Meet the requirements
The UBC Master of Management (MM) selection process is rigorous. Candidates 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 requirements does not guarantee you admission into the UBC MM.
Get details on how to apply and fees & expenses.
Want to obtain a preview of your applicant journey with UBC Sauder? See a step-by-step guide to the admissions process.
Academic achievement
Minimum requirements
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Three* or Four-year non-business Bachelor’s degree with a B+ average, or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants with business degrees (majors/minors) are NOT eligible for admission.
- Mail transcripts, degree certificates and translations to UBC Sauder. Applicants who have completed their degrees at UBC are not required to send transcripts.
* Three-year degrees are accepted from UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. If your country or region is not listed here, email us for clarification.
About transcripts
Official transcripts must be arranged to be sent to
Robert H. Lee Graduate School
UBC Sauder School of Business
137-2053 Main Mall
Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2
CANADA
Further instructions
If 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.
Note: Applicants who have completed their degrees at UBC will not need to send transcripts in.
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.
GMAT/ GRE
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.
About GMAT/ GRE scores
Students must arrange to have their 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.
Waiver eligibility (August 2022 Entry)
GMAT/GRE waivers are only available for international applicants until October 26, 2021 and for domestic applicants until January 11, 2022. Applications must be submitted in full including a statement of qualification* and all supporting documents (unofficial transcripts, degree certificates and official English test score, if applicable, uploaded to your account ).
Learn more about the GMAT/GRE waiver eligibility and follow the steps in the video to apply for a waiver.
To be eligible, candidates are required to meet one or more of the following requirements:
- A master’s degree with a minimum academic average of B+ or equivalent, combined with a bachelor’s degree being at least one of those a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree
- For non-STEM degrees, a minimum of four quantitative courses is also required
- A UBC bachelor’s or master’s degree in STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics) with a minimum academic average in the B+ range (76% at UBC)
- For UBC non-STEM degrees, a minimum of four quantitative courses is also required
- A Level III CFA designation and a bachelor’s degree with a minimum academic average of B+ or equivalent
- A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree
* Statement of Qualification : In one page or less, please explain how you are eligible and why you deserve a GMAT/GRE waiver. The document should be in Word or PDF format and uploaded to the documents section of your application.
Additional Notes:
- If a candidate has two or more degrees, at least one degree must meet the minimum academic average requirement listed above.
- CPA certificates will not be considered.
- LSAT certificates will not be considered.
- No expired GMAT / GRE scores will be accepted.
- For academic average equivalency per country, please click here .
While completing your application form, under the Official Standardized Tests section, please fill in the following if you are requesting a GMAT/GRE waiver:
- Test taken: GMAT
- Date to be written: December 31, 2022
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 a notification that a GMAT or GRE test will be required for their application to move forward.
Professional experience
Minimum requirements
No full-time work experience to a maximum of two years full-time work experience gained after graduation from your Bachelor’s degree.
Students with more than two years full-time work experience after graduation are NOT eligible for admission.
Two references are required for all UBC MM applicants. You will provide us with their email addresses through the application, and we will contact them by email.
References must fill out the reference form online. Separate letters are not accepted.
Further instructions
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.
English proficiency
Minimum requirements
Applicants must be able to speak, comprehend, and write fluently in English. An English proficiency exam is required for all candidates 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) or TOEFL Home Edition: 100, Print: 600, Computer: 250. Test Code: 0965
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) / IELTS Indicator* - Academic: 7.0 overall band
- Person Test of English (PTE) - Academic: 70
- Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL): 70 overall band
- Online Canadian Academic English Language Test^ (CAEL Online): 70 overall band
TOEFL offers computer, internet & paper-based tests — all of which are acceptable. Scores arrive 3-6 weeks after the test is taken. Scores are valid if they are written within the 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 more
TOEFL Home Edition: This option is available for students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT test at a test center due to public health concerns. The test is offered everywhere that TOEFL iBT testing is normally available, except Mainland China and Iran. Read more
IELTS: Admission based on Academic Reading & Writing modules, not General Training. Scores arrive 3 weeks after the test is taken. Scores are valid if they are written within the 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
PTE Academic: Admission based on Academic test only. Scores are valid if they are written within the last two years. Forward results to us at mm@sauder.ubc.ca. Read more
CAEL Online: The minimum overall band score (70 overall band) accepted by us will be the same as the CAEL CE test format. Read more
Maturity, motivation & fit
We assess your managerial and leadership potential, maturity, ambition and drive, through your essay questions, resume, professional references and interview.
Academic Prep
The fast pace of the UBC MM 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, we have compiled a variety of online tutorials and resources for you to review as you prepare for the start of your program. These will be made available to you once you are admitted into the program.
We strongly recommend that all UBC MM students complete these tutorials to strengthen their foundational knowledge and ease their entry into the graduate learning environment.
The Robert H. Lee Graduate School is here to help with your academic preparation planning. Please email us with any questions or contact our office to book an advising appointment.
Robert H. Lee Graduate School
Tel: 604-822-4040
Email: askmm@sauder.ubc.ca
How to apply
We have a rigorous selection process to find the right type of candidate that is best suited for the UBC MM program.
Frequently asked questions
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A full list of minimum admissions requirements and competitive recommendations for admittance to the program is available on our Admissions & Finance page (see above).
Minimum admissions requirements include:
- A valid GMAT or GRE score
- Undergraduate transcripts from a 3-or 4-year degree program (from an accredited institution)
- If applicable, an English Proficiency Exam score
- Two letters of reference
- Essay questions
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No. The UBC Master of Management is meant for students with limited or no formal education of business fundamentals.
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If you do not have a degree (a major nor a minor) in business but you have taken courses in business (e.g. marketing, management), your eligibility will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please email us at mm@sauder.ubc.ca with the course(s) description.
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UBC MM applications for the next year's intake will always open the August in the previous year (e.g. For those seeking entry in August 2022, the application will open August 2021). Please visit the How to Apply page for a link to the online application form, and directions on how to apply.
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A full breakdown of tuition and ancillary fees including an estimated cost of living for stay in Vancouver for the duration of the 9-month program is available on our Fees & Expenses for domestic students. International students can see the International Applicants page.
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The UBC MM is a 9-month full-time program, and runs annually from the end of August to the end of the following May. Please refer to the program calendar in the brochure for a full timeline of the UBC MM program journey.
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No. The UBC MM program is designed for students with little to no work experience. Successful applicants to the UBC MM program must have no more than two years of full-time work experience at the time of program start. If you are interested in pursuing a graduate business education at UBC in the future and have more than two years of full-time work experience, we encourage you to investigate our MBA programs.
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Yes, a valid GMAT or GRE score is a mandatory application requirement, unless you meet the waiver requirements.
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An English Proficiency Exam (see above) will be required if the official medium of instruction for your degree program was not English. Please note that in this case your transcript and/or degree certificate must indicate that the language of instruction for the entire degree was in English.
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Admissions requirements for the UBC MM program are the same for domestic and international students. If you receive a formal offer, you will have to secure a valid visa.
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As UBC MM program experts, the Student Experience Team is available to assist with all your registration and course troubleshooting issues once you’re enrolled in the program. Send an email with your inquiry to askmm@sauder.ubc.ca and a Student Experience Team representative will be in touch with you very shortly.
Scholarships, awards and financial assistance
Learn about the financial support available to Canadian and International UBC Sauder students
Learn about the financial support available to Canadian and International UBC Sauder students
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Need more information?
Our team is happy to help.