Ivey Canada
Is the Ivey Canada MBA Worth It? Only If You’re Ready to Work Fast
Have you seen the US version of Shark Tank?
Remember Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary?
Sharp. Strategic. Blunt.
He’s an Ivey grad.
That surprises a lot of people.
When Indian applicants think about Canada, most mention Rotman.
Ivey feels quieter. Less flashy.
But for the right profile, Ivey delivers more than expected.
It’s one year.
Case‑based.
Focused on outcomes.
If you are ready to move fast and smart this can work.
Let’s break it down.
No brochure talk.
No resume padding.
Just facts.
Why This Blog Exists
This is for Indian applicants in their late twenties to early thirties with 4 to 8 years of experience.
You are asking:
Can I switch industries in one year?
Will I get support for consulting or tech?
Is PR in Canada really straightforward?
What is the ROI if I pay full tuition?
Does the Ivey brand hold outside Canada?
These answers are based on direct campus experience and real conversations not forums or hearsay.
Campus Experience That Works for a One‑Year MBA
Ivey is part of Western University in London, Ontario which is two hours from Toronto by car.
The Ivey building is standalone and dedicated to MBA and undergraduate business students.
You have 24/7 access to study rooms, library, cafeterias, and gym facilities.
The campus is walkable and tightly knit. Most buildings are 2–3 minutes apart.
It feels like a focused work zone, not a lifestyle campus.
That discipline supports the intensity of a one‑year program.
First‑Hand Conversation with JD Clarke
During my visit to Ivey’s campus in London, Ontario, I had the chance to meet JD Clarke, the Executive Director of Masters Programs Recruitment and Admissions at Ivey Business School. I introduced myself during the school tour and JD took a few minutes to chat. He was welcoming, down-to-earth, and open to questions. What stood out was how he explained Ivey’s focus on leadership and the case-based method in plain, honest terms no fluff, no pitch. That small interaction told me more about the school than any brochure ever could. It confirmed that Ivey values grounded, real-world clarity not just polished profiles.
Class Profile and Program Format
Ivey’s MBA runs from March to March, with no summer breaks or built-in internships.
You must drive career prep from month one.
About 120 to 140 students enroll; 20 to 30 HBA students join later.
Your class discussions will have roughly 170 to 180 peers.
Average age: ~30.
Most students have 5 to 6 years of work experience.
35–40 percent are international many from South Asia, China, and Latin America.
Indian representation is growing.
While Canadians may take time to warm up, once they do, the peer support is strong.
Can You Really Switch Careers in One Year?
Yes, if you show up with purpose.
Otherwise, no.
If you aim to switch industry or function within Canada, Ivey can work.
If you want to change function, industry, and geography at once, you need strong prior experience and structured outreach.
There is no formal internship. Some students find remote internships, but those are self-sourced not part of the curriculum.
This means:
Begin networking from day one
Have your resume and career story ready
Know your top target companies before the program starts
If you begin prep too late, you are already behind.
Consulting, Tech, and Beyond
Consulting is Ivey’s strongest recruiting stream.
Deloitte, EY, Kearney, and sometimes Bain or BCG hire here.
Indian students often land roles in strategy and general management with salaries between 110K and 130K CAD.
Tech hiring is smaller but still present Amazon, Shopify, and Telus hire selectively.
Product roles exist, but you need previous experience and personal effort.
Operations or go-to-market roles in tech are more realistic.
For niche sectors like climate, luxury, VC, or sports, the campus support is limited.
It’s possible to break in, but requires hustling beyond placement fairs.
Case‑Based Learning: Fast, Intense, Real
Ivey’s curriculum is entirely case-based. There are no traditional lectures.
Every class is a live discussion. You must be prepared and ready to debate.
If you like high-pressure environments and thinking on your feet, this will reshape your mindset fast.
If you prefer structured theory or passive learning you may struggle here.
Ivey vs Rotman (Toronto): Which One Makes The Difference?
In a nutshell:
Rotman offers a two-year program in Toronto with a structured finance-heavy curriculum and a built-in internship cycle.
It gives you more time to explore and a larger network, but comes with higher living costs and less focus.
Ivey delivers a faster, highly focused program in London with intense case-method learning and general management emphasis.
It tightens your timeline and demands clarity but cuts living costs and delivers a shorter ROI window.
If you already have solid experience and a clear direction, Ivey is sharper.
If you want breadth and a break between work and study, Rotman might suit you better.
Admissions and Career Prep
Your admission interview is done by career coaches, not alumni or current students.
They support you through your application and then help you prepare for jobs once enrolled.
Coaches assess:
Your clarity of purpose
Fit with the Canadian job market
Evidence of impact in your resume
The GMAT score average is around 670.
Aim for 690 or higher for scholarships.
GMAT waivers are also quite common and can be granted even before you apply.
What Ivey Told Me About GMAT Scores and Scholarships
During my campus visit, the admissions team clearly mentioned that GMAT is never the only reason for rejection. If your score is low but your experience and goals are strong, they will usually encourage you to retest not reject you outright.
They also offer a pre-assessment before you even apply. You can send your resume and background, and the admissions team will let you know if you’re a good fit. It saves you time and gives you clear direction.
Also scholarships are fairly common. Many applicants receive 10 to 30 percent tuition coverage. Full scholarships are rare, but partial ones are awarded regularly based on your experience, clarity of goals, and leadership potential.
Visa, PR, and Student Support
After graduation, you get a three-year post-graduate work permit enough time to find a job and apply for PR.
Ivey provides:
Assigned immigration help
Relocation advice
Support finding housing and settling in
PR is smoother than in the US, but you still must secure full-time work fairly quickly after graduation.
Investment and ROI
Tuition costs ~90,000 CAD.
Living expenses add ~25,000 to 30,000 CAD.
Your total is around 110,000 to 120,000 CAD.
Partial scholarships (10–30 percent) are available. Full scholarships are rare.
If you land a consulting or tech role early, ROI is solid.
If placement drags or you accept lower-paying roles, payback extends to 3–4 years.
Canada is more affordable than the US, which makes post-MBA survival easier.
Alumni Network and Access
In Canada, Ivey alumni are active and responsive.
Internationally, the network exists, but it is dispersed.
Clear communication and precise asks help unlock support.
Ivey has a satellite campus in Toronto for EMBA students.
As a full-time MBA student, you’ll visit for events and networking even though your core experience is in London.
Final Take
Ivey is not a shortcut.
It is a time-bound platform designed for clarity and action.
It is not built for prestige seekers.
It is not for explorers without direction.
But if you are focused and ready to sprint this school could reset your career trajectory fast.
Ivey is not a parachute.
It is a platform.
What you build from it is up to you
FAQ: People Also Ask
What is the Ivey MBA acceptance rate?
It is around 25 to 30 percent. Competitive but accessible.
Is Ivey MBA good for consulting or tech?
Yes. Especially consulting. Deloitte, EY, and Kearney hire regularly. Tech roles exist but are fewer.
How much does Ivey MBA cost for international students?
Total cost is about 110 to 120 thousand Canadian dollars including tuition and living.
