Distance MBA vs Regular MBA: Which is Better?
Regular MBA is a great option but Distance MBA comes with its own set of advantages. So, which is better of the two? Here's our detailed analysis of 'Distance MBA vs Regular MBA'.
Distance MBA vs Regular MBA: While the University Grants Commission (UGC), in 2022, considered a Regular MBA and a Distance MBA equivalent, not many believe it to be true in reality. With both holding their own set of pros and cons, a Distance MBA is the best option when you want to manage your degree with a job. On the other hand, a traditional MBA course provides an immersive in-person experience and is usually taken up by fresh graduates.
The answer to which one is better — Distance MBA or Regular MBA — depends on your requirements, goals and preferences. Before choosing between the two, you must conduct a detailed study of various aspects like the course curriculum, fees, teaching methodology, syllabus, etc. Read on to find the ideal choice for you.
Also Read:
What is a Distance MBA?
Distance MBA in India is a postgraduate degree course in the field of management that is taught using the distance learning module. One of the most popular distance learning courses, Distance MBA in India has become a common choice among aspiring entrepreneurs for a myriad of reasons. Some of the major highlights of Distance MBA programs have been mentioned below:
Affordability: A major advantage of pursuing a Distance MBA in India is the significantly lower cost of education as compared to other types of MBA courses. While a regular MBA costs up to INR 25 lakh in top-ranked management institutes, a distance MBA only costs about INR 50,000 - INR 1 lakh
Ease of Access & Flexibility: Time flexibility and accessibility is another important factor that makes Distance MBA courses a better option for many students. In a regular MBA course, students have to follow a predetermined schedule whereas in Distance MBA programs candidates can cover the course curriculum at their own pace, making it convenient for working professionals and budding entrepreneurs.
Convenient Teaching Pedagogy: With the rising popularity of Distance MBA courses, management institutes have also upgraded their teaching methods for such courses. Aspirants can choose to attend classes or take online classes whichever is convenient for them if the course is taught in the hybrid teaching module.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Even though Distance MBAs may take a more relaxed approach to teach advanced-level management to students, the course curriculum for these courses is always up to date with the latest subjects and industry requirements.
What is a Regular MBA?
Regular MBA can be defined as any Master of Business Administration course that teaches students about the management discipline in the traditional manner. This means that any postgraduate management course that requires candidates to attend daily classes, participate in regular assessments, internships, etc. falls under the regular MBA category. Some of the major highlights of a regular MBA are as follows:
Straightforward Course Structure: A regular MBA is one of the most commonly pursued types of MBA courses across the world. Regardless of whether a student is from a management or commerce background, understanding the regular MBA course structure is not challenging. Also, assessments, practicals, and assignments are easier to tackle in a regular MBA course due to more accessibility to teachers and professors.
More Career Prospects: Regular MBA graduates receive more and better career opportunities than Distance MBA graduates due to better recognition of traditional MBA degrees. Although this gap is becoming smaller with the evolution of the job market, it is still a factor to consider for management aspirants.
Offered by Top MBA Colleges: Regular MBA courses are the most widely offered postgraduate management programs. Nearly all top MBA colleges in India offer a regular MBA or PDGM course with a variety of specializations. Therefore, aspirants have more options when choosing to pursue a regular MBA course.
Placements: One of the biggest advantages of a regular MBA course is the placement drives that are conducted by the management institute where a student is pursuing their MBA course. Aspirants have numerous lucrative job opportunities to explore during their placements after graduation.
