In the rise of innovation in education, distance education plays an important role in showcasing its necessity and accessibility to students. When opting for higher education, such as MBA degree is the best-known postgraduate degree program. This will help working professionals grow in their careers. However, in most situations, professionals cannot afford to quit their jobs to pursue a full-time MBA program.
Under these circumstances, the distance education MBA option comes to the rescue. Popularly, working candidates willing to do a PG degree in management (MBA) can opt for a distance MBA over a regular MBA because the program has better convenience, affordability, and flexibility. A major benefit of a distance MBA is how quick, students can access study materials digitally. Also, many leading universities offer distance online MBA programs with high placement rates.
The graduates can be from any stream, such as B-Tech, B.E., B.Sc., B.Com., BCA, BA, etc. Candidates working in any kind of job or domain will require specialized training in their field of interest. Therefore, it is necessary to opt for the best colleges that have been approved by UGC-DEB and AICTE to offer distance MBAs in India.
About the Program:
A distance learning MBA in India is a 2-year postgraduate degree program that is offered by UGC-approved universities. The curriculum will be provided through self-study and online modes of learning. There are more than 50 universities in India that offer distance MBA programs, and the top 10 universities in India along with the program fees structure is listed in the below table:
|
University name |
Fees structure |
|
31500 |
|
|
25000-30000 |
|
|
73000 |
|
|
39700 |
|
|
41500 |
|
|
41600 |
|
|
62000 |
|
|
77200 |
|
|
63000 |
|
|
30000 |
|
|
30000 |
|
|
27650 |
|
|
1.1 lakhs |
|
|
56000 |
|
|
25000 |
|
|
30000 |
Students who choose a distance MBA over a full-time course will find it more beneficial, which makes it a good choice for working professionals and other freshmen as well. Here are some of the points listed in brief:
• Convenient study timing: It allows you to study at your own pace and time to help balance education with personal and work commitments.
• Cost-effective: Compared to regular MBA programs, the tuition fees for distance MBA programs are generally lower. Also, it reduces all other expenses like travel, accommodation, etc.
• Convenience: You can pursue an MBA program from any location without needing to relocate or go to the college campus.
• Live or recorded videos: Unlike full-time MBA courses, there is no need for the physical existence of students in distance MBA programs. The program will be quite flexible, where you can listen to classes at scheduled times or refer to the recorded version and learn the topics.
• Approval and Recognitions: UGC-DEB-approved Distance MBA degrees are recognized by both the government and the private sector. The distance MBA certification is equally valued as regular MBA certification and ensures it is valid in the job market.
• Use of Resources: Other than live or recorded classes, you are given access to digital libraries, the LMS learning method, and interactive sessions with faculty to ensure an overall learning experience.
• Career growth: If working candidates want to get promotions or aim for a bigger designation, then a distance MBA will be beneficial. It can improve a career path by giving advanced knowledge and skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Income while learning: The greatest advantage is that working professionals can continue to earn while doing their MBA, thus acting as a win-win situation and reducing financial strain.
• Multiple Specializations: Distance MBA programs are often available in a wide range of disciplines. You can choose your interest in a subject according to your education requirements and career goals at the time of admission.
Kinds of Distance MBA Programs Available in India:
To begin with, the curriculum aspect of an MBA will be the same in distance mode and regular mode. Even the admission criteria for a distance MBA program are usually based on graduation degree, entrance exam, and relevant counseling results. The distance MBA program is also available in different formats that can cater to different needs. Some of them are listed below:
• PGDBA: It is fully known as the Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. It is a 2-year program in diploma-level management. The curriculum of the program well aligns with the regular MBA syllabus. The required eligibility for PGDBA distance learning is to have completed a UG degree in any discipline.
• PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma) is equivalent to an MBA. Usually a 2- to 3-year distance learning commitment. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering all topics of management relevant principles and practices. The minimum qualification is to have secured 50% of the graduation degree from a recognized college. Selections based on UGC NET qualification will exempt candidates from writing any other entrance tests.
• Business Management Certificate: This is a short-term certification program in many management specializations like financial management, marketing management, etc. that are available. The course duration will typically range from 6 months to 1 year. Candidates opting for this program must have completed a graduation degree followed by work experience in a relevant field with selective specializations.
