The GMAT or GRE requirement is automatically waived for GDBA students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the GDBA and have successfully completed at least two of the following quantitative courses: Financial & Managerial Accounting, Business Analytics, or Financial Management, with a minimum grade of B in each course.

Complete your GDBA courses at a pace that fits your current work and life commitments, then transition to the MBA when the timing is right. Whether that's immediately after graduation or a few years down the road, this flexible approach means you're never rushing through your education or sacrificing quality for speed.

The GDBA to MBA pathway offers a more financially flexible way to begin your graduate business education. Starting with the GDBA provides an entry point and allows you to spread out your educational expenses over a longer timeframe. This approach gives students greater flexibility to align their studies with their personal and professional circumstances. It offers a gradual path into graduate-level business education while allowing you to build momentum towards an MBA, if and when you choose to pursue it.

• For Spring 2026: The application fee is $110 CAD for students with Canadian transcripts or $150 CAD for students with international transcripts.
• For Fall 2026 or later: The application fee is $112 CAD for students with Canadian transcripts or $160 CAD for students with international transcripts.

Unofficial transcripts 

• Attach your most recent unofficial GDBA transcript to your application to provide a complete record of your academic achievements.
• You must submit unofficial transcripts from every post-secondary institution where you completed courses for credit. 
• Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the initial admission review. If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to provide official documents.

Updated resume 

• If your professional experience has not changed since you submitted your GDBA application, you may submit the same resume.
• If there have been any updates or changes in your professional experience, please provide an updated resume reflecting your most recent accomplishments and roles.

References

• You are required to provide contact information for two professional references as part of your online application. Submit all references using their professional email address.
• If you submitted references with your GDBA application within the past 12 months, you may transfer one of those references to your MBA application. To complete this process, input your referee’s details as you normally would; however, in the email address field, enter the designated roll account email address for your intended program instead of your referee’s personal email.
  • Full-Time MBA: mba@sfu.ca
  • Flexible MBA: mba_flexible@sfu.ca
  • MOT MBA: motmba@sfu.ca
• If your GDBA application was submitted more than 12 months prior to your MBA application, you are required to provide two new professional references. However, you may still choose to use the same individuals as your referees, provided they can supply updated reference information.

Personal reflection

• As part of your MBA application, you will need to submit a new personal reflection essay. These prompts are crafted to help us understand your unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations. 
• You will find the specific essay prompts within the application portal.

Proof of domestic residency

• If you are claiming domestic status for tuition purposes, you must provide official proof of your Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent residency. Acceptable forms of documentation include a valid Canadian passport, birth certificate, or Canadian Permanent Resident Card.
• For the complete list of acceptable documents, please refer to: https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/fees/international-fees-policies/tuition-fee-assessment.html. Please note that a driver's license or BC service card cannot be used as proof of Canadian status.

After your complete application and all supporting documents have been reviewed, selected candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview.

• You must submit a non-refundable deposit of $2,000 CAD within 14 days of receiving your acceptance letter. 
• This deposit guarantees your place in the MBA program and will be credited toward your tuition fees.
• Candidates must formally accept the offer and submit a deposit to confirm their seat via the application portal. Please pay your deposit as directed by the offer and not directly into your student account through goSFU.  

• After paying your admissions deposit, carefully review your Letter of Acceptance to determine if you need to submit any official transcripts. If you are a GDBA student and all required transcripts were successfully submitted during your GDBA admissions process, you will not need to provide them again.
• If you provided unofficial transcripts in your MBA application that were not included in your GDBA application, you must provide official transcripts for that coursework. Visit the Admissions Page for your preferred MBA program for information on how to submit official transcripts.

• You do not need to take any action to request course waivers. The Admissions Team will automatically review your records and process any eligible waivers on your behalf. If we require additional information or steps from you, we will contact you directly with clear instructions.  Your student records will be updated once your applicable units have been applied.
• If you’ve completed GDBA courses within the last three years, and earned a grade of B or higher, those courses will automatically be credited toward your MBA requirements. No additional action will be needed from you. 
• For GDBA coursework completed more than three years ago, eligibility for a waiver is determined following a review by the Academic Director. You’ll receive notification once a decision is reached regarding these older courses.
• Please be aware that you may transfer up to 28 units (24 units for MOT MBA) from your GDBA program into your MBA curriculum.

