Canadian MBA in FT Ranking - Rotman & Ivey tied for No. 1

The 2011 Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Rankings highlighted the country’s excellence in business education, with five Canadian schools securing places in the top 100 full-time MBA programs globally. Among these institutions, the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario tied for the top position in Canada, ranked 46th globally.

Both Rotman and Ivey are renowned for their rigorous academic programs, their commitment to experiential learning, and their close connections with the business community. Rotman’s curriculum is designed to combine analytical rigor with creativity, providing students with the necessary tools to navigate today’s complex business environment. With an emphasis on leadership development and global business perspectives, Rotman is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top business schools. Its integration of the Toronto business ecosystem, including access to one of the largest financial hubs in North America, gives Rotman students a distinct advantage in the job market.

Similarly, the Richard Ivey School of Business has established itself as a leader in Canadian business education, with a reputation for producing highly skilled and adaptable business professionals. The school’s MBA program is known for its case-based approach to learning, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business situations. This methodology, combined with Ivey’s strong international network and focus on global leadership, has positioned the school as one of the top business schools in Canada. The fact that Ivey moved up three places from 49th in 2010 to 46th in 2011 speaks to its ongoing commitment to excellence in business education and the effectiveness of its evolving academic strategy.

A key highlight of Ivey’s 2011 ranking is its recognition for General Management. The school is ranked among the top 10 globally in this category, with its alumni consistently praising Ivey for equipping them with the broad skill set required to excel in management roles. Furthermore, Ivey stands out for its career services and placement success. For the third consecutive year, Ivey was ranked the number one Canadian business school in terms of placement success, securing its spot at 28th globally. This measure is indicative of the strength of Ivey’s career services office, which plays an essential role in supporting students’ transition from the classroom to the workforce. By maintaining strong ties with employers across Canada and around the world, Ivey continues to be a leading school for students looking to make their mark in the global business world.

The Schulich School of Business, located at York University in Toronto, also showed a strong performance in the 2011 FT Global MBA Rankings, moving up five positions to 16th in the world. Schulich is widely regarded as one of Canada’s top business schools, known for its diverse and flexible programs, which allow students to tailor their education to suit their career aspirations. The school’s focus on responsible leadership, innovation, and global business makes it particularly attractive to international students looking to pursue an MBA with a global perspective.

Schulich has long been recognized for its research output, and in the 2011 rankings, the school ranked first in Canada for research. This is a key strength that sets Schulich apart from many other business schools. With a faculty that is highly regarded for its research in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, and international business, Schulich offers students an education that is both academically rigorous and relevant to the needs of the global marketplace. The school’s focus on innovation is another factor that contributes to its reputation as a top-tier business school. Schulich encourages students to develop creative problem-solving skills and to think critically about the challenges facing businesses today.

In addition to Rotman, Ivey, and Schulich, two other Canadian schools made the FT Global MBA Rankings in 2011. The Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University and the HEC Montréal School of Business were also ranked among the top 100 global MBA programs. These institutions, while not as highly ranked as the top three, are also known for their strong academic programs, international outlook, and commitment to producing globally minded business leaders.

McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management has long been recognized as one of Canada’s leading business schools. With its location in Montreal, one of North America’s most dynamic and culturally rich cities, Desautels offers students an opportunity to experience business from a global perspective. The faculty prides itself on providing a diverse, intellectually stimulating environment where students can develop leadership skills while gaining hands-on experience through internships, consulting projects, and global study programs.

HEC Montréal, another prominent business school in Canada, is also highly regarded for its academic rigor and strong connections with the Canadian business community. The school is known for offering an MBA program that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, providing students with the tools needed to succeed in the business world. As with many of the other Canadian business schools, HEC Montréal places a strong emphasis on global business education and offers students opportunities to work with companies in Canada and around the world.

The performance of Canadian business schools in the FT Global MBA Rankings is a testament to the strength and reputation of the country’s business education system. While Rotman, Ivey, and Schulich are widely regarded as the leaders in the Canadian MBA space, the continued success of other institutions like McGill and HEC Montréal highlights the depth and diversity of Canada’s top business schools. These schools continue to attract international students, enhance their academic offerings, and maintain strong links to the business community, ensuring that Canada remains a major player in global business education.

The emphasis on international business perspectives, innovation, and leadership development is evident across all of the top Canadian business schools. This focus equips students with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Moreover, the high level of support provided by career services offices at schools like Ivey and Rotman ensures that graduates are well-positioned to secure positions with top employers around the world. This blend of academic excellence, practical experience, and strong career outcomes makes Canadian business schools some of the most attractive options for students seeking an MBA education.

The top ranked Canadian MBA programs for 2011:

Rank, Name, (Global Rank)
1 University of Toronto: Rotman (46)
1 University of Western Ontario: Ivey (46)
3 York University: Schulich (49)
4 McGill University: Desautels (57)
5 University of British Columbia: Sauder (80)