A qualification, regardless of level and field of study, will never be a waste; one just needs to realize how to use it wisely and appropriately. As we navigate through life we shift our perspective and interests, our education choices, therefore, need to reflect this.
Usually, students with PhD do not plan to study ahead, but MBA is an opportunity that it is not easy to let go of, especially as it allows professionals to enter the corporate world with great opportunities ahead. In this blog, let us understand what it takes to study MBA after Ph.D.
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MBA after PhD
Ph.D. armed you with tenacity, discipline, critical analysis of information, and knowledge unparalleled by anyone else in the exact topic of your research. It qualified one as a specialist. It provides a sound research focus, whereas MBA on the other hand provides a sound business and leadership focus.
Benefits of MBA after Ph.D.
It is understandable that a PhD is the highest degree that one can have, but there is no hard and fast rule that one cannot pursue MBA after completing their PhD. Ph.D. might restrict you in one field and does not let you explore a job in another field.
Also, some upper management positions may require some business expertise and if your Ph.D. is not based in the business field, considering an MBA can give you that push in the business area. An MBA after a PhD not only offers great career opportunities but also guarantees a highly paid job and lets you develop a strong professional network. An
MBA will offer you a wealth of advantages, especially when it’s from a well-reputed business school. There are many good reasons for pursuing an MBA after PhD and here is a detailed guide about how doing an MBA can benefit your career:
- Develop advanced and flexible management skills.
- It gives you greater business network opportunities.
- It helps you make the transition from academia to industry.
- One can start their own company from scratch.
MBA Vs PhD
Here is a table containing general differences between an MBA and a PhD
MBA | PhD |
MBA is a Generalist Degree. | Ph.D. is a Specialist Degree. |
MBA usually takes two year to complete full time. | Ph.D. can take four years |
MBA students will usually research a broad range of subjects. | Ph.D. students will only focus on one subject. |
MBA programs do offer some scholarships, but the total cost for this is undeniably quite high. | Ph.D. programs on another hand can be cheaper, as major universities offer full scholarships for outstanding applicants. |
The MBA program requires students to sit for exams like GMAT, GRE. | Ph.D. program requires you to have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, but you will not be expected to sit for any entrance exams. |
MBA degree holders can have careers in both the academic and corporate sectors. | Most Ph.D. graduates will enter into research or academic career. |
It can be done in both offline and online mode. | It can also be done in both online and offline mode. |
Who Earns more MBA or Ph.D.?
Incorporate sector a Ph.D. holder draws an average salary of 10 Lakhs in India. Whereas with 1 to 4 years of experience, early career MBA salary in India can grow up to 7-8 Lakhs.
Top MBA Entrance Exams
There are various MBA entrance exams that are open with admission opportunities in top B-School. The list of top MBA exams is given below:
- National Level: CAT, CMAT, and MAT
- International Level: GMAT, GRE, IELTS, and TOEFL
- University/College Level: XAT, SNAP, IIFT
The table below lists the application dates and exam dates of top MBA exams:
MBA Exam | Exam Date | |
CAT 2024 | Likely Nov 2024 | |
CMAT 2024 | 15th May 2024 | |
MAT 2024 | 24 Feb to 25 Aug 2024 | |
SNAP 2024 | December 2024 | |
XAT 2024 | 7 January 2024 | |
IIFT 2024 | TBD |
Top Indian Universities for MBA
When we talk about MBA in India, the first university which struck our mind is IIM. However, with time numerous universities have made it to the list of top MBA colleges. Below are the top B-Schools in India with their flagship program, entrance exams, and great salary packages post-MBA.
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
- XLRI Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
- Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
- SPIMJR, Mumbai
- IIM Indore
- IIM Kozhikode
- FMS, Delhi
Top Foreign Universities for MBA
Pursuing an MBA in a foreign university offers you the opportunity to have a globally recognized degree and explore job opportunities abroad with a higher salary, and career growth. MBA abroad requires a Bachelor’s degree and work experience for at least 4-5 years. Here we have listed some of the top universities you can consider for pursuing an MBA:
- The Wharton School, Pennsylvania
- London Business School, London (UK)
- Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford (MA)
- MIT Management, Cambridge (MA)
- Harvard Business School, Boston (MA)
- UC Berkeley, Berkeley (CA)
- Columbia Business School, New York
- Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Germany
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Top 6 Countries to Study MBA After PhD
For aspirants who are planning to get an MBA degree, here is the list of best places to study MBA for a successful career in the future:
Also Read: Best Country for MBA
FAQs
The Ph.D. is a research-oriented path, while MBA is a practice of business. Learning more about non-profit marketing through a business program might help you advance in your career. An MBA is very general/broad in nature, it covers many subjects, most of which have an entire master’s degree path in and of itself whereas a Ph.D. is so much more about only one thing.
Leading business schools in India like IIMs, XLRI, NMIMS, etc. offer financial help to deserving candidates to complete their management studies. Different universities offer different scholarship programs for students belonging to every category. Candidates who have obtained a first degree of at least upper second class honors standard, or a second-class degree and a Master’s degree or relevant postgraduate qualification are eligible for the Ph.D. scholarships of this program.
The most basic requirement for pursuing an MBA abroad is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university; preferably a full-time degree from a reputed institute. The second major pre-requisite of a foreign MBA is substantial work experience of a minimum of 3-5 years.
Yes, anyone can pursue an MBA after their doctoral degree. An MBA can boost your career journey, and skills learned through MBA are geared towards the industry.
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We hope you understand that it is possible to study MBA after PhD in this blog. Follow Leverage Edu India’s no. 1 leading educational platform for related informative blogs. Please put your comments below in the comment section.