ISB PGP Pro Executive MBA

The much-coveted, Indian School of Business has introduced weekend ISB executive MBA programs which has lead to confusion amongst ISB aspirants. As much as working professionals desire a weekend MBA program, they are slightly confused about whether ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) suits their ambitions or not. Read this blog to know all about ISB PGP Pro, fees, course details, rankings, placements, scholarships and an exclusive review by ISB PGP Pro alumni Aditya Verma.

Course	ISB PGP Pro
Course Type	Weekend Executive MBA
Duration	18 Months
Location	Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
Ideal Student	Working Professionals and Entrepreneurs with 5+ years of experience
Alumni Network	11500+

Accreditation

ISB PGP Pro has been accredited by:

• AACSB
• EQUIS

Selection Criteria

ISB PGP Pro is looking for students with great maturity and motivation. You must have managerial experience included in your work experience. Your application will be evaluated holistically according to every element of your life. However, these are some of the major parts that ISB is looking for in their candidates:

• Academic Performance
• Personal Values
  • Superior Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Achievement-oriented mindset
  • High ethical values
  • Global outlook
• Professional Qualities
  • Professional achievements
  • Proven managerial experience
  • Professional growth potential
  • Leadership potential
• Interview Performance

Your admission is confirmed only after the completion of your interview. You will be informed four weeks post-interview and need to pay your admission fee in the next 10 days to secure your seat.

ISB PGP Pro Eligibility

Before applying to PGP Pro, make sure you are eligible for the position. You must have:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (CA, ICWA, etc)
• Work experience of 5+ years as on Jan 1, 2021 (Bengaluru and Mumbai) and July 1, 2020 ( July 1, 2020)

ISB PGP Pro Application Process

Your application for ISB PGP Pro will only be considered when submitted online through their official website. Here are the documents you need to procure before you start filling your application:

• Coloured Photograph
• Passport
• Academic Certificates
  • Bachelor’s Degree and Marksheet
  • Class 12th Marksheet
• Professional Evaluation. The committee recommends you to opt for online professional evaluation as per the prescribed format
  • Evaluation should be from the current manager and most recent previous manager.
  • If you are self-employed, you may get your evaluation from business associates like customers, vendors, etc

Last Date to Apply for PGPpro

Apr 02, 2023

ISB PGP Pro Profiles

ISB PGP Pro program is known for being highly diverse in its students. Let’s check out the Class Profile of Current ISB PGP Pro batch:

Women Candidates	30%
Non-Engineers	46%
Functional Representation	10+
Industry Representation	15+
Average Work Experience	10
Average Age	36

ISB PGP Pro Fees

Here are the fees that you need to pay in order to complete your course in ISB PGP Pro.

Fees	Amount (INR)
Admission Fee	3,00,000
Tuition	26,86,000
Alumni Fund Contribution	25,000
Life time use of Recreation centre and Library	15,000
Security Deposit (Refundable)	20,000
Total	30,46,000*

*The following total includes taxes as per the law and are subject to change. 

Now, it’s important to not the following details about this fee structure:

1. You must pay your admission fee within 10 days to secure your seat in the institute. 
2. The tuition fees include executive accommodation and meals on all class days. 
3. All the course materials are included in the tuition fee.
4. Accommodation during campus residence is included in the fee.
5. Travel charges for both international and domestic travel are not included in the fee. 
6. You can pay the tuition fees in a single payment or in four instalments.

Fee Instalments	Amount
1st Instalment	6,71,500
2nd installment	6,71,500
3rd Instalment	6,71,500
4th Instalment	6,71,500
Total	29,86,000*

*The fees does not include GST 

Academic Year at ISB PGP Pro

ISB  PGP Pro promises an extremely diverse and comprehensive experience for their students. The candidates get to experience a heavily learning packed environment during the classes. Let’s check out the Schedule of an Academic Year at ISB:

• One Week Campus Residency
• Alternate Weekend Classes
• One Week International Residency
• Alternate Weekend Classes
• One Week Campus Residency 

Now, let’s check out a Typical Term Schedule at ISB PGP Pro:

Week 1	1 Course  and/or 2 Online Session
Week 2	Course 1 Classroom Session
Week 3	Course 2 Online Session
Week 4	Course 2 Classroom Session
Week 5	1 Course  and/or 2 Online Session
Week 6	Course 1 and 2 Exams

Scholarships

The fee is hefty, isn’t it? But ISB PGP Pro supports students with this as well. ISB provides you a scholarship of up to 50% tuition fees. It is aimed at supporting students who are deserving and can use financial aid. Here are the criteria for ISB PGP Pro scholarship:

• Needs financial support
• Is community minded and socially responsible
• Demonstrates leadership skills
• Has a strong academic and professional profile
• Has a potential for future exceptional performance and success
• Has a potential to become a great ambassador for ISB 
• Entrepreneur
• Women leaders and professionals, especially those in Public/ Social sector enterprises
• Spouse of PGP pro alumnus
• Defense personnel
• Children or Spouse of Martyrs

You can apply for a scholarship at the time of your application. Submit a 250-word essay on “how you meet the scholarship criteria, what your contribution to the program would be and why you should be awarded a scholarship”. 

