Entrance Requirements
The Alberta MBA is an intensive program. Success requires a high scholastic aptitude, a superior command of English communication skills and strong time-management abilities. Admission to the Alberta MBA Program is highly selective. We seek motivated, bright and articulate individuals who have a strong standard of personal ethics. No formula is employed in admission decision-making. Rather, each candidate is evaluated individually to assess compatibility between the applicant and the program.
Admission Criteria
Since we value the diversity of backgrounds, we accept students from all disciplines. To be considered, an applicant should hold a four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 (see international equivalents) over their last two years or 60-credits of study. For otherwise strong applicants, we can consider applicants with three-year undergraduate degrees.
Our transcript guide outlines exactly what you would need to include as part of your online application and what you may later need to provide to our Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
The admission committee gives strong consideration to professional experience and early career accomplishments, including potential for career growth and advancement. Applicants will possess at least two years of full-time work experience after completion of an undergraduate degree. Alberta MBA students possess an average of five years of work experience.
In your application, you need to include a résumé with sufficient details of your professional work experience including months and years for each term of employment, full-time or part-time hours of work, and a brief description of employment duties. Education, volunteer experience(s), accomplishments achieved at work, and any extracurricular activities should also be highlighted. You do not need to use the generic CV form.
The GMAT is a standardized assessment required by top MBA schools to evaluate applicants. The exam measures your verbal, quantitative, analytical writing, and integrative reasoning skills. The GMAT is a good predictor of academic success in the MBA program. The GMAT is a requirement for all applicants and we will not consider applications without a GMAT score. Ideally, applicants will submit a minimum GMAT score of 550. It is recommended that you review the material prior to writing the test. Our GMAT institution code is 87G-MT-78.
More information on the GMAT can be found on their website . In addition, for GMAT tips and advice, please visit the Alberta MBA Blog .
The Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta currently offers a GMAT test preparation course. More information on the course and availability is available on the Faculty of Extension Website .
We are also able to accept a Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score. The minimum score we would look for is an overall score at the 50th percentile. Our GRE institution code is 0758.
*GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five (5) years.
In select cases, we are able to consider applicants without a GMAT or GRE score as part of their application. GMAT/GRE waivers are not guaranteed and approvals are made on a case-by-case basis. If a waiver cannot be granted, applicants will receive notification that a GMAT or GRE test will be required for their application to move forward. Applicants would need to meet one of the following to be considered for a waiver:
- Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree from the University of Alberta or other U-15 Universities with a minimum GPA of 3.3 (B+)
- Hold a recognized professional designation, such as the CFA, CPA, or PEng
- Hold a recognized PhD degree
For applicants to our FastTrack MBA for Business Graduates, the following criteria would be used to consider waiver requests:
- Hold a Business degree (BCom, BBA, Mgmt., etc.) from a recognized North American University with a minimum GPA of 3.2
Successful applicants will have demonstrated their English language proficiency by achieving the following minimum scores:
TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), or 100 (internet-based test)
IELTS (Academic): Overall band score of 7.0, with at least 6.0 on each band
PTE (Academic): Overall score of 68
CAEL: Overall minimum of 60, with at least 60 on each subtest
*ELP scores are valid for two (2) years.
Candidates are required to submit two letters of reference. These assist the School in evaluating the candidate's managerial, administrative, and academic skills. Letters of reference will ideally be professional, with at least one from a current or past supervisor. In the online application system, you will need to supply the names and email addresses for your referees. They will be emailed instructions on how to submit their reference into the online application system. Referees can complete their reference directly in our online application system or complete our reference letter form and upload it into the online application system.
The statement of intent introduces you to the Admissions Committee as an individual, and not only showcases your personality but how you are unique as compared to other applicants with a similar profile. It is recommended that the statement of intent be approximately 1 to 2 pages in length, and should outline details around but not limited to the following:
Why you want to enter the program?
What your career goals are?
How the strengths of the program match your career goals and will support you in achieving your goals?
What you will contribute towards the program?
Individuals who have completed a certificate program through the Alberta School of Business Executive Education, who hold the CFA designation, who hold the CPA designation, or who hold the SCMP designation may be eligible for a 3-unit reduction in the MBA program requirements.
Individuals who complete SEMDP may be eligible for up to a 6-unit reduction in the MBA program requirements.
Admission Interviews
After an application is complete (including reference letters), the Admissions team will review the documents submitted. Not all applicants will be invited to complete the interview process.
A select number of candidates will be invited to complete the first step in the Alberta MBA interview process, which is a video interview through the Kira Talent platform. Applicants will have 7 days to complete the video interview and can expect 3 verbal response questions and one written question. The first interview is an important step in the admissions process as it allows the Admissions team to assess candidates on their critical thinking and overall verbal and written communication skills. In addition, the video interview gives candidates an opportunity to showcase their personality and demonstrate how they are a good fit for the UAlberta MBA program.
Visit our blog for more information on the Kira Video Interview.
After completing the first interview, successful candidates will be invited to complete a second interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. The second interview will take place in-person if you are in the Edmonton area, or over Skype. The second interview gives the Admissions Committee the opportunity to ask any specific questions related to your application along with more general, behavioural-based questions. At this point in the admissions process, candidates will demonstrate they are a good fit for the UAlberta MBA program beyond meeting the basic admissions requirements.
Visit our blog for more information on the Second Interview.