MBA vs EMBA (Executive MBA): Which is the right choice for you?

Every year thousands of students embark on their journey to Pursue a Management Degree. However it is very important to make the right choice. In India mainly two types of MBA programs are offered i.e, MBA and EMBA. In this article we are going to explore the criteria and opportunities for each of the courses and help you in making a more informed decision

What is an MBA?

MBA is a common abbreviation of Masters in Business Administration. The MBA curriculum covers a wide range of topics associated with Business Administration like Finance, Marketing, Operations, Human Resources, and more. The course aims to provide a broad understanding of all these functions and make them corporate-ready. In India, an MBA does not require any work experience at all. People who have work Experience or minimal work experience of 2 to 3 years can also do an MBA.

Here is a list of the top 5 colleges to do an MBA, their course fee and average package:

What is an EMBA?

An Executive MBA or EMBA is a course offered by top B-Schools tailored to the needs of working professionals in senior leadership or executive positions with work experience ranging from 4 to 12 years. The program is much more focused on the specific discipline they are already working in. The objective is to enhance one’s skills and knowledge and keep them up-to-date with new changes in the industry.

List of the top 5 colleges to do EMBA, their course fee and average package:

How are both courses different?

Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility criteria for both courses differ. A regular MBA does not require any work experience, which means students who have just completed their undergraduate degree or people with limited work experience of 1 to 3 years are ideal candidates. To pursue an EMBA, a minimum work experience of at least five years is required. However, eligibility criteria may differ from college to college.

Admission Process: MBA admission happens mainly through CAT and other college-specific entrance examinations, which are very competitive, with cut-offs for top-tier colleges going as high as 99 percentile, but for EMBA, most colleges accept GRE/GMAT scores and the process is comparatively less competitive than that of MBA.

Curriculum: For MBA, it's a full-time 2-year course where a student is exposed to all the areas of a Business in the first year with the aim of giving him a broader perspective of all of the disciplines and their importance in the operations of a business. In the second year, the student chooses subjects according to his interests and career goals. The MBA curriculum is much more theoretical. In comparison, an EMBA is only a one-year full-time course with specialisation chosen in the beginning of the course itself. It is much more focused on the practical application of the disciplines, emphasising leadership development. Some colleges like FMS Delhi provide EMBA students with the flexibility to study along with their work by scheduling classes in the evening or on weekends, but this extends the duration of the program to 2 years.

Cost: The Cost of EMBA education is generally higher than regular MBA. One of the reasons is the flexibility provided comes at a higher cost. Another reason is that the course framework is much more advanced and requires faculties with much more expertise, and the resources are also much more advanced and thus expensive.

Networking: Both MBA and EMBA provide excellent networking opportunities and cater to both segments' needs. An MBA batch's diversity gives the students a multi-dimensional perspective and access to knowledge and growth opportunities. It becomes a hub for sharing knowledge and expertise. In the case of an EMBA, networking is limited to professionals from the same discipline. Still, it gives opportunities to interact with senior industry leaders and have more in-depth intellectual discussions, ideal for people looking to enhance their skill set and expertise to compete in the job market.

Placements: An MBA from a top-tier institute brings in very lucrative packages enrolling students in among the highest-paying jobs in the country, and the college puts much more emphasis in the placements. But, in the case of an EMBA, the placements is not a major concern. Although many recruiters are looking for people with years of industry knowledge and are willing to provide very high packages, most of the professionals expect to join back their company with a promotion to a bigger role like that of a Vice-President and such.

Which is the right option for you?

If you are a fresher or have 2-3 years of work experience, MBA becomes your only option. But if you have work experience over 5 yrs. You can go for either of the two. If you are looking for a change in job role, you can afford a 2-year break from work and seek placement from better companies at a lucrative package. MBA might be the right thing to do. But if you are looking for a promotion to a top management role and want to keep up-to-date with the current industry knowledge and know-how in a shorter period of one year compared to the two-year program. EMBA is a program meant for you.