MMA Frequently Asked Questions

The MMA is a full-time 45-credit program that is completed over the course of one year. However, students may choose to follow the internship option, which will allow them to return for a 5th term to complete their required credits.

All MMA students enter the program following the 1-year (no internship) option. Students may choose to do an internship in their second summer term, which will allow them to return for a 5th term to complete their required credits (1.5 Year). Students who wish to participate in the internship option have until the end of the Winter term (third term of the program) to secure an internship and receive approval by the MMA program.

The program does not find internships on behalf of students. If a student chooses the internship option, they are responsible for searching for roles and securing their own internship position.

All MMA students enter the program following the 1-year (no internship) option. Students who wish to participate in the internship option have until the end of the Winter term (third term of the program) to secure an internship and receive approval by the MMA program.

The MMA program is only offered as a full-time study program.

The program is rigorous and intensive; therefore, we do not recommend students work while completing it.

The MMA aims to bridge the ever-consuming gap between business leaders and technical leaders. We have designed this program to pull the best features from pure strategy programs like an MBA, and a pure development program like the MSc in Data Science. Technically strong students get to learn the true business acumen required to succeed in the market, and strategically strong students get to learn the 'Need-to-know' technologies and skills to gain the respect and expertise required to be extremely valuable to organizations around the globe.

1. As a baseline, students will require strong general mathematical aptitude to handle the quantitative rigor of the program.

2. On the technical side, students are expected to have some knowledge/familiarity in problem solving tools/technology. For example, strong familiarity with Excel/VBA is considered good background for underlying skills needed. Any exposure to programming languages like R and Python are an asset, although not a requirement.

Yes, you are still eligible to apply for admission even though prior work experience is not a requirement for the MMA program.

Read the application requirements and admission process for details. The Admissions Committee will review completed applications after each deadline. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview and will be notified via the Graduate Admissions System (Summer admission) and by email as to the time and date. Applicants who are offered acceptance will have two weeks from the time of offer to accept and secure a place in the MMA program.

For admission to graduate programs at McGill, the minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies.

All applicants—except those with a graduate or undergraduate degree from any Canadian or US University—must complete the GMAT or GRE. We accept both scores. No other exceptions or waivers will be granted. When registering for a test, request the results be sent directly to McGill University: GMAT Institution Code: 58H-MN-80, GRE Institution Code: 0935

There is no minimum score required. The Admissions Committee will evaluate the complete application and take into account all application requirements.

No. Only those applicants with a graduate or undergraduate degree from any Canadian or US University are exempt from completing the GMAT or GRE. No other exceptions or waivers will be granted.

For applicants whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed their degree in an English speaking country, the TOEFL or IELTS is required. For the TOEFL the McGill Institution code 0935. For IELTS, please request that the scores are submitted electronically to McGill University via the IELTS Results Service. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for details on McGill minimum English requirements and to determine if you may be exempt from taking a proficiency test.

We recommend you obtain references from individuals who know your strengths and competencies. These references may be academic or professional ones, but you should include at least one academic reference letter. Upon providing the names and institutional email addresses of your references, McGill will automatically contact them and invite them to upload references via the Graduate Admissions System.

After a preliminary review of completed applications, only selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Our office will notify them via the Graduate Admissions System and by e-mail as to a time and date. Interviews are conducted via Zoom.

Once an application is complete, applicants can expect to receive a response within 6-8 weeks of the application deadlines. Note that this timeline may vary.

Accepted applicants will have 2 weeks to accept the offer and pay the non-refundable deposit of C$4,000. For details, read the Tuition & Financial page.

Deferring admission for one year may be considered in exceptional cases upon evidence of extenuating circumstances. Only deferral requests from applicants who have accepted an offer of admission and have paid the non-refundable deposit ($4,000) are evaluated, with no guarantee that they will be approved. A written request should be submitted to the MMA office at mma [at] mcgill.ca.

The program starts once a year (Summer term). In 2022, the program began on July 18, 2022 and is planned to end on August 31, 2023. Summer 2023 start dates will be posted in the winter 2023.

Our student body is very diverse. The MMA is designed for recent graduates with a Bachelor of Commerce, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Arts or Science degree and with proven quantitative skills. The program is best suited to students who have graduated in a related discipline, who have technical skills, and who are interested in studying analytics from a business or management perspective. The program also caters to individuals with an undergraduate degree in any discipline, who want to be part of the digital and technological wave, and who have a strong interest in the emerging field of Big Data, Analytics and AI from a strategic perspective. You can view our current class profile here.

When completing your application, please ensure you are selecting 2022-2023 Application cycle and not 2023-2024 Application cycle. The MMA program offers admissions in the summer semester only, and the Summer 2023 term is part of the 2022/23 academic year.

In order to have your application reviewed by a particular deadline, it must be complete and include all documents, test scores, and references.

Once you pay the application fee, you will be able to upload your documents.

The non-refundable Graduate Studies application fee of CAD $129.03 must accompany each application. Applications cannot be submitted without this fee. This sum must be paid by credit card.

It is only after we receive your full application could we make any concrete assessment about your candidacy to the MMA 2023 cohort. Please review our admission requirements and credentials and grading equivalencies for international applicants. You may also find it helpful to view our current class profile.

The program tuition is C$57,600 (2023 admission). Read more about other university fees and living expenses. Note that there is a tuition waiver of $11,070 for Canadians and Permanent Residents. To accept an offer of admission, applicants must pay the non-refundable deposit of C$4,000. For further details and current fees, please refer to the Tuition & Financial page.

You must pay a deposit of C$4,000 when you accept your offer of admission. This deposit fee is non-refundable, and it will be applied towards your Summer tuition fees. Only after you have registered for courses will you be billed for the rest of your tuition fees. Tuition fees are assessed on a per credit basis, per term and billed in the month before the start of the term.

All MMA students are considered for entrance scholarships upon acceptance. If you are one of our most outstanding applicants, you may be awarded one. No additional application is needed to be considered for these awards. Selected applicants will receive information on their entrance award with their offer of admission.

The award is deposited to your student fees account in two equal installments: the first in the beginning of September and the second in the beginning of January.

Data & Analytics is what is known as a 'Horizontal' industry/function. These can be performed in all sectors of the market including (but not limited to) Consulting, Health Care, Finance, Operations, Government, Science, Technology etc. As Data Driven Decisions have become more common practice for these and other industries, the market is demanding that workers have deeper data and analytics skills for a vast range of jobs from Financial Analyst to Marketing Manager, to Lab Technician to Chief Technology Officer. For more information, please refer to our employment statistics.

Throughout the program, we will work closely with you so that you can hone your skills and pursue the path that is the best fit for you and will grant you the best chance at success.

Desautels Career Management will work with students from Day 1 to prepare them for the job market. They will provide workshops such as resume and cover letter writing, one-on-one mock interviews, and networking events among others.

International students who have completed an MMA degree may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit if they meet the eligibility criteria. The official length of the MMA program is 1 year, therefore, the PGWP may be valid for up to 1 year. Visit this International Student Services website for more details.

All accepted international students are required to secure a CAQ, a study permit and a co-op work permit prior to starting the MMA program. The Co-op work permit is required for the Analytics and Solution Consulting Practicum (BUSA 693) and for the Community Analytics Project (BUSA 649) courses. A letter of support to request the Co-op Work Permit will be provided once you accept the offer of admission. For detailed immigration information, visit the International Student Services website.