Why Canadians choose the AIB MBA

With so many quality business schools around the world, students are spoilt for choice when it comes to their education. This increase in options permits students to be more selective, choosing their programme and provider based on specific factors that best suit their needs. With the rise of online education, more and more students are seeking international education providers for programmes such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The AIB student community in Canada has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to its tailored approach to working adults, applicability to the workplace and accessibility. While most Canadian AIB students reside in Alberta and Ontario, the accessibility of the programme permits study anywhere in Canada, with students also in British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba and more. There are several key factors which contribute to the popularity of the AIB online MBA in Canada, which we explore in detail below.

Accredited in Canada and recognized globally

Accreditation is an important factor to consider when weighing up study options, as it’s an endorsement that validates the competence, credibility and integrity of an institution and the programmes they offer.

The AIB MBA is accredited in Canada by the National Centre for Management Accreditation (NCMA) of the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM). Established in 1942, the Canadian Institute of Management (also referred to as CIM Chartered Managers Canada) is a professional association, certification body and academic institute for managers and leaders in Canada. It is a Federally Chartered not-for-profit organization that operates through 16 chapters across Canada and has provided management development and certification to over 80,000 managers since its founding.

In Australia, AIB is registered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and its programmes are accredited within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). While TEQSA is an Australian body, it is recognized globally by both government and industry.

With these credentials, Canadian students embark on their AIB studies with the assurance that their MBA will be recognized by employers and other educational institutions not only in Canada, but around the world.

Watch Debbonaire Reid-Spirk’s MBA story – AIB MBA Graduate from Alberta, Canada

Students achieve real career outcomes

While some students embark on the MBA journey with a specific career goal in mind, others pursue it to find a new career path. Regardless of intentions coming into the programme, everyone wants the MBA to deliver real career outcomes and growth for them. To learn about the professional benefits and career impact the MBA has had, AIB surveyed its students and alumni, with extremely positive results. Of recent graduates, 57% had received a salary increase and 46% had already been promoted in their year of graduation. 

View all the survey findings in the 2021 MBA Alumni Insights Report.

The flexibility to study when and where you like

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canadians worked an average of 1685 hours each in 2022, and this is expected to rise. Many of our Canadian students highlight that due to long working hours, increased flexibility is a key factor when it comes to their ability to pursue higher education. With AIB’s 100% online MBA, students can study when and where they want, no matter the time zone or day of the week.

Canadian AIB graduate Julia Peemoeller shared why this flexibility was a must for her, “I was keen to choose AIB because I can complete the programme at my own pace. AIB gives me the flexibility to fit my studies around my work and family needs, as I can study where and when it suits me.” This level of flexibility permits students to continue working full time while balancing personal and professional commitments with their online study.

A practical approach to learning

Before finance professional Yasin Khalid chose AIB for his MBA, he considered over 15 other providers across the UK, US and Canada. Through its practical learning approach, AIB offered a qualification that would allow him to reflect his professional experience in the programme theory, equipping him with the knowledge to improve outcomes in the workplace while studying. “When I was only a few subjects into the programme, my work was already attracting the attention of senior managers, who were keen to see how my newfound knowledge will benefit the company,” Yasin explained. As learnings can be applied right away at work, many students like Yasin gain credibility in the workplace as they study.

Read more: Why AIB is The Practical Business School

Learn from our Canadian Industry Guest Lecturers

To enhance the practical learning experience for students, AIB has Industry Guest Lecturers who live and work in Canada. These prominent business leaders and their organizations partner with AIB to enrich the MBA curriculum with homegrown practical business insights. These leaders reflect on their professional experiences to help bring the MBA theory to life.

The suite of Industry Guest Lecturers includes, but is not limited to, Dr. Matthew Jelavic, President and CEO of CIM Chartered Managers Canada; Andy Robling, Vice President of Client Development at Hays Canada; Jonathan Lister, Vice President of Sales Solutions at LinkedIn Canada and Daryl Maduke, International Tax Partner at BDO Canada.

Meet AIB Industry Guest Lecturer Dr. Matthew Jelavic

Accessible entry criteria

Due to the holistic nature of its MBA, AIB boasts students from a variety of backgrounds, roles and organizations. As every professional’s career journey can differ, AIB offers several accessible entry paths into its internationally recognized MBA. Most notably, managers and business owners without undergraduate degrees can apply to study with AIB. Also, the GMAT test is not required for entry, saving applicants significant time and money. Instead, students can gain entry through relevant business experience and prior qualifications.

Personalized and responsive support services

As an online student, access to support services is an integral part of being success in MBA studies. At AIB, students have access to academic, administrative and peer support via online forums, email, social media and over the phone. For Canadians, the difference in time zone is actually an advantage, especially for students who commence their study sessions after finishing work, which coincides with the start of the Australian business day. This means that you can receive a prompt, personalized response.

In addition to these support services, AIB is also proud to offer all Canadian students access to AIB’s employee assistance program which provides free wellbeing support. AIB ASSIST offers a suite of wellbeing material online, as well as the option of confidential counselling sessions with a qualified mental health professional. These sessions exist to support students during personal and professional challenging times, and can be related to studies or other personal matters.

To facilitate networking and collaboration, Canadian students can tap into the AIB community in their country as well as connect with others globally via the interactive classrooms and online study communities. Today, the AIB community boasts students and alumni from more than 90 countries, hailing from some of the world’s largest organizations.

An affordable investment with flexible payment options

AIB is committed to delivering affordable education so students can see a return on their investment sooner. Thanks to the school’s global scale and 100% online delivery model, the AIB MBA is an affordable choice for Canadians. In addition to an upfront payment option, AIB offers a 36-month interest free payment plan that allows students to manage their investment as they study.

For those who are eligible to apply for student loans and grants, AIB is included in the CanLearn International Master List of Designated Educational Institutions which lists all educational institutions where students can apply for Canada Student Loans. Click here to enquire to speak with a Course Advisor about course fees and payment options for Canadian students.

To learn more about the course fees, funding and payment options, view the Tuition and Financing page.

If you’re ready to take the next step and begin your journey with AIB, please check our 6-steps MBA application guide.