Introduction to Distance Education MBA
Top 10 Distance MBA in India - Best MBA University for MBA/PGDM Programs
1. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
In India when one thinks about distance education, the first name that comes to his/her mind is IGNOU. IGNOU considered as world’s largest university in terms of number of students enrolled.
IGNOU offers a variety of distance education courses to its students. Amongst them Distance MBA at IGNOU is one of the most popular distance learning course Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offered.
Duration to complete the IGNOU MBA: Minimum 2.5 years and Maximum 8 years. And to join IGNOU courses there is no age bar.
In order to be eligible for IGNOU distance mba admission, candidate should be a graduate with at least minimum 50% marks for general category and 45% for reserved category with 3 years managerial/supervisory/professional experience.
You can also join the IGNOU courses in case you have a professional degree with at least 50% marks. You also have to clear the OPENMAT IGNOU exam conducted by IGNOU University.
Apart from the general MBA program mentioned here, IGNOU also offered a specialized MBA program called Master of Business Administration (MPB) (Banking & Finance).
To be eligible for this course, candidate should be a member of the IIB (Indian Institute of Bankers). In order to get admission in IGNOU MBA Banking & Finance, there are also few special requirements that needs to be meet. For complete details regarding this course. Please read: IGNOU MBA Banking & Finance Programme.
2. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)
Symbiosis Distance Learning Institute (SCDL) is a Pune based award winning one of the largest autonomous distance learning institute in India. Started in the year 2001, Symbiosis offers Post Graduate Diploma, Diploma and Certificate programs.
SCDL PGDBA (MBA) is amongst the most popular management program in India. You can choose within the six available specializations i.e Finance, HR, Operations, Marketing, Management Accounting and Customer Relationship Management.
Dual (additional) Specialization option is also available for the Symbiosis PGDBA program, in case if you wish to choose two specializations.
Apart from the PGDBA program, Symbiosis Pune also offers two years PG diploma courses in the field of Banking and Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Customer Relationship Management, IT Management, Insurance Management, Retail Management, Supply Chain Management and Export and Import Management.
In order to be eligible for these courses candidate should be a graduate in any discipline, from a recognized University.
3. Institute of Management Studies (IMT) Ghaziabad
IMT Ghaziabad is amongst the top business schools in India. IMT under its center for distance learning (IMT CDL) offers distance education courses.
IMT CDL is offering a wide variety of distance learning courses in the field of management and information technology. IMT CDL offered courses are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
But being an Institution and not a university, IMT CDL can only offers a PGDM (MBA) which is a 2 years post graduate program in the field of management.
Apart from its 2 years PGDM program, IMT Ghaziabad also offers a 1 year Executive PGDM program which specializations in the field of Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems and Operations Management and it also offers a 1 year PG diploma in the field of business administration.
For its distance learning management courses IMT Ghaziabad has won many awards. Some of them are:
- In the survey conducted by ZEE BUSINESS on INDIA’S BEST DISTANCE LEARNING B-SCHOOLS in the year 2012, IMT Ghaziabad ranked #1.
- At the 8th ASSOCHAM Education Summit National Excellence Awards 2015, IMT Ghaziabad recognized as ‘Best Institute in Distance/Open Learning’.
- By Competition Success Review in 2016, IMT Ghaziabad got the “CSR Top Distance Learning Institutes of India Award”
- By 24th Business School Affaire & Dewang Mehta National Education Awards in 2016, IMT Ghaziabad got the “Award for Excellence in Distance Education”
4. ICFAI University
ICFAI University is one of the renowned names in distance education in India. ICFAI since 3 decades is offering higher education in India and due to its quality of education had won many awards.
ICFAI is offering many post graduate, degree, diploma courses as well as certificate programs in the field of business management.
It’s most popular distance education MBA degree program is divided into five modules under it the third module consists of electives. Candidate has to select one elective out of the available 16 electives.
The available electives are mentioned below:
- Human Resource Management
- Strategic Finance
- Risk Management
- Retail Management
- Pharma Management
- Hospital Administration
- Investment Management
- Innovation Management
- Healthcare Management
- International Business
- Telecom Management
- IT & Systems
- Global Markets
- Operations
- Marketing
- Finance
The MBA program is completely based on self-study and examination model. ICFAI also offers to its students a convenient examination schedule.
5. Sikkim Manipal University
Another top rated degree program in India is Sikkim Manipal University’s distance education MBA course.
Under its distance education arm called as SMU-DE, Sikkim Manipal University offers its distance education courses.
SMU-DE was commenced in the year 2001 and today its one of the leading provider of professional education in India.
Below are some of the most popular distance education courses offered by SMU-DE:
- MBA
- MCA
- B.Sc (IT)
- M.Sc (IT)
- BBA
- BCA
SMU-DE’s famous distance education MBA program is a two year degree program which is divided into four semesters.
