Ivey MBA students bring to the program a diverse set of academic and work backgrouds.  Although this diversity is a tremendous asset to the class as a whole, it may create some challenges for those students who do not have prior academic training in business, economics or statistics.  In addition, our experience has been that even those students who have degrees in business or economics often benefit greatly from a refresher course in the fundamentals before the start of the program.

For this reason, Ivey has designed the Pre-Ivey Preparatory Knowledge Program (PKP), a two week program focused on Business Essentials (Economics, Finance/Accounting and Quantitative Analysis).  The main objective of Pre-Ivey PKP is to ensure that all students start the MBA program prepared.  Pre-Ivey also seeks to ensure that class time in the actual MBA program is used for maximum benefit.  Ivey professors will assume that everyone in the MBA program has a least Pre-Ivey knowledge in the relevant disciplines, meaning that class time can be spent on more advance topics and the application of theory and fundamentals to real world business situations.

Historically, 75% of the Ivey MBA students have taken all or part of the Preparatory Knowledge Program.  Students have rated the program very highly and even those students with prior academic experience in the topic areas have found the refresher to be useful.  Another benefit of the program is simply reacquainting themselves with being in a classroom setting for an extended time, and the discipline of engaging in regular homework, reading and assignments.  Of course, Pre-Ivey also offers an early opportunity to get to know your classmates, and familiarize yourself with all that is available at Ivey, Western and the city of London.