FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate qualification that provides students with comprehensive knowledge in several key business areas including finance, operations, marketing, leadership and human resource management. The MBA also enhances leadership skills and business management expertise, making it a valuable asset for professionals aiming to advance their careers. An MBA can be an accelerated pathway towards executive careers, transitioning into a new industry or the foundation for starting a new business venture. Everyone achieves something different from their MBA experience. 

The AIB MBA is a 100% online MBA designed for busy working professionals. The program is highly flexible allowing you to learn anytime, from anywhere, at a pace that suits you best.   

Structured with student success in mind, AIB’s learning approach offers practical knowledge and business skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace. You can earn a postgraduate qualification after only four courses. Plus, eligible students can study courses concurrently to complete the entire MBA program in just 12 months*, which is faster than traditional MBAs.  

You can find more information on our MBA program page or download the AIB MBA brochure.  

*To complete the MBA in 12 months, eligibility criteria applies. 

One of the most common reasons for pursuing an MBA is a higher salary. Our 2023 Canadian Alumni Insights Report found that 80% of AIB MBA graduates have received a salary increase since graduating. Salary growth also comes quickly for our students as the Alumni surveyed for our 2023 Alumni Global Insights Report, on average, reported a $31,000 pay increase since starting their MBA and a $15,000 income increase during their MBA studies. Because the biggest salary increases from an MBA tend to come quickly, the total return on investment on the degree over the course of a whole career can be substantial.  

View an MBA salary comparison and estimate your possible salary increase with our MBA ROI Calculator.  

Yes, you certainly can. Our generalized MBA provides the flexibility to tailor your courses according to your area of business or interest. However, AIB also offers several specialized MBA pathways where the optimal courses have already been selected to ensure you gain in-depth knowledge in your selected area. If you study a specialized MBA, this will be noted on your award and parchment.   

The specializations available at AIB are:  

MBA (Finance)  

MBA (Marketing Management) 

MBA (Logistics and Supply Chain Management) 

MBA (Human Resources Management) 

MBA (Entrepreneurial Management)  

Detailed fee information can be found on our Tuition and Financing page. 

While some public universities charge international students more than domestic students, at AIB we have a special fee set and payment plan option for Canadian students.  

There are two ways to fund your tuition:  

Upfront: Pay for your entire course before you start and save on your total tuition. 

Rotessa payment plan: Pay for your course in 36 monthly instalments. 
 
A Course Advisor can help you narrow down the most accurate tuition cost based on your preferred payment method and start date. Please contact us and we’ll call you when it suits you. 

Textbooks or eTextbooks generally cost between $50-$100 CAD each. Many of our students and alumni also sell the physical copies of their textbooks via the AIB MBA Textbook Marketplace Facebook group.  

Not all courses require a textbook and you can choose between a physical copy or eTextbooks from any supplier of your choice.  All eTextbooks come with an audio version included. 

AIB is included in the CanLearn International Master List of Designated Educational Institutions and is nationally accredited by the National Centre for Management Accreditation (NCMA) of the Canadian Institute of Management. This makes our Canadian Students eligible for student aid in most provinces. If you are eligible to receive student aid in Canada, you can use these student loans to help you pay for your AIB course. The student aid process can take anywhere between 4-12 weeks, depending on your province. We recommend applying for student aid at the same time you apply for your chosen program at AIB to reduce the possibility for any delays.  Learn more about government student loans here. 

Because of AIB’s designation with CanLearn, our Canadian students can also use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) to help fund their course. More information about the LLP can be found here. 

Our programs are delivered through our innovative Student Learning Portal and myAIB app. The platforms offer a range of multimedia materials as well as forums for engaging with classmates and Online Learning Facilitators. They also give students access to key study tools such as LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Office 365, as well as a diverse range of academic and wellbeing support.  

24/7 access to course material enables learners to study anytime, from anywhere. There are many ways that learning can easily be integrated into a daily routine, such as listening to lectures on daily commutes, studying during work lunch breaks or listening to audio versions of course material while working out.  

You can book a 1:1 tour of our online learning environment here.  

Delivered completely online, our program offers students the flexibility to study at the pace that best suits them. The AIB MBA has been designed for professionals to complete in 2 years, even while working. Eligible students can accelerate their studies by studying 2 courses concurrently to finish in just 12 months.* You can also study over a longer period and take breaks at specific times of the year if you have personal commitments.  

* To complete the MBA in 12 months, eligibility criteria applies. 

AIB’s Graduate Certificate in Management (GCM) is an accredited postgraduate qualification. It consists of four business courses and can be completed in 8 months. It’s the first of three stages that make up our MBA program and can be undertaken as standalone study, or as part of the MBA. 

The second stage is the Graduate Diploma in Management (GDM) and after the third and final stage, you will have earned the MBA. The GCM and GDM are Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), postgraduate qualifications ranked one level above a bachelor’s degree. The MBA is a master’s qualification (AQF Level 9).  

