MBA Course Duration: How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA?

The duration of an MBA course usually ranges from 1 to 2 years but may vary depending on the type of MBA program you choose. Before diving deep into the duration of various MBA programs, let us know what actually is an MBA course.

An MBA course stands for Master of Business Administration, it is a professional postgraduate degree program. An MBA program is designed to offer an in-depth understanding of various aspects and subjects of management and business administration domain along with a strong grasp of core theories, principles, and techniques to resolve complex situations in a business corporation. 

Duration of MBA course

As mentioned above, a regular MBA lasts 2 years but there are multiple variations of MBA programs as well among which a few last only one year i.e. an EMBA (Executive MBA).

however, a full-time MBA is a 2 year program that is majorly offered over a semester pattern, consisting of 2 semesters each year. Meanwhile, a few universities provide additional leverage to students and allow them to complete their program in a maximum of 4 years. Simultaneously, the duration of an integrated MBA is 5 years. 

Do not get confused, go through the below-listed table that gives an exact overview of various MBA programs along with their respective duration :

Type of Program	Completion Time
Full-time MBA	2 years
Part-time MBA	About 2 years
Accelerated MBA	12 to 18 months
Hybrid MBA	About 2 years
Integrated MBA	5 years
Executive MBA	1 to 2 years
Online MBA	2 to 4 years
Global MBA	2 years
Distance MBA	2 years
PhD	4 to 5 years

Types of MBA program

An MBA program is among the best choices for candidates who are willing to build a successful professional career by acquiring industry-relevant skills and abilities via a robust curriculum and global recognition of the program. The MBA program is offered in various types such as:

1) Full-time MBA 

A full-time MBA is a traditional on-campus program that has a duration of 2 years. Students enrolled in a full-time MBA course are required to maintain the required attendance criteria as per the guidelines of their university. It ought to be the best choice for candidates looking for on-campus experience and in-time interaction with faculty members and students. 

Eligibility criteria 

• A candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree to apply for a full-time MBA program.
• A minimum of 50% aggregate marks must be scored in graduation.
• A valid score in the national-level entrance exam is required such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, etc. 

Duration of full-time MBA: 2 years

2) Part-time MBA

Part time MBA is specially designed for working professionals and students indulged in other work or responsibilities. A few institutions offer a part-time MBA as a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) which is equally credible as an MBA degree but is considered to be a diploma.

A part-time MBA can be completed in 2 years whereas, the key difference that distinguishes a part-time MBA from a full-time MBA is that, the classes conducted by the university for a part-time MBA are on weekends to offer flexibility to working professionals. 

Eligibility criteria 

• The applicant must have completed a 3 year undergraduate degree from a valid and recognized university. 
• A minimum of 45-50% aggregate marks in graduation are required. 
• Direct admission is allowed.

Duration of part-time MBA: 2 years

3) Online MBA 

Online MBA Degree is among the most trending and opted programs nowadays due to its flexibility and affordability. An Online MBA is a full-fledged online learning program that is designed to offer work-life balance to working professionals and offer them an opportunity for career advancement and better job aspects. An online MBA conducts live classes through LMS (Learning Management System) that offer the leverage to pursue it from any corner of the world. An online MBA is an ideal choice for working professionals as they can pursue a postgraduate degree without quitting tier jobs or hampering their work schedule. 

Eligibility criteria 

• The applicant must have completed a 3 year undergraduate degree from a valid and recognized university. 
• A minimum of 45-50% aggregate marks in graduation are required. 
• Students can take direct admission without appearing for an entrance exam or qualifying for an admission test. 

Duration of online MBA: 2 - 4 years (a few universities offer an additional leverage of 2 years to complete the program).

4) Distance MBA 

Distance MBA is a 2 year program that is highly flexible. Students who are enrolled in a distance MBA program are provided with their study material from the university and they are on their own to study for the program as there are no classes in a distance MBA. it is a self-paced program where students have to prepare themselves for the exams. Students are allotted their exam center where they must physically present for the term-end examinations

Eligibility criteria 

• The applicant must have completed a 3 year undergraduate degree from a valid and recognized university. 
• A minimum of 45-50% aggregate marks in graduation are required. 
• Students can take direct admission without appearing for an entrance exam or qualifying for an admission test.

Duration of distance MBA: 2 years

5) Executive MBA

Executive MBA for working professionals also known as an EMBA, it is for working professionals looking for skill enhancement to acquire managerial roles and better job opportunities in their preferred domain or industry. The course duration for an EMBA ranges between 1 - 2 years. The curriculum of an EMBA is highly robust, industry-specific, and focuses on skills and abilities essential for professional growth. 

Eligibility criteria 

• The applicant must have completed a 3 year undergraduate degree from a valid and recognized university. 
• A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation are required. 
• Students are required to clear a personnel interview round.
• A minimum of 2 -5 years of relevant work experience is mandatory. 

