The Indian Institutes of Management or IIMs are considered the top B-schools in India. Getting into a regular 2-year full-time MBA program at an IIM is highly competitive. However, in recent years many IIMs have started online MBA programs that provide working professionals an opportunity to earn an MBA degree from an IIM without leaving their daily jobs. In this article, we will be providing you with the top 7 reasons why you should enroll in an IIM online MBA program, including its eligibility, course structure, and more.
Top 7 Reasons To Choose an IIM Online MBA
1. Flexible Study Schedule
The prime advantage of an online MBA program is the flexibility it offers. With an online program, professionals can study at their own pace and convenience without disrupting their work. The classes are online and they can access study materials and recorded lectures anytime, anywhere as per their schedule. This allows working professionals to continue their jobs and earn an MBA degree simultaneously without taking a career break.
2. No Need to Relocate
While full time MBA programs require you to relocate to the city where the B-school is located, online MBA programs do not have any such requirement. You can pursue an online MBA from IIM while staying in in your home city. This saves you the hassle and costs associated with relocation like shifting, renting accommodation, etc. You get tance to earn an IIM degree without disrupting your location,as well as your personal and professional life.
3. Affordable Fee Structure
The fee structure of IIM online MBA programs is significantly lower compared to the regular full-time MBA programs. For instance, the fee for a 2-year full-time MBA at IIM Ahmedabad is around INR 35 lakhs while the fee for IIM Ahmedabad’s online MBA program is around Rs.20 lakhs only. Similarly, other IIMs like IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Indore also charge lower fees for their online MBA programs making it much more affordable for working professionals.
4. Pursue a Career Along with Studies
As the online classes are scheduled flexibly in the evenings or weekends, it allows students to continue their existing jobs and responsibilities while pursuing an MBA. Many working professionals are not in a position to quit their jobs and undergo 2 years of full-time studies. An online MBA from an IIM allows such candidates to upskill themselves without disrupting their careers. They can apply the concepts learned in their work directly.
5. Get a Chance To Learn From IIM Faculty
While pursuing an online degree, students still get access to the best IIM faculty and coursework. The online programs follow the same IIM education and have the same academic rigor as the regular programs. Students can learn from eminent IIM professors through pre-recorded lectures and live interactive sessions conducted online. This ensures high quality of education is maintained despite the flexibility and convenience of an online mode.
6. Global Exposure
Many IIMs offer the option to visit their campuses for a brief immersion programs as part of the online curriculum. This gives students a chance to experience the IIM culture and network with peers from across the world. Some programs also have international student exchange programs, study tours, and collaborative projects with top foreign B-schools giving students a chance to gain global exposure.
7. Wider Career Opportunities
An MBA degree from an IIM opens up numerous career opportunities. An online MBA from an IIM carries the same weightage and prestige as the regular program. It helps working professionals get better roles, and promotions, and switch to more lucrative careers or even start their entrepreneurial ventures. Many past students of IIM online programs have been able to shift to core management/business roles in top companies after completing their MBA.
Also Read: Top Accredited Universities For Executive MBA Program
IIM online MBA: Course Strucutre
The IIM online MBA curriculum covers all the essential management subjects like finance, and marketing, strategy, HR, operations, organizational behavior, analytics etc. across 4 semesters. The programs follow modular structure with subjects delivered through pre-recorded video lectures, case studies, assignments, live classes, capstone projects, etc.
Some key aspects of the course are:
- Core & elective management subjects
- Live interactive sessions & webinars
- Case-study approach
- Summer internship project
- Dissertation Submission
- Career development workshops
The evaluation is done continuously through online tests, assignments, presentations, projects, etc. in addition to the final exams. On successful completion of the program, students are awarded the online MBA degree from their respective IIM just like the regular program graduates.
IIM Online MBA: Eligibility Criteria
To enroll in an online MBA program, candidates need to complete the following eligibility criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree(10+2+3) in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 45-50% marks
- A minimum of 3-5 years of work experience after graduation.
- A valid score in a national-level management entrance exam such as CAT, GMAT, or GRE.
- The candidate should be not less than 25 years old.
- Some IIMs conduct GD and Personal Interview rounds to give admission the the candidates after shortlisting them on their entrance exam scores.
Top IIMs Offering Online MBA programs
Some of the top IIMs that have started online MBA programs in the last few years include:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Indore
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIM Lucknow
- IIM Raipur
- IIM Trichy
- IIM Udaipur
- IIM Jammu
- IIM Bodh Gaya
- IIM Kashipur
- IIM Sirmaur
- IIM Ranchi
- IIM Visakhapatnam
The admission process and intake for these programs varies between 40-100 students annually depending on the respective IIM.
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In addition to these 3Cs, College Vidya continues its ongoing support through their post-admission services given to their enrolled students, Their post-admission services include academic counseling and career advising, community outreach, student orientation programs, technical assistance, a seamless and advanced learning management system, placement assistance, project help, research assistance, and career counseling.
Conclusion
The online mode has made it possible for many more working professionals to earn a prestigious IIM MBA degree and upskill themselves. An IIM online MBA is ideal for working professionals looking to earn a management degree from a top B-school without disrupting their careers or relocating. The flexible online learning coupled with high-quality IIM education and affordable fees make it a smart choice for career progression. The wider career opportunities after an IIM MBA also justify opting for these online programs.
Also Read: The Future of Education: Exploring the Online BCA Program
