Is the Full-Time UBC MBA right for you? Written by alum Martina Yuzek Riessner

As a recent graduate of the UBC MBA program, I wanted to share my experience to help others who are currently exploring whether to pursue this degree. I hope that the insights I gained during my time at the UBC Sauder School of Business can help you with your decision. 

Why pursue an MBA?

You want a career change or pivot. An MBA is one of the few graduate programs that allows you to expand your knowledge across many different disciplines, rather than focusing on one specialization. You will take courses in marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, operations, economics, sustainability, and many more, giving you a unique opportunity to explore new career options. 

You aspire to take on more managerial responsibilities. If you're looking to shift your career trajectory to a leadership position, an MBA is a good option. The UBC Sauder program covers a broad range of business topics while helping students develop strategic thinking, leadership, and decision-making skills. Furthermore, having an MBA sends a signal to current and prospective employers that you have the skills required for leadership roles.

You are motivated to take responsibility for your own career progression. While universities provide resources, seminars, job postings and experienced career advisors, it’s ultimately up to you to leverage the MBA program and advance your career. Before you invest in an MBA, make sure that you are ready to put in the work and make the most of the opportunities that the program provides.

A full-time UBC MBA may be a good option for you if:

You are looking for a high-caliber, well-regarded MBA program. UBC Sauder is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in Canada. I found the professors effective because most had practical industry experience, not just a sole focus on research and academia. The curriculum incorporated multiple real-world consulting projects, including a case study that concluded with a presentation to lululemon, a Vancouver-based athletic apparel brand. 

You are excited about studying abroad. As part of the UBC MBA program, students spend two weeks abroad as part of a consulting project through a partner university. In 2023, we got to choose between studying in Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Santiago or Madrid, which was the highlight of my MBA! Students also have the option to do one week abroad through the GNAM program, or to go on exchange for up to four months. I chose to do an exchange at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City for the last few months of the program.

You see the benefits of doing an internship. UBC Sauder has an internal website for co-op job postings, and you will be assigned a career advisor to help you explore career options and polish your resume. A paid internship is a great opportunity to try something new before committing to a full-time job after graduation. Like many other students, I accepted a full-time offer from the company where I did my internship. As an alternative to an internship, you can also choose to focus on a start-up or research project. 

You are ready for a challenge. The full-time MBA at UBC Sauder is an accelerated 16-month program, equivalent to a two-year program at other universities. This makes for a heavy workload, especially during the first 8 months. You will have no choice but to develop time management skills when you are bombarded with information and deadlines. By the end of the program, I promise that you will be more efficient and organized than ever before.

You are interested in exploring creative ideas and innovative technology. Topics such as business ethics, artificial intelligence, and climate change solutions are woven throughout many class discussions. UBC Sauder also provides an opportunity to explore entrepreneurial ideas or even launch a start-up, including a Technical Entrepreneurship course, the Creative Destruction Lab and the Hatch accelerator.

You want to strengthen your network in Vancouver. If you know where you want to end up after graduating, I recommend choosing a program close to that geographic region. Although an MBA will help you to connect with people from around the world, your new network will be focused in the city/country that you study in.

You are excited to be part of a diverse international cohort. Because so many UBC Sauder students are new to Vancouver (and Canada), most are excited to make friends and explore the city. Students come from many different professional backgrounds including hospitality, fashion/arts, engineering, consulting, and finance. There was a supportive and collaborative culture within my cohort; prior to final exams, some students hosted study sessions to tutor their classmates in their area of expertise, such as accounting and economics. 

You don't want to take the GMAT. You can apply for a GMAT exemption if you meet certain requirements. You are looking for a (comparatively) less expensive MBA program. Although the UBC MBA costs a staggering $53,000 for domestic students and $99,000 for international students (2024 intake), this is still more affordable than comparable top-ranked programs in other Canadian provinces due to the regulations on university tuition in British Columbia. 

A full-time MBA at UBC may not be the right choice for you if:

You have significant work experience and/or plan to stay with your current employer. If your goal is career growth within your current company or you have 10+ years of experience, you may want to consider the UBC part-time professional MBA. Your current employer may also be willing to cover part of the tuition.
You are looking for a program that will fit around your busy schedule. The full-time MBA has a rigorous schedule and class attendance is mandatory. The program was much more regimented than my undergraduate degree program or my previous job. 

You want a networking opportunity, not an academic challenge. A common misconception that I found online prior to starting the program is the idea that an MBA offers a light workload and is focused primarily on networking. While expanding your network is undoubtedly one of the benefits of the MBA, don’t underestimate the academic workload.

You prefer flying solo. The UBC MBA has a heavy focus on collaboration and groupwork, which can be both challenging and rewarding. Sometimes you'll find yourself in a "dream team" where everyone is effortlessly collaborating and sharing the same vision, while at other times you will face differing opinions and may need to navigate conflict resolution.

You have low grades in your previous degree, minimal work experience and/or a low GMAT score. Admission into UBC Sauder is competitive. I encourage you to apply to a variety of universities to ensure that you have backup options. 

You would struggle financially to complete the program. An MBA is an expensive degree, regardless of which school you study at. In addition to tuition, you are responsible for additional expenses such as flights and accommodations for the two-week consulting project abroad. You can reach out to UBC Sauder if you are concerned about your financial situation, as many students receive entrance scholarships to help cover part of the tuition.