Canadian business schools are younger than most American and even European ones, but they, like child prodigies, have in many ways already caught up with the older generation. For example, the Ivey school (University of Western Ontario) reached 18th place in the Financial Times newspaper rating for 2002 - the best achievement of Canadians to date. The Rotman school (University of Toronto) was 21st in this year's rating, but that is also quite impressive if we are talking about the top hundred, because the first Dutch school, for instance, (Rotterdam School of Management) occupies, we note, only the 28th line. Overall, four Canadian schools have firmly established themselves in the first half of the list, which is quite comparable to the result of such a recognized MBA power as Great Britain. Ivey, based on three years of presence in the FT rating, ranks 19th, Schulich (York University) - 29th, Rotman - 34th, McGill University - 36th.
The Business Week magazine rating also does not ignore Canadians. In the 2002 version (category "schools outside the USA"), the business school of Queen’s University in Kingston was given second place, right after the renowned French INSEAD. Rotman was fifth, Ivey - sixth, Schulich - tenth. Thus, Canada as a whole accounts for four of the 10 positions, while the remaining countries have only one each. This could be attributed to traditional American "myopia" were it not for the aforementioned achievements in the FT rating.
Canadian business schools resemble American ones like twin brothers. As a rule, they have the same two-year program, the same set of academic disciplines. They also have gurus teaching (one Henry Mintzberg from McGill University alone is worth it). They attract more and more international students, although many Canadians are such only by passport.
In Canada, the buildings are modern and specially designed. In September, for example, Schulich completed its new complex worth 35 million Canadian dollars. And the new glass house of the John Molson School of Business is to be completed in the summer of 2005.
They also raise a lot of donations, gradually renaming themselves. The latest example: in June, the faculty of commerce of the University of British Columbia became the Sauder School of Business in gratitude for 20 million Canadian dollars received from magnate William Sauder. Thanks to donations at Schulich itself, more than 50% of students receive scholarships of various kinds, with about 1,500 scholarships distributed annually.
With all that, the huge plus of Canadians is the relative cheapness of tuition and living. Yes, they are not so well-known in the world. Yes, not all business schools of the Maple Leaf Country provide study loans. But for those who like to calculate the price-quality ratio, they can be a pleasant surprise.
Let us take a close look at some examples.
Schulich School of Business, York University. Named after Canadian businessman Seymour Schulich, who has already donated 20 million Canadian dollars to its development. It positions itself as a "Canadian global business school." In 1990, in addition to the basic program, it launched an International MBA (50 people per class), whose curriculum reflects the school's international orientation. It is the largest in English-speaking Canada (about 600 full-time students in total). A sign of the school's recognition abroad is its alliance with the American Kellogg, which in 2001 gave birth to the first international Executive MBA on the continent.
The basic Schulich MBA is 20 months, with about 100 electives to choose from, allowing 19 (!) specializations, including such exotic ones as Arts and Media Administration, Management Science, etc. In the second year, there are only two required subjects - strategic management and Strategy Field Study, a project carried out by a group of six to eight students under the supervision of a professor or a school graduate for some company. In addition, all program participants actively learn a second language.
McGill University in Montreal. Founded more than 180 years ago, which is a very respectable period for Canada, and is considered the Canadian Harvard. The university's business school is ranked among the top three on the North American continent in such categories as graduate mobility, the percentage of international students (54%) and faculty (69%). The 20-month MBA program (there is a 15-month option for people with a first degree in economics) has a highlight: the Integrative Core Course, a subject devoted to presentation skills, group work, etc. Seven specialization options, including finance, entrepreneurship, and Management for Developing Economies, which is close to us. One can go on exchange to one of the 25 business schools in the world. An excellent Career Development Center, whose successes are greatly facilitated by the high degree of business activity in Montreal, which is the headquarters for Bombardier Inc, Air Canada, Alcan and many other large companies, including advanced biotech firms.
John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. Also Montreal, but, as at McGill, instruction is in English. It is one of the seven Canadian schools accredited by the AACSB. It is very strong in accounting education (first place in the country for 15 years, 85% of students vs. 30-40% in other Canadian schools pass the chartered accountant exam on the first attempt). It was this school that started the tradition of holding MBA Case Competition contests in 1981. The competition at the John Molson School of Business, organized by students, brings together teams from 30 leading business schools around the world. MBA program participants also have the opportunity to gain practical experience by working as consultants at the Concordia Small Business Consulting Bureau. A close-knit network of 30,000 graduates. Plus all the charms of life in Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world. Many fall in love with it once and for all...
Saeder School of Business, University of British Columbia. Founded in 1939, and the first master's program in business appeared here more than 50 years ago. Seven years ago, the curriculum was radically updated, making the program shorter (15 months) and consolidating the seven core management disciplines into a 13-week Foundation course. The Professional Development Program course is designed to enhance personal effectiveness and develop leadership qualities. Five specializations are possible: marketing, strategic management, logistics, finance. The "stars" among the professors are Peter Frost (leadership), Tom Ross (competition), Charles Weinberg. The curriculum includes a 12-week project in a company. Before the start of the program, international students are offered a two-week intensive English course and a three-week Pre-Core (introduction to subjects). Overall, this is a short and very good program in terms of value for money. Moreover, in the lovely city of Vancouver, repeatedly recognized by UN experts as the most livable city on Earth.
Application deadlines (for international applicants):
Molson - October 15 (summer semester),
February 15 (fall), June 15 (winter);
Schulich - September 15 (winter semester), March 1 (fall);
MeBill - February 15 (fall semester);
Sauder - February 28 (fall semester).