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Frequently asked questions about the program

Budget

How much are the tuition and fees?

The total cost for the Gustavson MBA program is approximately $31,000 for domestic students and $32,000 for international (visa) students. This estimate includes tuition, program fees, athletic and recreation fees, graduate student society fees, university bus pass, extended health and dental insurance, co-op fees, and the international integrated management exercise fees.

Please note: tuition and fees are subject to change without notice

How much do the textbooks cost?

New books cost approximately $200 CDN per course. Used books are periodically available. Students can expect to spend approximately $2,600 on books and course materials over the course of the program.

What accommodation options are available in Victoria and what are the costs?

MBA students can live on or off-campus. For more information on costs and how to find accommodation, refer to the UVic Housing. Or if you are an international student, see Housing for International degree students.

Financial assistance

Are scholarships offered?

All accepted students are automatically considered for any scholarships awarded through the Gustavson School of Business. Scholarships are awarded to the top 10–15% of the incoming class based on prior academic performance. The awards range from $500–$10,000 CDN. Students do not need to apply for these Entrance Awards.

The University of Victoria offers a variety of other scholarships. See Student Awards and Financial Aid for eligibility.

Are student loans available for my MBA?

National and provincial student loans are available for those that qualify. Student loan criteria differ from province to province. Incoming students should inquire with their local student loan office.

Are there teaching or research assistant positions available?

Occasionally our professors hire MBA students as research assistants or as teaching assistants for undergraduate courses. Positions are posted internally when they come available.

Are international students eligible for financial assistance?

International students are eligible for certain scholarships and research assistant positions (if your Study Permit allows) but they must not expect it. All international students must assume no aid, and be prepared to pay for all fees and costs associated with taking the MBA program.

Admission

Can students check the status of their application?

Absolutely! You can check your status at UVic's MYSTATUS. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed once they are complete.

Can I still be admitted without work experience?

Yes, some applicants can be admitted immediately after completing their undergraduate degree if all other aspects of their application are very strong.

Can I be admitted without writing the GMAT or GRE?

No, this is required of all applicants. You must write the GMAT or GRE and arrange to have an official score report made available online to the Gustavson School of Business.

What is the minimum GMAT or GRE score?

We do not set a minimum acceptable score for the GMAT; however, we prefer scores to be at least 550. We prefer students to score at least 40th percentile in both the verbal and quantitative sections of the test. To calculate your equivalent GRE score, you can use the GRE Comparison Table for Business Schools.

Where and when can I write the GMAT or GRE?

For information on test writing locations and dates, refer to the GMAT or GRE website.

How long is my GMAT or GRE score valid for?

We accept scores up to five years old.

Can my GRE score be used in place of a GMAT score?

Yes, the UVic MBA program accepts a GMAT or GRE score.

What are the language proficiency requirements?

Please refer to the English language proficiency requirements set forth by Graduate Studies.

What is the minimal acceptable GPA

Graduates of Canadian universities must have a "B" average in the last two full-time years of their undergraduate degree. Applicants with degrees from any country other than Canada must have earned the equivalent of a "B" average over the last two years of their degree to be considered admissible. For a list of the international equivalents, please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies information on minimum requirements from other countries.

If you do not have a "B" average, you may be considered for admission as a mature student. To qualify as a mature student, you must have at least four years of relevant full-time work experience after graduating from your bachelor's degree.

What are the main components Gustavson School of Business considers when making admissions decisions?

All aspects of your application are important; however, the admissions committee places the most weight on previous professional experience, undergraduate grades, and your GMAT score. Your references support your application by providing us with independent assessments of your academic or work experience, while your essays provide you with the opportunity to highlight your strengths and suitability to our MBA program.

Do my references need to be from previous instructors?

No, the references may be prior or current instructors, supervisors or employers. In most cases, at least one reference will be professional. The second one can be an academic or a professional, depending on what is most appropriate to your situation.

Can I apply if I've not completed any previous business courses?

Yes. In 2009, 89 percent of students entering the program were not business graduates. Those who join our program without any prior knowledge in a given area (accounting, for example) may have to work harder in the first few weeks of the course, but after that prior knowledge tends to be insignificant. In general, because of the diversity of our students, most students will find that they have an initial advantage in some courses and an initial disadvantage in others.

When should I apply?

Although our application deadline is April 30, we review applications as soon as they are complete. If we still have space in the program, we continue to accept applicants after this date. We usually start the admissions process in January. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as they have decided to apply.

We recommend that international students submit their application by March 31 to allow sufficient time to obtain a Government of Canada Study Permit (and Temporary Resident Visa if necessary) if they are selected. For more information, see information for International degree students.

When are the entry points into the program?

There is only one entry point for MBA students. All students begin their program in August with the Essentials of Business and Leadership, which is three weeks in length.

Do you grant transfer credit from other MBA programs?

In general, the MBA Program does not accept transfer credits from other programs.

The application fee is $100 CDN for applicants who have completed all of their post-secondary education in Canada. For applicants who have completed some or all of their post-secondary education outside of Canada, the application fee is $125 CDN.You can pay your application fee to UVic Graduate Admissions and Records by:

sending a money order issued in Canadian or US funds
providing Graduate Admissions and Records with a credit card number

This information can be included with your application or faxed to UVic Graduate Admissions and Records at 250-472-5420.

Co-op/Internships

How is the internship (co-operative work term) requirement determined

If you have less than three years of full-time work experience, you must completeat least one paid internship term. If you have three or more years of full-time work experience, you are not required to complete any work terms, but you may still choose to do so.

Are students responsible for finding their own internship positions?

While most co-op jobs are located by the Business Co-op and Career Centre, you are free to develop your own position with new potential employers. These jobs must be approved by the MBA co-op coordinator before they are accepted as official co-op work terms.The Business Co-op and Career Centre also conducts seminars for all MBA students in their first term in the MBA program. These seminars are mandatory for all students planning to internships and are optional, but highly recommended, for other students.

Are all internships assigned in Victoria?

No, internships are located throughout Canada and in several other countries. Our students have completed work terms in Japan, United States, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.

How much do students get paid on internships?

MBA internships in Canada tend to pay an average salary of $2,400–$3,000 per month. Those in other countries vary depending on the local employment conditions.

Do Evening MBA students do internships?

Evening MBA students are usually employed full-time and do not normally complete internship terms. However, part-time students are welcome to participate in co-op seminars (such as resumé writing and interview techniques) and may use the career centre facilities.

Workload

How much work is required in the Daytime program?

The Daytime program is very intense. You can expect to spend 70–80 hours per week learning in class, doing readings, and working on projects.

How much work is involved in the Evening program?

The average part-time student spends 15–25 hours/week learning in class, doing readings, and working on projects.

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