General MBA Vs Specialized MBA - Which Is Better?

When looking for MBA courses in India, students often come across General MBA Vs Specialized MBA. A General MBA course covers management and develops skills such as critical thinking, business management, leadership, etc. While in a specialized MBA program, students study effective management and master a particular subject.

Many students are unable to decide which program is best for them. This article will take us through the differences and benefits of pursuing a General MBA vs Specialized MBA in India so students can know about each. 

Table Of Contents

• Key Highlights
• Overview
• Eligibility And Admission Process
• Curriculum
• Benefits
• Drawbacks
• Scope And Opportunities
• Salary
• Top Colleges
• Which One To Choose?

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Key Highlights

MBA is among the most challenging yet the most recognised masters degree program around the world. The versatility of the course and the rigorous curriculum, make the recruiters consider the graduates for high-yielding job profiles in organisations. However, one can pursue MBA not only through earning a specialized degree but also by earning a General knowledge of all the forms and fundamentals of an MBA i.e. General MBA. MBA today is not limited to the typical program, but there are various forms as per the comfort and inclination of the students.

Below we have listed some key differences on General vs Specialized MBA. 

General MBA vs Specialized MBA

Basis	General MBA	Specialized MBA
Duration of the course	2 years	2 years
Scope	Internationally Accepted	International Recognition
Curriculum	Experiential & General Case-Study Based Learning	Focuses On Specific Domain-Based Learning
Fees	16 - 18 Lakh in total	16 - 18 Lakh in total

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Overview

The general MBA is a course that makes a candidate study a wide variety of subjects related to management. The particular MBA course is designed in such a way that the candidate gets an understanding of broad management issues in the first year, while in the coming year, the candidate gets to pick the choice of subjects. In the case of a generalized MBA, the candidate has the opportunity to study different aspects of a business in the first year and figure out what is the one thing which interests them.

Read More: MBA

On the other hand, a specialized MBA deals with only one aspect of a business such as finance, marketing, international enterprise, business, human resources management etc. Though this course teaches a student about the broad concepts of management, it is particularly designed to train the candidate in only one specific area. Thus recruiters consider these students as experts in their respective professions.

Read More: MBA Specializations

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Eligibility & Admission Process

General MBA vs Specialized MBA is a tough decision, although eligibility and admission requirements are similar for both. These institutions or B- schools base admissions on entrance exams, interviews, and group discussions or activities. Some colleges search for job experience; however, general MBA courses may not need it since it's not a priority.

• A minimum of 50% eligibility for students in undergraduate is required, for SC/ST and other reserved categories the minimum criteria is 45%.
• A professional degree like CA and CFA or a Diploma degrees is also considered during admission.
• Entrance exams such as CAT, NMAT, CMAT and SNAP are some of the most common MBA examinations. These exams cater to English Language, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning questions and are considered among India’s toughest set of examinations.
• After the entrance examination, the students who clear the cut-off of their desired institutes, have to attend the group discussion and personal interview sessions.
• Post these rounds, on the basis of performance in the entrance test, group discussion and personal interview, a student is selected into the Business School across India.

Read More: MBA Admission

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Curriculum

General MBA vs Specialized MBA might be different, but the curriculum is somewhat similar. However, General MBA gives students a broad idea of Business Administration in all domains. Individuals can apply the skills gained from a General MBA in almost all job roles across companies. However, in a specialized MBA, the students gain knowledge about any domain they choose. The subjects that are majorly covered in all kinds of MBA are-

• Marketing
• HR Management
• Business Planning
• Finance Management
• Principles of Management
• Business Laws
• Communication Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Business Communication
• Computer Application
• Organizational Behaviour
• Taxation
• Retail Management
• Project Work
• Economics
• Business Environment

Read More: MBA Syllabus and Subjects

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Benefits

There are many advantages to both general MBA or specialized MBA programs. The following are certain benefits of general MBA programs and specialized MBA programs. Students must consider the benefits while deciding between General MBA vs Specialized MBA is better for them. 

General MBA vs Specialized MBA Course Benefits

General MBA Pros	Specialized MBA Pros
With a general MBA, students master the basics of all areas in business and management and build skills suitable to every industry.	Specialized MBA students are given a thorough course study in a selected domain. A specialized MBA is for you if you want more tailored management expertise in one discipline.
The admission process to a general MBA program is relatively easier, which includes an MBA entrance exam and a strong application.	If you have already decided what sector you want to work for following your education, a specialized MBA can give you a good start.
In addition to business and management expertise, general MBA programs also include leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills.	Many Specialized MBA courses enable students to study while working, which offers candidates more flexibility & functionality.

