MBA after BA: Is It The Right Choice for You?

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MBA After BA

Can I do an MBA after a BA? This is a common question which comes up in mind of a BA graduate looking forward to making a successful career in Business Administration. After graduation, every student has one burning question in their mind: “What should I do next?

While different undergraduate students plan to pursue courses that align with their bachelor’s specialisation, some pick universal programs like an MBA. Whether you belong to the Commerce, Humanities or Science stream, you can study an MBA in any specialisation.

The only requirement to enrol in a Masters of Business Administration after a BA is the specified aggregate total percentage in undergraduate studies. If you are someone looking for an answer to “Can I do an MBA after BA ?”, then here’s a blog that will make the process more understandable!

Why MBA After BA?

Taking up a stream that matches your individual career expectations and then working towards it with proper internships is sure to move your career in the right direction. However, students who have studied fine arts stream subjects and want to pursue a BA should carefully consider an MBA, as the subjects in both degrees have very little in common and the switch from one to the other will be a gradual one!

A postgraduation degree course, MBA runs for a duration of 2 years and can be pursued after a Bachelor of Arts, BBA, BSc, BCom or Btech. Apart from the major constituents, there are other MBA subjects which have to be studied, like foreign languages, social sciences, natural science, and likewise.

Candidates who do not want to be typecast in a particular career option and want an overall personality development opt for a degree in Bachelor of Arts. In this subject framework, skills like creative writing, journalism, etc., are explored and given the space to bloom.

Source: CATking.in

Eligibility Criteria for MBA

Can I do an MBA after a BA? This is a popular question that bugs all undergraduate students planning to make a career in the Management domain. The answer to this question is yes!

You can pursue an MBA after completing a bachelor’s in any stream, be it Arts, Commerce or Science. It is essential to get a minimum of 50% in the undergraduate degree to apply for various MBA entrance exams like CAT, GRE, GMAT, XAT, SNAP and more.

Some of the business schools ask for work experience before selecting students for the MBA program. Personal interviews and GDs are also a part of the MBA selection process in India. Read the next section to learn about the specialisations in MBA for Bachelor of Arts graduates.

List of Programs of MBA after a BA

From fashion to healthcare, with the onset of digitalisation, many streams in which one can do an MBA after a BA have opened up. The table below explains everything you need to know about MBA specialisations:  

MBA in MarketingMBA in FinanceMBA in Insurance 
MBA in Insurance & Risk ManagementMBA OperationsMBA in Productions
MBA Healthcare ManagementMBA in International BusinessMBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
MBA in BankingMBA in Interior DesigningMBA in Airport Management
MBA in Information TechnologyMBA in Aviation ManagementMBA in Agribusiness
MBA in EntrepreneurshipMBA in Power ManagementMBA in Material Management
MBA in Media ManagementMBA in Data AnalyticsMBA in Agriculture
MBA in Energy ManagementMBA in CommunicationMBA in HR
MBA in LogisticsMBA in Computer ScienceMBA in Pharmaceutical Management 

Study MBA after BA in India

There are multiple MBA entrance exams in India which one can give to take admission to some of the top B-schools in the country. Listed below is a summary of the 3 popular exams:

CAT

Common Admission Test is one of the most coveted entrance exams conducted by one of the host IIMs every year. With 3 sections, namely, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, the total weightage of the exam is 300 marks.

With notification generally released in the month of July, the exam opens the gateway to more than 100 B-schools, including those from the list of IIMs, for those who want to study MBA after BA. The official notification is usually released in the first week of July.

Official Notification ReleaseJuly 2025
Registration of CATAugust 2025
Exam CAT 202530 November

Also Read: Study in Norway Without IELTS: Exams, Universities, & Documents Required

XAT

Xavier Aptitude Test is an exam conducted by the Xavier Institute of Management (XLRI Jamshedpur) every year, which opens the door to 150-plus MBA colleges in India. The XAT exam pattern consists of 4 sections, namely, Decision Making, General Knowledge, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and Verbal and Logical Ability. To complete this computer-based test, 3 hours are allotted.

MAT

A slightly easier test in comparison to the above-mentioned exams, the Management Aptitude Test, which is conducted by the All India Management Association(AIMA), is another option for students who want to pursue an MBA after BA or PGDM courses from 600-plus universities spanning across India.

Available in both online and offline modes, this exam is organised 4 times a year in the months of February, May, September, and December. There is a total of 200 questions in the exam, which is divided into 5 sections, namely, Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Indian and Global Environment, and Intelligence and Critical Reasoning.

