Online MBA vs Distance MBA: Which is Right for You?
Students now have the option to pursue an MBA degree online, offline, distance, or online executive MBA. However, most students might get confused about online MBA vs distance MBA. Both MBA programs help meet the industry demand for management professionals. Read on the article to learn the difference between Online MBA and Distance MBA.
- What is an Online MBA?
- What is Distance MBA?
- Online MBA vs Distance MBA: Eligibility Criteria
- Distance MBA vs Online MBA: Which is Better?
- Popular Online MBA Specializations
- Online MBA vs Distance MBA: Admission Process
- Popular Distance MBA Colleges in India
- Distance MBA vs Online MBA: Career Opportunities
- Popular Colleges Offering Online MBA
- Conclusion
Before finding the difference between online and distance MBA degrees, let us understand the fundamentals of both MBA programs, with eligibility criteria, admission process, career opportunities, and more.
Also Read: Online MBA vs Regular MBA: Which One to Choose?
What is an Online MBA?
An online master of business administration, online MBA, is a sought-after postgraduate degree programme in the field of management which is offered in an online mode. Individuals who are looking to continue their management education without compromising their existing jobs or other commitments can opt for an online MBA.
With online MBA courses, students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to gain management positions or become entrepreneurs. Students from any background and area of interest can enrol in online MBA courses in India.
Also read: Top Free Online MBA Courses with Certificates in India
What is Distance MBA?
A Distance MBA is a master's level management degree programme offered in distance mode. Students who have completed a BBA degree or a bachelor's degree in any relevant specialisation can pursue a Distance MBA. Several open universities offer a Distance MBA degree, including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), NMIMS, and School of Open Learning, Delhi University (SOL DU) and others.
Resource Links for Online MBA
Online MBA vs Distance MBA: Eligibility Criteria
An MBA is significantly designed for fresh graduates who want to build their careers in the commerce and management fields as well as working professionals who seek to climb up the corporate ladder. Any graduate - BA, BBA, B.Com, B.Tech, and B.Sc - with a minimum passing score in aggregate can enrol in an MBA degree online or choose a Distance MBA degree.
Many universities take admission to their Online MBA and Distance MBA programmes based on merit while some conduct their entrance exams or take admission based on scores obtained in MBA entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and others.
Also Read:
Distance MBA vs Online MBA: Which is Better?
Whether a student chooses an Online MBA or goes with a Distance MBA, he or she must understand the difference between Online MBA and Distance MBA programs. Similar to a traditional full-time MBA, an Online MBA is a master’s degree in business management delivered completely in online mode.
Online MBA courses allow learners to complete their courses at their own pace. Online MBA courses are extremely flexible giving students the option to study, schedule, and appear in exams at their convenience.
Distance MBA, on the other hand, is a self-study MBA degree programme where students can study through self-study materials which are usually available in the form of soft copy and hard copy. Under a Distance MBA degree, students are not required to visit the college, similar to an Online MBA. However, this learning method does not involve teachers as it is more inclined towards self-study.
In certain terms, the difference between Distance and online MBA programmes gets faded. Both MBA programmes are designed for those who are working or have a busy schedule. However, you may miss out on the exposure with a Distance MBA that an Online MBA offers.
A Distance MBA degree can be pursued by any graduate based on merit and entrance exams like MAT, CAT, XAT, SNAP, and CMAT. There are many Distance MBA colleges in India, including NMIMS, IGNOU, School of Open Learning, Delhi University, and others.
When deciding if a Distance MBA is worth it or whether to opt for an Online MBA, you must consider certain things - time commitment, accreditation, fees, and course outcomes. Ultimately, the debate between distance vs online MBA depends on the student's preference.
You must have time to dedicate to your Online vs Distance MBA course, whichever you choose, on a periodic basis. To pursue a regular MBA, you are required your full dedication and commitment to the course. Unlike regular MBA courses, institutes conduct online MBA classes on weekends or after business hours.
