The quality of education in India has improved steadily but surely over the years. While MBA aspirants would prefer to complete their management studies from a top foreign university, an international MBA college in India could also be a wise selection.
As highlighted in this post, there are significant differences between pursuing MBA in India and abroad. At times, it can make more sense for someone to prefer an international MBA degree in India over a foreign university.
Why International MBA?
Every MBA program is designed to help the applicants develop the skillset and business acumen to succeed in managerial and leadership roles. However, some programs significantly vary in their focus areas. The international MBA programs in India are centered around enabling aspirants to learn about issues faced by businesses worldwide and not just in India.
MBA aspirants who would like to move to a foreign country for employment after gaining some experience in India could significantly benefit by pursuing an international MBA. Top multinational companies in India are also constantly looking to hire such candidates. But as compared to the traditional MBA programs, the international MBA courses are more expensive.
Top 5 International MBA Colleges in India
Here’s a list of the top 5 international MBA colleges you can consider in India-
- XLRI, Jamshedpur
Established in 1949, XLRI is one of India’s most reputed global MBA colleges. The AMBA, NBA, AACSB, and AICTE approved institute offers PGDM courses in human resource management, business administration, and general management. Several reputed companies regularly visit the institute for placements.
| Exam Accepted | XAT, GMAT |
| Fees | Rs. 23.6 lakhs |
| Avg. Placement Salary | Rs. 25.08 LPA |
| No. of Seats | 180 |
- IMT, Ghaziabad
The Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad, has been constantly ranked as one of the top 10 B-schools in India by ranking agencies such as CRISIL and Business Today. It offers AICTE approved PGDM courses in finance, marketing, human resource management, operations management, and more.
| Exam Accepted | XAT, CAT, GMAT |
| Fees | Rs. 19.53 lakhs |
| Avg. Placement Salary | Rs. 15.28 LPA |
| No. of Seats | 420 |
- MDI, Gurgaon
MDI was established in 1973 as a private business school in Gurgaon, India. It was the first institute in the country to receive the prestigious AMBA international accreditation. The institute offers PGDM courses in general management, human resource management, international business, and business management.
| Exam Accepted | CAT |
| Fees | Rs. 21.34 lakhs |
| Avg. Placement Salary | Rs. 22.05 LPA |
| No. of Seats | 240 |
- SPJIMR, Mumbai
S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, popularly known as SPJIMR, was established in 1981 under the patronage of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The AICTE, AMBA, AACSB, and AIU affiliated institute offers PGDM courses in specializations like information management, finance, operations and supply chain management, and marketing management.
| Exam Accepted | CAT, XAT, GRE, GMAT |
| Fees | Rs. 16.25 lakhs |
| Avg. Placement Salary | Rs. 20.9 LPA |
| No. of Seats | 240 |
- UBS, Karjat
Universal Business School (UBS) was established in 2009 under the Strive India Education Foundation. The institute offers AICTE approved and NBA accredited PGDM courses in business management, international management, and business design and innovation. UBS also has a dedicated 2-year global MBA program and an international MBA program in Spanish.
| Exam Accepted | CAT, XAT, GRE, GMAT |
| Fees | Rs. 10.92 lakhs |
| Avg. Placement Salary | Rs. 8.42 LPA |
| No. of Seats | 360 |
[READ: How to Prepare for CAT in 2022]
International MBA from an Indian College or MBA from an International University?
While the selection between the two would ultimately depend on the student, here are some points that you should keep in mind-
- Course Fee and Other Expenses
As seen above, international MBA programs in India at top institutes cost around 15-20 lakhs. Then there are additional costs such as study materials, accommodation, etc. But the courses are still highly cost-effective as ROI comfortably makes up for the course fee and other expenses.
Compared to global MBA programs in India, pursuing MBA at a top international university can be considerably costlier but can generate impressive ROI. For instance, the course fee at a top business school in the USA can range between USD80,000 to USD100,000. After completing the course, you might find a job that pays USD80,000-USD120,000 or even more.
[READ: The ROI of MBA from USA]
- Career Growth
While an international MBA from India can significantly elevate one’s career as it is one of the most sought-after degrees among employers in India, foreign employment opportunities would mostly be limited initially. Therefore, you might require decent work experience in India before exploring job prospects in foreign countries.
By pursuing an MBA from an international university, the students build a strong global network, which can prove very helpful when trying to find a job abroad. This Forbes article offers a detailed overview of the benefits of international networking. The course enables Indian students to develop the confidence and skills required for integrating with an extensive range of cultures to boost their job prospects further.
[READ: Which MBA Programs have the Highest Salaries?]
- Entrepreneurial Ambitions
The curriculum of international MBA programs offers an excellent overview of the global business landscape. Learning about the challenges and opportunities available in all the different parts of the world can help feed the entrepreneurial skills of the students who want to start their own business in the future.
But the exposure and knowledge offered by international universities with top global faculties and students from different parts of the world are unmatched. The learning environment at foreign universities provides a first-hand experience of the business world to strengthen the foundation of entrepreneurship in the students.
[READ: Top 5 Entrepreneurship MBA Programs]
Pursuing International MBA in India
International MBA in India can be an excellent choice for someone wanting global exposure from their management course. But if you are still in two minds about whether to go for a global MBA course in India or pursue MBA from a top foreign university, a reputed MBA consultant can help.
Consultants like us can help you thoroughly understand the advantages of both and also assist you throughout the admission process. The guidance can make your application stand out from the crowd to improve the prospects of getting selected by top national and international business schools.