Top Universities for MBA in India

There are many popular universities and institutes in India which offer an MBA to students. Some of the names are given below:

University NameLocationEntrance ExamAverage Fees (INR)Top MBA Streams Offered
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A)AhmedabadCATINR 23–25 lakhsGeneral Management, Finance, Consulting
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B)BangaloreCATINR 24–25 lakhsStrategy, Leadership, Tech Management
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C)KolkataCATINR 23–25 lakhsFinance, Analytics, Consulting
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), DUDelhiCATINR 2–3 lakhsGeneral MBA
XLRI – Xavier School of ManagementJamshedpurXATINR 23–24 lakhsHRM, Business Management
Indian School of Business (ISB)Hyderabad/MohaliGMAT/GREINR 35–40 lakhsStrategy, Leadership, Marketing
NMIMS School of Business ManagementMumbaiNMATINR 21–22 lakhsGeneral MBA, Finance, Entrepreneurship

Study MBA after BA Abroad

With an MBA qualification, students can make a career in any field of their choice. Apart from MBA colleges in India, candidates can also select one of the following study destinations to pursue an MBA after BA:

MBA in JapanBest MBA colleges in AustraliaMBA in Dubai
MBA in USAMBA in UKMBA in Germany
MBA in New ZealandMBA Course in CanadaMBA in Europe
MBA in SingaporeMBA in IrelandMBA in France

Top Universities for MBA Abroad 

The MBA program is offered by a wide range of colleges in India as well as abroad. Leverage Edu has formulated lists of the best universities to study an MBA after a BA for prospective students. Let us have a look at them:

UniversitiesFeesQS World University Rankings 2025
Harvard UniversityINR 60 lakh to INR 69 lakh4
University of OxfordINR 73 lakh3
University of TorontoINR 27 lakh to INR 41 lakh25
Stanford UniversityINR 63 lakh6
University of East LondonINR 17 lakh901-950
University of MelbourneINR 27 lakh13
University of British ColumbiaINR 43 lakh38
University of CambridgeINR 65 lakh5
James Cook UniversityINR 18 lakh to INR 19 lakh445
National University of SingaporeINR 52 lakh to INR 56 lakh8
McGill UniversityINR 60 lakh29
Yale UniversityINR 38 lakh to INR 65 lakh23
The University of EdinburghINR 37 lakh27
Nanyang Technological UniversityINR 43 lakh to INR 46 lakh15
University of SydneyINR 29 lakh18
Fudan UniversityINR 20 lakh39
University of New South WalesINR 43 lakh19
Erasmus University RotterdamINR 58 lakh158

Also Read: MBA Abroad for Indian Students

Types of MBA to pursue after BA

The online, full-time, and part-time MBA degree programmes have varying lengths of study. With the widespread recognition of the MBA degree, it tries to be in line with the aspirant’s goals and provides a great deal of flexibility for both students and working professionals. Following your BA, the leading B-Schools offer the following main MBA course types:

  • General MBA
  • Online MBA
  • Distance Learning MBA
  • Part-time MBA
  • Specialised MBA courses
  • Executive MBA
Source: The IIM Guy

Career Scope of MBA After BA

If they have the necessary knowledge, graduates from the arts can freely join startups with the aid of an MBA. Graduates of the programme will have exposure to both general and niche business administration topics.

The graduates will be better able to appreciate how any organisation functions and provide solutions to managerial problems.

Alumni work in management-related professions like marketing, logistics, and human resources in addition to starting their enterprises. Many businesses hire MBAs after BA graduates, including digital marketing, BPO, law, logistics, international relations, hotel management, and economic management.

Salary Scope of MBA After BA 

In the end, everything comes down to money and returns on investment. Because management courses are expensive, it is crucial to know when candidates can take the first step towards a corporate career and how much money they would make after completing an MBA programme.

A list of the job profiles and associated pay grades accessible after earning an MBA following a BA is provided below:

Job ProfileAverage Annual Salary Package (in INR)
HR Manager7,25,000
Marketing Manager6,85,280 
Product Manager17,32,442
Operations Manager3,50,000 – 8,00,000
Supply Chain Program Manager4,50,000 – 12,00,000
Product Marketing Manager16,00,000
Manufacturing Manager7,80,000

Thus, there are a number of specialisation courses and universities that offer an MBA after a BA. Every path demands hard work to overcome the obstacles. It depends on the student on how he navigates and reaches his destination. We hope this blog answered the question, “Can BA students do an MBA?” well.

FAQs

Q1: Can I do an MBA after a BA?

Certainly, yes! An MBA can be pursued after the Arts, Commerce or Science stream. You must score at least 50% in order to apply for different MBA entrance exams. This is the only way to study an MBA program. MBA is one of the choicest professional master’s degrees, which is 2 years long in duration. Basically, you need a BA/BBA/BSc or B.Com degree to get an MBA. 

Q2: Can I do an MBA after a BA in economics?

Yes, an MBA can be done after a BA in Economics. You just need to make sure that the overall percentage in BA is 50% or higher in order to give management entrance exams in India and abroad. 

Q3: What is the scope of doing an MBA after a BA? 

MBA is a diverse professional course offered in a plethora of specialisations ranging from Agriculture to Fashion. The course imparts managerial skills to a student, making them a step closer to earning high salaries. The MBA course also equips students with life skills and a strategic mind. 

Q4: Can I do an MBA after a BA in English?

Yes, an MBA after a BA in English is possible! All you need to do is maintain a minimum of 50% in your UG degree to take the MBA entrance exams. Based on the scores you get, apply to top MBA colleges.

Which BA degree is best for an MBA?

A BA in Economics, Business Administration, or Psychology is often considered best for an MBA. These degrees build strong foundations in analysis, communication, and management skills, highly valued in MBA programs.

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To explore study abroad MBA options stay tuned to Leverage Live and Leverage Edu.

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11 comments
  1. I am from science stream (11,12th standard) and now persuing BA combination course(maths+computer application). So can i do MBA after B.A? If yes, what course in MBA should i do?