10 Best Universities to Study Business in Canada

An illustrated scene of Canada's east coast (two storey buildings along a gentle coastline; the buildings are painted bright, primary colours, and there is a lighthouse at the end of the peninsula.) At right, an illustration of a male student carrying a book bag smiles at the landscape.

Canadian universities offer international students various options when it comes to studying abroad. Whether you are looking to study arts, science, or business, Canada offers many programs options.

Looking to explore business programs? Here is our list of the top 10 Canadian universities, based on competitive and unique business programs.

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A snowy landscape, with university and downtown office buildings on the horizon. (Toronto in winter)

Image Credit: Maksim Sokolov (Maxergon), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#1 University of Toronto

Located in downtown Toronto, the U of T has one of the best MBA programs in Canada. At the Rotman School of Management, students may pursue undergraduate and graduate programs, and joint degrees, achieving experience in various fields.

A skyline view of a mix of university buildings, framed by a clear blue sky and red and green foliage. (UBC)

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#2 University of British Columbia

UBC Sauder School of Business is recognized as a leader in academic business schools. It offers programs to over 4,000 local and international students. Located in Vancouver, Canada’s gateway to the Pacific Rim, UBC Sauder provides a global business perspective through relevant teaching. The school also offers a large amount of international study opportunities.

A tall, modern concrete building on the University of Alberta campus

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#3 University of Alberta

Founded in 1916, the Alberta School of Business is a leading institution of business education and research. Students can choose between six specializations and seven joint degrees. The school also encourages students to practice real-world experience through the MBA capstone course.

A multistorey glass building rests on a green hill, surrounded by trees and a wheel sculpture.

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#4 Western University

Western’s Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario, prepares students for success through their Case-Method of Learning. This method provides students with a large variety of real-life business scenarios to learn from. It also creates a powerful alumni network and excellent career opportunities. Ivey encourages students to participate in exchange programs through 40 different schools across Europe, Asia and South America.

A winter view of the McGill University campus in Montreal

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#5 McGill University

McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management is placed in Montreal’s vibrant downtown area. Students will thrive in this busy, bilingual city, often considered the cultural capital of Canada. The school offers a flexible course variety, alongside a unique bilingual MBA degree.

A modern engineering building on campus, with students walking past.

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#6 York University

The Schulich School of Business at York University, located just outside downtown Toronto, focuses on international business. Schulich is known for having exchange partners on every continent. It is one of the few MBA programs that allows students to switch between full-time and part-time studies to accommodate their lifestyle and needs.

Photograph of Gordon Hall, Queen's University

Image Courtesy: Queen’s University

#7 Queen’s University

Located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s Smith School of Business is home to international students from over 100 different countries. The school offers Bachelor of Commerce and MBA programs, as well as intimate class sizes to encourage team-based and experiential learning.

A red brick building at the back of a lush green lawn, framed by leafy green trees (Edwards Hall, McMaster University)

Image Credit: jockrutherford from Owen Sound, ON, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#8 McMaster University

The DeGroote School of Business, part of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, stimulates student learning through co-op work terms and internships. This program keeps in mind professional accreditation, and encourages students to apply for various certifications as part of their program.

A photo of the University of Montreal.

Image Courtesy: Universite de Montreal

#9 Universite de Montreal

Situated just outside the city centre, Universite de Montreal’s HEC is a French-language school offering internationally renowned management education and research. Partnered with 133 institutions across 40 countries, HEC encourages students to participate in exchange programs.

A landscape view of modern university buildings (lots of steel and glass)

Image Credit: Victor Vucicevich, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#10 University of Waterloo

Despite not having a business school or faculty, University of Waterloo offers business-related programs allowing students to pursue degrees with a business focus. It also offers a renowned co-op program. This work experience helps students build their skills and network at various organizations, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.


Interested in studying business at a Canadian university? Connect with the team at ApplyBoard. We’re here to help.

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