A member with a Bachelor's in Hotel Management asked whether a visa officer would approve a Project Management (PG Certificate) program given the field change. The thread's guidance:
- A field change is approvable, but it depends heavily on your SOP. Members agreed it 'purely depends on how well it can be explained' — you need a clear narrative connecting your background to the new program and your plans after graduating and returning home.
- Show a concrete post-study plan. One member who successfully navigated this (Hotel Management background, went on to a second Master's in Canada) emphasized having a clear plan supported by documents, not just a stated interest.
- Watch for 'redundancy' refusals. Another member reported a rejection for a Business Management program specifically because it was seen as redundant with their existing background — a caution that switching to something perceived as too similar (or too disconnected without justification) can trigger a refusal.
- Persistence and program choice matter. A third data point: two rejections from one college (Fanshawe) for Project Management, followed by an acceptance for the same program at a different college (Conestoga) — suggesting officer discretion and program/college fit can vary case by case.
Takeaway: a career pivot into Project Management from Hotel Management is realistic, but success hinges on a well-supported SOP that clearly bridges the two fields and sets out your future plans.