Group members generally favored public universities over private ones for MBA applicants concerned about study permit approval odds, but stressed that the choice of institution is only one factor among several.
What group members said:- Public universities, especially in less popular/distant provinces, tend to have better visa approval rates than private institutions — visa officers may view them as lower-risk for genuine study intent.
- Institution type alone won't guarantee approval. Officers also weigh your educational background, choice of course, IELTS/English test score, work experience, any gap between your last studies and this application, your financial documentation, and the strength of your Statement of Purpose (SOP).
- A long study gap can disqualify you outright at some institutions regardless of visa strategy — for example, some colleges (Algonquin was mentioned as an example) won't accept applicants with a gap of more than 7 years since their last academic program.
Because approval isn't decided by one factor alone, treat institution choice as part of a broader profile-strengthening strategy — a strong SOP and consistent documentation matter as much as the school's public/private status.