ideal for international students who want to grow their career, or launch it with an accredited qualification. You may choose to take classes online or on campus. You can also choose the pace you complete this degree at.
Some students have family obligations or are working part-time, so may want a lighter course load. Others will accelerate their program to graduate faster. Either way, IBU will work with you to help you reach your study goals!
Key classes include Applied Economics, Project Management, and Global Strategy. In the final semester, you’ll be mentored by an industry expert through a capstone project that will build your confidence and professional network by addressing a current business challenge.
Image courtesy of International Business University.
About the Master of Business Administration in Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Program
This Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is ideal for students who want to prepare for the next chapter in their careers, especially in fields related to technological innovation, sustainability, or digital transformation. Graduates pursue roles in public administration, operations and supply chain management, health care, investment banking, and corporate leadership.
Like the BComm, you may also take your MBA classes online or on campus. Classes are divided into four semesters where you’ll build your understanding of business strategies and tools. Then, specialize your learning path to undertake research projects, consulting studies, or start-up business plans.
MBA students also have access to IBU’s Centre for Sustainable Business. There, connect with academic and business leaders on topics ranging from sustainability management to strategies for meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Get ready to go with our Canadian postgraduate studies application guide.
Image Credit: Photo by Lianhao Qu on Unsplash
Life in Toronto
Studying at IBU means you’re steps away from everything Toronto offers. IBU does not currently offer on-campus housing, but will support your search for off-campus housing through partnerships with third-party housing providers. We recommend securing your housing before traveling to Canada; here are some of our top strategies for finding off-campus accommodations.
As Canada’s largest city, each of Toronto’s neighbourhoods has its own character. You’ll see the types of businesses change, building styles will shift, and you’ll hear different languages. A 2021 city census shared that 42.5% of residents’ first language is something other than English or French, and it’s estimated around 200 languages are spoken locally!
This diversity is reflected in Toronto’s lively cultural scene. Find things to do by talking with other students, or check event calendars and social media.
Some highlights:
- Events like Nuit Blanche and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) bring the city to the streets for art, dance, food, and music
- Get outfield tickets to a Blue Jays baseball game
- Take a ferry to Toronto Island Park and enjoy the beach or island trails
- Free admission to the Art Gallery of Ontario on Wednesday evenings
- Enjoy some of the city’s best eats at a (more) student-friendly price during Winterlicious or Summerlicious
- Check out our list of Toronto’s top urban green spaces to take a break from busy city life
Balancing Your Budget
Toronto’s cost of living is higher than the Canadian average due to its size and vibrancy. So, balance your budget with student discounts. Whether you’re watching a movie or buying food, look up discount days and coupon apps, and keep your student card handy.
Toronto can be intimidating to drive in, and parking can be hard to find. So, many students travel by bicycle or public transit. (Note: Post-secondary students get a discount on a monthly transit pass.) IBU’s campus is also very accessible by transit. It’s steps away from the Bay subway station, and multiple buses stop nearby on the corners of Bay and Bloor Streets, and Bay and Cumberland Streets.
Here are key financial questions to consider when planning to study abroad.
Prepare for the Future
When you start your program, you’ll be matched with a mentor. The mentor will share their experiences to help you become a successful entrepreneur or businessperson. This is another way that IBU provides a robust learning environment to all students. In addition to learning from mentors and peers, their faculty team creates “an environment that encourages an exchange of diverse perspectives, provides a wide range of collaborative opportunities, and grounds [students’] learning in a structure that ensures [they] meet [their] fullest potential.”
IBU is also certified as a Canadian Designated Learning Institution, meaning graduates may apply for Canada’s Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must take their classes in Canada, and a minimum of 50% of those classes must be attended in-person, per 2023 guidance from the Canadian Government. After getting a PGWP, students may live and work in Canada for up to three years.
For those interested, a bachelor’s or master’s degree, combined with post-graduation work experience, can also put students in a strong position to pursue permanent residency through avenues like the Provincial Nominee Program.
Wondering what jobs these degrees prepare you for? From marketing to product management, entrepreneurship to business operations, the skills you’ll build will prepare you for a range of in-demand careers.
If you’re an international student interested in a business degree, consider IBU. Their dedicated faculty, small classes, and targeted coursework will prepare you for your future career.
Check out the International Business University page on ApplyBoard to learn more!