Also Read:Top MBA Entrance Exams 2024 in India
Distance MBA vs Regular MBA: Major Differences
Understanding the differences between a Distance MBA and a Regular MBA is key to answering which of these courses will better suit a candidate. Aspirants must research and weigh each factor that differentiates these programs and make an informed decision. Take a look at the major differences between a distance MBA and regular MBA course mentioned below:
Particulars | Distance MBA | Regular MBA |
Regular Attendance | Regular attendance is not a requirement for Distance MBA courses since classes are either conducted through online sessions or live classes which candidates can attend at their convenience. | Aspirants have to attend classes and lectures regularly to maintain their attendance which is mandatory for completing the course and obtaining the degree. |
Average Total Course Fee | INR 30,000 - INR 3,00,000 | INR 5,00,00 - INR 35,00,000 |
Flexibility of Time | Candidates have full flexibility of time to pursue employment or personal projects and work and simultaneously pursue Distance MBA as classes take place generally during the weekends or online. | Time flexibility is very less due to the presence of a defined timetable each week that students have to follow for each semester. Pursuing work or personal projects is very difficult. |
Internships & Practical Assignments | There is no provision for internships during Distance MBA courses and the amount of practical assignments is also negligible. | Internships and practical assignments and projects are a mandatory part of the MBA course curriculum. Aspirants must complete these to successfully complete the course. |
Physical Presence | Candidates are only required to be present physically when attempting exams for Distance MBA courses. In some cases, the exams are also conducted in online mode. | Candidates have to be physically present for nearly all aspects of the MBA course including regular lectures, practical assignments like Viva and Field Visits, and also Internships. |
Placement Opportunities | No placement drives are conducted for Distance MBA courses. | Placement opportunities are one of the biggest advantages of regular MBA courses. Nearly all B-schools conduct placement drives at the end of an academic year. |
Classroom Experience & Student-Teacher Interaction | Since physical classes during Distance MBA courses are significantly less, there is a lack of classroom experience and student-teacher interaction. | Students have the experience of bonding among classmates and networking as well as interacting with teachers during their regular classes. |
Distance MBA vs Regular MBA: Similarities
Both Distance MBA and regular MBA courses may have some major differences but there are also a lot of similarities between these two courses. Aspirants must also take into account the similarities between these two courses for a better understanding and analysis of Distance MBA vs Regular MBA. The similarities between Distance MBA and Regular MBA are mentioned below:
Syllabus & Subjects: The Distance MBA syllabus and subjects are quite similar to that of a regular MBA. Since both these courses are aimed at teaching students all the advanced concepts and principles of management, the course curriculum has a lot of the same subjects and topics.
Career Prospects: Aspirants who graduate from either a Distance MBA course or a regular MBA have the same type of career opportunities available to them after graduation. Since an MBA degree is demanded for certain types of job roles, these positions are available to both Distance MBA and regular MBA graduates.
Postgraduate Degrees: The biggest similarity between Distance MBA and Regular MBA is that both are postgraduate level courses. This means that the eligibility criteria, level of education, and skills required to pursue either of these courses are similar. Candidates need to have a bachelor’s degree (ideally in the field of management) from a recognized university to pursue either a Distance MBA or a Regular MBA.
Distance MBA vs Regular MBA: Career Opportunities & Salary
A big factor that aspirants must consider before choosing either a Distance MBA or Regular MBA course is the career opportunities that entail each of these programs. That being said, there are no major differences between the career opportunities that both Distance MBA and Regular MBA graduates have after graduation since the course objectives for both these courses are the same. However, aspirants who pursue Distance MBA might find it difficult to find lucrative job roles due to the lack of placements after graduation and sometimes due to the lack of credibility of Distance MBA courses. Take a look at some of the most popular job roles and their average salaries:
Job Role | Average MBA Salary in India (in INR) |
Senior Marketing Manager | 13,42,969 |
Project Manager | 10,00,000 |
Marketing Manager | 11,90,000 |
Logistics Supervisor | 2,56,529 |
Business Development Executive | 2,99,910 |
Supply Chain Coordinator | 3,97,561 |
Financial Analyst | 5,80,000 |
Business Development Manager | 5,97,879 |
Logistic Manager | 6,06,122 |
Area Sales Manager | 6,09,533 |
Operations Manager | 7,90,000 |
Accounting Manager | 9,12,607 |
Human Resources Manager | 9,18,000 |
Senior Human Resources Consultant | 9,58,958 |
Senior Business Analyst | 9,94,494 |
Also Read:Career Scope after Completing Distance MBA
Distance MBA vs Regular MBA: Which is Better?
Choosing either a Distance MBA or Regular MBA is a big decision for aspirants as it is a decision that will shape their professional careers. Although both Distance MBA and regular MBA courses have their advantages and disadvantages, personal preferences and constraints will determine which of these two courses will be the ideal choice for a management aspirant. Weighing the pros and cons alongside your own requirements is a must before deciding which course a candidate should apply to for admission. For instance, if you cannot commit to a full-time MBA course due to time constraints or other commitments, a Distance MBA will be the better option for you. However, if you have the time and financial resources to pursue a traditional MBA course, it is recommended that you pursue the same from a reputed management institute to kickstart your management career immediately after finishing your degree.
