Distance MBA Course: Eligibility, Fees, Admission, Duration
Distance MBA is a 2-year postgraduate management course that can be completed through distance learning from home or anywhere else with an internet connection. This course focuses on the understanding of theoretical business management concepts and their practical application in the corporate or business world through case studies, internships, short-term projects, etc.
Distance MBA requires candidates to clear their bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks from an accredited university. Admission to distance MBA is mainly done on a merit basis but as per the college requirement, score of the entrance exams such as OPENMAT, ATMA, etc., are also required. The average Distance MBA fees is in the range of INR 20,000-1.5 LPA.
Table of Contents
- What is Distance MBA Course?
- Distance MBA Course Eligibility Criteria
- Why Choose a Distance Master of Business Administration Course?
- Distance MBA Course Admission 2024
- Distance MBA Entrance Exams
- Top Distance MBA Colleges in India
- Distance MBA Course Fees Structure 2024
- Distance MBA Specializations
- Distance MBA Syllabus and Subjects
- Distance MBA vs. Regular MBA
- Courses After Distance MBA
- Distance MBA Salary in India
- Career Options After MBA Distance Education Course
- MBA Distance Education Scholarships
- Skills to Excel as a Distance MBA Graduate
Distance MBA Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Distance MBA |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Age | No specific age restriction for MBA, but some exams, like ATMA do have a minimum age criteria of 21 years at the time of application. |
| Minimum Percentage | A minimum of 50% marks in a bachelor's degree for unreserved category students and 45% for reserved category students. |
| Average Fees | ₹20K - 60K PA |
| Similar Options of Study | Online MBA, Distance PGDM |
| Average Salary | INR 4-7 LPA [PayScale] |
| Employment Roles | HR Manager, Marketing Manager, Operations Manager, Business Analyst, etc |
| Top Recruiters | KRAFTON, Tata Communication, SBFC Finance, HCL, etc. |
What is Distance MBA Course?
Distance MBA course develops leadership skills, strategic decision-making skills, and problem-solving skills in students that can be applied in various domains like marketing, finance, operations, international business, etc. Distance MBA course curriculum covers various areas of business administration such as accounting business ethics, business law, supply chain management, operations management, etc., with recent development and trends in the subject areas.
The MBA in distance mode is offered by top colleges like IGNOU, LPU, Madras University, etc. The Distance MBA course duration is 2 years. After completion of the Distance MBA course, graduates can work in Retail Industry, Healthcare Industry, Advertising Agencies, etc., as per their specializations. The average salary of distance MBA graduate ranges between INR 4-7 LPA (Source: Payscale)
Distance MBA Course Eligibility Criteria
In order to be admitted to a distance MBA education course, candidates need to fulfill the standard minimum eligibility criteria as mentioned below:
- As part of the MBA Distance Education eligibility criteria, students need to have passed a bachelor's degree in BBA, BCom, BA, etc., with a minimum of 50% for unreserved category and 45% for reserved category students from a recognized university. Also clear entrance exams such as JECRC University Entrance Exam, OPEN MAT, etc. as per college requirements.
- There is no upper age limit to enroll in the course.
Why Choose a Distance Master of Business Administration Course?
Distance MBA deals with the study and learning of international business trends, management tools, and techniques, to improve business, etc. Below listed are points regarding why one should choose an MBA distance education course:
- The demand for management professionals across the globe is projected to grow by 14% between 2019-29, leading to higher enrollment in full-time and distance MBA courses.
- Distance MBA graduates can work in both the public and private sectors in various ranges of roles like Marketing Manager, Business Development Manager, Financial Analyst, etc.
- Distance education courses including MBA are gaining popularity in the market with the E-Learning market projected to expand by about $350 billion by 2025.
- The UGC-DEB-accredited university distance MBA courses are considered equal to regular MBA courses and offer at-par career opportunities to students.
- The Government of India has also taken various initiatives to improve distance education accessibility and provide quality education through Digital Learning Enhancement Program.
Distance MBA Course Admission 2024
Admission to distance MBA courses can be done through both online and offline methods. Direct admission is also done for distance MBA but colleges like IGNOU may conduct an OPENMAT exam for admission to the course. Upon shortlisting of candidates through entrance exam scores, colleges assess students through GD/PI rounds and a Written Aptitude Test (WAT).
