what is the full form of mba master of business administration
Home Detailed Guide MBA Full Form: Eligibility, Admission, Courses, Subjects, Colleges [2025]

MBA Full Form: Eligibility, Admission, Courses, Subjects, Colleges [2025]

Swayam Gupta May 28, 2025 32.7K Reads

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The full form of MBA is Master's of Business Administration, but you might not be here to know just the MBA full form. If you are seriously considering pursuing an MBA, you might have many doubts regarding the course, like eligibility, top colleges, fees, etc. In this blog, you get to know everything about MBA and its flexible alternatives.

Not just in India, an MBA is also internationally valued and is recognized in other countries too. The demand for the course is high enough that every individual now thinks of having an MBA degree as an upgrade in their qualification and career.

What is an MBA? 

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) was started in 1908 in the USA at Harvard Business School when the need for formal business education emerged, and the full form of MBA was invented then. The full form of MBA clearly shows that it is a program that imparts deep management skills of businesses.

An MBA is a postgraduate degree that is 2 years long, consisting of 4 semesters that revolve around different aspects of business administration and management. MBA offers various specializations, and each domain serves as a bridge towards an exceptionally bright future. The course helps a student to build a career in the fields of Marketing, Finance, HR, Operational Management, and many other such areas.

It is being offered in both regular and distance modes of education. Many universities now offer online MBA programs, especially for the benefit of working individuals. The average fee of a regular MBA program is between INR 12 Lakhs and INR 22 Lakhs, and the academic fee also varies as per the university/institute. However, the academic fee of an online or distance MBA varies between INR 50,000 and INR 2,00,000

Now, the question is, does an MBA program give you enough ROI, or return on investment? The salary of an MBA graduate depends on the department you are working in, and the average salary that you will get after an MBA is between Rs. 10 LPA and Rs. 25 LPA.

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Types Of MBA 

Types of MBA means that there are different modes through which you can pursue an MBA program, and these are as follows:

  • Full-time MBA – Full-time MBA is a traditional management program in the regular mode. This program helps students gain a detailed understanding of business management skills. However, students have to attend regular classes in this program, and their admission will be based on entrance exams and university cut-offs. The advantage of this course is that you get to experience classroom lectures, more field exposure, but this program is not suitable for working professionals. 
  • Executive MBA – This is a hybrid program designed for working professionals who are either willing to enhance their skills or looking forward to a job change. This program requires working experience of at least 4-5 years ,but EMBA gives you advanced management and business knowledge. The duration of this program is also less than the actual MBA program. 
  • Part-Time MBA – Part-time MBA is almost like an Executive MBA, but an Executive MBA is for those working professionals who have more years of work experience. On the other hand, a part-time MBA is for those who have at least 2 years of work experience. 
  • Online MBA – Online MBA is just like a regular program in terms of duration and job prospects. But in online MBA, students will attend classes entirely online, and the exams will also be held in the online mode. This program is suitable for working professionals who cannot take out time to attend regular classes. 
  • Distance MBA – Distance MBA is a management degree program that can be done while sitting at home. It is just like an online MBA except for the fact that exams are not online in this mode. 

All these forms of MBA programs are valid and cater to your different needs and you can take admission in any of these MBA programs as per your preference:

Types Of MBA

Duration 

Eligibility

Mode Of Learning

Top Colleges 

Entrance Exams 

Full-time 

2 Years 

Graduation + entrance marks

Offline

IIMs, NMIMS, Symbiosis, Xavier School of Management, etc. 

CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, ATMA, and GMAT 

Executive/Part-Time MBA 

15-18 Months 

Graduation +3-5 years of  work experience 

Online & Offline

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, NMIMS, etc. 

GMAT, EMAT, and CAT 

Online MBA

2 Years

Graduation 

Online 

NMIMS, Jain Online,  

No entrance

Distance MBA

2 Years

Graduation 

Online 

NMIMSs, symbiosis, 

No entrance 

What are the Eligibility Criteria for MBA Programs?

