Why UBC Sauder is the top business program in Canada
The UBC Sauder School of Business consistently ranks as one of the top business programs in Canada, according to Maclean’s Magazine. The school is also highly ranked on a global basis. We asked students, faculty and alumni to share the top five qualities that contribute to UBC Sauder’s world-class educational experience.
Leading the way in climate and sustainable business education
UBC Sauder recognizes that business has a critical role to play in developing solutions to address climate change. Climate and sustainability courses are offered across all degree programs and full-time MBA students have the option of pursuing a Climate Career Track specialization. Students also gain practical experience through innovative programming offered at UBC Sauder’s Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS).
"Through our Climate Labs such as the SME Climate Clinic and LCA Clinic for SMEs, we are connecting students with real business problems, enabling them to apply their business skills to create tangible climate impact,” says CCBS Executive Director Kookai Chaimahawong.
UBC MBA student Zolzaya Jargalsaikhan is pursuing the Climate Career Track and spending the summer working as a consultant at the CCBS, researching sustainable mining innovations and investments. After graduation, she wants to manage investments with positive environmental impacts.
“When choosing an MBA program, I prioritized two key factors: a school's commitment to net-zero and climate action, and a robust curriculum on climate change and sustainability,” says Jargalsaikhan. “Here, I'm taking exactly the courses I envisioned—climate economics, sustainability and innovation, ESG accounting, climate finance, and Indigenous relations. The learning experience extends beyond the classroom. It's a truly immersive education.”
How west coast culture shapes our business school
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by forests and mountains, UBC Sauder provides a spectacular setting for studying and outdoor fun. Despite being so close to nature, the school is only a few kilometres away from downtown Vancouver, making it easy for students to attend events and build relationships in the business community. But the school’s west coast spirit encompasses much more than physical attributes.
Adam Ogniewski is a third-year UBC Sauder Bachelor of Commerce student from Montreal, and co-host of a podcast series called Quoting Life.
“I was looking for a challenge and I couldn’t think of a better place than Vancouver to start my journey. On my very first day, my accounting professor, Jeff Kroeker, told me that being in class is only 10 percent of the experience. The west coast is the headquarters of coffee chatting and what eventually led me to starting a podcast. From the plethora of networking sessions downtown, to friends you meet on hikes, and the breathtaking walks that allow me to ponder my thoughts, the west coast spirit takes you to new heights.”
Breaking boundaries with innovative business practices
Learning how to think creatively and drive innovation underpins all learning at UBC Sauder. Students are encouraged to leverage their intellectual curiosity to create business solutions that benefit human health, the environment and society as a whole. Those interested in entrepreneurship can gain real-world experience through courses, clubs and venture-building programs such as CDL-Vancouver.
UBC MBA (’23) alum Maria Tinoco is the Corporate Business Development Manager at ChopValue, a circular economy startup that transforms single-use chopsticks into stylish furniture and accessories.
“One of the highlights of my time at UBC Sauder was the Tech Entrepreneurship course,” says Tinoco. “I gained real-world experience and valuable insights into building a founding team, identifying business opportunities, developing innovative tech-based solutions, and creating a successful go-to-market strategy. Despite the challenges, it was one of the most remarkable experiences of my MBA.”
A gateway for global business success
Students have numerous opportunities throughout their degree programs to study abroad at partner universities. UBC Sauder is the only Canadian school in the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM), a collaboration of 32 business schools located around the world. This association paves the way for graduate students to take courses at prestigious universities where they gain international business skills and expand their professional networks. Many students go on to build successful global careers - as evidenced by the school’s alumni community which spans 100 countries.
Felix Cheu is a Professional MBA student based in Vancouver who has leveraged the GNAM opportunity to take courses in Berlin, Germany and Oxford, England.
“Both courses allowed me to connect with a diverse group of students who brought a wealth of knowledge and localized insights to class and provided me with a global perspective on the subjects,” says Cheu. “The professors were highly esteemed in their fields and they delivered lectures with experiential components, making the learning really enjoyable.”
Proven excellence: UBC Sauder’s top spot in business school rankings
UBC Sauder ranks among the best schools in the world for its degree and non-degree programs. In addition to being ranked the top business program in Canada by Maclean’s Magazine for the last seven years, the school was ranked 16th in the world in 2023 for its Full-time MBA program, according to Corporate Knights. It was also ranked 4th in the world for sustainability in 2024 by QS World University Rankings.
Kiana Pomponio lives in Victoria, B.C. but was determined to take her Professional MBA at UBC Sauder, even if it meant having to commute to her weekend classes.
“UBC Sauder’s reputation and rankings were definitely factors in my decision to apply. Three of my work colleagues are alumni and their experiences and insights convinced me that UBC Sauder was the perfect choice for me,” explains Pomponio. “My program has more than lived up to my expectations. I’ve learned so much from my professors, but it’s my classmates who are my true inspiration. We’re all here to advance our careers and they motivate me to work hard and challenge myself.”