What better place to study business than in the number one country for doing business? In a recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Canada was chosen as the best country in the world in which to do business for the next five years (2003-2007). Canada moved up three spots from the 1998-2002 study, scoring high marks in a range of ten categories.

Canada also offers a wealth of academic opportunities for learning about business. Depending on their needs and interests, students can earn a business degree, diploma or certificate, and choose from a variety of concentrations at an excellent selection of schools.

Business schools in Canada develop future leaders by focusing on analytical, organizational and management skills. Business is a broad discipline, and students can choose from many specializations, including finance, marketing, information systems, human resources, entrepreneurship, economics, operations management, organizational theory, labour management relations, communications, e-business and more.

Typically, Canadian universities or university colleges offer Bachelor’s degree programs in Business, Business Management, Business Administration, Commerce and International Business. Students may combine business studies with other areas of interest. Possible combinations include: Bachelor of Administration programs with specializations in health or public administration; Bachelor of Business Administration programs combined with law; Bachelor of Commerce programs concentrating on hospitality services; and Bachelor of Management programs focusing on the natural environment, non-profit organizations and the government or public sector.

Technical institutes and colleges in Canada also offer quality business programs. These institutions generally offer certificates and diplomas ranging from one to three years in length. Some offer university transfer programs that allow students to begin a degree program at the college or technical institute and complete it at a university. Others offer applied degree programs, which mix the practical training of a college with the theoretical knowledge of a university. Examples include a Bachelor of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship or Bachelor of Applied Accounting.

Students will also find vocationally-oriented diploma or certificate programs in specific areas such as payroll, purchasing, insurance, business retailing, fashion merchandising, aviation management, ski resort management, golf management, and hotel and resort administration at career colleges in Canada.

Students who already have a degree can pursue a variety of graduate programs in Canada such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Management Studies (MMS) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). Short post-graduate certificate programs provide an intensive period of study to gain specialized skills in a certain area of concentration.

With so many choices, it can be difficult to decide where to study, but this diversity means students are more likely to find a business program that truly suits their needs. After exploring the many available programs in Canada, students can shortlist schools based on factors such as areas of specialization, tuition fees, facilities, class size, methods of instruction, availability of internships or co-op programs, student support, career support services, and location.

Whichever institution you choose, studying business in Canada will help you develop the skills to deal with the ever-changing business world, while living in one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant business environments.

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