Below listed is the standard step-wise MBA distance education admission procedure followed by colleges and universities:
- Step 1: The students should clear the cut-off for entrance exams accepted by the colleges if required.
- Step 2: The candidate needs to complete the registration process of the respective college available either online or by visiting the college campus.
- Step 3: Following the entrance test and the announcement of the results, universities and colleges will announce their cut-offs to begin the admission process.
- Step 4: Once the merit list is published, candidates are called for a counseling process or GD and Interview process.
- Step 5: Further, students need to pay distance MBA course fees and submit the required documents.
Distance MBA Entrance Exams
The MBA distance education admission mostly takes place on a merit basis, but few colleges accept national-level or university-conducted entrance exam scores such as OPENMAT, ATMA, JECRC, etc. Below is a list of entrance exams for distance MBA along with registration details:
|
Distance MBA Entrance Exams |
Tentative Registration Date |
Accepting Colleges |
Exam Registration Details |
|
Jan 31, 2024 (Last Date- January 2024 Session) |
IGNOU |
||
|
Jun 1- Jul 17, 2024 |
Anna University, LPU, etc. |
||
|
JECRC University Entrance Exam |
Jan 2024 - Feb 2024 |
JECRC University |
|
|
Madras University Entrance Exam |
- |
Madras University |
Top Distance MBA Colleges in India
The enrolment in distance courses in India including BBA and MBA is projected to grow by 21.56% between the years 2024-2028. Colleges in India in order to facilitate good quality distance education for various courses including MBA are using advanced tools and platforms like SWAYAM, MOOC, Virtual Webinars, etc. Some top colleges for Distance MBA courses are UPES, Symbiosis, IGNOU, Jiwaji University, etc.
Below mentioned are some of the top private and government Distance MBA colleges in India:
Top Distance MBA Government Colleges
The following table highlights top Distance MBA government colleges in India along with their average fees:
|
Sl.No |
Institution |
Average Fees |
|
1 |
INR 12,500 PA |
|
|
2 |
INR 31,000 PA |
|
|
3 |
INR 16,000 PA |
|
|
4 |
INR 3,180 PA |
|
|
5 |
- |
Top Distance MBA Private Colleges
The private colleges in India offer distance learning MBA choices with a range of specializations such as HR, Finance, Marketing, etc. The colleges also offer access to various online learning platforms for research and course material such as ProQuest, SAGE Journals, etc., for making education more seamless.
The table below contains the top Distance MBA private colleges in India along with their average fees:
|
Sl.No |
Institution |
Average Fees |
|
1 |
INR 1.5 LPA |
|
|
2 |
INR 87,500 PA |
|
|
3 |
INR 32,000 PA |
|
|
4 |
INR 26,000 PA |
|
|
5 |
INR 35,680 PA |
Symbiosis Distance MBA
Since 2001, Symbiosis has offered high-quality education and has been recognized by the UGC and DEB as one of India's largest remote learning institutions. It offers MBA courses in business analytics, HRM, etc. Given below are the Symbiosis distance MBA course details:
|
Eligibility |
Bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 50% for unreserved category students and 45% for SC/ST/PwD category students from a recognized university. |
|
Distance MBA Duration |
2 years |
|
Distance MBA Course Fees |
INR 1.5 LPA |
Read More: Symbiosis Distance MBA
IGNOU Distance MBA
The School of Management Studies (SOMS) of IGNOU offers an MBA program in various specializations such as banking and finance, HRM, etc. Given below are the IGNOU distance MBA course details:
|
Eligibility |
Bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 50% for unreserved category students and 45% for SC/ST/PwD category students. |
|
Distance MBA Duration |
2-5 years |
|
Distance MBA Course Fees |
INR 31,000 PA |
Madras University Distance MBA
The University of Madras offers correspondence MBA and has received UGC-DEB approval. Selection will be made based on performance in the university-conducted admission exam and merit score. Given below are the details regarding the criteria for MBA admission in Madras University distance education:
|
Eligibility |
Bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 50% for unreserved category students and 45% for SC/ST/PwD category students from a recognized university + Entrance Exam |
|
Distance MBA Duration |
2 years |
|
Distance MBA Course Fees |
INR 20,740 PA |
Read More: Madras University Distance MBA
Distance MBA Course Fees Structure 2024
