Unlock Your Success: Top MBA Colleges in India for Marketing Careers
Table of Contents
Marketing is the magic word today. The only process that can make a business thrive is connecting products with consumers. This is the most sought-after career in the modern world. Today, almost every company seeks attention. This is where the need for a skilled marketing professional crops up.
For those who want to build a career where they can shape brands, understand customers, and drive business success, an MBA marketing course might be the perfect choice. But where can they pursue this exciting degree? India boasts some fantastic business schools, but choosing the right one is crucial for one’s future.
The following article will provide an in-depth knowledge of the best MBA marketing colleges in India. Besides the name of the colleges, you will also learn the MBA marketing syllabus, including the importance of learning MBA digital marketing online.
*freepik.com
What is the Meaning of Doing an MBA Course in Marketing?
An MBA Marketing course involves a two-year postgraduate degree. It teaches and helps students develop skills like market research, marketing strategies, digital marketing, consumer behavior, branding, sales management, etc. Upon completing the course, the students become eligible to hold leading positions, mainly in marketing and business development.
How does An MBA in Marketing Help?
Here is how an MBA in marketing can help one shape his/her career –
Opens Various Career Opportunities: Marketing is done by every industry – from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and technology to banking, healthcare, retail, media, e-commerce, etc. So, a lot of job opportunities become available, like –
- Brand Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Market Research Analyst
- Sales Manager
- Product Manager
- Advertising Manager
- Public Relations (PR) Manager
Skill Development: MBA marketing courses are designed to sharpen a wide range of skills. The only thing that a student needs to do is think critically, analyze the data, develop strategies, communicate effectively (a crucial skill), understand consumer psychology, and manage projects and teams.
Networking Power: Business school is not just about classes. It is about connecting with professors (often industry experts), classmates (future leaders), and alumni (established professionals). These connections will be of help in the long run.
Attractive Salary Packages: To be practical, an MBA is an investment. Graduates from top marketing programs often command excellent salaries, with significant potential for growth as they gain experience. Average salaries for marketing roles after an MBA from reputed institutions can vary widely, often starting from Rs.8 LPA and going up to Rs.25 LPA or even higher for roles like Brand Manager at top companies. But this is essentially college and role-specific.
Understanding the Main Business: An MBA is not just about marketing. It also makes one aware of other business functions like finance, human resources, operations, etc. Naturally, an MBA marketing degree holder will be an expert in handling businesses.
Best MBA Marketing Colleges in India with Worldwide Approval
There are many globally recognized Indian institutions that offer excellent MBA programs with specializations in Marketing. Finding the best one is difficult. However, here is a list highlighting the best MBA marketing colleges in India known for their marketing expertise.
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A)
- Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Course Offered: Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)
- Highlights: IIM Ahmedabad is one of the top B-Schools in India. They are known for their rigorous case-study-based learning, great faculties, and strong industry connections.
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C)
- Location: Kolkata, West Bengal
- Course Offered: PGP in Management
- Highlights: Known for providing deep insight in quantitative subjects and finance, IIM Calcutta also boasts a very strong panel of marketing faculty and curriculum.
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS)
- Location: New Delhi
- Course Offered: MBA
- Highlights: FMS offers an MBA program with an incredible Return on Investment (ROI) due to its very low fees (being part of Delhi University) and excellent placements, comparable to the top IIMs.
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B)
- Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
- Course Offered: PGP in Management
- Highlights: IIM Bangalore excels in research and teaching quality. It focuses mainly on contemporary marketing and analytical practices. Bangalore is India’s silicon city. So, the institute also has a good tech exposure.
Parul University
- Location: Gujarat
- Course Offered: MBA in Marketing
- Highlights: Parul University follows a curriculum that aligns perfectly with the industry demands. It also emphasizes on modern trends like digital marketing, data analytics, etc.
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Location: Gurgaon
- Course Offered: Marketing MBA
- Highlights: Located in the corporate hub of Gurgaon, MDI has excellent industry linkages and is also reputed for having one of the best marketing programs.
Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K)
- Location: Kozhikode, Kerala
- Course Offered: Marketing MBA
- Highlights: IIM-K is popular for their well-structured marketing programs. Students from various parts of the country and also across the globe take interest in this institute.
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L)
- Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Course Offered: Marketing MBA
- Highlights: It is another premier IIM known for academic rigor and producing well-rounded managers. Having strong and experienced marketing faculties, they easily attract top recruiters to hire for relevant roles.
Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad
- Location: Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
- Course Offered: Marketing and Sales
- Highlights: IMT Ghaziabad is particularly knowing for their successful programs in marketing and sales. They have a large alumni base in marketing roles.
XLRI – Xavier School of Management
- Location: Jamshedpur
- Course Offered: Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)
- Highlights: While renowned for Human Resources, XLRI’s Business Management program is equally strong, with marketing being a popular and well-respected specialization
So, now from the above data, one can easily gauge the best MBA marketing colleges in India.
The Syllabus and Course Duration of MBA Marketing
So, what does the actual study include? The MBA marketing syllabus is tough and goes as long as two years.
