Master in Business Administration is a dynamic course that has interested many students and professionals since always. The multiple domains of business administration have been favorites of the students as they get the chance to specialize in a specific field of business. The MBA is a postgraduate-level degree which is taught over 2 years. Each year, a significant number of graduated students opt for this course for their master’s as this degree in itself is capable of proving knowledge and finding suitable employment in business-oriented professions like business analyst, HR manager, IT, entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing/financial or logistics manager, etc. Keeping in mind the heightened career scope of this degree, there is an ever-increasing demand for this program. To make this degree available for prospective students, national and international universities as well as colleges offer online MBA degree programs from recognized institutions. The degree will equip the students to work in managerial positions and ensure optimum output from resources, time, and people. A significant advantage of pursuing online MBA degree programs is that the latest and in-demand courses are available for students to study at their own pace. While an offline course will take ample time to make the physical adjustments in an institute to introduce a new course, the online mode is the way to go when you are adamant about keeping up with the latest business trends and innovations!
What are online MBA degree programs?
An MBA degree can be studied offline in the physical atmosphere of a college, with part-time classes, or with the online medium of learning. In India, students from different streams and educational backgrounds; be it science, commerce, or humanities set out to pursue an MBA as it uplifts the kind of professional opportunities they receive after completing this program. Online MBA courses in India are offered by many authorized government and private universities that have designed a comprehensive curriculum that suits the learning requirements of a student. The online course too is taught for a period of twelve months with subjects that are similar to the ones provided in a college. Although there can be innumerable reasons for students to choose an online degree over an offline one, the preference for online is rising at an increasing rate because of the exceptional perks associated with it. The students are not bound to a regular/irregular schedule of attending classes and are able to enjoy the technological facilities that come with it. Recorded sessions that can be played again and again, posting and receiving doubts without hesitation, and live lessons from the comfort of your own space are just a few advantages that can be named.
Duration and core subjects
Online MBA courses in India are a two-year program that awards students with a post-graduation level degree. Depending on the university or institute that is offering this course, the number of semesters can range between four to six. However, a majority of them prefer the traditional four-semester system. While some institutes will allow you direct admission into the course and have a large number of seats available, reputed universities might demand the prerequisites of entrance examination marks, interviews, and only a limited number of seats for worthy candidates only.
Online MBA degree programs will offer you a taste of major and different subjects in the first year itself unless you have chosen a specialized course in the first place like an MBA in Hotel Management, human resource management, logistics management, international business, etc. Otherwise, students will be offered to choose a specialization in the 2nd year of their program. You do not need to fret about this part as in the online mode too students can seek guidance from faculties that will help them understand their choice of subjects. Some core subjects that are an integrated part of the MBA program are business communication, operation, marketing, advertising, the Indian economy in the global context, HR, finance, consumer behavior, etc.
Benefits of an ‘online’ degree
Personalized study schedule– There is a notable difference between following a pre-decided study schedule and carving out one that suits your priorities. Students will be able to determine/set their own academic goals whose tasks they accomplish in their own time. However, this does not mean that the deadlines set by your institute can be disregarded.
Save on travel fare- MBA is a coveted course and while many significant/insignificant universities offer this program, it will be difficult to say that they all pass the quality of education that is provided. Universities that propose to offer the best online MBA programs in India are established only in metropolitan cities and students sometimes have to cover large distances and pay exorbitant fares for their commute. An online MBA degree program will save you from an expenditure that can certainly be avoided.
Availability of trendy courses– The business-oriented MBA degree has the latest course/ introductions each year. For eg, many universities have introduced Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, AI ethics, etc. into their MBA programs. While they might not have a smooth teaching structure for such subjects in the offline mode of education yet, many institutes are offering these advanced programs as part of their online MBA programs.
Affordability– Your online MBA course fee in India can range between INR 1.75 lakhs to more than 20 lakhs. A degree in the offline mode can coerce you to pay more than INR 40 lakhs. Instead of choosing to pay such an amount for an offline MBA degree, you can opt for an online course and choose an institute that suits your pocket.
The pace of learning– The flexible learning schedule will allow students to gain knowledge of their subjects at their own learning and understanding speed. Certain institutes take their live online session only 3-4 days a week which gives the students ample time to learn/revise their concepts before the next lecture.
Accessibility to learning material-Pre-recorded lectures, video orientations, and recording facilities are some untraditional perks that can be a part of your online MBA program. You are not restricted to a one-time lecture delivery and can go back to understand a topic again and again if you are facing any hurdles.
Particular interactive sessions- Industry professionals are often not available to interact with students in colleges and they prefer to share their experiences/learning of the professional environment in the online format only. In the comfort of your own space, you too can get the exceptional opportunity to get your academic curiosities satisfied with such sessions.
Availability of varied subject options– Online MBA degree programs give you a wide range of subjects to choose from as you are not dependent on the availability of faculty for any semester.
Suitable for Professionals– Online MBA is the optimum course for professionals who are seeking to upskill. If your circumstances do not grant you the liberty to leave work and enroll in the regular mode of classes then you can continue to work and apply for an online program. Universities too prefer prospective students who have some work experience associated with their credentials.
Studying in international Universities– Studying abroad is a dream for many students but not everybody gets to realize it due to visa, course, or financial limitations. Universities and business schools from the UK, USA, Canada, etc. offer online MBA degree programs with advanced teaching methods and learning materials.
