This blog is written with a view to making aware the different sets of people, who aspire to enrol either in MBA programmes or the Executive MBA programmes.
The question is - Executive MBA vs MBA: Which is Best for Your Goals in 2024? - This is the moot question that hovers in the minds of the inquisitive freshers and the working professionals alike.
The candidates who gain professional experience a couple of years after completing their undergraduate programme remain perplexed as to whether to quit the job to pursue the full-time MBA or to continue to gain professional experience, requisite for the Executive MBA.
Sometimes, a few working professionals take extended breaks in the form of sabbatical leave from their regular jobs to pursue MBA programmes.
After earning a BBA degree, BCA degree or a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, the students from a recognised University ask a volley of questions to find out the best option for themselves.
They explore the possibilities to soon pursue an MBA in business administration and earn a master's degree in business administration to better their prospects.
Some consider it prudent to first seek employment in companies and gain sufficient experience and then do an Executive MBA allowing a flexible schedule on weekends while simultaneously doing a job.
Difference between an MBA and an executive MBA:
The primary difference between MBA and executive MBA is that students enrolled in a full-time master of business administration programme(MBA) have work experience of less number of years, say 2-7 years, while in the case of Executive MBA, the candidates have 10-15 years of work experience.
As regards the duration of the programme, there is no difference between an MBA and an executive MBA, which is generally two years.
The striking difference between MBA and executive MBA is that in the case of MBA, the schedule of classes is full-time while in the case of Executive MBA, it is Friday evenings and/or weekends. Full-time MBA has the charm of campus life which the students cherish life-long. During the full-time MBA, the students actively participate in a plethora of activities of various clubs.
They indulge in various sports activities, as the world-class facility of different sports is made available to them by the Business Schools.
The students of the full-time MBA have opportunities to do internships and develop networking with potential employers.
Primarily the objectives and goals of the candidates of the full-time MBA students & and that of participants of the Executive MBA programme are different owing to the difference in the average age and average number of years of work experience of the candidates of the two programmes.
Due to the striking difference in the aims, objectives and goals of the candidates of the full-time MBA & and Executive MBA participants, both the programmes are structured and designed by the Business Schools with a view to making different sets of persons realise their goals as soon as possible.
Executive MBA programs have a flexible schedule, allowing candidates to continue to discharge their professional responsibilities and duties while studying.
The Business Schools structure and design the full-time MBA and Executive MBA programs differently keeping in mind the expected goals and skills of the respective cohorts as the candidates pursuing the Executive MBA are generally older (average age 38 years).
Further, the participants of Executive MBA have 10-15 years of professional experience.
On the other hand, the average age of the candidates for the full-time MBA is 28 years and professional experience of 4 years or more duration.
Mostly, for admission to the MBA programmes in the Business Schools, a valid GMAT or GRE score, and letters of recommendation are required.
ISB’s MBA programmes:
The prestigious Indian School of Business offers both full-time MBA and Executive MBA programmes. ISB’s Executive MBA enables executives to develop advanced leadership and communication skills, establish networking, gain global exposure, and make a significant impact in their respective industries.
This program allows the participants to strike a balance between their professional commitments while pursuing an Executive MBA.
Mostly, the degrees in both the Executive MBA and full-time master of business administration, conferred by the Business Schools, are the same.
ISB’s PGP, one-year full-time programme :
ISB’s PGP, a 12-month management programme is meant for professionals with 2-25 years of experience. The programme is offered at the Hyderabad and Mohali campuses of ISB.
Presently, the applications are open for Round 2 and the Deadline for the same is DEC 3 2023. ISB’s PGP programme fees for the academic year 2024-25 is Rs. 38, 97,480/-
The working professionals aim to pursue ISB’s Executive MBA. ISB provides two executive MBA courses - ISB PGPpro and ISB PGPMAX. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for an ISB Executive MBA.
ISB PGP - Weekend Executive MBA :
ISB PGPpro, an 18-month, Weekend Executive MBA equivalent programme is for Working professionals and Entrepreneurs with 5+ yrs work experience.
The participants can register for admission at the Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru locations. ISB’s PGPpro fee for the academic year 2024-25 is Rs. 37,38,180/-. Application Deadline is Dec 10, 2023.
ISB PGPMAX for Senior Executives :
ISB PGPMAX, a 15-month modular programme is tailored for senior executives having 10-25 years and business owners.
The application deadline for the August 2024 intake is December 17, 2023. It involves, as well, 2 Weeks of International immersion in the US and UK.
The eligibility prescribed is a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline & 10 years of full-time work experience after graduation degree. PGPMAX programme fee for the academic year 2024-25 is ₹ 41,78,000 plus taxes.
Apart from taking into account the option for doing the full-time MBA and Executive MBAs, the students, after earning a BBA degree or equivalent Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised University, have the option to do an Online MBA, which is offered by Universities at a much cheaper cost than the expenses involved in pursuing the full-time MBA programmes and the Executive MBA programmes.
Online MBA courses provide the freedom to learn anywhere, anytime. To enrol oneself in the Online MBA programme, a candidate must have completed a bachelor's degree with at least a 50% grade point average (45% for candidates from reserved categories).
In India, Online Universities offer Master of Business Administration programmes in various industry-oriented specialisations, that help students embark on their professional journey immediately after the successful completion of their undergraduate.
A Master's degree in business administration is the most sought-after. The Universities provide quality education to learners through their delivery mechanism, infrastructure facilities etc.
Are under the regulatory regime of the University Grants Commission(UGC), All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE), National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC) & the National Institutional Ranking Framework(NIRF) in India
MBA General programmes are offered with multiple specialisations e.g. financial, International Business, Business Analytics, Digital Business, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Oil and Gas Management, Power Management, Infrastructure Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Retail Management, International Business, Information Technology, Hospital Management, Hospitality Management, Agri-Business Management
During the MBA programmes, the students actively take part in interactive sessions, case studies and capstone projects. The reputed Online MBA colleges in India extend placement assistance to the students. A large number of reputed companies are the hiring partners of such Online Universities.
The pedagogy involves experiential learning and also holds Live interactive sessions. The personalised attention is given to the students affords opportunity to them the opportunity to clear their doubts.
The leading Online Universities, offering two-year (four Semesters) Online MBA programmes are- UPES University, GLA University, Mathura, IGNOU, Mangalayatan University, Jain Online Deemed-To-Be-University, LPU Online University, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University (BVDU), Pune. The total fee for the entire Online MBA programme, based on the elective chosen, ranges from Rs. 1,50,000 to 2,60,000/-.
Conclusion Of Executive MBA vs MBA
The experts of the Distance Pathshala carry out extensive research in earmarking the cost-effective and job-oriented programmes MBA programmes for the candidates.
The seasoned team of the Distance Pathshala provides personalised guidance after diligently assessing the personal interests and choices of aspiring students.
The dedicated team of Counsellors of the Distance Pathshala is always keen and eager to help the candidates enrol in the best educational courses offered by reputed Online Universities at an affordable cost.
All aspiring students, who wish to pursue Online & Distance Learning programmes should connect with the seasoned Counsellors of the Distance Pathshala immediately in order to book a slot for registration in the ensuing academic session.
FAQs Of Executive MBA vs MBA
