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Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences

15 months. 5 modules. 3 continents. Add a global perspective to your healthcare or life sciences management career. Build the expertise you need to reshape your organization, and explore opportunities worldwide.

Driving excellence in healthcare and the life sciences

The pace of change in healthcare and the life sciences is accelerating, creating a demand for professionals who can navigate the strategic, technological, social, economic and political, currents that are changing the face of this $8-trillion global sector.

"It is simply a fact that you have to search far and wide for inspirational and innovative solutions to some of the problems that you have in your own backyard."

— Stacey Daub | President & CEO, Quinte Health Care

Gain the leadership edge you need for an industry where the frontiers are always advancing. This unique healthcare and life sciences focused MBA weaves together thought leadership, practical education and hands-on experience. Designed for working professionals, and offered by one of the world’s pre-eminent universities, this 15-month program will transform the way you think, lead and drive healthcare and life sciences innovations internationally.

What is the value of an MBA to those in healthcare and the life sciences?

Program overview

The program brings together professionals from across the full healthcare and life sciences value chain. Gain the broad perspective and integrative expertise you need to reshape your own organization and create patient value.

Who should apply?

Who should consider the program

Candidates are mid-to-senior level professionals from industry, providers and service delivery organizations, consulting firms, public agencies, science, and payers in the healthcare and life sciences sector around the world who seek to advance their leadership careers.

A global campus: Learn more

Global Campus

Gain an international perspective with onsite modules in Toronto, London, and Singapore, along with self-paced virtual learning. The curriculum is designed for you to examine what’s possible ‘at home’ – wherever your home is – by learning from other systems.

Program Schedule

Program schedule and delivery

15 months. 3 countries. Centred on the full sector, the program is designed to link the traditional silos of healthcare and the life sciences, and teaches why and how you can create patient value and system strength by integrating across boundaries, both within and across organizations, regions and countries.

Meet our faculty

Faculty and research

Learn from the world’s leading business thinkers. Rotman brings together expertise from across the healthcare and the life sciences value chain.

Upcoming admissions events

Admissions Events

We host a regular schedule of on-campus and online information sessions and sample classes to help you get to know our program.

Who should apply

The Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences programs will change the way you think, network and do business in some of the world's key markets. The program attracts professionals from industry, care providers, service delivery organizations, consulting firms, public agencies, the sciences and payers in the healthcare and life sciences sectors around the world.

"Not only will you apply best practices from various healthcare systems and global life science companies, you will expand your leadership potential in order to improve healthcare from within."
— Nate Myers, GEMBA-HLS '20, Director, Strategy & Business Planning, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Learn more about the program requirements

Admission requirements

The program is designed for professionals from the healthcare and life sciences sector around the world who seek to lead change and advance their career.

Information on financial support

Financing your MBA

The program strives to recruit the best candidates, and is committed to helping you support your education by providing you with a broad range of financial options.

Upcoming admissions events

Admissions Events

We host a regular schedule of on-campus and online information sessions and sample classes to help you get to know our program.

Leadership in healthcare and the life sciences

The 15-month Global Executive MBA in Healthcare and the Life Sciences program offers an innovative curriculum that combines core management skills and practical engagement with deep self-development insights and strategic know-how, all designed for sector.

Travelling to three cities - Toronto, Singapore and London  - students engage with companies and institutions who are leaders in their areas. You will be exposed to the opportunities and challenges in all areas of healthcare and the life sciences, and ideas that are radically changing the way healthcare is delivered.

Think of the program as a multi-dimensional personal transformation, preparing you to do great things for the future business of healthcare.
Atif Zia, GEMBA-HLS '20 | President, Novocol Pharma
Program Schedule

Program schedule & delivery

15 months. 3 continents. The program is delivered in a blended model, with unparalleled peer-to-peer real-world learning.

Meet our faculty

Faculty and research

Learn from the world’s leading business thinkers. Rotman brings together expertise from across the healthcare and the life sciences value chain.

global

Global campus

Experience a career transformation that takes you around the world. Delivered over 15 months, the program travels to 3 countries and will give you the leadership edge you need to drive healthcare and life sciences innovation internationally.

