Admissions

Deadlines

The MScB program has its own deadlines as below, which differ from those on the ‘How to Apply’ page of the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. (All deadlines are midnight of the specified dates based on Atlantic Time, whether weekdays or weekend).

Application deadlines for all applicants

• January 6: completion of online application (with application fee paid), all supporting documents including academic transcripts, statement of research interest, CV, English proficiency test (if required), GMAT or GRE (only necessary if applying for entrance scholarships) and two reference letters are due at our program office.

January 6, 2025 (midnight Halifax time) is the firm deadline for your completion of the Dal MScB application. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required documents have been received at our program office by the January 6 deadline. If the office does not receive them by this date, your application may not be reviewed, and the application fee will not be refunded.

Deadlines for Harmonized and CGS-M scholarships

Recommended deadline for applicants to send their complete FGS Master’s scholarship application drafts (Harmonized or CGS-M) with all supporting documents) to their potential research supervisor(s):

• November 1 of the year before the first enrolled semester.
• This is not the application deadline for the MScB program. However, since the deadlines for CGS-M and Harmonized scholarships are early-December and mid-January, respectively, applicants who are eligible (minimum GPA of 3.7/4.3) and wish to apply for these scholarships should submit their complete application form (with all supporting documents) to their potential supervisor(s) by November 1 to allow time for feedback.
• Please note that submitted applications for CGS-M and Harmonized scholarships do not guarantee admission to the MScB program. Assessment for the scholarships is separate from the admission process. However, CGS-M or Harmonized scholarships will be significant assets for your admission to the MScB program.

Required documents

Candidates must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies:

• Your academic transcripts showing a 4-year bachelor's degree from a university of recognized standing with minimum GPA of 3.0 (B average) in the last 60 credit hours of study. If you wish to be considered for any entrance scholarship, a minimum GPA of 3.7 (out of 4.3) is recommended.
• Two academic letters of reference.
• A Statement of Research Interests form: You are required to identify (a) potential research supervisor(s) in your application and briefly explain why you would like to work with the selected faculty member(s). You do not need to receive faculty member’s approval to include their names in your statement.
• Your CV (maximum of 2 pages).
• Results of English language proficiency scores (if required). The Faculty of Graduate Studies accepts a wide range of ESL tests. To find the minimum English test requirements, visit FGS English Language Requirements.

How to apply

You must follow these three steps to make sure your application is complete:

1. Apply online here (https://dalonline.dal.ca/PROD/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon). Be sure to pay the application fee; we will not be able to process your application without it. Following submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation number and/or Banner number. Please save this information for your records. It may take a few days until you receive your Banner number. Ensure you provide your Banner number in the subject line whenever you send us an email.

2. We strongly recommend you submit all the required documents in one email (transcripts, statement of research interests form, your CV, results of English test). In the subject line of your email, be sure to put your application confirmation number and/or Banner number. We do not require the official documents to be mailed to our office at this time. If your application is recommended for admission, we may then ask you to submit the official documents.

Results of a GMAT or GRE are optional, but those who wish to be considered for an entrance scholarship must submit a GMAT or GRE score.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in Business or Commerce, Economics, Applied Statistics, Communication and Media Studies, Computer Science, Data and Information Science, Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction Studies, Information Management or Information Studies, Psychology, Technology Management or related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

3. Arrange for reference letters. Two letters of reference are required for admission to a graduate degree program. These letters are normally required to be from academics familiar with your work but may be replaced with relevant professional references based on the following schedule:

• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree within the past three years: two academic references.
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree three to five years ago: a) one academic reference and one relevant professional reference, or b) two academic references.
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree more than five years ago: a) two relevant professional references, or b) one academic reference and one relevant professional reference, or c) two academic references.

