The Best Undergraduate Business Programs in Canada for International Students

Why Should International Students Study At A Business School in Canada?

When you choose to get your university education in Canada, you are choosing to benefit from one of the best post-secondary education systems in the world. It means you are ready to work hard and gain valuable knowledge and practical experience from institutions with a global reputation for excellence. For international students looking to build their career in the field of business and commerce, studying at one of Canada’s best business schools can set you on the course for long-term success.

The Benefits Of An Undergraduate Business Degree

Studying at one the best undergraduate business schools in Canada provides exceptional opportunities to learn key skills and abilities that will be foundational to a stable career. As a result, international students with undergraduate business degrees are able to establish themselves in the industry and continue building a career after completing their schooling. According to Statistics Canada, 88% of people who complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Business Management or Public Administration were “working in a job or business related to their field of study” at the 3-year mark post graduation. This speaks both to the employability of business graduates and also their overall satisfaction with their career choice.

What are the Different Types of Business Degrees?

Undergraduate programs and degrees in Canada are known by different names depending on the institution. Common titles of undergraduate business programs include Bachelor’s Degrees in:

• Business

• Business Administration (BBA)

• Business Management (BBM)

• Commerce (BCom)

While the words on your degree may vary slightly, the top business schools in Canada all provide strong education opportunities in this field.

What are The Best Business Schools in Canada?

Concordia University - John Molson School of Business: Bachelor of Commerce

Concordia University offers hundreds of programs for students on two campuses in Montréal, Quebec. It is the top ranked university founded in the past 50 years anywhere in North America. This has made Concordia a top destination for international students, with over 9,000 currently enrolled.

Through the John Molson School of Business, Concordia offers a Bachelor of Commerce in nine different majors. Specializations include Business Technology Management, Supply Chain Management and Entrepreneurship, a program ranked the best in Canada. The AACSB-accredited school also has certificate, graduate and doctorate-level business programs. There are even two separate programs where qualified students manage real portfolios worth millions of dollars, gaining practical investment management experience.

Dalhousie University - Rowe School of Business: Bachelor of Commerce

Dalhousie University is the biggest school in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Founded in Halifax in 1818, the school has expanded to multiple campus and satellite locations to provide a uniquely East Coast learning experience. There are more than 4,500 International students currently enrolled at Dalhousie, making up over 24% of the student population.

Dalhousie University is home to the Rowe School of Business. Accredited by the AACSB, something shared by only 5% of business schools in the world, it’s easy to see why Rowe is considered one of the best business schools in Atlantic Canada. What sets Rowe’s Bachelor of Commerce program apart is a commitment to co-op learning. Students are placed in paid co-op roles where they learn practical skills and build their personal networks.

McGill University - Desautels Faculty of Management: Bachelor of Commerce

McGil University has been educating students from around the world at its Montréal campus for over 200 years. The institute is frequently ranked among the top in the world, and is the only Canadian university to be part of the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF) founded by the World Economic Forum. McGill prides itself on maintaining a diverse student body, with 41% of students being born outside of Canada from over 150 different countries.

The Desautels Faculty of Management itself enjoys a strong reputation, with an MBA ranked by QS Univsersity Rankings as the best business program in Quebec and in the top two in Canada. The Bachelor of Commerce program offers a flexible curriculum with a number of options for different concentrations, and experiential learning programs that place students with real world stakeholders to gain firsthand knowledge. Desautels is very popular with international students, even more so than McGill itself, with three out of four of its students born outside of Canada.

Queen’s University - Smith School of Business: Honours Bachelor of Commerce

Queen’s University has been educating students in Kington, Ontario since 1845. It is one of the top-ranked research and learning institutions in the world. There are currently 1,300 international students from 120 countries who have chosen to gain a world-class education by enrolling at Queen’s.

The Smith School of Business at Queen’s offers two undergraduate programs. A four-year Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Certificate of Business is an option for students who want to study business while pursuing another major. The BComm program allows students to shape their own curriculum, and create the experience they want to have at one of the best business schools in Canada. The Smith School of Business recently became the first Canadian member of the Council on Business & Society, an alliance of business schools from around the world “dedicated to promoting responsible leadership, research and education.”

University of Alberta - Alberta School of Business: Bachelor of Commerce

The University of Alberta is a leading learning and institute based in Edmonton, and ranked one of the top five schools in Canada. There over 9,000 international students from 130 countries committed to continuing their education at UofA in Western Canada. UofA prides itself on having the highest employment rate for its graduates of any university in Canada.

The Alberta Business School at UofA was founded in 1916, and was the first business school in Canada to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in 1968. The school offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate-level programs. The Bachelor of Commerce program has 11 different majors, allowing students to focus on their preferred area of study. The Alberta School of Business states they believe in “combining old school knowledge and new school thinking.” Students can expect in-class learning and co-op experiences that will provide a well-rounded education at one of the best business schools in the country.

University of British Columbia - Sauder School of Business: Bachelor of Commerce

The University of British Columbia is the oldest university in the province, and remains very popular with students from the rest of Canada and the world. Between picturesque campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley, UBC welcomes over 18,000 international students to one of the top ranked learning institutes in the world.

The UBC Sauder School of Business has been ranked the best business programme in Canada for six straight years by Maclean's magazine. The four-year Bachelor of Commerce program provides students with a customizable curriculum with ten different specializations. These range from Entrepreneurship and General Business Management to Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management and Business Technology Management. Students are encouraged to design a curriculum that suits the kind impact they want to have in their industries.

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management: Bachelor of Business Administration

The University of Toronto is located in the heart of Canada’s largest city. The Bachelor’s of Business Administration program teaches students the fundamental skills needed to build successful companies and enjoy a steady career. There are more than 27,000 international students at UofT from 168 countries, over 25% of the entire student body.

UofT is also home to the Rotman School of Management, whose business programmes have been ranked as the best in Canada. Rotman offers a four-year Bachelor’s of Commerce program for undergraduates. The program is split into three streams: Accounting, Finance & Economics, and Management. It is quite competitive, with some courses limited to only 55 students. Those who enroll can expect to learn from leading academic instructors and in state-of-the-art facilities in one of Canada’s most exciting cities.

Western University - Ivey Business School: Honours Business Administration

The University of Western Ontario, also known as Western University, was founded in London, Ontario in 1878. It has earned a reputation as one of the best research institutions in the country. The current student body includes nearly 5,000 international students from 128 countries.

The Ivey Business School at Western University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs in business. The Honours Business Administration program is unique because it is a two-year program, which requires students to have already completed two years of undergrad studies in any program. Ivey prides itself on utilizing the case method of studying, providing students with practical experience instead of strictly lecture-based education. It was the first business school in Canada to become part of the CEMS - The Global Alliance in Management Education cooperative program, joining with the London School of Economics and other leading business schools.

Many students come to Canada to work hard and earn the education they need to create a rewarding professional life. For people with a passion for business and a determination to have a big impact in their industries, their career starts at some of the best business schools in Canada. Speak with an education counsellor today to begin your journey.

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