Commerce is a subset of business that focuses on selling finished or unfinished goods rather than sourcing, production, transportation, or marketing. It operates under the concept that everything produced must be consumed. It helps connect suppliers of specific goods and services with the consumers who need them.
A degree in commerce will provide you with the fundamental skills necessary to analyse successes and failures, examine management from a variety of angles, and add an applied emphasis on organisational analysis and consulting to every theory. You'll be given the skills necessary to perform real-world leadership duties, such as resolving disputes, comprehending people from different cultural backgrounds, making decisions, leading teams, setting budgets, etc.
Trade and commerce are crucial components of any firm. Businesses, startups, nonprofits, banks, outsourcing companies, insurance firms, auditing firms, governmental agencies, and e-commerce companies hire graduates in commerce.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in Canada for Commerce courses
The top Canadian universities in Commerce are listed below, based on QS Rankings 2022 by subject "business and management studies."
Ranking |
Universities/Colleges |
Location |
=32 |
University of Toronto |
Toronto, Canada |
=36 |
University of British Columbia |
Vancouver, Canada |
=50 |
McGill University |
Montreal, Canada |
73 |
Western University |
London, Canada |
=123 |
University of Alberta |
Edmonton, Canada |
=132 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
Kingston, Canada |
139 |
York University |
Toronto, Canada |
201-250 |
Simon Fraser University |
Burnaby, Canada |
201-250 |
University of Calgary |
Calgary, Canada |
251-300 |
Concordia University |
Montreal, Canada |
251-300 |
McMaster University |
Hamilton, Canada |
251-300 |
University of Waterloo |
Waterloo, Canada |
351-400 |
University of Ottawa |
Ottawa, Canada |
351-400 |
Université Laval |
Québec, Canada |
351-400 |
Université du Québec |
Québec, Canada |
401-450 |
Carleton University |
Ottawa, Canada |
401-450 |
Toronto Metropolitan University |
Toronto, Canada |
451-500 |
University of Victoria (UVic) |
Victoria, Canada |
451-500 |
Wilfrid Laurier University |
Waterloo, Canada |
551-570 |
Dalhousie University |
Halifax, Canada |
=32 |
University of Toronto |
Toronto, Canada |
=36 |
University of British Columbia |
Vancouver, Canada |
=50 |
McGill University |
Montreal, Canada |
73 |
Western University |
London, Canada |
Programs for Bachelors in Commerce with tuition fees in Canada
Undergraduate Studies in Commerce in Canada is a 3 to 4-year program. The table below lists some of the top ranked universities that offer a bachelor's program in commerce or a similar discipline, as well as the tuition rates for international students.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum (International) |
Duration |
University of Toronto |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$60,510 |
4 years |
University of British Columbia |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$55,384 |
4 years |
McGill University |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$63,693 |
4 years |
University of Alberta |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$37,842 |
4 years |
Queen's University at Kingston |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$51,275 |
4 years |
York University |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$35,997 |
4 years |
University of Calgary |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$29,270 |
4 years |
Concordia University |
Bachelor of Commerce |
$30,900 $1030*30 |
3 to 4 years |
McMaster University |
B.Com. Integrated Business and Humanities |
$48,105 $1,603.52*30 |
4 years |
Academic Requirements
- A minimum score of 70% at the high school level.
- SAT score if required by university.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.0 overall.
- PTE: A minimum score of 58 overall.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 80.
Programs for Masters in Commerce with tuition fees in Canada
The table below lists the top universities in Canada that offer a postgraduate taught program in Commerce or a closely related field.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum (International) |
Duration |
University of Toronto |
Master of business administration |
$67,532 |
2 years |
University of British Columbia |
Master of Management |
$53,146 |
9 months |
McGill University |
Master of Management in Analytics |
$57,600 |
1 year |
Western University |
Master of Business Administration |
$123,500 |
1 year |
University of Alberta |
Master of Business Administration |
$30,578 |
20 months |
Queen's University at Kingston |
Master of International Business |
$55,975 |
1-2 years |
York University |
Master of Accounting |
$59,500 |
1 year |
University of Calgary |
Master of Management |
$47,070 |
10 months |
Concordia University |
MBA in Investment Management |
$87,000 |
1 year |
McMaster University |
Master of Finance |
$42,955 $3,579.63*12 |
16 months |
Academic Requirements
- A 4-year undergraduate degree in the field or commerce or related discipline from an accredited institution.
- GPA score of at least of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- A GMAT or a GRE score if required by university.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading and writing.