Is ISB PGP Pro Worth Pro Worth It?

ISB PGP Pro is one of the most costly MBA programs in India, so it is natural that you think whether it is worth it or not. Most of it depends on what your goal is from the program. If your goals are aligned with what the school offers, it is definitely worth it. For example, if you are planning to take a leap in your career and business, ISB PGP Pro can surely help you. But if you are planning to expand your family business, ISB PGP Pro can be supportive but the institute offers a program specifically for that as well, called the ISB PGP in Management for Family Business. 

ISB PGP Pro Placements

ISB PGP Pro is a program for working professionals and entrepreneurs who aim to increase knowledge in their field or take their business to the next level. Since the program allows students to apply their learnings directly to their own organizations, there is no placement process offered for the PGP Pro students. 

Why should you choose ISB PGP Pro?

Now you already know everything about ISB PGP Pro, the choice should be easy. But let us give you some reasons why you should choose ISB PGP Pro. 

• The ISB PGP Pro is a weekend Executive MBA Program for students to jump heights during the mid of their career. 
• The course specializes in Finance and Marketing. If your dream career is in these fields, look no further!
• This is the first ISB Program that is not offeredon the main campuses. You can choose among different campuses that you find comfortable. Here are the campuses and their locations for ISB PGP Pro
  • Bengaluru- Hotel Sheraton Grand
  • Delhi (NCR)- Westin Gurgaon
  • Mumbai- Indian School of Design and Innovation in Lower Parel
  • Hyderabad- ISB Campus
• You will get to visit both the main campuses- Mohali and Hyderabad- for two-week classes.
• You will have an opportunity for an international immersion in an Asian Country
• The classes are held on alternate weekends and there are online modules for the intervening week. You can easily manage it along with your job. Hence, you won’t incur any loss of income. 
• You get to experience the world of blended learning with asynchronous/ synchronous online and classroom sessions
• You can opt for specialization in Finance or Marketing

If you are still not sure about choosing ISB for your Executive MBA Program, read the experience of an ISB PGP Pro alumnus and Why he chose ISB PGP Pro over INSEAD’s ILPSIE.

ISB PGP Pro Review: By ISB Alumnus Aditya Verma

To give a detailed view of the program, Leverage Edu Experts and ISB alumni, Aditya Verma will give insights on both the ISB EMBA and ISB PGP Pro program.

Leverage Expert – Congratulations Aditya, you’ve made to your dream college, ISB.

Aditya– Thank You! I was certain I could crack it after all the help I got from you and the team.

Aditya, what made you choose ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) over any other weekend program?

Honestly, I was in a dilemma of choosing between the available options. On one hand, there was ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) and on the other, I had INSEAD’s ILPSIE. This is where I decided to ask an expert for advice, and after calculating all the pros and cons, I took my call! One of the factors that pushed me to enroll for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) at ISB Hyderabad and ISB Mohali was the cost of opportunity that involved spending a couple of years away from family and work, that too right in the middle of my career. I strongly believe that this weekend program is much needed for professionals who are in the middle of their careers. It not only inculcates business skills in but also boosts our confidence as an individual.

How about you give us an overview of ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA)?

So, ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) is an ISB executive MBA equivalent program that is particularly for professionals like me, who have some 5-12 years of work experience. I remember when I started with the course, I was skeptical of the curriculum and exposure I would get through this program. However, to my surprise, it was great! ISB PGP Pro exposed me to world-class education through classroom and online learning. My tenure at ISB was full of exposure and wisdom came from all sources I never thought about. Be it, my classmates, be it the teaching faculty, be it through the student exchange network, everything exposed me to the unseen territories of the business world.

The program starts with a one-week-long residency at either of the ISB campuses, i.e., in Hyderabad or in Mohali. In the beginning, students have to take up online preparatory courses sourced from Harvard Business School Publishing and it consists of a 16-month program with seven modules. Right after we return from campus, our classes shifted to an alternative weekend mode which was interspersed with online components in the intervening weekends. Classes for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) were conducted in Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Later, students are sent for a week-long international student exchange program to one of the partner schools of ISB. In the end, the program ends at the ISB campus where classes are conducted for a week.

Aditya, how would you describe your experience after you signed up for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA)?

One word- SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! It was a roller coaster ride I’d love to take again. As much as it was exciting and fruitful, we had some ‘fantastic’ moments while perusing the ISB executive MBA program. What I believe to be the greatest takeaway from ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) was the network I have built here and I am very sure it would help me throughout. One of the reasons I chose ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) was for the world-class faculty of the institution. I still keep bugging some of the professors from ISB when I need guidance and never have I received lesser enthusiasm from their end. They happily help me even with the smallest of the queries that I have.

