Education

B.C. MBA Programs That Teach Locally And Reach Globally

By BCBusiness /

MBA programs in B.C. | BCBusiness

Your at-a-glance guide to nine made-in-B.C. MBA programs


The nine MBA programs based in B.C. offer some of the most flexible study options for students, whether on campus or online. Revisions to many of the programs in recent years ensure students can choose an integrated approach to complex business problems, with enough freedom to specialize in key areas of interest. An international component is also critical to many of the programs, ensuring that students can study at home but be prepared for the broader world of business when they’re done.

Program fees range from $25,000 to $45,000, with a duration of anywhere from 12 months to five years, depending on whether students are enrolled full-time or part-time.

1. UBC Sauder School of Business Vancouver
GO HERE if you’re seeking an integrated approach to business education. A full-time 16-month program and the 28-month part-time program offer a premium experience including an international immersion program. An overhaul of the program in 2012 developed four specialization tracks.

2. SFU Beedie School of Business Vancouver
GO HERE if you have at least two years’ professional work experience and an undergraduate degree in a field other than business. The intensive 12-month program teaches everything you need to know about business, regardless of background, and includes a mandatory international study trip. An internship at the end of the program gives graduates a chance to step directly into the business world.

3. University Canada West Vancouver
GO HERE for focused and flexible study options. University Canada West allows students to take the MBA entirely online. Students benefit from a focus on coursework, free from distractions. A major research or consulting assignment complements intensive coursework that emphasizes leadership, strategy and decision-making.

4. Trinity Western University School of Business Langley
GO HERE if you are a working professional seeking a holistic approach to business that goes beyond spreadsheets and the bottom line. With its foundation in Christian faith and values, Trinity Western offers a curriculum designed around questions of ethics and the role of business in the community. A new MBA program in Tianjin, China, increases its international exposure.

5. University of Northern B.C. School of Business Prince George and Vancouver
GO HERE if you’re a working professional with at least three years’ experience in management. Students meet with peers once a month in Prince George or Vancouver for intense three- and four-day learning sessions that allow completion in 21 months. Two one-week residencies are part of the program.

6. Thompson Rivers University School of Business and Economics Kamloops
GO HERE if you’re a recent business graduate seeking flexible study options. Faculty and students represent diverse international perspectives that enrich coursework. Online students can participate in career development events through live streaming and class outings. A part-time option allows completion in up to 60 months, according to the student’s schedule.

7. University of Victoria Peter B. Gustavson School of Business Victoria
GO HERE if you want an MBA that emphasizes experience at home and abroad. Options for daytime and part-time evening courses allow students to combine local work experience with their studies and still finish in 29 to 33 months. An international consulting project gives exposure to the issues facing businesses in China, India and Brazil.

8. Royal Roads University School of Business Victoria
GO HERE if you’re a working professional seeking an executive-style MBA program at a pace that suits your working life. Online coursework is prefaced by a three-week residency at Royal Roads’ campus; a second may occur in Victoria or in Grenoble, France. The combination of studies with ongoing work experience allows students to apply what they’re learning. A specialization in management consulting is available.

9. Vancouver Island University Faculty of Management NANAIMO
GO HERE if you want a business degree with international credentials. The 14-month program qualifies for an MBA from VIU and a Master of Science in International Business from England’s University of Hertfordshire. The program includes a three-month internship and an applied business project, giving students work experience—something that is desired but not required for admittance.