Distance MBA Specializations:
Students can opt for various specializations in the distance MBA program, which has a bigger scope for building career opportunities. Some of the best distance MBA disciplines are:
|
Human Resource Management |
Banking Management |
|
Accounting Management |
Entrepreneurship Management |
|
International Business Management |
Business Management |
|
Information Technology Management |
Finance Management |
|
Finance Management |
Hospital Management |
|
Economics Management |
E-Business/ E-Commerce Management |
|
Risk Management |
Rural Management |
|
Marketing Management |
Operations Management |
Certain prerequisites need to be met by the applicants for a distance MBA. The requirements will vary from one college to another. However, some basic eligibility criteria would be similar and are explained below:
• According to educational qualification, a candidate must have completed their UG degree in any stream from an AICTE-recognized university. They must have secured a minimum of 50% of the mark as an average and have no backlogs. There is 50% relaxation, i.e., 45%, accepted for reserved candidates like SC and ST.
• According to selection criteria, the applicants must have passed management entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, etc. at the national level. Also, the applicants might appear for entrance exams that will be conducted by the university itself.
• In addition, working professionals, it is required that they have a minimum of 3+ years of working experience in a relevant field.
• Based on the specified eligibility criteria, candidates can apply to the particular colleges accordingly. Also, in some cases, scholarship benefits are offered to deserving, qualified candidates.
The steps to be followed while applying for a distance MBA program might change based on the college type and norms. But here are the basic steps that can be followed by the students in most cases:
1. The first step would be to do detailed research about the program, where it is available, what the given specializations are, program fees, and other facilities, along with its credibility.
2. There are different eligibility and selection criteria for different colleges; it is necessary to know the admission guidelines of the college and the requirements for work experience.
3. The distance MBA application process is inclusive of steps like visiting the official website of the college and filling in the necessary information.
4. Then the college webpage will redirect the students to pay the application fees through a specified method.
5. At last, it is necessary to attach the important documents in digital format and then make the submission.
Some of the commonly required documents are
• Work experience;
• Academic certification;
• Degree certificate;
• Entrance exam scorecard;
• Photographs;
• Aadhar Card or any other photo identification given by the government.
6. After the university has verified the application, the shortlisted candidates will be informed and provided with an offer letter.
7. Later, after the admission confirmation is given, candidates must pay the academic fees, followed by an orientation.
Note: If there is any entrance exam conducted by the university, then they must apply for the exam and prepare for it. Further, the selections would be based on interview performance.
Comparison between Regular MBA and Distance MBA:
Here are some of the major differences that can help in making a better decision.
|
Regular MBA |
Distance MBA |
|
Chances to make a different career path by using different specializations |
A working professional can enhance his or her skills in the same domain. |
|
Suitable for freshmen who have just completed a bachelor's degree |
Mainly for working candidates who cannot quit the job. |
|
Gets an internship opportunity during the course |
There is no internship facility as the candidate would already have a job. |
|
Real-life network building |
Comparatively less (depends on college or university) |
|
Better placement opportunities
|
Comparatively less (depends on college/ University) |
|
Higher fees structure |
Comparatively less than a regular MBA |
|
Traditional methods of teaching |
Online/ live or recorded i.e. LMS teaching methodology |
|
Scheduled place and time of learning |
Learning in your place, time, and comfort |
Here are some of the positions that candidates can apply for after completing a distance MBA program.
Management Consultant
One of the common roles that candidates can opt for after completing a distance MBA is to become a management consultant in companies. The role of the consultant is to inform the company about its growth and finances. The pay is great for this position, and one can earn up to INR 26.8 lakh per annum.
Teaching/Subject Matter Expert with Chegg
If the candidate is interested in the teaching profession, then they can opt for Chegg Q&A Expert after finishing a distance MBA. Here, candidates can earn money online by answering questions asked by students. It means earning while learning, as you can choose the subject you want to solve questions for and test your knowledge too.
Human Resource Management
Candidates opting to become HR managers can see a higher scope in their career after completing their MBA degree in distance learning. The role of the HR manager is to search for and hire desired employees for organizational development. If the candidate chooses this career option, then your average salary will be approximately 12.1 lakhs per annum.
Investment Bankers
The investment banker designation is known to be one of the best-paying jobs all over. This position has seen a rise as many candidates prefer it as it offers a high position and salary. It is necessary to have completed their UG and PG degree (MBA) in a discipline like finance or economics. The average package an investment banker can make is INR 7 LPA.
Business Development
BD managers play an important role in the company. They are the core people who help in getting new work channels, forming new partnerships, market strategy, customer reviews, etc. Most Fortune 500 companies provide a good package for this role. On average, the salary would range from 7 LPA and beyond.
Data Scientists
There is quite a high demand for data scientists who are skilled and knowledgeable. Having an MBA degree in computer science or the IT field can increase the chance of getting placed in big companies. The role of a data scientist is to be responsible for analyzing and checking data. On average, according to the career statistics, the salary for a data scientist will be INR 12.7 lakhs per annum or above.