HLS Leadership Network

Connect with mentors who are well-known in the sector

Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy

Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy

Our research centre focused on healthcare management will enhance your program experience.

CHE Designation

The Canadian College of Health Leaders shares the School’s commitment to leadership development in the health sector. CCHL and the Rotman School of Management hold a strategic alliance which allows GEMBA-HLS students to fulfill some of their requirements to earn the CHE designation while earning their degree

Transform your potential

 

In a competitive market, it takes serious focus, drive and leadership to take your career to the next level. Whether you’re looking to drive change in your organization, grow your business or advance in the healthcare/life sciences sector, we have a range of resources and services to help you achieve your goals.


Download the GEMBA - HLS program brochure.

Prepare for Career Success

 

27

Rotman faculty members engaged in health-related research

         

20+

Annual events focused on topics in healthcare/life sciences

3000+

Attendees at healthcare/life sciences events last year

 

Getting ahead

 

A degree from the Rotman School prepares you for top jobs in global healthcare and the life sciences. Our high-touch approach and exceptional staff-to-participant ratio means you enjoy personalized attention to help you achieve your career goals.

The program is designed for ambitious professionals who are looking to make the most of their career. While there are many ways to measure the return on investment of the program, our goal is to equip you with a lifelong toolkit you can use to take ownership of and manage your career and professional development long after graduation.

 

To that end, our dedicated Career Services team is committed to working closely with you to refine your career goals, market yourself efficiently, and network with people in a position to help you reach your targets. 


 

"The career services team is amazing and genuinely interested in getting to know each student and helping them uncover and pursue their optimal career path."

- Jocelyn Milburn, GEMBA-HLS '20, Director, Professional and Industry Relations, Government of Alberta


 

Ways to engage

 

Career services provides GEMBA-HLS participants with career support through a range of offerings including:

 

Individual career coaching (in person or via telephone)

  • Self-assessment
  • Job search strategy
  • Resume and cover letter review
  • Networking
  • Interview preparation
  • Job offer and negotiation advice
  • Career advancement strategy

Professional development workshops

  • Crafting management planning
  • Branding
  • Advanced resumes
  • Job search strategies 
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Behavioural and technical interview preparation

Online career resources

  • Best in class career content
  • Valuable research tools
  • Webinars and podcasts
  • Access to alumni

As a graduate of the Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences program you will also benefit from career support after graduation.

 

Graduate profiles

Where they landed

 

Leading companies from across the finance industry seek out Rotman MFin students and graduates for their proven ability to solve tough problems and deliver impressive results.

 

Atif Zia GEMBA HLS

Atif Zia, GEMBA - HLS '20

President, Novocol Pharma and Duoject Medical Systems

Previous role:

President, Novocol Healthcare, Vice President/General Manager, Septodont

 

Previous education:

BSc, University of Toronto


Jancy Ali GEMBA HLS

Jancy Ali, GEMBA - HLS '20

Senior Specialist Obstetrician, Dubai Health Authority

Previous role:

Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Ministry of Health, UAE

 

Previous education:

MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government Medical College, University of Kerala


Kathryn Tinckam

Kathryn Tinckham, GEMBA - HLS '20

Physician-in-Chief, University Health Network

Previous role:

Program Medical Director (Interim) - Laboratory Medical Program

 

Previous education:

M.M.Sc., Harvard Medical School

 

 

 

 


Gopinath Nageshwaran

Gopi Nageshwaran, GEMBA - HLS '20

Global Project Head, New Vaccines Portfolio Strategy & Execution, Research & Development, Sanofi Pasteur

Previous role:

Strategy & Planning Lead, Vaccine Epidemiology and Modelling, Sanofi Pasteur

 

Previous education:

MMBS, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute

 

Learn More

Studies and research

A photo showing some of U of T's affiliated teaching hospitals along University Avenue, facing south

Healthy business? Managerial education and management in healthcare, by Nicholas Bloom, Renata Lemos, Raffaella Sadun, John Van Reenen

Hospitals that are closer to universities in offering both medical and business education with higher management quality. Supplying joint MBA-healthcare courses may be a way for universities to increase medical business skills and raise clinical performance.