When an individual goes for a specific course, the requirements to be eligible for the course are also necessary. Talking about an MBA, the eligibility requirements for both regular and distance MBA differ slightly. However, a distance MBA has fewer complexities with eligibility requirements.

The students wanting to apply for an online or distance MBA program must adhere to these eligibility criteria: 

  • Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in any of the relevant domains from a recognized university.
  • The students should also have scored a minimum aggregate percentile to be eligible for the course at any recognized university. 

The eligibility requirements for the regular MBA programs require the scores of CAT, XAT, GMAT, and so forth. Your admission to the university will depend on the score you obtain in the entrance exam and the cut-offs of the university.

Should I Pursue an MBA? Why MBA? 

This often happens that the candidates who look forward to applying for MBA programs feel the constant dilemma of whether the course is going to be useful for them or not. Especially the ones who are already indulged in a working environment; In this case, the one question that every student must ask themselves- WHY MBA?

An MBA is a degree that is a step towards a better future, It will help you in these arenas:

  • Creating better job options
  • Build a vast network 
  • Best placement offers 
  • Higher salary packages
  • Exposure to different specializations and so much more. 

An MBA is a step towards career transformation and career growth. Along with that, the demand for a degree in the corporate world has made it much more necessary to have in order to grow into a specific sector. 

The MBA degree is always a benefit when it comes to individuals:

  • who are working, considering it offers a really good career in the particular field that they are involved in. 
  • An MBA offers better opportunities to those individuals who are willing to make a pathway towards a bright future in management. 

The question about whether the online mode of the degree will be worth it or not is pretty obvious. The candidates must keep in mind that an online MBA degree will have the same worth and value as a regular MBA degree if it qualifies from a certified university. 

For working professionals, the online mode of an MBA degree is going to be the perfect choice, considering how hectic their schedule already is. Moreover, the employers do not ask for the mode of education. What matters is the MBA degree and the skills of an individual.

Deadline Of MBA Admission 2025

Admissions in MBA programs have already started for the batch of 2025. Candidates can apply to different management institutes and universities now. However, the candidates must consider the admission criteria before applying for MBA programs:

  • The scores of entrances like CAT, GMAT, and others will be considered for the entrance. 
  • Must have skills are Aptitude Skills, leadership & problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, personality fit, etc. 

Apart from this, you can take admission in an Online MBA without giving any entrance exams like CAT and GMAT. You can directly apply for an online MBA at the university, and if you bachelor’s degree with a good score from a recognized university, then you can get admission there.

Is Work Experience Necessary for an MBA?

Talking about regular MBA programs, some universities do ask for work experience to apply for an MBA. However, most of the time, it is not necessary to have work experience to apply for an MBA degree. The work experience is a personal benefit, to be precise. The candidates with work experience will know how to make their way clear towards their goal while they go on to study an MBA. 

In the case of an online MBA degree, there is no need to have experience in any work field. However, when one opts for a regular degree, there are some business schools that ask for work experience. But the online programs are not structured that way. Online programs do not ask for such qualifications or experiences. 

Online MBA programs are specially made for those who have a working lifestyle and want to upgrade their skills by adding an MBA qualification to their degree. And also, for the ones who face difficulty in affording the regular on-campus classes. Hence, there is no requirement for any work experience in order to enroll in an online MBA program.

Subjects of MBA 2025

An MBA is a postgraduate program of 2 years and includes 4 semesters. The first 2 semesters include core subjects, then subjects change in the last 2 semesters, depending upon the specializations you take. 

MBA Syllabus/Subjects

Semester 1

  • Financial Accounting
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Information Technology Management
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Business Communication
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Human Resource Management
  • Managerial Economics
  • Marketing Management

Semester 2

  • Financial Management
  • Organization Effectiveness and Change
  • Management of Information Systems
  • Management Science
  • Marketing Research
  • Economic Environment of Business
  • Production and Operations Management
  • Management Accounting

Semester 3

  • Strategic Analysis
  • Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Legal Environment of Business

Semester 4

  • Strategic Management
  • Project Study
  • International Business Environment

What is the Average Salary of an MBA Graduate?

