MBA Subjects: A Student’s Guide

MBA is emerging as one of the most popular career options after graduation for students from almost every background. Moreover, with a comprehensive curriculum and various specialisations to explore, an MBA has a strong job outcome, and one can find employment opportunities across sectors. Furthermore, there are several renowned MBA colleges in the world providing quality MBA programs ranging from full-time degrees to integrated MBA programs, part-time and executive MBA courses, and various online options. However, before you begin to study the course, you need to know all the major MBA subjects which generally fall under the course curriculum. This blog aims to provide knowledge on the same. Read this blog to know about all the MBA subjects and their specialisation.

MBA Subjects: Semester 1

It is an introductory semester that provides you with a basic understanding of Business Administration and Management. The first semester includes the following MBA subjects:

1. Organizational Behaviour
   It deals with the study of both individual and group performances and activities within an organisation. This area of study examines human behaviour in a work environment and determines its impact on performance, job structure, motivation, communication, leadership, etc.
2. Quantitative Methods
   Quantitative methods emphasise objective measurements and statistical and mathematical analyses of data collected through polls, surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing records and data using computational techniques.
3. Managerial Economics
   It is a discipline that combines Economics with managerial practices. The main objective of one of the most popular MBA subjects is to fill the gap between the ‘problem of logic’ and the ‘problem of policy’ using powerful tools and techniques.
4. Marketing Management
   It is an organisational management subject that focuses on the practical application of marketing orientation. Marketing Management coaches students with various methods and techniques to track an organisation’s market resources and activities.

MBA Subjects: Semester 2

This semester usually focuses on the integration of resources and techniques at the management level. Moreover, along with the core MBA subjects, there are various practical teaching programs incorporated into this semester.

1. Management Accounting
   The subject includes different methods and techniques for collecting, arranging, recording, and reporting financial data from several units of an organisation. Moreover, the collected data is then observed and analysed for budget allocation and funding.
2. Management Science
   The study of statistical methods, such as linear programming and simulation, to analyse and solve organisational problems falls under the category of Management Science. It is a broad interdisciplinary study comprising problem-solving and decision-making with strong links to Management, Economics, and Business.
3. Financial Management
   Financial Management focuses on planning, organising, directing, executing, and controlling financial activities such as procurement and utilisation of funds. Topics included in one of the most important MBA subjects are Capital Budgeting, Capital Structure, and Working Capital Management. 

MBA Subjects: Semester 3

The subjects included in this semester are inclined toward the marketing and the business side of your chosen field of specialisation. Furthermore, from this term onwards, you also get to choose some electives to broaden your knowledge. Here are some of the major MBA subjects included in the third semester:

1. Market Research
   Market Research is an organised effort to gather information about the target market and its audience. It is one of the most important components of business strategies. Topics included in this subject are Product Research, Advertising Testing, Satisfaction and Loyalty Analyses, Brand Awareness Research, Pricing Research, and many others.
2. Strategic Analyses
   Strategic Analysis involves the study of researching an organisation’s business environment within which it operates. It is essential to formulate a strategic plan for decision-making and the smooth working of an organisation.
3. Legal Environment of Business
   This subject includes the attitude of the government towards business. While pursuing an MBA, students learn about the historical development of the field, current trends, policies, control in taxation, competition, freedom of the market, etc.

MBA Subjects: Semester 4

The 4th semester, in regards to different types of MBA, focuses more on Electives and Projects. While in the former, you can choose a bunch of MBA subjects as per your area of specialisation and inclination, in the project or dissertation aspect, you have to complete industrial training.

Also Read: Guide on MBA in Banking and Finance

List of Core MBA Subjects

As we are discussing in detail MBA subjects, here are some of the major core subjects that you may study through the program:

• Accounting and Financial Management
• Business Economics
• Corporate Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Leadership and Entrepreneurship
• Management of Change
• Management Theory and Practice
• Managing for Sustainability
• Marketing Management
• Research Methods
• Strategic Management

List of Elective MBA Subjects

Additionally, here are the important Electives that you may study during an MBA course:

• Accounting Systems and Processes
• Advanced Studies in Industrial Relations
• Auditing
• Business and Corporate Law
• Business Economics
• Communication in Business
• Corporate Finance
• Current Developments in Accounting Thought
• Customer Behaviour
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Accounting 2
• Financial Markets and Instruments
• Financial Planning
• Global Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• ICT Project Management
• ICT Project Management
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• International Human Resource Management
• Investments Analysis
• IT Infrastructure Management PG
• IT Management Issues
• IT Risk Management
• Leadership – A Critical Perspective
• Management Accounting for Costs and Control
• Management of Change
• Managing for Sustainability
• Managing Project and Service Innovation
• Organizational Behaviour
• Research Methods
• Strategic Human Resource Development
• Taxation

MBA Subjects: Field and Specialisation Wise

Till now, we have a grasp of the subjects that are common in almost all MBA specialisations. Here is a table that elucidates the MBA subjects of different specialisations:

