Doing an MBA in Finance at the Department of Financial Studies (DFS) is a solid choice. If you're really into Core Finance, you should definitely consider it unless you get into top IIMs or FMS. DFS offers an MBA from one of India's top universities, and the fees are quite affordable. The faculty members are very supportive, and with a small batch size of around 35-40, you'll receive excellent personal attention. Plus, the charming South Campus and the hostels will make your last two years of college life pretty memorable.
The Department of Financial Studies (DFS) at Delhi University, previously known as MFC, is a great place for students who want to grow their skills in finance management. For over 30 years, DFS has been producing skilled and committed professionals for the finance sector.
Classes run from 9 am to 4:30 pm, avoiding any late-night sessions like 2 am, since it's not a mandatory residential program. However, students are still trained to manage unexpected situations in different ways. After classes, students get involved in activities related to their committees. Currently, there are four main committees: Corporate Relations and Placements, Alumni Relations, Convention & Organizing, and Public Relations.
The campus is calm and ideal for studying or research. DFS hosts various events all year, including Alumni Meets, the 30-year-old Convention, Arvneeti (their annual fest), and sports competitions.
The schedule is quite regular, allowing students time to explore personal interests and pursue certifications, which are crucial for their overall development.
In short, DFS offers excellent support to help students learn, grow, and succeed in their careers.
Tuition Fee: Rs. 13,000 per year
Average Salary: Rs. 11.7+ Lacs
Having studied at the college myself, I can share some insights. These days, the department is combined with DBE, but the placements are handled separately.
Overview: The college is affiliated with the CFA program and offers scholarships for pursuing a CFA degree. The MBA in DFS (previously MFC) at Delhi University is a prestigious and sought-after degree, especially if you're keen on finance and haven't made it to the top-tier colleges. It's definitely worth considering.
Fees: The low cost is a huge advantage, providing a great return on investment, which is often lacking in other colleges. You pay around 25k for your MBA here, while places like IIMs charge between 13–24 lakhs, and even FMS costs 4–6 lakhs. It's like getting a head start on your career without the burden of massive loans.
Curriculum: The DFS curriculum doesn't quite match the competitive edge of IIMs. DFS follows a semester system, unlike the trimester system at IIMs. At IIMs, you're engaged all day, tackling case studies in nearly every class, with grades for participation. In contrast, DFS offers thorough teaching in core finance subjects but still follows a more traditional university approach and hasn't fully modernized its competitiveness. The drive and competition seen in IIMs for case study contests are somewhat lacking at DFS.
Faculty: The faculty is top-notch, with experienced professors who have industry backgrounds. Although it's a small team, they boast long teaching careers. While IIM K and I face some issues with faculty quality, and new IIMs have a mix of old and new professors (which can be hit or miss), DFS stands out in terms of faculty quality, even compared to newer IIMs.
Placement: This is a crucial aspect. DFS placements are on par with the newer IIMs, but don't expect the same opportunities as the BLACKI league colleges, where management roles are more prevalent. In second-tier colleges, you might start in subordinate roles compared to BLACKI grads. Remember, a good start is just the beginning; your experience and achievements will matter more after a few years.
Alumni: This is a weaker area for DFS, as each batch has had only about 30 students over the past 30 years, compared to the 400 per batch at IIMs. It's rare to find someone in the corporate world who studied in MFC (DFS).
In conclusion, if you want to avoid loan burdens and don't care about the IIM brand (unless it's a top one) and are genuinely interested in finance, DFS is an excellent choice.