You must enter the university email address of your academic referee in your online application. Once your application has been submitted, your academic referee will receive an email within one week requesting that they submit their reference letter online. This is the preferred way to receive references. If your referees are unable to submit through that system or you would like to submit a professional reference, we can accept letters through MScB@dal.ca. These letters must come from their institutional or company email address (no Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail addresses) and be written on official letterhead or use Dalhousie Confidential Reference Letter. Ensure your referees provide your Banner number in the subject line when they email their letter. If reference letters are emailed, please make sure they are not password protected and are submitted in PDF format. Please note that we are unable to accept reference letters sent to us by the applicant. Reference letters must to be either submitted via the online application or emailed by the referees.

Other important information

• Admission is for September only. We do not admit students for the winter or spring semesters.
• Our review begins only after the application is complete with the application fee paid and all supporting documents have arrived at our office.
• Some applicants will be contacted for a short interview (via video conferencing or on the phone) with a faculty member before the final decision for admission is made.
• Contacting and receiving a response from the potential supervisor(s) does not guarantee acceptance of your admission. The decision on admission to our program will be based on your completed application with all supporting documents (academic transcript(s), statement of research interest, recommendation letters, GMAT or GRE scores if submitted, and English language proficiency scores if required and submitted).
   

FAQs

About our program

What is the goal of the MSc in Business program?

The Master of Science in Business at Dalhousie's Faculty of Management is a rigorous 16-month program that provides you with enhanced opportunities to boost your career in industry with strong expertise development or to enter a top-ranked PhD program.

Is this a research-based program?

Yes. It is intended for those interested in rigorous research training in their chosen field. Students are required to take at least 6 courses and conduct a thesis to complete this program.

What is the program format?

The first two semesters comprise coursework. In the third term, you must choose a research topic to meet the thesis requirement and start working on your thesis research with the help of your thesis supervisor. In the final term, you must complete and successfully defend a publishable thesis to be considered for graduation with the degree of Master of Science in Business.

I would like to pursue my graduate studies in business, but my background is not business. Will you consider applicants from other fields?

Our program is suitable for those with a background in Business or Commerce, Economics, Applied Statistics, Communication and Media Studies, Computer Science, Data and Information Science, Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction Studies, Information Management or Information Studies, Psychology, Technology Management and related disciplines. The discipline has to be appropriate for the specialization chosen. We may consider applicants from other backgrounds; however, they might be required to take some extra courses.

Is your MSc program accredited?

Yes. We are accredited by AACSB International, which is the highest standard of achievement for business schools. AACSB-accredited schools are considered to be the best in the world. Their programs have met rigorous standards for quality. AACSB-accredited schools have better programs, better faculty, better students with higher overall GPAs, more international students, and more employers that recruit from them.

What are the concentrations available in the MScB program?

Currently we offer concentrations in Finance, Marketing, Management, and Management Information Systems.

What are the requirements of the MSc degree in business?

Students must take at least 6 half-credit hours of graduate-level courses in their chosen area. Following this, they are required to finish and defend their thesis.

How much does it cost to attend this program?

Dalhousie University has a fee calculator available. You can check the exact tuition fees based on your conditions at https://www.dal.ca/admissions/money_matters/tuition_payments/fee_calculator.html

What is the size of your incoming MScB class?

Our program is intentionally small to ensure each student has the opportunity for one-to-one interaction with faculty members and scholars. In each of the past two years, we had around 20 incoming students in all four concentrations together.

Do you offer scholarship/financial aid to admitted students?

A successful applicant may be offered a scholarship in the first semester on a competitive basis. Further, Canadian citizens and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply for Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships–Master's (CGS-M). Please visit the Funding and Support page for more information.

What is the length of the MSc in Business program?

The program can be finished in 16 months (four semesters including summer semester). It is expected that the majority of students will finish their program within two years.

 

Application Process

How can I submit my application and what is the deadline?

When you have all your documents ready, you may apply online and email us your supporting documents. Information on required documents and the application process is found earlier on this page.

How much is the application fee?

The application fee for our MSc program is $115. Please note that this fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of your application.

Do I need to send my official documents?

To save you money and time, for the admission processing, we accept a copy of degree(s) and transcripts emailed to our office (no need to send the official degree at this stage). If the program recommends you for admission, we may then ask you to send us the official documents. Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation. Only an English translation will be accepted. Translations into any other languages will not be accepted.