We hope that the above information is useful for you while choosing the perfect MBA course and college in India. Candidates can also check out the articles mentioned below to learn about MBA admission 2024.
Related Articles:
Aspirants can call our helpline number 1800-572-9877 and talk to our career counsellor for guidance on MBA admissions. If you wish to apply for popular MBA colleges in India, fill out our Common Application Form (CAF). If you have any doubts, you can ask our experts in the CollegeDekho QnA Zone.
Get Help From Our Expert Counsellors
FAQs
Which is more challenging between Distance MBA and Regular MBA?
Distance MBA is more challenging between Distance MBA and Regular MBA courses. Since Distance MBA grants students a significant amount of freedom and flexibility in terms of class schedules, exams, assignments, etc. aspirants can pace themselves as per their convenience during this course. Regular MBA students on the other hand have to conform to the schedules and standards of the course and B-school they are currently enrolled in for MBA.
Is Distance MBA recognized in India?
Yes, Distance MBA recognized in India as a valid degree course by institutions like the University Grants Commission and Distant Education Bureau. This means that aspirants who pursue a Distance MBA course are eligible for employment opportunities after graduation. However, candidates must make sure they pursue their Distance MBA from a recognized university.
What is the scope of Distance MBA?
The scope of Distance MBA is not as inferior as many people believe it to be. A frequent misperception regarding Distance MBA is that there are no job prospects for students enrolled in these programs. Many universities, including Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, have begun providing their distance MBA students with placement options. Therefore, students can network with well-known employers, university alums, and business professionals in the process.
Are the skills required for Regular MBA the same for Distance MBA?
Yes, the skills required for Regular MBA are the same for Distance MBA. In fact, Distance MBA courses require less skills as compared to regular MBA courses due to the lack of certain elements in the course curriculum. For instance, since candidates are not required to participate in practical assignments or internships during Distance MBA, they do not have to develop their interpersonal skills as much as regular MBA students.
What are some of the top colleges for Distance MBA in India?
Some of the top colleges for Distance MBA in India include the following:
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education
- Institute of Management Technology - Centre for Distance Learning (IMT-CDL)
- Amity University Noida
- Lovely Professional University
- Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Institute of Distance Learning
Are there differences in the admission process of Distance MBA vs Regular MBA?
There are no major differences between the admission process of Distance MBA vs Regular MBA. The admission process for either course will depend on the MBA college that an aspirant chooses for admission. Typically, entrance exams are conducted for admission to regular MBA courses, followed by GD/PI rounds. For Distance MBA candidates may be required to only participate in an entrance exam or GD/PI rounds.
What are the advantages of a Distance MBA course?
The advantages of a Distance MBA course includes flexibility of time, convenient class schedules, affordable course fees, etc. Aspirants who wish to work part-time alongside their MBA course are ideal candidates for Distance MBA as they can easily balance their professional and academic commitments. Also, the cost of pursuing Distance MBA is significantly less than that of Regular MBA.
Do Regular MBA graduates receive better job opportunities than Distance MBA graduates?
Yes, regular MBA graduates receive better job opportunities than Distance MBA graduates. One of the primary reasons why regular MBA offers better career prospects is the because regular MBA graduates are able to participate in the placement process of their MBA college after graduation, this is not possible through Distance MBA. This enables them to explore and undertake lucrative job opportunities immediately after completing their MBA course.
Why is it difficult for Distance MBA graduates to find job opportunities?
The reason why it is difficult for Distance MBA graduates to find job opportunities is because the credibility of Distance MBA degrees is not the same as Regular MBA. Since Distance MBA teaches students about management in a more passive manner, candidates do not develop certain skills that are essential for a successful manager. However, in the current job market, Distance MBA graduates are also able to find decent job opportunities.
Which is better, Distance MBA or Regular MBA?
The answer to which is better, Distance MBA or Regular MBA is dependent on the personal preferences of the aspirant. Candidates must analyse both these courses before making a decision for admission to either one. A Distance MBA is ideal for candidates who cannot commit to a full-time MBA course due to certain constraints. However, a regular MBA is recommended if an aspirant can afford the same.