Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're just starting your journey or are ready to apply, our FAQs are here to help guide you through every step. Below, you'll find answers to common questions on a variety of important topics, including admissions processes, program details, GMAT requirements, English proficiency testing, financing options, and insights into student life at Ivey. Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future. Navigate through the categories to find specific information, or browse through to gain a comprehensive understanding of what awaits you at Ivey Business School. If you have any questions that are not covered here, please feel free to contact our admissions team directly. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together!
Admissions
You can find application deadlines here.
You can view our admissions requirements online here.
If you are interested in pursuing an application to the Ivey MBA Program, the first step is to submit your profile to the MBA Admissions Team for a preliminary assessment.
This will allow the team to review your background and provide you with feedback on your fit with our program admission requirements.
As a general guideline, your LinkedIn profile and/or resume should highlight your education and academic focus; work experience, responsibilities, and accomplishments (organized by company); and organizations to which you belong. Your profile can also include bullet points highlighting specific skills as well as personal interests or leadership qualities.
You might find it helpful to view our class profile to see the quality and background of students in our current class.
There is no minimum GPA requirement. The last two years of University grades are considered to create a cumulative average. Both the GMAT/GRE and GPA together are considered for the academic strength of the applicant’s profile.
We assess every applicant within a holistic framework that seeks to understand all aspects of their character, qualifications, and experiences. Offer decisions are based on a holistic assessment of a submitted application including demonstrated leadership, impact, sound MBA reasoning, and academic capability.
Don’t self-select yourself out! To find out if your profile is a fit for our program, view our admissions criteria online here and submit your profile for a preliminary assessment.
Program FAQs
We have one intake each year during the first week of March when we welcome two sections of students, and the program is completed by the end of March the following year.
London, Ontario, Canada.
Students must relocate to London for the entire duration of the one-year program.
Due to the rigorous nature of the program, we do not recommend working while completing the full-time MBA Program.
There is no typical day as the schedule will change often throughout the year.
During the first six months when you take your core courses over two modules, you’ll have a set class schedule with 3 classes a day of 90 minutes each, Monday to Friday, starting at 8:20 a.m. and finishing at 1:00 p.m. During this time, you will also have assignments and meetings with your learning team, career counselling sessions, and extra-curricular activities.
From September to March there are two terms with each student having their own academic schedule depending on the electives they have chosen. Typically, classes run from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The assignments and group work continue, and there is typically an increasing amount of time spent on career-related activities.
During the month of December, you will have the option to participate in the international study trip, which the majority of students participate in, to either Costa Rica, Portugal or Silicon Valley.
Absolutely. Many of the world’s top recruiters come to Ivey looking for MBAs with diverse experiences and leadership qualities. Ivey consistently has the highest placement rate of any MBA program in Canada at 90%+. Through Ivey’s rigorous application process, we identify candidates who have the background and ability to excel in an intense program and achieve their career goals.
Career Management’s professional team plays an integral role in the admissions process to help determine if your expectations and goals as a candidate can be met. The real-world case-based learning you receive, combined with the partnership you develop with the Career Management team at Ivey, is what will define your success.
To learn more on career transitions and success in a one year program, tune into our podcast focusing on debunking the myth that a two year program with internship is needed to be successful with a career transition and in general, career success. Click here to listen.
Yes. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) offers an extended post-graduation work permit for Master’s Programs Graduates that allows international students to remain in Canada to pursue full-time employment and advance their Permanent Residency application after completing their degree. When you graduate from Ivey, you would then be eligible to apply for a 3-year post-graduation work permit regardless of the program duration. Spouses and common-law partners are also eligible to apply for a work permit during this time. For more information, visit the CIC website.”
Absolutely. As a top business school, it's imperative that we ensure our graduates have the core business fundamentals to succeed. While Ivey relies heavily on the case method, we employ a number of teaching methods. Cases allow for an important decision-making context and action-orientation. That doesn’t preclude us from stepping back from a case setting and providing the fundamental basics and skill development. While Cross-Enterprise Leadership™ addresses learning from an “issues” standpoint, every Ivey student will graduate from the program with an unequalled skill in all functional areas as well.
To learn more about how we teach technical concepts using the case study method, click here.
With an alumni base of over 30,000, Ivey has more recruiters in its alumni network than other schools. We are in constant dialogue with all of the top recruiters, and work to ensure that our graduates have access to all of the top positions across various industries, functional roles and geographies. To see who recruited at Ivey this year, see our most recent employment report.
While the academic success of our candidates is considered as part of the admissions process, Ivey does not accept transfer credits from other programs. All students must complete the full year of Ivey's MBA Program.
GMAT FAQs
We encourage you to get in touch with us for a better understanding of how you fit with our application requirements. We look at applications holistically, and we can provide you with feedback and some coaching on your GMAT or GRE score. We have a dedicated GMAT FAQs page you can view by clicking here.
We have a dedicated section addressing our GMAT waiver opportunity (available for applicants with specific professional designations and previous University education), score requirements and frequently asked questions on a separate page. Please click here for more information.
If you are contemplating applying to our Ivey MBA, we offer a pre-assessment (click here) for a potential GMAT/GRE exemption. We will require your unofficial University transcripts and a current resume to complete the assessment. An assessment result will be communicated within seven business days. Please connect with the recruiting team for any further questions or clarifications.
Yes, Ivey accepts both the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition and the GRE. However, candidates interested in pursuing post-MBA careers in the Financial Services or Management Consulting sectors should consider writing the GMAT to ensure a competitive profile as recruiters in these industries may request a GMAT score as part of their application process. Candidates should research the application criteria for the employers-of-preference before deciding which exam to write. The Ivey team is here to advise you every step of the way.
Please click here for more information on our GMAT/GRE Overview.
English language tests FAQs
International applicants who have used English as a first language for at least two years during post-secondary education or in a professional setting for at least two years are not required to submit a test as part of their application. International applicants coming into Canada as Canadian Permanent Resident are not required to write an English proficiency test. Within the application there is a section where you can indicate that you have used English in an educational or professional setting for at least two years. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be required to demonstrate a strong level of English proficiency. You can find more information online here.
You can listen to this two-minute Ivey MBA Quick Application Tip - English Proficiency Test podcast online here.
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, you will be required to demonstrate a strong level of English proficiency. Test scores needed for each test are outlined online here.
Financing your MBA FAQs
Our program tuition and academic expenses can be viewed on our website here.
You can find information on scholarships and financing options for students by clicking here.
Approximately 80% of our incoming students (both domestic and international) receive an admission scholarship, ranging from $10,000 to $70,000.
We have a dedicated Scholarship FAQs page you can view by clicking here.
Candidates who are selected to receive a scholarship or award will be notified at the time of the admissions offer.
We have a dedicated Scholarship FAQs page you can view by clicking here.
Student Life FAQs
Our alumni are always happy to share their Ivey experience. We also have current student ambassadors who are available to speak to you about their student experience – they can be reached here.
There are an array of student-formed clubs and associations to join at Ivey that provide opportunity to expand your network, craft new skills, and share your passions beyond the classroom.
Visit our Life Beyond the Classroom page to learn more.
You can also become involved in the MBAA, Club Lead, or in a Senator position. Learn about Ivey MBA clubs and the MBA Association by visiting their website here.