MBA aspirants will be well aware of how high the salary packages can go for them. An MBA is a highly paid degree and offers great career growth opportunities. However, your salary would increase with the experience you keep on having, but, for instance, an MBA professional has a starting salary of INR 10 lakhs per annum. The higher the skills and experience go, the higher the salary keeps getting. Average MBA Graduate's Salary

Do I Need to Give any Entrance Exams for an MBA? Entrance Exams for MBA 

There are certain entrance exams that are required for the eligibility of an MBA, both in India and abroad. Some of these entrance competitive exams are CAT, GMAT, XAT, NMAT, and so on. Most of the universities ask for a valid score in any of these entrance examinations. GRE is a general entrance examination, but if one wants to go for an MBA then they should consider taking the GMAT. 

On the other hand, you can take direct admission in online MBA programs because most of the universities do not ask for CAT or GMAT scores for admission in an online MBA. 

What are the Different Types of Specializations in MBA?

What is mba specilization

MBA offers a variety of specializations in the field of management. The different types of MBA specializations are:

What are the Different Types of Specializations in MBA
  • MBA in Marketing Management
  • MBA in Entrepreneurship
  • MBA in Operations Management
  • MBA in Health Care Management
  • MBA in Banking & Financial Services
  • MBA in Finance
  • MBA in Information Technology
  • MBA in Event Management
  • MBA in Logistics Management
  • MBA in Leadership
  • MBA in Human Resources (HR)
  • MBA in Business Management
  • MBA in Rural Management
  • MBA in International Business

There are many specializations that come along with an MBA degree. All the domains offer a bright career with better job options and outstanding salary packages.

There are some specializations that are highly in demand when it comes to an MBA, such as:

  1. Finance: MBA in Finance is one very famous specializations that revolves around the sector of finance in the corporate areas. It offers an excellent career in the field of financial sectors, which involves a great connection with working with numbers. 
  2. Marketing: MBA in Marketing is another very famous specialization. This course takes you into a world of marketing and business development skills. This is a really explorative field of MBA as it offers a bright career in many areas of the corporate world. What it truly focuses on is business development and working on different strategic planning to grow the sales and marketing of the organization.
  3. Human Resources (HR): MBA in HR is yet another very in-demand course asked by the students. Human Resources Management is a specialization that takes care of the manpower in the organization. It deals with the interpersonal relations of the employees and employers and makes sure that everyone is heard. HR Management is a really wide field and has a scope that creates a lot of job opportunities with higher salary packages.
  4. Entrepreneurship: MBA in Entrepreneurship is also a well-known and highly asked course that revolves around the techniques of business growth and development. The course guides you to the area where your skills of business growth are enhanced and also develops a leadership quality in you. This course is made for those who wish to start their own initiation and lead the company.

How to Get into the Top Universities for an MBA?

The foremost thing to keep in mind while applying for an MBA or online MBA in the top universities is to prioritise the eligibility criteria. The candidates should at least score an aggregate of a minimum of 50% marks in the bachelor’s degree. Once the scores are high, the universities will consider you in any way consider you.

What are the Best Universities for an MBA?

The topmost universities for MBA are:

  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode
  • JBIMS, Mumbai
  • FORE School of Management, New Delhi
  • TAPMI, Manipal
  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore
  • IMI, New Delhi
  • MDI, Gurgaon
  • Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

What are the famous Universities for MBA

Top Universities for an Online MBA?

The Best Universities that offer an online MBA program at home are mentioned below: 

Can I Pursue an MBA After 30?

Yes, people can pursue an MBA after 30 as well. Age ain’t a factor, especially when one is pursuing it in online mode. An MBA is always a viable option for candidates. There are even executive-level programs offered under the MBA for working professionals. So, yes, age does not play a vital role. Anyone can pursue an MBA at any given age, it should just be sensible why it suits their interest.

