MBA requirements
The UBC MBA selection process is rigorous. Applicants are carefully selected against competitive requirements to ensure that you learn from peers who have demonstrated vision, leadership and experience. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and are reviewed holistically. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee you admission into the UBC MBA.
Ensure you understand and meet the following requirements of the application:
Application overview
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Requirements
- Three or four-year Bachelor's degree with a B+ average, or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution*.
- Mail transcripts, degree certificates and translations
Applicants who have completed their degrees at UBC will not need to send transcripts in.
*Three-year degrees are accepted for the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. If your country or region is not listed here, email us for clarification.
Applicants who have previously completed an MBA program will not be able to apply to the UBC MBA. For further inquiries, please email us before starting an application.
About transcripts
Official transcripts must be arranged to be sent to
Robert H. Lee Graduate School
UBC Sauder School of Business
Henry Angus Building
137-2053 Main Mall, Vancouver
BC Canada V6T 1Z2If your university does not produce more official copies of your transcript, photocopy your transcript, and have the university stamp it with the official stamp. Mail it in a sealed, endorsed envelope, with the Registrar’s signature or University stamp across the seal.
To expedite the admissions process, students can scan and upload their transcripts for review. However, we must receive your official documents as soon as possible.
If you have applied to our programs within the last two years, it is not necessary to submit new letters of reference and new transcripts unless you have undertaken further academic studies, as we retain all documentation for a two-year period.
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Requirements
Either one of the following:
- 550 GMAT with at least a 50th percentile in the quantitative and verbal sections of the test.
- 155 GRE score on both the verbal and quantitative sections.
For a competitive edge
650 GMAT OR 320+ GRE score on combined verbal and quantitative section.
About GMAT/ GRE SCORES
Students must arrange to have your scores (either GMAT or GRE) sent to us directly from the testing service organization, using the following codes.
GMAT: LQS-CP-02
GRE: 0965 (UBC) or 4201 (Department)Scores are only accepted within the last five years. They are not considered official until you receive them from the GMAC or GRE office.
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Requirements
Applicants must be able to speak, comprehend, and write fluently in English. An English proficiency exam is required for all applicants whose degrees are from a university outside Canada or the U.S.A. in which English was not the official language of instruction.
At the latest, scores will take up to 6 weeks – ensure you provide yourself with ample time from the deadline to write the test. You must arrange to have your scores sent to us directly from the testing service organization.
During COVID-19, students may demonstrate proficiency by submitting scores from IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) and their IELTS Indicator test.
Either one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL): 100, Print: 600, Computer: 250. Test Code: 0965
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) / IELTS Indicator* - Academic: 7.0 overall band
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): 84
- Person Test of English (PTE) - Academic: 70
- Person Test of English Online (PTE Online) - Academic: 70
- Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL): 70 overall band
TOEFL offers computer, internet & paper-based tests — all of which are acceptable. Scores arrive 3-6 weeks after test is taken. Scores valid if written within last two years. We accept all valid TOEFL scores, including MyBestScore. If you are submitting MyBestScore, the score needs to be on the official report.
Read moreIELTS: Admission based on Academic Reading & Writing modules, not General Training. Scores arrive 3 weeks after test is taken. Scores valid if written within last two years.Read more
*IELTS Indicator: Our institution requires an overall IELTS Indicator band score of 7.0 and no IELTS Indicator score lower than 7.0. Our institution name is UBC Sauder School of Business. Read more
MELAB: Read more
PTE Academic: Admission based on Academic test only. Scores valid if written within last two years. Forward results to us at mba@sauder.ubc.ca. Read more
CAEL: Read more
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Requirements
No minimum work experience is required.
For a competitive edge
1+ year of full-time work experience.
Two references are required for all UBC MBA applicants. You will provide us with their email addresses through the application, and we will contact them by email.
Professional references from supervisors are preferred, and must fill out the reference form online. Separate letters are not accepted.
*If you have applied to our programs within the last two years, it is not necessary to submit new letters of reference and new transcripts unless you have undertaken further academic studies, as we retain all documentation for a two-year period.
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We assess your managerial and leadership potential, maturity, ambition and drive, through your essay questions, resume, professional references and interview.
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The fast pace of the UBC MBA program necessitates that all students have a foundational proficiency in Quantitative Methods and familiarity with Statistics and Economics. To aid in ensuring that you have adequate knowledge in the above subjects, as well as relevant skills in Microsoft Excel and professional writing, a variety of online tutorials and resources to review has been compiled for admitted students.

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Have a question?
Our team is happy to help.