The average Distance MBA fee structure in India ranges between INR 20,000 - 1.5 LPA. Listed below is the distance MBA course fee structure bifurcated into tuition, admission, and miscellaneous fees:
|
Sl. No. |
Name of the Institute |
Tuition Fees |
Admission Fees |
Miscellaneous Fees |
|
1. |
Madurai Kamaraj University |
INR 7,000 PA |
INR 2,000 |
INR 300 PA |
|
2. |
Jaipur Online National University |
INR 20,000 PA |
INR 500 |
INR 4,000 PA |
|
3. |
JECRC University |
INR 26,250 PA |
INR 1200 |
- |
|
4. |
DAV University |
INR 22,000 PA |
- |
INR 5,000 PA |
|
5. |
Pondicherry University |
INR 30,000 PA |
INR 10,000 |
INR 2,500 PA |
Read More: Distance MBA Fees in India
Distance MBA Specializations
MBA distance education offers students to improve their skills and knowledge in various domains as per their prior knowledge and interest area. The most demanding specializations under distance MBA include HR, Marketing, Finance, and Operations Management which can be pursued from prominent distance education colleges like IGNOU, LPU, etc. Below listed are popular distance MBA specializations:
|
Distance MBA Courses List |
|
|
Distance MBA Finance |
Distance MBA Sales and Marketing |
|
Distance MBA Logistics Management |
Distance MBA in Digital Marketing |
|
Distance MBA Operation Management |
Distance MBA Entrepreneurship and Leadership |
|
Distance MBA HRM |
Distance MBA in Business Analytics |
|
Distance MBA Marketing |
Distance MBA in Healthcare Management |
|
Distance MBA International Business |
Distance MBA in Project Management |
Distance MBA Syllabus and Subjects
The Distance MBA syllabus in the first year focuses on core fundamental concepts of human resources, finance, managerial economics, etc. The second-year Distance MBA syllabus covers specific areas of business management depending on the specialization students choose, such as international business, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Below listed is the distance MBA subject list:
|
Subject |
Topic Covered |
|
Business Statistics and Analytics |
Data collection methods, types of statistics, probability theory, business trends forecasting methods, etc. |
|
Strategic Management |
Types of strategies, environmental analysis, strategic control and evaluation techniques, etc. |
|
International Business |
International business strategy, International trade theories, Market entry strategies, etc. |
|
Corporate Finance |
Time value of money, corporate financial policy, corporate restructuring, capital markets, and securities, etc. |
Read More: Distance MBA Syllabus & Subjects
Distance MBA vs. Regular MBA
The distance MBA is helpful for students looking for flexibility in learning in terms of pace and mode of delivery, whereas the regular MBA is an on-campus program. The table below showcases the differences between Distance MBA and Regular MBA:
|
Course |
Distance MBA |
Regular MBA |
|
Full-Form |
Distance Master of Business Administration |
Master of Business Administration |
|
Overview |
Course structure aims to build the managerial capacity of students through offline course materials, without interaction with educators, or facilities to aid learning. |
Structure for a regular MBA permits students to learn through in-person interaction with peers, mentors, teachers, etc. Students can utilize college infrastructure and facilities to enhance their learning experience. |
|
Course Duration |
2 Years |
2 Years |
|
Eligibility |
Graduation in any stream with a minimum of 50% of marks in the qualifying exams from a recognized university |
Graduation in any stream from a recognized institute and final year students are also eligible in some institutes |
|
Top Colleges |
Symbiosis University, IGNOU, Anna University, Madras University, etc. |
IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI, IIM Bangalore, Christ University, ISB Hyderabad, etc. |
|
Fees |
INR 20,000- 1.5 LPA |
INR 3-15 LPA |
|
Job Opportunities |
HR Manager, Business Analyst, Marketing Manager, etc. |
Project Manager, Data Scientist, Auditor, Tax Specialist, Consultant, etc. |
Read More: MBA
Courses After Distance MBA
After completion of distance MBA courses graduates can enroll in various higher education and advanced certification courses related to their domain to enhance their skills and subject knowledge. Below listed are a few higher education options after a distance MBA:
Distance MBA Salary in India
The salary package for a Distance MBA degree in India ranges from INR 4-7 LPA (Source: Ambition Box). Students' salary varies depending on their skill set, specialization, and experience in the business administration sector, and other related factors.