MBA in Finance

MBA in Finance is a specialised program that focuses on in-depth knowledge and skills in financial management, investment, and corporate finance. Here are the subjects of this program:

• Business Policy
• Global Financial Markets
• Banks & Financial Institutions
• Financial Risk Management [FRM]
• Mergers & Acquisitions 

MBA in HR

MBA in Human Resources is a postgraduate program that focuses on the management of human capital within organisations. Its core subjects are as follows:

• Operations Research & Management
• Organizational Behaviour
• Employee Welfare
• Training & Development
• Labour Law

MBA in Information Technology

An MBA in Information Technology is a postgraduate program that combines a traditional MBA with specialised knowledge of IT management and strategy. Look at the subjects of this degree:

• Information Security Management
• Strategic Management
• Big Data and Machine Learning
• Visual Systems Development
• Web-Based Systems Development

MBA in Event Management

An MBA in Event Management is a specialised postgraduate degree that combines business administration principles with the practical skills of managing various types of events. The core subjects of the MBA in Event Management are:

• Safety Operations
• Corporate Communication
• Types of Events
• Public Relations
• Marketing Management

MBA in Marketing

An MBA in Marketing is a specialised degree which focuses on marketing principles and strategies with a focus on business management. Its subjects involve:

• Market Research & Data Analysis
• Consumer Behaviour
• eCommerce Marketing
• Business Communication
• Retail Management

MBA in Fashion Design

An MBA in Fashion Design is a postgraduate management degree that combines the creativity of fashion with business principles. Look at the core subject of this programme:

• Luxury Brand Management
• International Fashion Management
• Merchandise Marketing
• Product Development
• Supply Chain Management

MBA in Hotel Management

An MBA in Hotel Management is a degree that combines a traditional MBA curriculum with a focus on the hospitality industry. Some of the core subjects of this program are:

• Central Reservation Systems
• Cargo Management
• Entrepreneurship Development
• Accommodation Management
• Nutrition & Dietetics

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. The number of core and elective MBA subjects can vary from one institute to another

Top MBA Colleges Around the World

Here is a list of the top MBA Colleges Around the World:

MBA Colleges Abroad	Location	QS World University Rankings 2025
Stanford Graduate School of Business,  Stanford University	USA	1
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania	USA	2
MIT  Sloan School of Management	USA	4
Harvard Business School, Harvard University	USA	3
HEC Paris	France	6
INSEAD	Singapore and France	NA
London Business School	UK	5
Columbia Business School,  Columbia University	USA	8
IE Business School	Spain	7
Haas School of Business,  University of California, Berkeley	USA	15
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business	USA	13
IESE Business School	Spain	10
Esade Business School	Spain	21
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University	USA	11
UCLA Anderson School of Management	USA	18

MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus

The MBA Entrance Exam is crucial to take admission in a top Business school. Here is the syllabus for the MBA entrance exam as follows:

1. Quantitative Aptitude– Number Systems, Simple And Compound Interest, Speed, Time, Distance, Ratio, and Proportion
2. Data Interpretation– Column Graph, Venn Diagrams, Line Graphs
3. Logical Reasoning– Logical Sequence, Matching & Connections, Blood Relations, Clocks & Calendars
4. Verbal Ability- Grammar Usage, Meaning-Usage Match, Synonyms & Antonyms
5. Current Affairs and GK– History/Geography/Economics, States & Capitals, World Leaders

Also Read: MBA in Russia for International Students

Distance MBA Subjects Details

Additionally, every college offering MBA through distance mode has different subjects depending upon the course specialization and more. Here are some of the common topics you will study:

1. Organisational Behaviour: Organisational Behaviour refers to the behaviour or performance demonstrated by an individual in an organisation, just like the field of Industrial Psychology
2. Business Communication: The majority of business organisations follow four main types of business communication, i.e. Internal (upward & downward), External, and Horizontal/Lateral
3. Human Resource Management: Human resource management mainly focuses on the major areas. It stresses learning and training new employees, it ensures compensation and benefits for the company and its employees. It equally focuses on recruiting skilled employees.
4. Strategic Management: Strategy managers are at the core of a business’s decision-making. Often working with corporate executives and management teams, they collaborate across departments to determine and implement operational strategies. This role requires intense analytical ability, a keen business vision, and outstanding communication skills.
5. Business Law: Often called Mercantile Law or Commercial Law, it is the area of study that deals with the issues that arise while interacting with the public, government, and other companies. These legal professionals exhibit knowledge of intellectual property, real estate, tax law, employment law, etc.

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Pursuing an MBA can help you explore the end number of career opportunities globally. We hope that this blog has helped you to know the various MBA subjects included in the course curriculum. If you’re planning to pursue an MBA or any other professional course, you can reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu, who can help you in finding the course that is best suited to your abilities.