Duration of Executive MBA (EMBA): 1 -2 years

6) Integrated MBA 

An integrated MBA is a professional program for students who are dedicated to their future goals from the initial stage of their career. The duration of an integrated MBA is 5 years under which students simultaneously pursue their UG and PG degrees. The program is considered to be the best career choice for students as it guarantees a promising and successful future in the global competitive market. 

Eligibility criteria 

• The student must have completed 10 +2 educational qualifications from a recognzied board of education.
• A minimum of 60% aggregate marks must be scored in the 12th class. 
• Check the minimum age requirement of the university you are applying to, usually a candidate must be not more than 20 years but it varies from university to university. 

Duration of integrated MBA: 5 years

7) Online Global MBA

Online global MBA is similar to an online MBA the key difference between them is the curriculum. The curriculum of a Global MBA program emphasizes international trends and a robust curriculum designed according to global business practices. A student with an international career approach is attracted to enroll in this program. 

Eligibility criteria 

• The student must have completed 10 +2 educational qualifications from a recognzied board of education.
• A minimum of 60% aggregate marks must be scored in the 12th class. 
• The applicant must be familiar with the English language. 

Duration of integrated MBA: 2 years

• Important note : All the above-listed types of MBA programs are equally credible and hold the same value and recognition in the global market. However, students are advised to check whether the university they have chosen is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or it will be not considered as a valid MBA degree.

Why go after an MBA program?

An MBA program is a globally recognized and credible postgraduate professional degree and leading MNCs and business corporations prefer MBA graduates from prestigious and valid universities too. An MBA course helps students build a successful career in their preferred industry and acquire a decent job profile in their desired organization as well. A few reasons that will definitely make you consider pursuing an MBA course are listed below:

• Easily feasible : A candidate with an academic background in any stream like humanities, commerce, science, etc can easily enroll in an MBA program. There are no such restrictions on academic requirements for pursuing an MBA program. 

• Skill upliftment : The curriculum of an MBA program is highly updated and revised as per the latest education policy to offer global exposure to students with an overview of current market trends and requirements and assist students in developing industry-relevant hands-on experience with essential skills to stand out in the global competitive market. 

• New career path : A working professional or student willing to explore other industries or switch their professional career can enroll in their preferred specialization under the MBA program to acquire a strong knowledge in their preferred specialization core areas. This assists them in applying for decent job roles at lucrative packages as well.

• Networking opportunities : Enrolling in a full-time residential MBA program helps students build a strong professional network and connections with their classmates, faculty members, and notable alumni. It is beneficial to make a successful career evident ahead with guidance and mentorship offered under their on-campus MBA program. 

• Potential salary increase : Leading business corporations offer preference to an MBA graduate as compared to a candidate with graduation. Meanwhile, the more prestigious your university is, the higher your value in the global market. A skilled and compatible candidate can easily apply for managerial roles that offer a potential salary increment. An MBA program also has a high ROI (Return on Investment) as compared to other postgraduate programs. 

Top colleges for an MBA course

Various renowned universities are offering globally recognized and credible MBA programs. To offer you a brief overview of the best universities/ institutions offering MBA programs are listed below:

Type of MBA course	Duration of the program	University offering MBA course
Full-time MBA	2 years	Indian Institute Of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) Indian Institute Of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) XLRI - Xavier School of Management Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) Management Development Institute (MDI) Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta) Indian Institute Of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research Indian Institute Of Management Indore (IIM Indore) Symbiosis Institute of Business Management Pune
Part-time MBA	About 2 years	Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) Institute of Management Technology (Ghaziabad) Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology Faculty of Management Studies - Main Campus Indian Institute Of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) Symbiosis Institute of Business Management Pune K J Somaiya Institute of Management Indian Institute Of Management Raipur (IIM Raipur) XLRI - Xavier School of Management Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
Online MBA	2 to 4 years	LPU Online MAHE Manipal Online  Amrita University Online Manipal University Online Amity University Online Jain University Online DY Patil Vidyapeeth Navi Mumbai Online Chandigarh University Online UPES Online Shoolini University Online
Distance MBA	2 years	Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Amity University Noida Lovely Professional University Annamalai University Institute of Management Technology (Ghaziabad) Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning (SCDL) Chandigarh University Distance Learning  Suresh Gyan Vihar University (SGVU) LPU Distance Education
Integrated MBA	5 years	XLRI - Xavier School of Management Institute of Management (Nirma University) IIM Indore IIM Rohtak Jaipuria Institute of Management LPU Parul University Amity University ICFAI Business School Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Executive MBA	1 to 2 years	Indian Institute Of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) Faculty of Management Studies Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Management Development Institute (MDI) Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (Pune) Indian Institute Of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) Indian Institute Of Management Indore (IIM Indore) Indian School of Business Institute of Management Technology (Ghaziabad) Great Lakes Institute of Management

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Conclusion 

An MBA program is among the best choices to kickstart a professional career with a decent salary package that leads to various advantages and future benefits in building a successful career ahead. The duration of an MBA program remains the same in the majority of its types i.e. 2 years. It can be concluded that the duration of a regular MBA program is 2 years and the rest depends upon the type of MBA program opted by you.