Admissions requirements

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. 

Due to the rigorous nature of the program, it is strongly recommended that applicants have some exposure to university-level courses in topics like statistics, calculus, and linear algebra (or other courses in mathematics and statistics). Experience in computer programming, data analytics or mathematical modeling is also an asset.

Candidates with a lower academic average may be accepted if they have significant professional experience and/or a high GMAT/GRE score.

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

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. 

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.

Learn more about submitting official documents

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 330+ GRE score on combined verbal and quantitative section
• Due to the rigorous nature of the program, it is strongly recommended that applicants have some exposure to university-level courses in topics like statistics, calculus, and linear algebra (or other courses in mathematics and statistics). Experience in computer programming, data analytics or mathematical modeling is also an asset.

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.

Waiver eligibility (August 2022 Entry)

GMAT/GRE waivers are available for international applicants until Tuesday, January 11^th 2022 and for domestic applicants (Canadians & Permanent Residents) until Tuesday, April 12th 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 and at least four quantitative courses with a minimum academic average of B+ or equivalent
• A UBC bachelor’s or master’s degree with a minimum academic average in the B+ range (76% at UBC) and at least four quantitative courses with a minimum academic average of B+ or equivalent
• 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.

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 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 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 last two years. Forward results to us at mban@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

Requirements

There is no minimum work experience requirement for entry into the UBC MBAN.

• Two references are required for all UBC MBAN applicants. References can be academic or professional. Please note that professional references are preferred for candidates with work experience. You will provide their contact information in the application portal and we will contact them by email. No personal references will be accepted.

For a competitive edge

• Due to the rigorous nature of the program, it is strongly recommended that applicants have some exposure to university-level courses in topics like statistics, calculus, and linear algebra (or other courses in mathematics and statistics). Experience in computer programming, data analytics or mathematical modeling is also an asset.
• If you have work experience, two current references (a referee you have worked with in the last 2-3 years) will be required. You will provide their contact information in the application portal and we will contact them by email. No personal references will be 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.

We assess your managerial and leadership potential, maturity, ambition and drive, through your essay questions, resume, professional references and interview.

Requirements

The fast pace of the UBC MBAN 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.

BCOM Pathway to MBAN

For UBC BCOM students who are passionate about growing their skill in data analysis with the UBC Master of Business Analytics (MBAN), we have compiled a list of courses you can take as electives* during your 3rd and 4th year that will not only prepare you for this Master’s, but also demonstrate your interest and passion on your application.

_{*Please note, that completion of these courses does not guarantee your admittance into the program. Please see our admission’s requirements for the full details on how to apply.}

BA Pathway to MBAN

For UBC Bachelor of Arts students who are passionate about growing their skill in data analysis with the UBC Master of Business Analytics (MBAN), we have compiled a list of courses you can take as electives* during your 3rd and 4th year that will not only prepare you for this Master’s, but also demonstrate your interest and passion on your application.

_{*Please note, that completion of these courses does not guarantee your admittance into the program. Please see our admission’s requirements for the full details on how to apply.}