All GDBA courses completed within three years prior to your MBA application, with a minimum grade of B or higher, are eligible to be transferred and credited toward your MBA program. If you received a grade below a B in any course, you will need to retake that course within the MBA curriculum to fulfill program requirements. Please be aware that you may transfer up to 28 units (24 units for MOT MBA) from your GDBA program into your MBA curriculum.

Courses completed more than three years ago are considered for transfer on a case-by-case basis following a thorough review by the Academic Director. If you wish to have older courses evaluated for potential credit, please reach out to our admissions office for a pre-assessment and guidance on the process.

Yes. Many of our MBA students are former GDBA graduates who chose to pursue the MBA after gaining additional professional or leadership experience. Even if your GDBA courses fall outside the three-year credit transfer period, your diploma remains an asset. It showcases your readiness for graduate-level business studies and strengthens your MBA application.

If you do not have a bachelor's degree or your undergraduate CGPA is below 3.0 or equivalent, you are required to complete at least 3.5 courses (3 full courses and 1 half course) prior to submitting your MBA application. This ensures that you are adequately prepared for graduate-level business studies and provides evidence of your academic capabilities for the admissions review process.

If you already fulfill the academic and professional minimum requirements for the MBA program you are applying for, you are eligible to apply directly to the MBA program. This means you do not need to complete the 3.5 prerequisite courses and you can apply when you are ready.

Yes, you may continue taking GDBA courses while your MBA application is under review. If you are admitted to the MBA program, all eligible GDBA courses will be credited toward your MBA. Additionally, you can enroll in GDBA courses between the time you receive your MBA offer and the start of your MBA classes. These courses will also transfer, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. However, once your MBA term begins, you will no longer be able to register for GDBA courses.

If you are not admitted to the MBA program, you can continue working toward completing your GDBA. Once you have strengthened your credentials or gained additional experience, you are welcome to reapply for the MBA in a future intake. This gives you the opportunity to further develop your skills and improve your application for subsequent admissions cycles. We also recommended that you connect with the admissions team for feedback before reapplying.

If you’re unsure which MBA program best fits your professional experience and career goals, our admissions team can provide a personalized pre-assessment to guide your decision. We strongly encourage you to reach out to us before submitting applications to multiple programs, so we can help ensure you choose the option that aligns with your aspirations.

GDBA students are exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement if they have a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.0 or above and have successfully completed at least two quantitative courses such as Financial & Managerial Accounting, Business Analytics, or Financial Management. Each of these courses must be completed with a grade of at least B or higher.

There is no separate application required for internal scholarships. Once you are admitted to the program, you will automatically be considered for all available internal awards. Only those selected for a scholarship nomination will receive a notification by email. Please keep in mind that internal scholarships are limited and highly competitive. The number and value of awards designated for GDBA students progressing into the MBA program may vary each year, depending on the available funding.

Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, and a strong cumulative GPA (CGPA) in your GDBA studies will enhance your chances of being selected. However, meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee a scholarship, as the selection process is rigorous and based on the overall pool of applicants each year.

Yes, the Full-Time MBA program is eligible for StudentAid BC funding. If you enroll in this program, you can apply for StudentAid BC to help cover your tuition and related expenses. 

Unfortunately, our part-time MBA programs do not qualify for StudentAid BC funding. However, you still have options to finance your studies. Many students choose to apply for educational lines of credit and educational loans through their bank or credit union, which can help cover tuition and related expenses.  For comprehensive information and personalized assistance regarding financing options, we recommend reaching out directly to your bank or credit union for expert advice. Additionally, be sure to explore the cost and financing section on your preferred MBA program’s website for up-to-date details about tuition, fees, and available financial support.