You must pursue your Distance MBA course from a valid and authentic institute like ISBM. On the other side, Online MBA in India is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and only UGC-recognised institutions have the right to offer Online MBA courses in India. There are many UGC approved colleges in India offering Online MBA courses.
The cost factor is also indispensable when deciding which is best Online MBA or Distance MBA. Full-time MBA course fees are usually higher than the part-time MBA courses. Some other factors that you must consider while understanding the difference between Distance MBA and Online MBA are physical presence, attendance, assessments, and flexibility.
Popular Online MBA Specializations
There are various specialisations available in an online MBA. Students can choose from different online MBA specializations based on their area of interest. Mentioned below is the list of online MBA specializations one can opt for and accomplish their career goals.
- Online MBA in Healthcare Management
- Online MBA in Business Analytics
- Online MBA in Hospital Administration
- Online MBA in Finance
- Online MBA in Marketing
- Online MBA in Human Resource Management
- Online MBA in Project Management
- Online MBA in Pharmaceutical Management
Online MBA vs Distance MBA: Admission Process
To help students enrol in their desired MBA programs, we have listed important steps to apply for online MBA admission. We have also elaborated the process of admission in online vs distance MBA.
Online MBA admission 2024:
Aspiring candidates may apply to their preferred college based on their academic performance and work experience.
They need to first visit the official website of their chosen institute and meet the online MBA eligibility criteria.
After that, they need to complete the admission process by filling in an application form online.
Post submission, the college will contact them and may ask them to appear for an interview.
Further, they will be asked to submit the required documents and complete the MBA fees within the given time duration.
Distance MBA admission 2024:
Admission to the Distance MBA programme is done based on the candidates' performance in the entrance examination and their graduation.
After satisfying the Distance MBA eligibility criteria, aspirants will have to submit the application form within the stipulated period of time otherwise their application will not be taken into consideration or will be cancelled.
Candidates are also required to pay the requisite application fee.
Once shortlisted, candidates will be called for an interview (if any) or will be given direct admission.
Popular Distance MBA Colleges in India
Several top colleges in India offer Distance MBA courses, allowing aspiring candidates to study at their own pace and convenience. The Distance MBA fees in India may vary depending on the institute, ranging from Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 1,00,000. Below is the list of top Distance MBA colleges in India.
- CCE UPES Dehradun
- Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, Bhopal
- Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai
- KSOU Mysore
- Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University School of Distance Education
- Centre for Distance Education, Anna University, Chennai
- Directorate of Distance Education, LPU, Phagwara
- Jagannath University, Jaipur
Distance MBA vs Online MBA: Career Opportunities
There is essentially no difference in career opportunities when it comes to distance vs online MBA. There are a variety of opportunities available after successfully completing both modes of MBA courses. Students will explore job opportunities in diverse industries in different career paths.
Career options after the best distance MBA and online MBA courses:
Sales Manager: A Sales Manager is a professional responsible for monitoring the sales team. He or she works closely with salespeople, sets quotas, assigns sales territories, supervises the members of the sales team, assigns sales training, and creates a sales plan.
Marketing Manager: A Marketing Manager is responsible for planning and executing marketing initiatives to generate demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. He or she examines the public interest level with respect to a new product or service.
Human Resource Manager: A Human Resource Manager is a professional supervising employee-benefit design, employee recruitment, execution evaluation, and prize administration, for example, managing pay and advantage frameworks.
Explore other careers:
Popular Colleges Offering Online MBA
Several colleges and universities in India offer online MBA courses in different specialisations. The online MBA fees in India can range from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 5,00,000. Students must visit the official website of their chosen college and enrol in the best to fulfil their personal and professional goals. Below, we have listed some of the top online MBA colleges in India.
- LPU Online MBA
- UPES Online MBA
- Amity Online MBA
- Jain University Online MBA
- IFHE Hyderabad Online MBA
- Manipal University Online MBA
- Galgotias University Online MBA
- Chandigarh University Online MBA
Conclusion
We have now learned about Online MBA vs Distance MBA, the difference between Distance and online MBA, and how both modes of MBA courses are important and beneficial to you. However, it is important for you to determine which one an online MBA or distance MBA is better for you based on your pace, suitability, and convenience.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
A Distance MBA is a self-study management degree programme that students can study through self-study materials. Online MBA, on the other hand, is also a management degree programme offered in an online mode that students can study completely online.