The minimum available duration to complete this course is two years and maximum four years.
Candidate can choose from 4 available specializations, i.e
- Finance Management
- Marketing Management
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems Management
In order to be eligible for Sikkim Manipal University’s distance education programs, candidates should have a graduation degree from a recognized university. And along with that, for admission they also have to clear the entrance test conducted by the University.
6. Annamalai University
Annamalai University is the oldest and amongst the most popular universities in South India. Under its Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalai University offers more than 500 different courses
The Annamalai University DDE was commenced in the year 1979. Under the distance education mode, Annamalai University DDE offers general MBA and five other specialized MBA programs .
The general MBA degree is available under both English and Tamil Medium, while the remaining MBA courses are only available under English Medium.
The following MBA courses are offered by Annamalai University DDE:
- General MBA
- MBA E-Business
- MBA International Business
- MBA Financial Management
- MBA Marketing Management
- MBA Human Resource Management
In order to get admission in Annamalai Distance Education MBA programs candidates needs to pass a written Entrance Examination.
7. Amity University
With over 1,00,000 students, Amity University is one of the top ranked private university in India. Apart from its regular courses, through Amity Directorate of Distance and Online Education, it also offers online learning. The online MBA course offered by AMITY University is considered as one of the top ranked management degree course in India.
The 2 year (4 semesters) program with 11 specialization areas is a complete online course. Candidates with a graduation degree with minimum 40% marks can join this course.
Below are the 11 available specializations:
- Marketing & Sales
- Retail Management
- Finance & Accounting
- International Business
- Insurance Management
- Information Technology
- Hospitality Management
- Operations Management
- Human Resource Management
- Entrepreneurship & Leadership
- Petroleum & Natural Gas Management
8. Lovely Professional University
Lovely Professional University is one of the top ranked private university in India. For its quality education, the university has won many awards
Located in Punjab Lovely Professional university offered both regular and distance education courses.
The university offers Degree and Diploma programs under its distance education mode.
In the field of business management, Lovely Professional University MBA program is amongst the top ranked degree courses.
The lovely professional university fee structure for MBA is quite affordable.
2 years is the minimum duration to complete the program and the maximum is 5 years.
For LPU admission, candidate should have a graduation degree from a recognized university in order to be eligible for the program.
7 specializations are offered by Lovely Professional University’s distance Learning MBA course.
From the available LPU University specializations, candidates can choose Core Specialization or Major-Minor Specializations namely:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Retail Management
- International Business
- Information Technology
- Operations Management
- Human Resource Management
9. Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management
Established in the year 1977, Welingkar Institute of Management Development (WeSchool) is amongst the top B-School in India.
Apart from its normal full-time regular courses, Welingkar Institute of Management Development though its hybrid learning format also offers part-time courses namely post graduate diploma in management, diploma & certification courses.
All Welingkar offered distance learning courses are accredited by UGC-DEB (University Grants Commission)
PGDM program offered by WeSchool is one of the most popular distance learning management course in India.
The following specializations are offered under Welingkar PGDM course:
- E-Business
- E-Commerce
- Services Excellence
- Travel and Tourism
- Retail Management
- Finance Management
- Media and Advertising
- International Business
- Rural and Agribusiness
- Marketing Management
- Business Administration
- IT Projects Management
- Healthcare Management
- Hospitality Management
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Human Resource Management
- Banking, Investment & Insurance
Summary of Top 10 Distance MBA
Below is the combined summary of all 10 distance MBA universities mentioned above along with their Rank, Eligibility, Fee structure and Admission Test:
| Ranking | University Name | Entrance Test | Eligibility Criteria | Fees Structure |
| 1 | IGNOU University | OPENMAT | Minimum Graduation with 50% Marks + 3 yrs. work experience | INR. 31,500 |
| 2 | Symbiosis University Distance Learning (SCDL) | SNAP | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 41,500 |
| 3 | IMT Ghaziabad | No | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 1,10,000 |
| 4 | ICFAI University | No | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 63,000 |
| 5 | Sikkim Manipal University | SMAT | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 73,000 |
| 6 | NMIMS – Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies | No | Minimum Graduation with 50% marks in any discipline | INR. 77,200 |
| 7 | Annamalai University | No | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 39,700 |
| 8 | Amity University | No | Minimum Graduation with 40% marks in any discipline | INR. 1,51,800 |
| 9 | LPU – Lovely Professional University | No | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 41,600 |
| 10 | Welingkar Institute of Management | No | Minimum Graduation in any discipline | INR. 62,000 |
So these are the best distance MBA University for distance MBA in India. We are hoping you have liked our article. If you have any admission related query, feel free to connect using the below enquiry form.
Related Article: Top 10 Cheap Online MBA in India | SGVU Distance MBA
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