Study Healthcare Management in Canada
The healthcare management in Canada is attracting aspiring new professionals from around the world, particularly those with backgrounds in life sciences, healthcare, business, and public health. Healthcare in Canada is complex, requiring adept leaders equipped to bridge medical expertise with efficient administration.
As the population demand for better, more efficient healthcare systems grows, the need for skilled and qualified healthcare professionals, including healthcare management professionals, grows as well. According to official reports, the Canadian government has invested CA $14.3 million to tackle the labour shortage that the healthcare sector has been experiencing lately.
In this blog, we will look at pathways, leading institutions, programme comparisons, relevant costs, entry criteria, scope of practice, and immigration options for potential students looking to undertake healthcare administration studies in Canada in 2025.
Why Study Healthcare Management in Canada?
Healthcare management is the planning, direction, and coordination of health and medical services across hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and other healthcare organisations. The profession is also appropriate for graduates who want to coordinate and administer complex health care systems, usually from health professions like medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health, though some come from business or public health. Healthcare management is for individuals who desire to blend their clinical expertise with their leadership, strategy, and analytical experience.
Key focus areas include:
- Hospital and health systems administration
- Healthcare policy and regulation
- Quality assurance and strategic management
- Health analytics and informatics
Top Healthcare Management Courses in Canada
Canada hosts a variety of reputable institutions with programmes geared toward international students. The following are leading options for healthcare administration courses in Canada:
| University Name | Notable Programme Offering |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Global Executive MBA in Healthcare and Life Sciences |
| University of British Columbia | MBA in Healthcare and Life Sciences |
| York University | MBA in Health Industry Management |
| McMaster University | MBA in Health Services Management |
| University of Alberta | MBA in Public Sector and Healthcare Management |
| Brock University | MBA and Master of Public Health (MPH) |
| Western Community College | Postgraduate Diploma in Health Administration |
| Cape Breton University | Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Care Management |
| Fanshawe College | Health Care Administration Management |
| Conestoga College | Health Care Administration and Service Management |
These institutions are appealing to international students for their globalised curriculum, internships, and alumni networks.
Types of Healthcare Management Courses in Canada
There are various pathways, i.e. programmes and courses, each with distinct benefits for international students, in the field of health care management in Canada. Some of them have been highlighted below:
Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management, Canada
- Duration: Usually 1–2 years
- Focus: Gaining speciality training in health care-related subjects like policy, informatics, quality assurance, and leadership.
- Best suited for: candidates who would like to enter leadership, strategic, or analytical positions in the health care system, public health agency, or as consultants.
Master's in Health Management in Canada (MHA, MSc HCM)
- Duration: 1–2 years
- Focus: Advanced training in healthcare-specific content—policy, informatics, quality, leadership.
- Target audience: This is an ideal programme for students interested in leadership, strategic, and/or analytic positions in healthcare systems, public health organisations, or consulting firms.
MBA in Healthcare Management Canada
- Duration: 1–2 years
- Focus: Primarily core MBA coursework with some healthcare electives; emphasis on business strategy, finance, entrepreneurship, and operational healthcare management.
- Recommended for: Applicants pursuing upper-management, consulting, or entrepreneurial work.
MHA vs MBA in Canada
Among all the healthcare courses in Canada for international students, these are probably the two most popular choices for international aspirants. With both courses equipping the students with the necessary skills to lead and understand the administrative/corporate aspects of healthcare, these courses can be the turning point in many candidates’ professional prospects. However, both Master’s in Healthcare Administration and MBA in Healthcare Management are unique and lead graduates to different roles within the healthcare sector. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between MHA and MBA in Healthcare Management courses in Canada.
Focus
While Master’s of Healthcare Administration focuses on different aspects of healthcare administration, such as policies, ethics, patient care models and the laws pertaining to Canadian Healthcare, an MBA in Healthcare Management is designed to equip candidates with the skills best suited for core business functions with reference to healthcare, such as marketing, finance and business strategy.
Course Curriculum
Universities offering an MHA programme in Canada often cover topics related to Long-term care administration, Healthcare Economics, Population Healthcare and Healthcare law. Meanwhile, being a business-oriented programme, students are taught subjects pertaining to Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain Management in the healthcare industry. Additionally, the MBA course can also cover specialised topics such as Pharmaceutical Strategy and Innovation in Healthcare Technology.
Career Prospects
Both degree programmes will help graduates acquire leadership roles across the healthcare sector; however, a Master of Healthcare Management will lead to operational management roles such as Health Policy Analyst, Hospital Administrator, Nursing Administrator, Clinical Manager and much more. Meanwhile, an MBA in Healthcare Management will equip candidates with the necessary skills to take up roles such as a CFO of a Hospital, Pharmaceutical Brand Manager, Health Tech Entrepreneur, Healthcare Management Consultant or other Corporate or Strategy-related roles in healthcare.
Who Should Study?
A Master's in Healthcare Administration should be selected by candidates who wish to work within a hospital or any public health organisation in a bid to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations. Candidates with prior clinical or healthcare experience will have an advantage over others who do not.
An MBA in Healthcare Management should be selected by candidates who aspire to direct their knowledge and skills in the strategic and corporate side of the healthcare sector. Moreover, an MBA grants the ability to move to a different sector altogether, regardless of their specialisation; therefore, this is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to enter the healthcare sector but do not wish to restrict themselves to one sector alone.
