Admission

You need a Canadian bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent credential from a school outside Canada, with a minimum average of B (70%). The admission average is calculated in accordance with the guidelines for graduate studies (20 most recent university courses). We consider all post-secondary studies during admission, with your most recent studies considered first

At least three years’ full-time work experience is required. In general, preference is given to applicants who have more work experience, particularly when there’s evidence of career progression. If you have over five years of full-time managerial experience in health care, consider the online Executive MHA program.

You must have a minimum score of 75% in the required Harvard modules:

• International applicants: Harvard Mathematics for Management and Harvard Management Communication online modules
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents and American applicants: Harvard Mathematics for Management online module
• If you’ve completed an undergraduate or master’s degree at uOttawa or another Canadian university with an average of 75% (B+) or above (calculated using your 20 most recent university courses) at the time of application, you won’t need to pass the Harvard math module.
• If you have valid competitive GMAT or GRE test results, you can submit an official test report in lieu of the Harvard modules.

Harvard Mathematics for Management online module — Available August 8, 2025–August 30, 2026

Duration: 14 hours

Cost: US$45

Learning objective: Review the key math concepts that you should be familiar with to solve quantitative problems in the MBA and MHA curriculum. As a secondary objective, explore the Microsoft Excel functions and formulas that can help you apply these math concepts.

Harvard Management Communication online module — Available August 8, 2025–August 30, 2026

Duration: 20 hours

Cost: US$55

Learning objective: Get the skills and guided practice you need to master fundamental concepts in business communication, including planning, writing and presenting. Learn how to manage and lead more effectively by organizing and executing successful business communication strategies.

GMAT

An overall score within at least the 50th percentile is required, with scores within at least the 45th percentile in the verbal and quantitative sections.

• Learn more on the GMAT
• GMAT Study Guide

GRE

You need a minimum overall score of 310, with scores within at least the 45th percentile in verbal reasoning and the 40th percentile in quantitative reasoning.

Note: We will not accept GRE Subject Tests.

• Learn more on the GRE
• GRE Study Guide
• Try the GRE Mini Quiz now

GMAT and GRE practice tools

Kaplan: test preparation and admissions

• GMAT or GRE? What’s the difference?
• GMAT Score Predictor
• GRE Score Predictor
• Free online GMAT practice test and review
• Free online GRE practice test and review
• Veritas Prep — GMAT
• Richardson Prep Center

 

You must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English. If your first language isn’t English, you must submit one of the following:

• a score of at least 100 (for the internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• a score of at least 7 in three of the four International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic exams (Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking) and at least 6 in the fourth (the Telfer School of Management can’t accept IELTS General Training test results)
• a score of at least 68 on the Pearson Test of English — Academic (PTE Academic)

Exceptionally, you might be considered for a language test waiver if you provide one of the following:

• proof of completion of a previous degree program at an English-language university within the past five years
• proof of recent prolonged residence, and practice of a profession, in an English-speaking country (normally at least four years out of the past six)

A member of the Admissions Committee might contact you for an interview. The interview will seek to explore your background in a team-based working environment, your objectives for pursuing an MHA and your ability to communicate effectively.

Complete the OUAC online application form. Your application will be submitted once you pay the non-refundable application fee. You’ll receive your uoAccess ID and password by email in three to five days. These will allow you to log into the uoZone student portal to upload your documents.

Prepare the following documents for your application:

• Curriculum vitae (resumé): Outline your managerial and professional experience, as well as any relevant volunteer work.
• Letter of intent: State your reasons for pursuing a graduate program and how you would contribute to the program, given your background and experience. This letter should be at least 500 words long.
• Admission test scores: A copy of your successful completion certificates from the Harvard modules or your admission test scores (GMAT or GRE).
  • Harvard module certificates are valid for two years.
  • GMAT or GRE scores are valid for five years.
  • GMAT institution code: 4BZ-76-78
• Transcripts: Upload one transcript from each post-secondary institution you’ve attended. Our office will request any transcripts from uOttawa on your behalf.
  • If you’ve completed your studies in China, you must submit official translations (transcripts and diplomas) certified by the Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSSD). They must be sent directly to our institution.
  • Transcripts from non-Canadian or non-American institutions should include the grading scale (often found on the bottom or back of the transcript). If the grading scale isn’t on the document itself, you’ll need to get it from the institution and include it with your transcript.
  • If the transcript isn’t in English or French, you must submit a certified translation.
• Official language proficiency test scores: You need to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic test scores, if applicable. To be valid, the test score must be no more than two years old at the time of application. To speed up the evaluation process, upload a copy of your language test report. Ask an officer from ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS to send the results electronically to the Telfer Graduate Student Services Centre.
  • The TOEFL institutional code is 0993.

When you’ve filled out all sections of the online application, you can submit it. If you forgot to fill out any mandatory sections, you’ll be redirected to the error/warning section. Review these notifications. Once you’ve reviewed and addressed them, you can submit your application and pay the application fee.

To submit your application to Telfer, you’ll need to pay the non-refundable fee. Application fees can’t be waived.

You’ll receive an email from uOttawa within 10 days of your online submission. It will contain your student number, uoAccess ID and password to access the uoZone student portal. If you haven’t received this email, check your OUAC account to ensure that you’ve successfully submitted your application.

Once you’ve received your uOttawa login credentials, sign into uoZone. There, you’ll be able to submit the required documents to complete your application.

Once you’ve logged in, go to the Applications tab and select the uoDoc: Upload Admissions Documents application. From there, you’ll be able to upload your documents.

Add contact information for at least two referees in uoZone. Your referees will receive an email from uOttawa with a link to a recommendation form that they can submit virtually.