There are no exams in the AIB MBA program. 11 of 12 courses of the AIB MBA consist of a mix of practical assessments, including written and verbal assignments, reflective pieces, quizzes and evaluated forum participation. The assessment mix varies from course to course, but all are what we refer to as authentic assessment methods – they’re practical and reflect what’s happening in the current business landscape.  

In the final unit, AIB students complete a work-based project – a longer assignment that allows students to focus their research on a specific area of interest from their studies that is applicable to the workplace.  

For more information on the MBA curriculum, please visit our MBA page.  

We recommend students invest about 20 hours per week in their MBA study. This differs from student to student depending on varying experience levels and academic backgrounds. Also, depending on your workplace, some of the learning reflection and consolidation can be completed while you work, which reduces the after-hours study required.  

Our MBA is delivered completely online, which allows our students the flexibility to attend their virtual webinars live – either earlier in the day or in the evenings – or listen to them later. All of our learning materials also contain an audio component. There are many ways that learning can be easily integrated into your daily schedule, such as listening to your textbook audio while you cook dinner, watching course topic videos on your commute or networking with peers in the evening.  

We have created a study time calculator to help potential students plan when they would fit studying to their weekly schedules. Even with work, family and social commitments, you might be surprised how much study time you can fit in your schedule. Try it here: MBA Study Time Calculator  

Yes, AIB is accredited within an Australian regulatory framework and is recognized by various professional, academic and industry bodies around the world. 

In Australia, AIB is registered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and its programs are accredited within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). TEQSA is an Australian Government regulatory body that has International Partnership with several overseas quality assurance agencies. 

In Canada, AIB is also included in the CanLearn International Master List of Designated Educational Institutions and nationally accredited by the National Centre for Management Accreditation (NCMA) of the Canadian Institute of Management. This is an industry accreditation which endorses our MBA course content as relevant to Canadian managers and leaders. 

Please visit our Accreditation, Designation and Memberships page for more details. 

The Master in Business Administration (MBA) is the most popular qualification we offer. Students studying our MBA can choose to specialize the degree if they wish, with specializations including Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Finance and Entrepreneurial Management. You can find more information on our AIB MBA page.  

The Graduate Certificate in Management (GCM) is an accredited four course postgraduate qualification. It’s the first of three stages that make up our MBA program. The Graduate Diploma in Management (GDM) is the second stage of the MBA. Should you not wish to complete the final stage to earn the MBA, the GCM and GDM offer an exit point from the MBA journey, while still earning a highly respected postgraduate qualification.  

AIB also offers research degrees including the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and research pathway courses including the Master of Management (MMgt) and Graduate Certificate in Management (Research) (GCM Res).  

AIB has a specific focus on postgraduate business qualifications. As such, we do not currently offer bachelor’s degrees, undergraduate diplomas, or qualifications in other areas of education. 

Canadians are integral to AIB’s vibrant international community, forming the second-largest cohort of students and graduates after Australians. With over 800 Canadian students and alumni already part of our programs and more joining every term, you’ll always find fellow Canadians studying alongside you. 

Yes, as an AIB student you will be provided with first-rate academic, administrative and student support from orientation to graduation. While we have academics who are based in Canada, the time zone difference between North America and Australia often benefits our Canadian students – our work hours usually coincide with your after-work hours, so you can reach us at a time that is convenient for you.  

Our innovative Student Learning Portal provides access to all course materials, support resources and essential tools like Office 365, LinkedIn Learning, Scite_, GrammarlyEDU, and Endnote. 

Our academics are industry experts, and with the help of your dedicated Online Learning Facilitator (OLF), you’ll benefit from focused, interactive learning in a small class environment. In addition, your Academic Skills Advisor can help refine your referencing, research and writing skills. You can also submit draft assessments for feedback prior to formal submission for your starter courses.  

Our students also have access to wellbeing services including an EAP service providing free confidential counselling, coaching and support for both our students and their family members. 

For more information on support please visit the Student Handbook.

If you’re ready to start the application process for the MBA, please visit our Application Process page.  

In many cases, yes! Our entry pathways take both your work experience and prior education into account. As long as you are able to meet other applicable criteria, you are eligible to undertake an MBA course without a degree.  

Find more information on our Admissions Criteria page. 

A GMAT is another way students can qualify to study our MBA, but unlike many Canadian institutions, we do not require the GMAT in all entry pathways. Applicants can qualify for our programs by scoring at least 550 on the GMAT and having at least three years of relevant work experience. Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree, an advanced diploma or associate’s degree, or significant managerial/supervisory/technical experience, the GMAT is not required. 

Find more information on our Admissions Criteria page.

Technical experience refers to in-depth industry experience acquired by those who have trained, usually at high levels, in one specific skill or field. Examples include engineers, health care professionals, pilots, senior fire fighters or IT specialists. 

Our experience-based MBA pathway caters for specialist workers in these kinds of professions, as well as experienced managers and business owners who don’t have prior degrees. For MBA entry, we’re looking for at least 5 years of full-time work experience, with at least 3 years of significant technical experience or management experience.  

Unfortunately, AIB does not offer any fully funded scholarship programs.