Important points to consider before applying for online MBA degree programs
Bachelor’s Degree- MBA is a post-graduation degree that can be completed only after graduation. A bachelor’s degree of 3 or 4 years is the basic eligibility criteria and requirement for applying to an MBA program. Students of all streams and educational backgrounds can apply for this.
Minimum Marks Requirement- For this particular online program, you are supposed to have obtained at least 50 marks in your previous degree course. A particular national/international can even set their own requirement of 55% to 60%. For studying in India, while general category students have to maintain an aggregate of 50%, reserved category students can be accepted at 45% also.
Professional experience– Even if professional experience is not a stated requirement, your work experience in a professional setting can increase your chances of being accepted into your choice of university. Your skills can be an asset to business schools as well as your prospective employment. MBA courses are developed in a manner that encourages concept understanding after practical work experience.
University-specific eligibility– For online MBA courses in India it is crucial for applicants to have a 3-year bachelor’s degree from any stream. However, some international universities can specify their need for a 4-year bachelor’s degree for admission into their business institutes.
Clear purpose and motive– For online programs too, students are supposed to fill out elaborative forms expressing their intent to choose this course. It can be repeated during the interview process with extra emphasis on the skills you are adept with. Therefore, it is better to have clear and crisp answers for your reasons for opting for an MBA program and how it will shape your professional life.
Online MBA course fee
All business schools that claim to offer trustworthy online MBA degree programs have to invest in experienced faculty and guidance from professionals. Which is why the program is considered expensive in comparison to other business courses. Your online MBA course fee in India can start from as low as INR 30,000 and move up to INR 15-20 lakhs. The major criteria that justify this fee difference is the university you have chosen to pursue your course. Depending on the facilities being provided to you, number of classes, and the reputation of the institution, you can be asked to deposit a certain amount in each semester. If your university is affiliated with the state or central government then you can complete your masters in INR 30,000-80,000. On the other hand, a private university can charge you differently for each semester. If you are a student who has secured admission into an international institution that is offering you Online MBA degree programs, then you can expect to pay an amount between INR 150000- 450000. Again, your fees can decrease or increase depending on the choice and popularity of your institution. There is only a slight difference between domestic and international online MBA course fees and with the right approach, students can study in global educational institutions that specialize in providing quality online education. Students are advised to make their decisions wisely as most of these institutions have a no-refund policy once the fee is deposited.
Do you need to take an entrance examination?
In India, private and few public institutions do not expect you to appear for any entrance exam before applying for admission. However, some renowned government institutions can expect you to appear for exams like CAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, or any other college-specific examination. With proper research, students should ascertain if any other requirements are expected to be fulfilled by them. You should be very cautious of the timeline followed by the institute to which you have applied as there are multiple announcements, shortlists, interview calls, and directions that can be confusing to follow.
Significant universities that offer online MBA courses in India
Government Online MBA degree programs are approved by the University Grants Commission of India. Indian Institutes of Management are government-funded institutions that offer online MBA programs. In terms of the quality of the degree, it has ranked in the top five MBA-specific universities by NIRF. IIM has set up its institutes in the following states-
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIM Bangalore
Other than this, the Indian Institute of Technology too has a good reputation and ranks high on the NIRF chart. The fees for these institutes are reasonable too. Other government institutes that you can consider are-
- Andhra University Online
- IGNOU
- Bharathidasan University Online
- Kurukshetra University Online
- Alagappa University Online
There are better and more options available to students applying to private universities. Some popular ones that are well-recognized for this online program are-
- Amity University Online MBA
- Symbiosis Online MBA Program
- Chandigarh University Online MBA
- Manipal Online MBA
- LPU Online MBA
- Dr. Dy Patil Online MBA
- BIM Tech
- Kalinga Insititute of Industrial Technology
- KL College of Engineering Online
- UPES Online
Are online MBA degrees valued?
Rest assured, you should be absolutely convinced that online MBA degree programs are equally valued and recognized as offline programs. It is only your physical presence that is missing from the campus otherwise you are following a similar course and examination pattern as that of offline students. In fact, you can showcase that an online degree has made you skilled and adept with technology. Students can be judged on their choice of university in professional spaces for which they should be able to justify their choice. The duration of the course too is the same and all national and international companies will accept your online qualification. More so, you can even apply for government jobs without any hesitation. Students should lay extra emphasis on mastering their subject knowledge and sharpening their skills like developing strategies, making business decisions, leadership, networking, entrepreneurship skills, efficiency in performing tasks, etc.
Career Opportunities and Popular Specializations
A master’s in business administration can prove you are capable of working in a business setting even if you have no specialized knowledge in one particular subject/field. Marketing, consultation, or general management are designations that all MBA graduates can work in. Further, based on your specialization too you can target specific companies and positions. Some popular subjects that are always in demand in business environments and are most common among students are-
- MBA in Human Resource Management
- MBA in Healthcare Management
- MBA in Finance
- MBA in Business Analytics
- MBA in Entrepreneurship
Conclusion
An online MBA degree program can make a student competent and skilled to work in dynamic fields of business. It is easy on the pocket, smoothens career growth, and facilitates management skills. There is ample time and scope to develop one’s knowledge at their own pace. In fact, some colleges might also give you a chance to interact and build a network with your colleagues through online classes or group projects. It is a boon for employees who want to upskill but cannot afford to leave their present employment. They can attend the complete course from the comfort of their homes and receive a valid degree award like other students who have completed their course the traditional way!