Distance MBA Course: Eligibility, Fees, Admission, Duration

Sakshi Chaudhary

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.

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:

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:

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:

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:

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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:

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:

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:

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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 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:

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:

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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:

• Ph.D
• CFA
• FRM
• EMBA
• Project Management Professional Certification Course

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:

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: 

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:

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

ICFAI University Tripura

West Tripura,Tripura

M B Khalsa College

Indore,Madhya Pradesh

Burdwan University

Bardhaman,West Bengal

K. C. College of Management Studies (KCCMS Colaba)

Mumbai,Maharashtra

CIMS - Carreograph Institute Of Management Studies

Kolkata,West Bengal

MIBM Global

Noida,Uttar Pradesh

Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University

Bilaspur,Himachal Pradesh

Aryabhatta B-School, Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar,Odisha

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Exam Date: May 19, 2024

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Distance MBA Fee Structure

See Various Distance MBA Colleges in India