When the sabbatical year is not an option, distance MBA programmes can be an ideal way to solidify career prospects, give definition to your enterprising spark and make the world your playground. The most redeeming aspect of distance programmes is their unique format wherein you pursue the degree via correspondence. Distance MBA will help you understand how to balance work with study. You need not bother about hassles that one usually associate with regular programmes, such as mandatory campus time, relocation to a distant place and so forth. Apparently, distance MBA programmes, compared to full-time MBA programmes, are proving to be a winning move for numerous working professionals, homemakers and anyone with a motivation for degree and a dearth of time. The fact that distant programmes are a cost-effective option to the conventional ones also accounts for the growing deluge.

Also Check: UGC Approved Distance Education Universities in  India

Currently, all top rated B-schools in India and abroad are reaching out to degree aspirants with distance MBA programmes. Given the diversity of options available, the mere thought of conducting due diligence is intimidating. You need to scurry innumerable web pages and compare keys aspects of courses to arrive on pragmatic decisions. Entailing time and effort, the entire process will test your patience and sense of reasoning. To ease out the situation, we are offering a detailed and thoughtfully created list of top distance MBA programmes presently available. Your feedback is anticipated and appreciated.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University:

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers MBA and several diploma programmes via correspondence. With the leading Open University IGNOU that is, you can access postgraduate diploma in Operations Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Management and Marketing Management. You can draw on IGNOU’s well-insulated study centre network spread across the length and breadth of India. The eligibility criteria include a graduate degree with a minimum of 50% marks for general candidates and 45 percent for scheduled tribe and scheduled caste candidates. 3 years managerial, supervisory or professional experience is also required.

The admission is based on the OPENMAT score, which is an entrance test conducted by IGNOU annually in the month of October. However, you can get the exemption from appearing in the OPENMAT provided you have cleared national level entrance tests, such as, but not restricted to, CAT, MAT and C-MAT. Usually, the Open University makes the prospectus available by August and time limit for submission expires in the subsequent month. More importantly, IGNOU’s distant MBA curriculum is comprehensive, insightful and easy to follow. The course fee is INR 31,500, which is far less than what other prominent universities charge.

Read more about Indira Gandhi National Open University.

The Sikkim Manipal University:

The Sikkim Manipal University is yet another viable option for pursuing your MBA degree via correspondence. The distance MBA programmes on offer come in four popular specialisations, including Marketing Management, Information Systems Management, Human Resource Management and Finance Management. The programmes are divided into four semesters, each lasting a minimum of six months. You are at liberty to complete the distance MBA programme within 2 to 4 years.  When it comes to eligibility criteria, SMP complies with the University Grants Commission’s guidelines. Besides a graduation degree from a recognised university with 45 percentile score, you need to qualify an entrance test that SMP conducts annually. Moreover, the university charges INR 49,600 as the course fee.

Read more about Sikkim Manipal University.

The Centre for Distance Education, Anna University, Chennai:

A university with wide recognition, Anna University rolls out a slew of distant MBA programmes to aspirants all across India. The programme portfolio comes complete with specialisations in Health Services Management, Retail Management and Technology Management, Financial Services Management, in addition to General Management and Human Resource Management. The admission to any of these specialisations is subject to your performance in DEET and academic background. The quality of programmes is good and course charges are reasonable. You need to shell out approximately INR 31,000 for each semester. The charges are inclusive of the admission fee, tuition fee, learning aids, facilitation fee, etc.

Read more about The Centre for Distance Education, Anna University, Chennai.

ICFAI:

ICFAI’s distance MBA programmes are finding takers throughout India. If your goal is to gain specialisation in marketing, human resource, finance, operations, IT and systems or hospitality, travel and tourism, investment, pharma and telecom management, you may consider ICFAI to pursue your education. The distance programmes available with the institute aim to equip students with skill sets and strategic perspectives essential for survival in this competitive scenario. ICFAI’s programmes are comprehensive enough to encompass 31 courses and a summer internship. At the time of applying, you need to have a graduate degree with at least 45 percent aggregate marks. The university makes it mandatory for aspirants to appear and clear an admission test followed by an interview. If your scores in CAT, XAT, MAT and CMAT are valid, you can skip the entrance test. However, appearing for the interview is still required. Moreover, the program will cost INR 1, 55,000, if you are an Indian national. For non-domicile candidates, the total program fee is INR 3, 05,000.

Read more about ICFAI.

The Directorate of Distance Education of Pondicherry University:

Certified by UGC, AIU and DEC, the Directorate of Distance Education of Pondicherry University has a reputation for quality distance MBA programmes. You can access programmes in a variety of disciplines, including finance, international business, marketing, human resource to name a few. You are at liberty to pursue programmes through weekend and evening classes. The university follows mainstream selection criteria, wherein a graduate degree from a UGC recognised institute is necessary. The aspirant has to clear an entrance exam conducted twice a year by the Directorate of Distance Education of Pondicherry University as well. Moreover, you can prefer the institute and its distance MBA programmes for reasons of affordability. The total programme charges are INR 24,925, which are by far the lowest in the country.

Read more about The Directorate of Distance Education of Pondicherry University.

Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu:

Given the quality of courses on offer, the inclusion of Annamalai University in this list should not come as a surprise. The popular specialisations include e-Business, Information Systems, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management and International Business. You need to be a graduate to access any of these specialisations.

Read more about Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu.

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