- PTE: A minimum score of 70 overall.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 88 overall.
Programs for Ph.D. in Commerce with tuition fees in Canada
The table below lists the top universities in Canada that offer a postgraduate research program in Commerce or a closely related field.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum (International) |
Duration |
University of Toronto |
PhD in Finance |
$6,210 |
4-6 years |
University of British Columbia |
PhD in Business Administration in Accounting |
$9,500 |
4 years |
McGill University |
PhD Program in Management |
$17,192 8,596*2 |
4-6 years |
Western University |
PhD in Business Administration |
$32,042 |
4 years |
University of Alberta |
PhD in Accounting |
$8,700 $2,900*3 |
4-6 years |
Queen's University at Kingston |
PhD in Management |
$15,000 |
4-6 years |
York University |
PhD in Administration |
$12,558 $6,279*2 |
4 years |
Concordia University |
PhD in Business Administration |
$8,596 $573.09*15 |
5 years |
McMaster University |
PhD program in Business Administration |
$11,397 $5,698.74*2 |
4-6 years |
Academic Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent from an accredited institution
- A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum admission grade point average equivalent to 3.5 on a four-point scale in the last two years of university work.
- As part of the application, some universities also ask for a viable research proposal of up to 5000 words which has the potential to make a significant contribution to prior literature.
- A GMAT/GRE score if required by universities.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in reading and writing.
- PTE: A minimum score of 74 overall.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 97 overall.
Top Commerce Universities in Canada: Scope
Universities in Canada offer various specializations at the graduate level. Here is a list of some of the common specializations in commerce.
- Accounting
- Business Technology Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- General Business Management
- Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Operations and Logistics
- Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources
- Real Estate
- Retail Management
- Strategy & Organization
Top Commerce Universities in Canada: Scholarships
Some of the scholarships offered to international students at different universities in Canada are listed below.
Universities/Colleges |
Scholarship |
Amount |
University of Toronto |
University of Toronto International Scholar Award |
$100,000 |
International Merit Admission Award |
$50,000 |
|
The Roberts Scholarship |
$25,000 |
|
University of British Columbia |
International Tuition Award |
Up to $3,200 per year |
President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award |
$1,500 per year |
|
Western University |
Western Graduate Research Scholarship |
Varies |
John and Catherine Kelly Bursary |
$10,000 |
|
University of Alberta |
Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship |
$12,000 |
Michael Lang MBA Award |
$10,000 |
|
University of Calgary |
Prestige awards |
$20,000 – $100,000 |
CIBC International Entrance Scholarship |
$10,000 |
Top Commerce Universities in Canada: Scope
In Canada, graduates in commerce make a very decent living. Graduates can anticipate earning anything from $30,000 to $53,000 annually. However, your pay may vary depending on your job duties and areas of expertise. After a few years, you can expect a sharp increase in your income, which might reach up to $92,000 annually.
Job Titles
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Business development
- Corporate and commercial banking
- Corporate finance
- Data analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- General management
- Human resources
- Investment banking
- Management consulting
- Marketing and brand management
- Private equity
- Project management
- Real estate finance
- Retail management
- Sales and trading
- Strategic planning
- Venture capital
Top Recruiters:
- IG Wealth Management
- Veeva
- Scotiabank
- BMO
- Hudson's Bay Company
- Canadian Tire
- FreshBooks
- Unity Health
- Maccabi
- Payments Canada
- Rogers
- TD Bank
- Teranet
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Senior Auditor |
C$57k - C$82k |
C$69,394 |
Senior Accountant |
C$46k - C$75k |
C$58,978 |
Event Manager |
C$48k - C$73k |
C$59,533 |
Digital Marketing Specialist |
C$36k - C$55k |
C$44,376 |
Digital Marketing Manager |
C$59k - C$107k |
C$79,456 |
Accounting Analyst |
C$44k - C$68k |
C$54,240 |
Inventory Analyst |
C$51k - C$76k |
C$62,479 |
Junior Accountant |
C$39k - C$54k |
C$46,174 |
Maintenance Coordinator |
C$44k - C$72k |
C$56,632 |
Marketing Director |
C$59k - C$98k |
C$76,382 |
Office Administrator |
C$31k - C$52k |
C$40,775 |
Payroll & Benefits Administrator |
C$51k - C$71k |
C$60,056 |
Intermediate Accountant |
C$39k - C$57k |
C$47,430 |
Payroll & Benefits Manager |
C$59k - C$88k |
C$74,659 |