Distance MBA Course Details - Admissions, Eligibility, Duration and Course Fees

The Distance MBA Course is a postgraduate degree in the management spectrum. The duration of the Distance MBA course is 2 years which consists of 4 semesters of study. The Distance MBA course can be pursued by graduates who are currently employed. Candidates get a chance to explore certain practical aspects of management and practise that can be implemented in the current job where the candidate is being employed. Candidates have various job opportunities that are available in the Management organisations. 

Distance MBA Fees in India:

The Distance MBA Fees in India may vary based in the University/college that is providing the course. The average course fees may vary from INR 16,000 to 68,000 per annum. 

Distance MBA Salary in India:

The average salary that is offered for the graduate of the Distance MBA course may vary based on the experience and skill set that is gained by the candidate at the time of employment. The average course salary that is paid for the graduate is INR 6,59,000 per annum.

Distance MBA Course:

A Distance Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate degree in business administration (management) via distance education mode (open and distance learning system). Distance learning in India has witnessed a remarkable rise with more than 10,000 students enrolling for various courses. The duration of the course is generally 2 years which is divided into 4 semesters.

The following are some of the top Distance MBA colleges are providing such courses:-

• IGNOU, New Delhi
• Symbiosis International
• ICAFI business school, Hyderabad
• Sikkim Manipal University, Sikkim

The distance MBA is a terminal degree and a professional degree that offers a prosperous career opportunity. The first attempt for a distance education course was made back in the 18th century.

The applicants also have to qualify the entrance exams which are conducted by the Individual University/College in accordance with their Distance MBA admission procedure.

The eligibility criteria for the courses are to complete (10+2) Secondary and Higher Secondary education with a minimum of 50% in the corresponding subjects from a reputed university. Pursuing Distance MBA course helps working professionals who want to learn more about the concepts and modules relating to the management.

What is Distance MBA?

The program is available in various subjects whose material focuses on:

• Commerce
• Management
• Economics related subjects

Programs usually include a thesis component or can even be exclusively research-based. The course strengthens the theoretical, analytical and applied knowledge base of Business Administration.

Below are some of the subjects which are related to the Distance MBA syllabus:

• IT Risk Management
• Business and Corporations Law
• Management of Change
•  Managing for Sustainability
• Customer Behaviour

The MBA degree originated in the United States in the early 20th century when the country industrialized and companies sought scientific approaches to management. Distance MBA was introduced and it grabbed the attention of many aspiring students.

The experts in the distance and online education domain agree that distance education is the best mode to increase the gross enrolment ratio.

The core courses in a distance MBA program cover various areas of business such as :

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Human resources
• Operations

Accreditation bodies specifically for MBA programs ensure consistency and quality of education which is applicable to the distance MBA. Business schools in many countries offer programs tailored to full-time, part-time, executive (abridged coursework typically occurring on nights and/or weekends) and distance learning students, many with concentration. Certain Universities and colleges offer the distance MBA course based on the work experience of the candidate which is also a major factor for a candidate to eligible for the course. Persuing the distance course helps the candidate grow up in various positions in the organization.

Why Choose Distance MBA Course?

A distance MBA program would save you the opportunity cost that you had to bear if you were unemployed for one/two years when you are doing your full-time MBA.

In the case of an international MBA program, the cost of a distance MBA program would be comparatively lower when compared to a full-time MBA. The main advantage of a distance MBA program is the flexibility it offers. You can manage both your requirements and your professional commitments hand in hand. On top of that, you can learn at your own pace. 

Persuing the Distance MBA course while working in the same related field brings in more experience for the candidate as this helps a candidate to learn more about the professional and practical aspects of Management that can be applied in the real-life situation where the candidate is employed.

The below mentioned are the few Distance MBA job opportunities for the professional pursuing the course:

• Marketing Manager
• Brand Manager
• Card Payments Operations Head
• Equity Research Analysts
• HR Generalist Business Partner
• Management Consultant

You don't have to wait for your projects and assignments. You can apply all the concepts that you have learned in your workplace.

Distance MBA Course Preparation Tips:

The two important steps in doing any course would be choosing the right college and completing the course successfully. You can refer to the following guidelines to ease the process. 

How to choose the right college?

• Check the accreditation of the college. The college has to be accredited by the Distance Education Council or All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).  
• Check the mode of delivery of content. Make sure that you can learn comfortably. 
• Make sure that the course fee and other expenses are affordable. 
• Go through the Distance MBA syllabus and curriculum. Make sure that it matches your needs.

How to effectively complete your distance MBA?

• The main advantage of doing a distance MBA is learning at your own pace. You will be in your comfort zone and so don't get carried away. To do so, make a study plan and stick to it.
• You might have professional commitments to fulfill. Make sure that you manage your time well.
• Though the duration of the course is long, try to complete it within the stipulated time. If not, you might be bored doing the course for many months. 
• Use your resources wisely. You are provided with a lot of learning materials and resources. Make sure that you get benefited from them in expanding your knowledge and the level of understanding.

Distance MBA Eligibility:

You should have completed an under graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

Sometimes, minimum work experience is also taken into consideration. For example at IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), candidates need to have at least three years of managerial or supervisory experience. Your score in the entrance tests (like GMAT, CAT, XAT, MAT etc) may or may not be considered. It depends upon the admission procedure of the college you opt. Some colleges have their own entrance tests that you have to clear.

Distance MBA Admission:

The candidates have to fill the application form online. The registration fee has to be paid and it varies according to the university you choose. 

Later, the related documents have to be sent to the respective university by post. The applicants should qualify the entrance exams conducted by Individual University or the ones which are being conducted at the National level i.e CAT, MAT, XAT etc. The additional documents may include MBA letters and letters of recommendation.

The procedure might vary for different universities. Generally, the following steps are involved:

• Purchase the prospectus.
• Do the registration.
• Make the fee payment.

List of Distance MBA Colleges:

Sl. No.	Name of the College
1	Indira Gandhi National Open University, [IGNOU] New Delhi
2	Symbiosis International University, [SIU] Pune
3	ICFAI Business School, [IBS] Hyderabad
4	Sikkim Manipal University, [SMU] East Sikkim
5	Dr Hari Singh Gour University, [DHSGU] Sagar
6	Annamalai University Distance Education
7	Amity University, Distance and Online Education
8	Bharathidasan University, [BU] Tiruchirappalli
9	Alagappa University Distance Education
10	MIT School of Distance Education, [MITSDE] Pune

Distance MBA Accreditation:

Some of the leading bodies in India that certify MBA institutions and their programs are:

• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
• University Grants Commission (UGC)
• Distance Education Council (DEC)

Difference Between PGDM, PGPM, and MBA:

The IIM, autonomous business schools and open universities(specifically for distance education) offer a post-graduate diploma in management (PGDM) or Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) which is recognized in India as similar to a distance MBA degree.

Government accreditation bodies such as AICTE established that autonomous business schools can offer only the PGDM or PGPM, whereas a post-graduate degree can be awarded by university-affiliated colleges, in the two-year full-time program.

The curriculum of the PGDM or PGPM and MBA degrees are equivalent, though PGDM or PGPM is industry-oriented and mainly focuses on building soft skills.

A PGDM or PGPM holder cannot pursue Ph.D since it is not recognized.