 

In the news

--

New Rotman healthcare EMBA: ‘Global Context’ for pros, Poets and Quants for executives

Business schools have been attempting to meet a need for physicians and scientists seeking to combine their technical backgrounds with a deeper understanding of the business side of healthcare. The Rotman School feels there’s more to be done.

 

Designing for hospital physician alignment by Brian Golden OHA Magazine

Leaders in healthcare know to align the interests of their employees and staff with those of the organization: to make them partners. The most robust health systems bring physicians into the process and align their interests with those of the hospitals.

 

Videos

 '' 

Leadership in Healthcare and the Life Sciences

"It takes a really brave leader to challenge the status quo, to challenge the inertia of the status quo, the safety of the status quo, to drive real innovation in the healthcare system."

 

 '' 

A global approach to healthcare and the life sciences

"One of the greatest opportunities in programs like this is the opportunity to get information-- intelligence, ways of thinking-- that are way beyond our borders."



Preview image of Professor Will Mitchell speaking 

Healthcare, pharma, medical devices and the MBA

"People are moving around, but they're finding positions and they're excited about those positions. It's a very dynamic industry. "

Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences class profile: Class of 2024


Average Age

40 


 

Icon - female 52%


Average work experience

14 Years


Average management experience

Years


Nationalities represented

Australia
Brazil
China
Canada
Eswantini
France
India
Italy
Philippines
USA
Zimbabwe

Job Titles

33% Director
21% Manager
21% HOD/Chief
21% Other
  8% Physician


Profile/Function

46% Administrative leaders
25% Healthcare providers
17% Industry leaders
  8% Scientists/researchers
  4% Government and policy leaders


Notable employers

Newfoundland and Labrador Public Health
Island Health
University Health Network
JLabs Innovation – Johnson & Johnson
Scarborough Health Network
Mackenzie Health

Mackenzie Health
Ornge
Canadian Red Cross
NSF International

William Osler Health System
Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Havas Health and You
ICON plc


Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences: Why, Where, Who

Read more about the program, and see composite profile information of GEMBA-HLS students over several cohorts.


Admission and next steps

The University of Toronto Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences program uses a rigorous set of admission criteria, based on a combination of academic abilities, interpersonal skills, and employment credentials. We look for high achievers who can already demonstrate significant professional success and potential for advancement. 

 

Read about our admission requirements, submit your resume for pre-assessment, or attend an admissions event.

 

Applications are open. Click here to apply.

We encourage international students to apply to earlier rounds in order to allow enough time for study permit applications.

 

Application process

We take a personalized approach to ensure that the program is the right fit for your personal and professional goals. If you have questions, would like to schedule a meeting with our admissions team or would like a pre-assessment of your potential candidacy for the program, we invite you to email us your resume. We will review your qualifications and credentials and contact you within two business days to discuss next steps.

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Admission Events

 

 


Breakthrough ideas.
Tested solutions.

Get the latest management thinking.
Rotman Insights Hub

Drive Change: Global EMBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences

Drive change and impact patient value with a global executive MBA customized to the sector.

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Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to
25 Category II credits
towards their maintenance of certification requirement.

Learn More »


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Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.


Award funding available

Tip: Apply early to increase your chances of an entrance award.

 

Travel bursaries – The Rotman School offers travel bursaries to qualified applicants of the Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences. Inquire with a member of the admission team for more information.

 


Discover more: GEMBA-HLS

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Download a copy of the GEMBA-HLS brochure

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Learn more about the experiences of Rotman students and alumni

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Submit your resume for pre-assessment

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Attend an admission event

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Meet us at a Global EMBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences Event


Ready to Hire Rotman Talent?

Our Career Services team makes it easy.


Questions?
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Read our admissions blog.