Below is a list of the job profiles for distance MBA graduates or professionals and their average salary:
|
Job Profile |
Average Salary |
|
Financial Analyst |
INR 4.5 LPA |
|
Sales Coordinator |
INR 4 LPA |
|
Business Development Manager |
INR 4 LPA |
|
Education Program Manager |
INR 5.04 LPA |
|
HR Executive |
INR 4.20 LPA |
Read More: Distance MBA Salary
Career Options After MBA Distance Education Course
Best distance learning MBA colleges in India offer graduates a range of career options for top business administration roles in industries like retail, healthcare, banking, financial services, etc. Distance MBA graduates have ample job opportunities as Marketing Associates, Business Development Managers, Human Resource Executives, etc. Top job designations, their description, and corresponding hiring companies with the salaries offered have been tabulated below for Distance MBA graduates:
|
Job Designations |
Job Descriptions |
Hiring Companies |
Average Salary |
|
Marketing Associates |
Helps in data collection, trend forecasting, and customer satisfaction evaluation. |
Lido Learning, Innovaccer, ANS Commerce, etc. |
INR 4 LPA |
|
Human Resources Executive |
They help in executing programs for hiring, training, and development, as well as employee performance. |
WNS, Cognizant, SCDL, etc, |
INR 4.3 LPA |
|
Associate Client Experience |
They handle client escalations and resolve the issues within the stipulated time to maintain client service satisfaction. |
Delhivery, MoreTasks, Cuelearn, etc. |
INR 4.90 LPA |
|
Business Development Manager |
They execute, manage, and keep track of a business plan that puts growth and results in customer satisfaction. |
PristynCare, Extra Marks, Shiprocket, etc, |
INR 5.5 LPA |
MBA Distance Education Scholarships
In India, scholarships are provided by private and government institutes to students pursuing distance MBAs based on their financial background, merit score, and other relevant parameters. Below is a list of distance MBA scholarships along with their eligibility criteria and scholarship amount:
|
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Scholarship Amount |
|
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship |
The candidate should have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% marks. |
Depends on the merit score obtained by the student. |
|
IGNOU Distance Education Scholarship |
The SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PWD students can avail of the fee waiver or reimbursement for distance courses. |
Fee Waiver/Reimbursement or Exemption |
|
Amity University Scholarship |
The candidate should have passed their bachelor’s degree and 10+2 (examinations) with a minimum of 60% marks. |
10% of the total tuition fees |
Skills to Excel as a Distance MBA Graduate
Top MBA distance learning colleges in India help graduates develop business and communication skills to remain competitive in the job market. The following skills contribute to the success of MBA distance education graduates:
- Self-discipline and Time Management Skills: To successfully complete coursework and sustain academic performance, learners must independently follow set study plans and deadlines.
- Digital Literacy: Proficiency in technology ensures a seamless learning experience and enables graduates to adapt to the digital workplace demands of the modern business world.
- Proficiency in Online Learning Management System Tools: Being proficient with LMS platforms promotes seamless involvement with the learning process, which contributes to a positive and fruitful experience with distant learning.
- Research Skills: Research skills are necessary to improve graduate professional acumen in the corporate world by making educated decisions, critically evaluating business difficulties, and developing well-researched solutions.
- Networking and Relationship Building: Networking skills help graduates to expand their professional networks, gain access to job prospects, and keep up with market developments.
Top Distance MBA Colleges
Distance MBA Fee Structure
FAQs on Distance MBA
Q: What is the distance MBA course duration?
Q: What is the difference between a distance MBA and a regular MBA?
Q: What is the MBA distance course fee?
Q: Is entrance exam required for distance MBA?
Q: Is MBA distance education valid in India?
Q: What is the eligibility for distance MBA at IGNOU?
Q: What is the average salary of an MBA distance education graduate?