Both modes of MBA have their own benefits and disadvantages. Online MBA offers instructor-led education while online distance MBA can be done at the participant's own pace with no time commitments.
As long as the MBA program is UGC-approved, the mode of the program does not affect the credibility of the degree.
Upon successful completion of online MBA courses, you can find opportunities in Finance, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Healthcare, International Business, and other sectors.
Some of the popular Distance MBA specialisations include Marketing, Finance, Operations, Retail Management, General Management, Human Resource Management, Customer Relationship Management, Healthcare, Insurance Management, and others.
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Questions related to MBA
Hello,
Choosing the "best" MBA college in Bhopal can depend on several factors including accreditation, faculty, infrastructure, placement records, industry connections, and overall reputation. Here are a few MBA colleges in Bhopal that are often considered among the top:
-
Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) :
- Known for its specialization in Forest Management and Natural Resource Management.
- Offers a unique perspective on sustainability and environmental management.
- Good placement records in related sectors.
-
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) :
- Offers an MBA program with a focus on management in the context of engineering and technology.
- Established institute with good infrastructure and faculty.
- Strong industry connections and placement opportunities.
-
Institute of Professional Education and Research (IPER) :
- Well-regarded private institute in Bhopal.
- Offers various MBA specializations with a focus on practical learning and industry exposure.
- Good placement track record with ties to local and national companies.
-
Barkatullah University Institute of Technology (BUIT) :
- Offers MBA programs in different specializations.
- Associated with Barkatullah University, which is a recognized name in Madhya Pradesh.
- Focuses on providing a well-rounded management education.
-
Career College of Management (CCM) :
- Another prominent private institute in Bhopal offering MBA programs.
- Known for its dedicated faculty and emphasis on skill development.
- Decent placement opportunities in the region.
When choosing the best MBA college in Bhopal for you, consider factors such as your career goals, specialization preferences, placement opportunities, infrastructure, faculty expertise, and alumni network. It's also helpful to visit the campus, if possible, and speak with current students or alumni to get a better sense of the college's environment and culture.
Hope it helps you!
MBA in Human Resource Management requires critical thinking and analytical skills to apply in organisations it mainly focuses on human capital organizational behaviour, and strategic HR planning. admission to this courses through entrance examination such as CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, MBA CET, PERA & State CET you can take any exam of your choice but remember to check the scores accepts by the university in which you are interested.
Fee structure is depends college to college usually tje fee charges by HRM schools is upto 10 lakh rupees you can expect ROI 7 lakh rupees when you get placement through your college.there are lot of university in india offers MBA in HRM dont get confused always go for good ranking and placement college.
Admission requirements for MBA programs vary by institution, but many reputable programs require a minimum percentage of 50% in undergraduate studies. However you can still have a chance in colleges where they have lower requirements or through entrance exams like CAT, MAT, GMAT.
With 44% you can consider
1. Private universities
2. Entrance exams
3. Work experience
4. State universities
Hello
Yes, you can switch your career of your interest. You can do MBA in IT or HR after B.Sc in Agriculture. MBA does have a scope in future. But, only if you do MBA from a known institute, you will placement in reputed companies with high packages.
Apart from all this, you skill and interest will always play a key role.
Good Luck.
Hello Aashish,
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi offers MBA programs through its Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship (ABVSME). The campus has an active placement cell that assists in recruitment for MBA students, and many well-known companies visit JNU for campus placements. The school's strong alumni network and industry connections help attract potential recruiters to the campus. The MBA program at JNU has a good placement rate, with students securing job offers in various sectors. For updated information, you can check the official website of JNU and the ABVSME section, look for placement reports, or contact the placement cell for specific queries.
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