What is the minimum GPA for admission to the MSc in Business?

You must have a 4-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university with minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (or B) in the last 60 credit hours (last two years) of your study.

I am an international applicant. Can I work if I am admitted to the program?

Information about working on a study permit is provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, not the university. Find more information by visiting Government of Canada or contacting Dalhousie International Centre.

Do I need to select an advisor when I submit my application?

No. However, it is recommended that you list 1 or 2 faculty members in your statement letter and describe why you would like to work with those people.

What is the Statement of Research Interests form?

This is your chance to tell the admission committee what unique and valuable contributions you can make. Provide a brief description of your business and educational background and explain how our program will help you achieve your goals. You might want to briefly explain your research interests and state why you have chosen Dalhousie's MSc program.

What can I expect if I am offered a place in the program?

You will receive an email with detailed information about how to accept the offer and pay a deposit to hold your place.

What are you looking for in applications?

Our admission committee evaluates each applicant based on their (potential) research skills. We have a holistic approach where we consider all your application materials to make a decision.

If I am accepted this year, can I defer my admission to next year?

Admission deferral is subject to approval by the admission committee and the University, which is made on a case-by-case basis. If you decide to defer your admission, you should email MScB@dal.ca with your deferral request.

I am admitted to a specific concentration, but would like to switch my concentration to another area. How can I request to switch my concentration?

Your admission is for a specific concentration you have applied to. If you decide to change your concentration, you are required to re-apply to our program.

 

English Language/GMAT/GRE tests

What is the minimum language requirement?

For those who have taken the IELTS test, the minimum acceptable score is 7. For the TOEFL (iBT) test, the minimum acceptable score is 92. Test scores are valid for two years from the date the test was written. For more information about other English language proficiency tests, please visit FGS English language proficiency requirements.

Do you waive the English proficiency test?

English is the language of study at Dalhousie; therefore, all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission. Currently, Dalhousie University accepts different language test results including IELTS and TOEFL. The language competency test may be waived if the applicant has completed a degree at a recognized university where the language of instruction is English AND in a country where English is one of the official languages. If this applies to you, you may send an email to MScB@dal.ca and request a waiver.

Do you require the GMAT/GRE test?

GMAT/GRE is not required for admission, but is required if you would like to be considered for major scholarships.

When is the application deadline?

You must apply online and submit all the required documents by January 6 to be considered for admission. We strongly recommend that you apply before January 6 as you may need time to submit your supporting materials.

 

Reference Letters

How many reference letters do I need to apply to the MSc in Business?

Two letters of reference are required for admission into a graduate degree program. These letters are normally required to be from academics familiar with your work but may be replaced with relevant professional references for some course-based professional master's programs. If you are accepted, professional references can be submitted according to the following schedule:

1. For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree within the past three years: two academic references.
2. For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree three to five years ago: a) one academic reference and one relevant professional reference, or b) two academic references.
3. For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree more than five years ago: a) two relevant professional references, or b) one academic reference and one relevant professional reference, or c) two academic references.

I need to update my list of references. How this can be done?

If you made an error in the submission of an email address or would like to change your references, please contact eref@dal.ca with the information (full name, email address and institution name of your new reference). Please make sure to include your Banner number in the subject line when you email us.

How should my reference letters be submitted?

You must enter the university email address of your academic referee in your online application. Once your application has been submitted, your academic referee will receive an email within one week requesting that they submit their reference letter online. This is the preferred way to receive references. If your referees are unable to submit through that system or you would like to submit a professional reference, we can accept letters through MScB@dal.ca. These letters must come from their institutional or company email address (no Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail addresses) and be written on official letterhead or use Dalhousie Confidential Reference Letter. Ensure your referees provide your Banner number in the email subject line when they email their letter. If reference letters are emailed, please make sure they are not password protected and they are submitted in PDF format. Please note that we are unable to accept reference letters emailed to us by the applicant. Reference letters must be either submitted via the online application or emailed by the referees.

Can I provide more than two reference letters?

You have the option to provide a third reference letter.