Indian VS Foreign MBAs: A comparison
Do you want to study an MBA degree but are unsure whether to do it in India or study abroad? To help you navigate your career better, let us elaborate on the key differences between a foreign and an Indian MBA.
Difference between Indian and Foreign MBA
Pursuing an MBA studying abroad or in India is a very different experience. One thing is for certain – the best choice is always one that aligns with your ambition and career goals.
Let’s look at the key differences between an Indian and a foreign MBA:
1. Cost
An MBA is an expensive degree, whether you study abroad or in India. Let’s differentiate between the two on a cost basis.
Foreign MBA:
- A US MBA from a top university like the University of Chicago Booth School of Business costs $80,961 for three quarters.
- An Australian MBA for international students at top Australian universities like the Monash University $60,000 AUD, and decent Australian universities like the University of Canberra costs $24,840 annually.
- A UK MBA program for international students at top universities like Warwick Business School costs £49,950.
- Indian MBA: Pursuing an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad costs INR 24,61,000, and IIM Bangalore costs INR 24,50,000.
Don’t get scared by the high cost; there are financial aids available for international students under various scholarship programs like Columbia Business School MBA Scholarship and Harvard MBA Scholarship. Most universities will provide scholarship assistance for strong students for the MBA. In foreign universities and India full/partial tuition waivers and/or study abroad expense funding can be provided.
Every scholarship has different eligibility criteria, so research well based on your university and needs. (Learn how to win a scholarship to your dream university)
If sorting finances or selecting a scholarship program based on your preferred country or university seems confusing (which it is, let’s be honest), our finest study abroad experts at Gradstar are happy to help you skip the overwhelm.
2. Admission requirements
We agree that meeting the admission requirements can seem taxing, especially as an international student studying abroad, but it’s the bridge that takes you closer to your dream. Take a breather and start prepping to meet the requirements to get into B schools in India and abroad.
You can always turn to our finest overseas study abroad experts at Gradstar for 1-1 guidance if fulfilling admission requirements gets too confusing.
| Requirements | Indian MBA | Foreign MBA |
| Entrance | Common Admission Test (CAT) or separate tests by universities XAT, NMAT, IIFT, and SNAP are conducted between October and January every year. | Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is conducted on a rolling basis throughout the year. |
| Work experience requirements | Usually, no work experience requirements | Usually 2-5+ years of professional work experience |
| Admission basis | Academic background and entrance test scores | Overall personality and experience with academic background and test scores, work experience |
| Application process | 1. Fill out the application form.
2. Take the entrance exam. 3. If selected, sit for group discussions and interviews. 4. Get admission based on tests, interview performance, and academic records. |
1. Fill out the application form with essays, SOP, LOR, CV, academic records, work experience, and extracurricular activities.
2. Clear the entrance exam. 3. Sit for online/offline interviews. 4. Get admission based on test scores, academics, essays, interviews, and professional background. |
3. Course structure
Do you know that the course structure of Indian and foreign MBAs is different? Yes, so you must choose the one that resonates with your vision more. Let’s dive in:
| Basis of comparison | Indian MBA | Foreign MBA |
| Specializations (Inclusive list) |
Generic niches–finance, marketing, international business, and HR | More specialized and niche programs like data analytics, digital marketing, and information systems |
| Course duration | 2 years | 1-2 years |
| Focus | Local business practices, theory, and exposure to local industries/markets | Global business practices, practical training, and exposure to diverse industries/markets/case studies |
4. Work opportunities
To land a dream job, you must weigh the salary and work opportunities that taking up an MBA in India or studying abroad can open up for you.
Upon completing the MBA program from an Indian B school, you can find jobs even if your profile is decent and you have little to no experience. This is because Indian schools offer campus placement where you have to give interviews to get a job with an average salary of around INR 6-23 lakhs.
Whereas international students with MBA degrees from foreign universities require networking, skill enhancement, and knowledge to land a job. However, the returns match the efforts as the median starting salary for fresh MBA graduates in the US is $115,000 (approx INR 95 Lakhs)
Also, you can start with lower-position jobs and then ascend the ladder to success. (Discover the tips to landing your dream job)
Remember, what challenges you, truly transforms you for good, like a foreign MBA degree.
5. Colleges
Let’s now discuss the most exciting part–your to-be MBA university! Select the one that offers your desired course and aligns with your course requirements and budget. If you’re overwhelmed choosing the college best suited for you, don’t worry; allow our best study abroad experts at Gradstar Global Education to help you navigate.
| Country | Sought-after Universities |
| Australia |
|
| UK |
|
| Canada |
|
| US |
|
| India |
|
Wrapping Up
An MBA program equips you with the knowledge and skills to take on the corporate world in your area of specialisation. Planning to study abroad to get an MBA as an international student but completing the elaborate application process and choosing the university seems overwhelming? Don’t worry; our best study abroad experts at Gradstar Global Education are here to help you do it in a snap.
Not just that, you can trust our finest overseas study abroad experts at Gradstar for services like finance and foreign exchange assistance, housing, visa application support, and English language proficiency test preparation designed for international students. So, book a 1-1 co design session today without any further ado.