Also, I clearly remember the times I called the Leverage Edu team even at the oddest hours, to nag about how my work and this course treated me, and you as my mentor kept on motivating me by showing the greener side of it. Now post completion of the program at ISB, when I look back I realize how essential the pressure is to shape us into who we are today. ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) was challenging as I had to balance my professional life with this new role I took as a student. Even when it is a part-time MBA program, it is rigorous and one has to discount on all their personal interests in order to prioritize what’s really important. ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) prepared me to understand all the tools and skills required to adopt the industry’s best practices.

Throughout this 16 months journey, I learned about 24 courses that were divided into 4 categories and they focused majorly on Leadership and Strategy. We had a chance to access the latest research papers and online study material that took us beyond bookish knowledge. We began with preparatory courses, moved on to foundation courses and then to the core and advanced courses. In the end, we learned about the Electives of Finance and Marketing. What I truly loved about the program was how it covered everything within the weekend sessions, without over-burdening us with knowledge. It was only possible with the help of great professors and the variety of teaching methods they adopted.

What do you think it takes to get into ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) and how does the 2020 admissions procedure work?

Well, as far as I know, ISB takes a keen interest in short-listing profiles that have exceptional achievements in it. Since it’s the best B-school in India, they make sure to select candidates who display the potential to become future leaders. For ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) , they invite applications from candidates in the middle of their careers who are serious about learning the dynamics of management from ISB, and who have some work experience backed with strong academic skills.

To apply for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA), a GMAT score isn’t mandatory but yes, two essays and two recommendation letters had to be submitted. When I applied for ISB PGP Pro in the Second Round, I recall there were hardly a few days left to the deadline and I almost panicked because I didn’t want to mess with the application. I had already arranged everything you told me for admission like-

1. Coloured Photograph
2. Passport
3. Academic Certificates
4. Class 10th and  12th mark sheets
5. Bachelor’s Degree and marksheets of all semesters

So, I was sorted with my documents, the only places where I was stuck were the LOR’s and essays. That’s when you introduced me to Leverage Edu’s team that helped me in translating my thoughts in the right format and in identifying the skills that I could mention in the essays. In no time, we had the first draft of my essays. Later, they even filtered out the necessary information to make sure it was only addressing the questions that could be asked by the admissions committee. Leverage Edu’s team was of great help during those days. Especially with the deadline coming close, they assisted me to move towards the final draft by working on it late in the evenings and weekends. Not just this, I remember you suggested a couple of reference books to read in the meantime that helped me renew my knowledge of management and finance. It was only with all the help I received from you and the team; I could finish my application in time and submitted it online.

How was your interview at ISB for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA)?

Post the submission of application the next thing I remember was my interview. I believe that was the only interview where I was not anxious or nervous like I’ve been at every interview, thanks to your tips and guidance for the same. I was rather pretty confident which helped me in communicating my views to the admissions team. The panel consisted of 2 ISB alums and they graded each interviewee based on their rationale on choosing ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA).  It was approximately in the 4th week after my interview I received my offer letter from ISB and I had to pay the fee within 10 days to reserve my seat for ISB PGP Pro.

Aditya, how were the placements at ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) students?

I’d say ISB has some absolutely great placement opportunities. They host hundreds of global firms that regularly recruit students from the campus. Also, since we are a part of the ISB alumni network, it opens new mediums to connect with companies and look out for opportunities. However, I did not apply for placements as I wanted to continue working where I am currently. My agenda to enroll in ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) was to gain knowledge and even though ISB had great placement opportunities, I was not tempted to change my job. Although, I might leverage the alumni network to hunt some amazing job opportunities in the future.

Do you know the fee for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) for 2019-20?

Oh yes! My cousin is applying for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA) this year so he had discussed the details with me. The program fee for 2019-20 for ISB PGP Pro is INR 30,41,000 plus GST. INR 20,000 also needs to be paid as security that will be refunded on completion of the program. The alumni membership fee of INR 25,000 is also included in the fee and it can be paid in four instalments or at once.

*Updates Fees for 2020-21 has been mentioned above*

He will have to take care of the additional expenses like Laptops, books and travel fares for student exchange network and visiting ISB campus. I guess, he might want to apply for education loans for which I’d direct him to you or someone from your team at Leverage Edu. I remember you helped me with loans when I applied for my weekend ISB executive MBA.

Aditya, in your opinion, should students go for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA)? Is the program really worth the money?

Oh yes, definitely! Where else will you get an ISB executive MBA from the top B-School of India, that too while you are working and putting your learnings to practice? Apart from this, to talk about the fee that you pay for ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA), I’d say it’s worth it. You don’t walk in an Audi showroom and say the car is expensive, right? I guess you have your answer here.

FAQs

At last, I would like to thank you for introducing me to Leverage Edu, ISB and this amazing program – ISB PGP Pro (ISB Executive MBA). Those 2 years have been extremely fulfilling. I really hope that a lot of students across the world learn about this program and opportunities that they could benefit from, as an ISB alumnus. Also, I hope much more students reach out to the mentors at Leverage Edu and identify the right opportunities and upscale in their careers.