If you have missed out on a management degree and have spent over three years in your job, you can go in for an executive MBA in India (EMBA). Various top management institutes offer a one-year full-time EMBA course or part-time courses of varying durations from 15 months to 2-3 years. The EMBA programmes are more expensive than the regular two-year full-time MBA programmes. These courses offer an opportunity to bolster one’s career, hence the fees could be considered as an investment, which could yield significant returns in future.
As mentioned, an Executive MBA in India is pricey. The top IIMs, Ahmedabad and Bangalore charge about Rs 27-28 lakh while IIM Calcutta charges Rs 22 lakh for their one-year full-time programme. Newer IIMs charge somewhat less: while the fee is Rs 18 lakh at IIM Indore, it is Rs 14 lakh at IIM, Shillong (it has a 14-month programme). The ISB (with campuses at Hyderabad and Mohali) offers two part-time programmes costing Rs 30 and Rs 38 lakh. XLRI, Jamshedpur charges Rs 18 lakh for its 15-month full-time programme while IIM, Trichy charges Rs 10 lakh for its two-year part-time programme.
For admission to most Executive MBA programmes in India, one must have a good score in GMAT, GRE or CAT exams. Work experience is also an essential requirement, which generally varies from 3-7 years for different programmes. The ISB requires work experience of at least 10 years. Merit and quality of the work experience is most important for selection to EMBA programmes as the institutes strive to select candidates from diverse work profiles. Individual interview is the final stage for being selected for the programme. The candidates would need to focus on their profile to convince the admission panel why they deserve a seat in the programme.
As is stated in the admission process of one of the institutes, “The selection process is highly personalized, as the committee seeks to learn about each applicant’s goals and potential for success in management.” In the process, contribution during the working span of the candidate is considered important. Some institutes also require the candidate to submit a SOP (Statement of Purpose) outlining their objectives and goals for pursuing the programme as well as references from their employers.
While the full-time Executive MBA in India would require one to take a break from the existing job, the part-time programmes are so designed that these can be pursued along with the job. They generally have classes over the weekends. ISB has classes spread over week-long modules, separated by six weeks. International exposure forms part of most EMBA programmes, either through exchange programmes or internships.
The websites of institutes give an indication of the salary offered to EMBA graduates. In the 2016 batch of XLRI, which had 108 students, the average salary was Rs 17.1 lakh. The highest package offered was Rs 32.7 lakh and the average jump in salary of the EMBA graduates was as high as 64%. At IIM Bangalore, which had a batch of 56 students, the average salary was Rs 22.5 lakh and the highest salary offered was Rs 37.89 lakh. The average salary for the 54 students at IIM Calcutta was Rs 25.3 lakh and the highest salary was Rs 54 lakh.
According to Ganesh Prabhu, Professor of Strategy at IIMB, EMBA programmes are ideal for those who have good undergraduate qualifications and substantive work experience/ work skills that currently have high market value. They will typically find a better job after the programme in their area of expertise. However, it is not suitable for those who have work experience/ work skills that are currently not in demand. They may not find a better job after the programme in their expertise area and will find it difficult to switch. It is also not suitable for those who want to switch into other careers. The Executive MBA in India can give a better salary to a competent manager who is paid lower because of the lack of an MBA. It is this promise that makes the very expensive EMBA worth paying for.