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Drawbacks

Whether you pursue General MBA or Specialized MBA, both courses have some drawbacks. The following are certain cons of enrolling in general and specialized MBA programs. Take a look at General MBA vs Specialized MBA program disadvantages. 

General MBA vs Specialized MBA Course Drawbacks

General MBA Cons	Specialized MBA Cons
A general MBA won't lead you to a certain career or sector, so students must be proactive about seeking options. ​	Candidates will acquire expertise in only one subject, so be sure of your career plans before enrolling in a specialized MBA course.
Most MBA programs are full-time and require two years to finish, indicating high fees and less practical experience.	Individuals with a specialized MBA degree might find switching to another sector more challenging than a general MBA.
A general MBA is a time- and money-intensive course. Students must ensure that they can manage their financial investments with ease.	Specialized MBA programs prioritize candidates with job experience, so if you're starting, it can be challenging.

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Scope And Opportunities

When comparing General MBA vs Specialized MBA, in both courses, students gain a theoretical and practical understanding of core and specialized areas via experiential, case-study, and research-based learning. After completing a General or Specialized MBA, one may work in international firms, public and private sectors, or start their own business.

Some top recruiters for General MBA and Specialized MBA students are Deloitte, KPMG, TCS, HDFC Bank etc. Below, we've highlighted some of the most popular career options and prospects for general and specialized MBA graduates. 

• Consultant
• Marketing Manager
• Finance Manager
• Human Resource Manager
• Training Specialist
• Project Manager
• Operations Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• Business Analyst

Read More: MBA Job Scope

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Salary

General MBA vs Specialized MBA is a debatable topic for MBA grads. MBA is an expensive course to pursue as a master’s degree program for 2 - years. General MBA vs Specialized MBA is distictive in nature, but both programs are recognized and high-yielding; the course is expected to have high fees across the globe. Below we have listed a few job profiles and their average payscale -

Job Profiles	Average Payscale (INR)
Consultant	11 LPA
Finance Manager	9.9 LPA
Marketing and Sales Manager	6.8 LPA
Project Manager	12 LPA
Financial Analyst	5 LPA
Market Research Analyst	5 LPA
Training Specialist	8.8 LPA

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Top Colleges

When a student decides to pursue an MBA, one of the toughest choices they face is deciding between General MBA vs Specialized MBA. Many top colleges in India offer general and specialized MBA courses. A list of top institutes in India offering General MBA vs Specialized MBA programs are -

General MBA vs Specialized MBA

Top General MBA Colleges	Top Specialized MBA Colleges
JBIMS Mumbai	IIM Calcutta
FMS Delhi	IIM Ahmedabad
PUMBA Pune	IIM Bangalore
Christ University	XLRI Jamshedpur
FMS BHU	SPJIMR Mumbai

Read More: Top MBA Colleges in India

General MBA vs Specialized MBA: Which One To Choose?

A course in Masters of Business Administration requires a huge investment of time and money during the tenure of the course. One has to be sure and passionate about their choice of specialization or field of study or be sure about doing a core management course. Students might be confused between General MBA and Specialized MBA, but to clarify the confusion, we have listed a few benefits of both. 

Curriculum- If a student has found a niche in various domains like marketing and finance, they can pursue a specialized MBA and earn a deep-dive knowledge of that subject. However, suppose a student wants to learn the core of management. In that case, they can pursue a General MBA, which allows them to understand management and business fundamentals.

Business Knowledge Gained- Specialization in MBA allows a student to focus on one subject at a time and become an expert in that field through conducting research, solving real-world case studies, and an internship in that domain. However, an MBA in General Management will allow the student to understand all the business domains, giving them an edge in having a generalized knowledge of the business as a whole.

At the end of this, it comes down to the students and MBA aspirants when choosing between General MBA vs Specialized MBA. There may not lie much difference between the two courses. Still, the most crucial difference between a General MBA and Specialized MBA is the curriculum and the general knowledge one can acquire during the process of 2 years. So, carefully decide the suitable course of action for oneself. Till then, happy learning!