I have read that their imba has about 3000 students and takes in a lot of students who are not that good academically, hence the courses are watered down. Is it true? Do you think that the iMSM will be the same? Will employers view it favourably? Will it be good for a transition to analyst level roles at the big 4, etc?

I don't think a master in management is the best way to get an analyst role 

I'd say for analyst role, an MSc in Analytics like the one from Georgiatech and edX sounds like a good fit. 

The Imba is not watered down. Just compare it to to Maryland core, for example.

I don't think a master in management is the best way to get an analyst role 

I'd say for analyst role, an MSc in Analytics like the one from Georgiatech and edX sounds like a good fit. 

The Imba is not watered down. Just compare it to to Maryland core, for example.

Do you have a specific goal? I guess most firms are bigger. 

Do you have a specific goal? I guess most firms are bigger. 

You don't have a country in mind? 

You don't have a country in mind? 

Then go study in Canada, surely? 

Then go study in Canada, surely? 

[Edited by Rett on Aug 23, 2020]

An on-campus program at a Canadian college in any topic will be more helpful for your migration there and any online degree. 

If Canada is your goal and you can afford both the iMSM + a college certificate, why not just go do the full-time MBA at Memorial University Newfoundland.  It's AACSB accredited and tuition is just C$12,905 or US$9,776 (total program cost) for international students?   The parent university (Memorial) may not be as prestigious as UIUC, but it is a legit and respected university in Canada.  They have many alumni (albeit undergraduate alumni) in big cities like Toronto.  I feel like you have significantly better odds of a long-term career in Canada doing the Memorial U route instead of an online iMSM, which will benefit you if you already have a career in Canada and just looking to upgrade.  

I think that is very good advice. That tuition is amazingly low. 

If Canada is your goal and you can afford both the iMSM + a college certificate, why not just go do the full-time MBA at Memorial University Newfoundland.  It's AACSB accredited and tuition is just C$12,905 or US$9,776 (total program cost) for international students?   The parent university (Memorial) may not be as prestigious as UIUC, but it is a legit and respected university in Canada.  They have many alumni (albeit undergraduate alumni) in big cities like Toronto.  I feel like you have significantly better odds of a long-term career in Canada doing the Memorial U route instead of an online iMSM, which will benefit you if you already have a career in Canada and just looking to upgrade.  

There are many routes in life that lead to the same goals.  What I feel is you are trying to spread your risk or cover too many bases all at once (college vs MBA, UK vs Canada vs US vs etc.).  Perhaps it is a result of your bad experience in the UK in terms of career prospects?  I don't know.  


Let me make an analogy.  Canada is as different from the UK and US as India is from Iran and Pakistan.  If your goal is to find a job in India, the focused route is to study in India, and not in Iran or Pakistan.  However, there is nothing stopping you from studying in Iran then moving to India - but your odds are probably better if you had studied in India.   Why? Well because people in India are familiar with Indian institutions and not as familiar with Pakistan institutions.   Also, the HR people in India are primarily Indian graduates who are familiar with their caliber - taking on a Iran/Pakistan graduate constitutes a risk on their part.  

I am not a career counselor, but I do know having a focused approach works more often than not.  That is why you see many top MBA applicants going "MBB consulting or bust" or "M7 or bust".  It's because of their focus.  They want one thing and will stop at nothing to achieve it.   



It is rare to have the same person considering multiple locations/careers all at once.  It's not bad, but perhaps there is a more optimal approach.  I think most consultants on this forum like Duncan are better suited to help with career focus and goals, but I agree with them that focus is essential to any career.  

Best of luck.  I hope you achieve your goals.  


P.S. Within Canada, more people will have heard of/know a graduate/and respect Memorial U vs UIUC.  And it will be way more respected than a college diploma (which is considered below bachelor level and results in close-to-minimum wage employment).  You are right that in your home country, that might not be the case, but is that your goal - to work in your home country?   

The other thing to mention is visa status. It's much easier to find work in Canada when you have a degree taught in Canada because it's much easier to get a visa. 

The other thing to mention is visa status. It's much easier to find work in Canada when you have a degree taught in Canada because it's much easier to get a visa. 

If Canada is your goal and you can afford both the iMSM + a college certificate, why not just go do the full-time MBA at Memorial University Newfoundland.  It's AACSB accredited and tuition is just C$12,905 or US$9,776 (total program cost) for international students?   The parent university (Memorial) may not be as prestigious as UIUC, but it is a legit and respected university in Canada.  They have many alumni (albeit undergraduate alumni) in big cities like Toronto.  I feel like you have significantly better odds of a long-term career in Canada doing the Memorial U route instead of an online iMSM, which will benefit you if you already have a career in Canada and just looking to upgrade.  

[Edited by Rett on Aug 26, 2020]

Memorial has the lowest tuition among AACSB-accredited schools in Canada.  I don't know much about their MBA program, but do know that their undergraduate programs and parent university are known across Canada and they have a lot of alumni here in Toronto.  Regarding your other questions about Memorial's MBA, my suggestion is to talk to current students or graduates of the program - ask their MBA office for contact names, etc.  Then compare their answers with those from diploma program graduates.  Lastly, the diploma programs in Ontario have higher international tuition than Memorial's MBA, so you would technically be saving money by going the Memorial route.  That and the advantage of the 3 year work permit given to masters grads, as Duncan has pointed out.    


This will give you an idea where Memorial U. stacks up in terms of parent university reputation in the minds of Canadian faculty and business people.  

https://www.macleans.ca/education/canadas-top-school-by-reputation-2020/