Best Universities for Healthcare Management in Canada
Finding the institution that can help you achieve your career aspirations is just as important as selecting the right degree programme in Healthcare Management. Let’s check out some of the top universities for healthcare management in Canada, according to QS World University Rankings by Subjects 2025.
| University Name | QS World University Rankings by Subjects 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | #13 in Life Sciences and Medicine #33 in Business and Management |
| University of British Columbia | #25 in Life Sciences and Medicine #49 in Business and Management |
| McGill University | =27 in Life Sciences and Medicine #60 in Business and Management |
| McMaster University | =59 in Life Sciences and Medicine |
| University of Alberta | =86 in Life Sciences and Medicine #149 in Business and Management |
| Dalhousie University | #207 in Life Sciences and Medicine |
| York University | #151-200 in Business and Management |
| Queen’s University | =182 in Life Sciences and Medicine #151-200 in Business and Management |
| University of Ottawa | =172 in Life Sciences and Medicine |
| HEC Montreal | #121-130 Business and Management |
Note: Since there are no specific rankings for universities offering Healthcare Management in the world, we have compiled a list of universities that have been recognised in closely related subject fields, i.e. Life Sciences and Medicine, and Business and Management ranking lists from QS World University Rankings 2025.
Admission Requirements for Healthcare Management Courses in Canada
The admission requirements for healthcare management courses will depend on the degree level and the university offering the programmes. We have highlighted the general requirements for both undergraduate and graduate courses in Healthcare Management in Canada that international students must satisfy to enrol.
| Entry Level | Academic Requirement | Language Tests | Work Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (UG) | Completion of Class 12 or equivalent (Science/Health stream preferred) | IELTS Academic 6.0+ / TOEFL iBT 80+ | Not required |
| Postgraduate (PG) Diploma | Bachelor’s in life sciences, healthcare, business, or related field | IELTS Academic 6.5+ / TOEFL iBT 88+ | Not Required |
| Master’s (MHA, MSc HCM) | Bachelor’s in a relevant discipline; strong academic record | IELTS Academic 6.5+ / TOEFL iBT 90+ | Preferred (often 1–2 years) |
| MBA in Healthcare Management | Bachelor’s degree; competitive GPA; some programmes may require GMAT | IELTS Academic 7.0+ / TOEFL iBT 100+ | Required (2+ years) |
Note: The admission requirements mentioned only highlight the minimum requirements. Interested candidates are advised to achieve significantly higher scores, both academically and in the ELP tests, to stand a chance at competing with other applicants as well. Individual Universities offering healthcare management courses will define the degree-specific academic requirements that international students must adhere to.
Costs to Study Healthcare Management in Canada
Outlined below are the general costs and tuition fees for Healthcare Management courses in Canada for international students that should be considered when planning to study in the country this year.
| Programme Type | Annual Tuition Fees (in CAD) | Minimum Living Costs as per IRCC |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management Canada | CA $17,000 – $24,000 | CA $22,895 per year |
| Master's in Health Management in Canada | CA $24,000 – $65,000 | |
| MBA in Healthcare Management Canada | CA $47,000 – $71,000 (overall) |
Note: Each university will define the tuition fees for international students studying a Healthcare Management Course in Canada. Therefore, ensure that you have reviewed the overall costs as listed by the individual university before applying for admission. Or, you can connect with AECC Counsellors today to learn more about the costs to study healthcare management in Canada.
Scholarships for Healthcare Management Courses in Canada
Universities across the country offer different types of financial aid, including scholarships for Healthcare Management courses in Canada that students can apply for this academic year.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | High academic achievement; enrolled in a full-time Master’s/PhD at a participating Ontario University | Up to CA $15,000 for one academic year |
| Need-/Merit-Based Institutional Aid | Varies by college/university; assessed by application | Tuition waivers, living cost support |
Note: Each university offering a Healthcare Management course in Canada provides unique scholarship and financial aid opportunities, designed to support international students who wish to pursue higher studies at their institutions. Therefore, when applying for any one of the Healthcare Management programmes offered by the top universities in Canada, it is advisable to check if those institutions also provide scholarships that you can apply for.
Career Scope After Healthcare Management in Canada
As a highly in-demand sector in the world, the career prospects after Healthcare Management in Canada are immense, as experts across the globe have predicted a significant boom in the industry. Let’s check out some job roles for healthcare management graduates in Canada.
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| Hospital Administrator | CA $45,000 - $120,000 |
| Health Data Analyst | CA $47,000 - $85,000 |
| Public Health Officer | CA $57,000 - $112,000 |
| Healthcare Consultant | CA $45,000 - $90,000 |
| Health Technology Project Manager | CA $65,000 - $100,000 |
| Health Policy Analyst | CA $57,000 - $75,000 |
Sources: Indeed, Payscale, Ziprecruiter, JobBankCanada, Glassdoor
Note: The salaries listed in the table above represent the potential salary packages that graduates can earn with experience ranging from fresher to executive with 5-6 years of experience.
PGWP Eligibility and Pathways to Permanent Residency
International graduates of healthcare courses with PGWP in Canada can benefit from Post-Graduation Work Permits that provide work experience, which is often required to apply for Canadian permanent residency pathways.
As of November 1, 2024
The PGWP is only available for programmes recognised and aligned to the in-demand industries (which include health care management), and classified to specific Classification of Instructional Programme (CIP) codes. If you wish to know if the course you are applying to is eligible for PGWP in Canada, then connect with AECC Counsellors and get your questions answered today!
Candidates must provide proof of language proficiency, and also must ensure her/his programme meets the required standards listed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Pathways to Canadian PR
Canadian work experience through a PGWP is counted towards Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) streams, especially talented candidates with training in healthcare management, as Canada is seeking healthcare talent migration.
For international students, particularly those from India, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia, healthcare management in Canada is a dynamic career option with top-class education, mixed roles, and prospects for long-term residency. Study programmes—from a postgraduate diploma in healthcare management in Canada to master's in health management in Canada and MBAs—offer the right mix of foundational skills, practical training, and professional experience. So why wait? Connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance to study at one of the top universities in the world.