International Exchange Opportunities

It has become increasingly important for individuals and organizations to compete in the international marketplace. The most successful business leaders of tomorrow will be those who are comfortable crossing national and cultural boundaries. 

As a Full-Time or Full-Time with Co-op MBA  student, you have the unique opportunity to study abroad while earning academic credit in your third academic term.

• Why Study Abroad?

• Eligibility

• Exchange Destinations

• Career & Academic Considerations During Exchange

• Tuition, Funding & Scholarships

• Application Process

• Support During Your Exchange

• Contacts

Why Study Abroad? 

1. It’s a short window of opportunity – Experience what it’s like to live abroad and still graduate on time. 
2. Differentiate your resume – Take advantage of global course offerings, international conferences, club participation, challenging experiences. 
3. Gain transferable skills – Test your perseverance, independence, resourcefulness, problem solving, time and money management, and communication skills. 
4. Experience cultural immersion – Be more than a tourist, understand both obvious and subtle aspects of a new culture, and become part of a new international community. 
5. Learn from a global classroom – Study with peers and professors from around the world, understand global issues from a different perspective, and challenge assumptions. 
6. Learn a language – Study in your second language or pick up a new one. 
7. Take courses not offered at McMaster – Use course electives to broaden your learning.   

But don’t just take our word for it – check out what other MBA students have to say (Active MacID needed for access). 

Eligibility 

Full-time and co-op MBA students are eligible to go on exchange if:  

• You have completed your first year and are in good academic standing (this means no outstanding exams, grades or fees) 
• You will be in your third academic term (this is the only term MBA students are able to go on exchange) 
• You are registered as a full-time student while on exchange 
• You meet the requirements of your desired host school (some schools may request > 2 years of work experience) 

Exchange Destinations 

The most up-to-date list of partnerships can be viewed via the Exchange List (MBA) Spreadsheet (can be accessed via the McMaster Study Abroad website: Study abroad > McMaster exchange Program > Partnerships and Pathways à Exchange List (MBA)).

You will need to make sure the partner institution has term dates that align with DeGroote’s MBA semesters, and that you have any required work experience before applying to a particular destination. Common destinations that MBA students have attended in the past are: 

• Australia: University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia 
• France: NEOMA, EDHEC, IESEG, KEDGE 
• Germany: WHU, HHL 
• Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong 
• India: Indian Institute of Management 
• Japan: Nagoya University 
• Norway: BI Norwegian Business School 
• Switzerland: Zurich University of Applied Science/ZHAW  

 Academic & Career Considerations During Exchange 

Academic 

• Specializations – MBA students who go on exchange typically complete a general specialization. Occasionally, a finance or marketing specialization can be achieved. A maximum of 2 courses can count towards a specialization while on exchange, if the courses are deemed equivalent to McMaster courses. 
• Dean’s Honour List – MBA student who go on exchange are not eligible to be on the Dean’s Honour List for year 2 (since grades do not transfer, only credits) 
• Equivalencies– MBA students do not receive direct equivalencies for their courses during their exchange. Instead, students will receive “unspecified elective” credit for their courses.
• Grades – MBA students are required to pass their exchange courses with a minimum grade of 60% (B-) to obtain transfer credit upon their return regardless of the grading scale of the host institution.

*Your academic advisors are here to help you plan how exchange fits into your degree requirements and academic goals. 

Career 

• New Grad Recruitment – Timelines for hiring 
• Summer Co-op Recruitment – Timelines, OSCARplus 
• Interviewing While Abroad – Skype/Zoom, time zone differences 
• Timing of semester and co-op guidelines – 12 weeks 

*You will have access to the full services offered by the Career and Professional Development (CPD) team while you are on exchange. The CPD team can help you with tailored job search strategies while living abroad.  

Tuition, Funding and Scholarships 

While on exchange, you will pay tuition and fees to McMaster University. A number of supports may be available to you such as OSAP, student loans and scholarships specifically for students who have gone on exchange. More information will be provided at the exchange information session which runs each November or December. Keep an eye on the weekly MBA bulletin in the fall to learn the date and time.     

Application Process  

Ready to apply? Please follow these step-by-step instructions after attending an exchange information session (held in November or December of each year – keep an eye on the weekly MBA bulletin in the fall to learn the date and time).  

Step 1. Browse the available destinations for MBA exchange on the Exchange List (MBA) Spreadsheet (can be accessed via the McMaster Study Abroad website: Study abroad > McMaster exchange Program > Partnerships and Pathways > Exchange List (MBA)).

Step 2. Decide on 2-3 host institutions you would like to apply for by: 

1. Doing a preliminary review of the course offerings and semester timelines at each school, while asking yourself:

• • Do you have the prerequisite/background knowledge for the courses you want to take?
  • Are there sufficient courses that interest you to satisfy the number of credits you need to take to complete a full course load?
  • What language are the courses offered in?
  • Do the term dates align with co-op requirements (co-op) or your next academic semester (full-time)? 

1. Reading about other MBA students’ experiences at each partner institution by checking out their student exchange reports. 

Step 3: After attending the exchange information session in November/December, follow the instructions in the McMaster Study Abroad website: Study abroad > McMaster exchange Program > How to apply.

Step 4: Upload all required information and documents including your statement of interest and resume. When answering the questions in the application portal, you do not need to know exactly which courses you will take, simply provide a preliminary list, or what their McMaster equivalents are (just select “unspecified elective credit”). Students studying in their second language are also required to submit a language assessment with their application.

Step 5: Create a detailed budget. You will be required to complete a detailed budget for your estimated expenses, including normal expenses such as tuition, accommodation, food, and books, and additional expenses such as your flights, health insurance and entertainment  

Step 6: Submit your application by the deadline (typically late January; exact date to be confirmed during the information session) and wait to hear from us!

Support during your Exchange

You can check out the McMaster Exchange Office’s website for more information.

Your Study Abroad Contacts 

Have a question that isn’t answered on this webpage? You can connect with the members of the MBA Study Abroad team by emailing macabroad@mcmaster.ca or with your Academic Advisors at askmba@mcmaster.ca.