Low cost / budget MBA in Canada


Inactive User

I have first hand info on HEC as I travel to Montreal for work almost every month. In Montreal, HEC is seen as an elite institution, probably the most prestigious MBA you can get if you plan to work in Montreal (yes, it is even more prestigious than McGill for Montreal/Quebec employers). Outside Francophone Canada though, its prestige drops drastically. Concordia is a good, average school that is not as prestigious as HEC in Montreal/Quebec and also relatively unknown in other major cities like Toronto. If you are bilingual (speak both English/French) then HEC is a no-brainer choice among the 2 schools.

I have first hand info on HEC as I travel to Montreal for work almost every month. In Montreal, HEC is seen as an elite institution, probably the most prestigious MBA you can get if you plan to work in Montreal (yes, it is even more prestigious than McGill for Montreal/Quebec employers). Outside Francophone Canada though, its prestige drops drastically. Concordia is a good, average school that is not as prestigious as HEC in Montreal/Quebec and also relatively unknown in other major cities like Toronto. If you are bilingual (speak both English/French) then HEC is a no-brainer choice among the 2 schools.
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Inactive User

I think Concordia has a more hands-on immersive program that typically attracts career switchers and people with less work experience. HEC attracts people with more work experience and offers a program at a great cost.
I had (have) the hots for McGill, cannot believe that HEC is more regarded than McGill. McGill is a huge brand name thanks to their medicine, undergrad etc.

I think Concordia has a more hands-on immersive program that typically attracts career switchers and people with less work experience. HEC attracts people with more work experience and offers a program at a great cost.
I had (have) the hots for McGill, cannot believe that HEC is more regarded than McGill. McGill is a huge brand name thanks to their medicine, undergrad etc.
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Inactive User

I speak as a person with a strong network and work experience in Montreal and Quebec. I repeat - within Montreal, HEC has a more reputable MBA than McGill. That might seem shocking to a non-Quebec person, but it is the truth within the province of Quebec. It is the reason HEC is highly ranked in some rankings - purely because of HEC's reputation within the Quebec community, which is the region it serves. Outside Quebec/Montreal is where McGill is more popular. Even then, I think McGill is overrated by international rankings. Within Canada, it is seen as a good, solid school, but it is definitely not even close to an Ivy-League level school as Americans (particularly New Yorkers) mistakenly think it is.

Concordia is not even close in terms of prestige as HEC within Quebec. Outside Quebec, it doesn't matter because MBA programs in Canada are regional.

I speak as a person with a strong network and work experience in Montreal and Quebec. I repeat - within Montreal, HEC has a more reputable MBA than McGill. That might seem shocking to a non-Quebec person, but it is the truth within the province of Quebec. It is the reason HEC is highly ranked in some rankings - purely because of HEC's reputation within the Quebec community, which is the region it serves. Outside Quebec/Montreal is where McGill is more popular. Even then, I think McGill is overrated by international rankings. Within Canada, it is seen as a good, solid school, but it is definitely not even close to an Ivy-League level school as Americans (particularly New Yorkers) mistakenly think it is.

Concordia is not even close in terms of prestige as HEC within Quebec. Outside Quebec, it doesn't matter because MBA programs in Canada are regional.

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Larry

That's true. However, McGill has a very solid reputation in Canada outside of Quebec. I know many grads of the program who have gone onto work in Toronto for financial services firms and other kinds of companies.

That's true. However, McGill has a very solid reputation in Canada outside of Quebec. I know many grads of the program who have gone onto work in Toronto for financial services firms and other kinds of companies.
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Loccit

A lot to think about. I will check back if I have any more questions.

A lot to think about. I will check back if I have any more questions.
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Arjunnn

I have an offer for Concordia John Molson for the MBA starting in 2020. I've read through this thread which is making me hesitate to accept.

I am from India with work experience in the UK. Now I would like to move to Canada. I do not have a large budget.

Mainly I am having a hard time understanding if it's possible to get a job in Canada after graduating with a John Molson MBA. I do not speak French but I am open to jobs outside of Quebec. I cannot afford the MBA from McGill and living expenses in Toronto seem very high.

Please advise.

I have an offer for Concordia John Molson for the MBA starting in 2020. I've read through this thread which is making me hesitate to accept.

I am from India with work experience in the UK. Now I would like to move to Canada. I do not have a large budget.

Mainly I am having a hard time understanding if it's possible to get a job in Canada after graduating with a John Molson MBA. I do not speak French but I am open to jobs outside of Quebec. I cannot afford the MBA from McGill and living expenses in Toronto seem very high.

Please advise.
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Inactive User

I have an offer for Concordia John Molson for the MBA starting in 2020. I've read through this thread which is making me hesitate to accept.

I am from India with work experience in the UK. Now I would like to move to Canada. I do not have a large budget.

Mainly I am having a hard time understanding if it's possible to get a job in Canada after graduating with a John Molson MBA. I do not speak French but I am open to jobs outside of Quebec. I cannot afford the MBA from McGill and living expenses in Toronto seem very high.

Please advise.


What are your other options? Where else did you apply/get in?

Sure it is possible to get a job. It is possible to get a job in Canada even without an MBA - the question is how hard will it be to get that job. Also what type/level of job and what field? Are you looking for an entry-level analyst position? A manager? A director? You can then ask current international students at Concordia if you can achieve your dreams with their MBA. It might be possible, or it might not. But it won't hurt to ask them.

That's how I made my decision way back in the past. I contacted various schools' students (I asked the admissions staff for current student contact names). You will be surprised how candid they are. Unlike admissions staff, current students will spill the beans - whether positive or negative.

[quote]I have an offer for Concordia John Molson for the MBA starting in 2020. I've read through this thread which is making me hesitate to accept.

I am from India with work experience in the UK. Now I would like to move to Canada. I do not have a large budget.

Mainly I am having a hard time understanding if it's possible to get a job in Canada after graduating with a John Molson MBA. I do not speak French but I am open to jobs outside of Quebec. I cannot afford the MBA from McGill and living expenses in Toronto seem very high.

Please advise. [/quote]

What are your other options? Where else did you apply/get in?

Sure it is possible to get a job. It is possible to get a job in Canada even without an MBA - the question is how hard will it be to get that job. Also what type/level of job and what field? Are you looking for an entry-level analyst position? A manager? A director? You can then ask current international students at Concordia if you can achieve your dreams with their MBA. It might be possible, or it might not. But it won't hurt to ask them.

That's how I made my decision way back in the past. I contacted various schools' students (I asked the admissions staff for current student contact names). You will be surprised how candid they are. Unlike admissions staff, current students will spill the beans - whether positive or negative.
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