Year 1: Building the Foundation
The first year generally focuses on how businesses operate, giving an idea of core management. The common subjects include –
- Marketing Management (Introduction)
- Managerial Economics
- Quantitative Methods / Business Statistics
- Financial Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Organizational Behavior
- Human Resource Management
- Operations Management
- Business Communication
- Strategic Management (Introduction)
Year 2: Deep Dive into Marketing
The second year is the year to specialize. The students will have to choose marketing electives based on their interests and career goals. The range of electives offered is a key differentiator for the best marketing colleges in India. Common MBA marketing courses (electives) include –
- Consumer Behavior
- Market Research
- Brand Management
- Sales and Distribution Management
- Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)/Advertising & Promotion
- Digital Marketing
- Product Management/New Product Development
- Services Marketing
- Retail Marketing
- International Marketing
- Business-to-Business (B2B) Marketing
- Rural Marketing
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Marketing Analytics
The specific subjects and their depth will vary between colleges, but this certainly gives a good overview of the typical MBA marketing syllabus.
Influence of Digital Marketing
Businesses have become widespread with the advent of internet. Customers can be reached much more easily nowadays. The best MBA marketing colleges in India also recognize this shift. And to tackle that, they have incorporated some additional material to their courses, which include –
- Dedicated courses
- Integrated Approach
- Workshops and Guest Session
The rise of specialized MBA digital marketing online programs or executive courses will definitely help working professionals to upskill themselves. But they cannot beat a full-time MBA course. Regular courses are always beneficial as they offer classroom programs that are interactive also provide campus recruitment opportunities. Despite this, understanding the digital marketing has become essential.
*freepik.com
Admission Process in MBA Marketing Courses
Gaining admission to the best marketing colleges in India is competitive. The typical process involves,
- Entrance Exams like –
Name | Accepted in Institutes |
---|---|
CAT (Common Admission Test) | Primarily for IIMs, but accepted by many other top schools like FMS, SPJIMR, Parul University, etc. |
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | For XLRI and some other institutes. |
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) | Accepted by ISB, SPJIMR, and for international candidates at IIMs. |
NMAT by GMAC | For NMIMS and others. |
MAT, CMAT, ATMA | Accepted by various other B-schools. |
2. Shortlisting
3. Written Test
4. Group Discussion (GD)
5. Personal Interview (PI)
The cumulative score of all these tests determines the selection.
How to Know the Best Marketing Colleges in India?
Numerous MBA colleges have cropped up nowadays, which makes it difficult to pick the right one. Therefore, focusing on the following points will help you choose the best MBA marketing colleges in India.
- Faculty Expertise: The colleges should have professors with strong academic credentials and real-world industry experience, including marketing roles. An experienced faculty member who conducts relevant research brings practical insights into the classroom.
- Relevant Curriculum and Syllabus: The business world changes fast, especially in marketing. The college’s MBA marketing syllabus should be up-to-date, covering not just traditional principles but also the latest trends, especially in digital marketing. There should be a good mix of core business subjects and specialized marketing electives. The curriculum must include case studies, simulations, and live projects.
- Industry Connections and Interface: The colleges should be well-connected to the corporate world. They must have strong industry ties and must offer –
- Regular guest lectures from marketing professionals.
- Opportunities for live projects with companies.
- Strong corporate partnerships for internships and placements.
- Placement Record: The colleges should have a good placement report. What one must focus on while choosing an MBA college is –
- Which companies recruit marketing graduates from the campus?
- The marketing roles they offer.
- The salary package offered for marketing roles.
- Specialization Subjects Available: The colleges must offer some specialized subjects like digital marketing, international marketing, sales and distribution, market research, etc. This is because of the needs that cropped up due to digitalization.
- The Resources Offered: Above all, colleges should have good libraries with access to marketing databases and software.
- Reputation of the College: The college’s reputation matters. Rankings are not the ultimate criteria for judging, but they give an overview of the college’s standards. So, proper research is needed before enrolling.
The above factors will certainly help students determine which college and program suit them the best. The best MBA marketing colleges in India are waiting.
Conclusion
An MBA in Marketing is always a wise career option. However, it is difficult to select the best MBA marketing colleges in India as there are many. Candidates have to first decide what kind of course they want to pursue. A college’s authenticity depends largely on the MBA marketing syllabus they follow and the placement assistance they provide. Also, their MBA marketing course must cover digital marketing topics.
What’s Next?
The best MBA marketing colleges in India, like Parul University, provide good exposure to the dynamic business world. So, Parul University can definitely be the right choice. They offer –
- World-class curriculum tailored by experienced faculties
- Global alumni presence
- 20 Industry specialization
- Dedicated career support and elite hiring partners
- 700+ industry collaborations
- 100% placement assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do MBA colleges require entrance examinations for MBA in marketing programs?
Yes, almost all MBA colleges need clearance in entrance exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
Is Parul University one of the best MBA Marketing colleges in India?
Yes. Parul University is a prominent name amongst the best MBA Marketing colleges in India.
Which entrance examinations are accepted by Parul University?
Parul University considers exams like CAT, MAT, etc. They also follow an entrance process of their own.
Can an inexperienced graduate pursue an MBA at Parul University?
Yes. Parul University accepts fresh graduates. Work experience helps but is not mandatory.
Is Parul University’s MBA course good enough to get a job?
Of course. The MBA course that Parul University offers is well-equipped and industry-oriented. So, getting a job will not be a hassle.
Is doing an MBA in Marketing worthwhile today?
Definitely. Everything we see around us nowadays is marketing. So, a career in this field has to be lucrative.