What is the Cost of an MBA Course?

The cost of the MBA course may vary according to the college and the country where the candidate is studying. MBA abroad costs approximately 20 to 50 lakh in Indian rupees. Whereas, an MBA degree in India might just cost you around 7 to 25 lakhs. It depends on the choice of the individual. 

However, the cost of the Online MBA programs might be quite less than the regular MBA programs. The flexible programs have been introduced with a perspective to keep them reasonable for those who struggle to afford the regular and on-campus classes.

How Can I Get Scholarships for an MBA?

In India, some scholarships are offered by institutes such as IIMs. Certain requirements need to be fulfilled by the student to get the scholarship. The eligibility requirements for the scholarship may vary by institute. Many scholarships are given to students based on academic excellence. There are also scholarships abroad that are offered by foreign universities for MBA courses. 

What is an Online MBA?

An Online MBA is a flexible business degree where the student gets to study business management while sitting at home. Online learning has been an advantage in different ways and offers a comfortable atmosphere to the students. Today, an Online MBA is an option that is provided by almost all the recognized universities with all the necessary facilities. 

An online MBA is the most suitable choice for working professionals. Working individuals often go for an online MBA degree, considering the demand and value of the degree. The degree is UGC approved and has the same value as a regular degree.

How is an Online MBA Beneficial?

An online MBA is a very reliable option for students nowadays. It is structured especially for those who have other things on their plate as well, and still, they wish to have a better degree in hand. 

For individuals who already have a working environment and want to have an MBA degree, online learning of MBA learning will be the best-suited option for them. There are usually a lot of benefits of an online MBA degree, but to keep the facts clear, the online way of learning gives flexibility to individuals. 

The individuals who are from a working environment and are already struggling to maintain a balance between their working life and their personal life, for such individuals, the choice of an online MBA is perfect. It will not only give them a degree in a much more flexible atmosphere but also at a very reasonable rate.

Also online program is quite affordable as well, you can earn an Online MBA degree for almost half the price of the regular degree. Moreover, some universities also offer recorded lectures to the students, which again becomes a very big advantage to the working professionals.

MBA Abroad

As per the data, more than 50% of Indian students prefer to study a master's abroad, and the top countries that Indian students prefer for management programs are the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Also, candidates need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks and 3-5 years of work experience.

MBA Abroad

Is an Online MBA Degree Affordable or not?

To be honest MBA is an expensive course, but the higher cost is when you take up the regular mode of the degree. It might also be possible that many students are unable to afford a regular degree. And therefore, for such cases, the online mode of MBA takes a step in. 

An online MBA is relatively much cheaper and much more affordable than the regular degree. It is made with the perspective that the students who face struggles and hurdles in being able to afford the regular degree, can go for the online mode of education and will have a similar benefit.

Top Hiring Firms For MBA Graduates 

 

Amazon

BCG

Wipro

Deloitte

JP Morgan

Microsoft

Cognizant

ICICI Bank

mba in hiring partner

Conclusion

MBA is a course that is renowned and is an advantage to every person, irrespective of their background. The course has made its demand so high over the years that right now, every company asks for an MBA Professional in their environment. And even the course is worth all the appreciation considering the skills it provides. The demand makes the course a bit expensive, too, but there are no hurdles now for the students. Online learning and an MBA make a really good pair and offer a career that will have no regrets. Hence, an online MBA degree is all in one, a perfect choice for any individual.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The time duration for an MBA degree is 2 years with 4 semesters.

There are 4 entrance exams that are valid for an MBA degree; namely GRE, GMAT, GATE, and CAT.

The top MBA specializations are Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations Management, etc.

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By Swayam Gupta

7 Years of Experience / Blogger / Content Writer

Hello! I'm Swayam, a passionate content writer with over 7 years of experience. I specialize in creating engaging, SEO-optimized content that boosts online visibility. My work spans diverse topics, from technology to online education, I pride myself on delivering well-researched, captivating content tailored to different audiences. When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, and nature walks.

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