Eligibility and Admissions
You cannot defer acceptance. The offer is only valid for the term indicated in your offer of admission.
In exceptional circumstances, you can contact the program’s manager of business development and strategic recruitment.
No. During the application process, you will complete our two-hour business case study analysis.
You may be asked to complete the GMAT to strengthen your application if you do not have an undergraduate degree or if you are near the minimum years of work experience.
Yes, you can apply to the Telfer Executive MBA without a business degree.
Our cohorts have diverse experiences and a broad range of educational backgrounds, including engineering, medicine, law, political science, arts and science, as well as varying levels of education, from college diplomas to PhDs and MDs.
Yes, we admit applicants without an undergraduate degree.
The application assessment takes a holistic approach. In the absence of a degree, your consideration for admission is based on substantial managerial or professional training, and significant work experience demonstrating consistent career progression.
You need a minimum of five years full-time managerial or professional work experience. We give preference to those who have greater work experience, particularly when there’s evidence of management responsibilities and a net career progression. A typical Executive MBA cohort averages 15 years of full-time work experience.
Our application fee is $190 CAD due when you complete your application form online.
All applicants must have a minimum of five years of full-time work experience, a bachelor’s degree or substantial managerial and professional training, and proof of English proficiency (for international applicants).
Learn more about the Executive MBA admission requirements.
You will need to submit an online application, as well as upload your resumé or CV, letter of intent, all postsecondary transcripts, the contact information of two references and a letter from your current employer.
On request, you’ll need submit the results from one of the University of Ottawa-approved language proficiency tests, if English is not your first language.
Follow our step-by-step guide for further information on our application process.
We offer the MBA in three formats: Executive MBA, Intensive MBA and Professional MBA (offered in English and in French). These programs differ in methodology, language of instruction, structure and schedule.
Our Executive MBA program is ideal for senior and mid-career executives. Candidates in our program have an average of 15 years’ work experience, with a minimum requirement of five years. It is a highly interactive and experiential program in which you immediately apply what you have learned through six consulting projects integrated into the curriculum.
The program also has an international focus in that two of these projects are completed outside of Canada. The objective is to develop the strong strategic thinking skills and broad global awareness needed for executive management. As an Executive MBA graduate, you will receive a specific distinction on your transcript: Masters of Business Administration (MBA) — Executive.
The Intensive and Professional MBAs are designed for working professionals and require a minimum of three years’ work experience. This degree is for professionals who would like to balance growing their management competencies while moving forward in their career.
We consider applications on a rolling basis. We review applications and provide decisions as they are received.
We recommend that Canadian citizens, permanent residents and American citizens apply by June 30.
If you are an international applicant and intend to relocate to Ottawa, we recommend that you apply by May 31 to secure your study permit and plan for your relocation.
We encourage you to submit your application early as the class may fill up before the deadlines.
Your references should come from people who can speak to your management abilities and your strengths.
