ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad Reviews & Rating - Student, Faculty, Hostel, Placements, Campus

ICFAI Business School Hyderabad (IBS Hyderabad), founded in 1995, is India's finest business school. It is a private institute that provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate programmes. IBS Hyderabad is a Deemed University ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) constituent. The institute aims to provide industry with lifetime resources by merging teaching, research, institution building, knowledge exchange, and community development (coined as IBS TRICK).

Furthermore, according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023, IBS Hyderabad has a good academic reputation, placing 40th among management schools in India. Its teaching members have a mix of academic and industrial expertise, and its alumni network is vast and active, with members from around the world. IBS Hyderabad is a good option for those seeking a high-quality business education as well as networking opportunities.

However, the issue of severe ragging and sexual assault seems to be a matter of big concern for students’ safety at IBS Hyderabad, especially after last year’s reported incident. The case of a 17-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten up and sexually assaulted by college seniors was all over the news in November 2022. Several media channels and news reports elaborated on the incident & the college was even blamed for not helping the victim. Read till the end to get ‘our detailed take’ and reviews on IBS Hyderabad!

IBS Hyderabad Rankings: The Declining Saga! 

IBS Hyderabad used to consistently rank among the top B-schools in India. However, over the past 3 years, its NIRF Rankings in the Management category have been declining. Here are a few of its notable rankings: 

Aside from the NIRF Rankings, IBS Hyderabad has featured in other ranking categories such as:

• Ranked 1st in South Zone Private Business Schools by Times B School Ranking Survey 2023.
• Ranked 5th amongst All India Private B Schools by Education World Best B School Ranking Survey 2023.
• Ranked 1st by Times B-School Survey 2022 among the Top 20 B Schools of South India.
• Ranked 3rd by Times B-School Survey 2022 among the Top 100 Private B Schools. 
• Ranked 6th by Times B-School Survey 2022 among India's Top 150 B Schools (Government and Private). 
• ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad is accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) has also received the NAAC Accreditation 'A++' Grade with an impressive score (Institutional CGPA) of 3.59 out of 4.

Our Take:
According to student reports, IBS Hyderabad's ranks have fallen in recent years owing to a variety of problems, including:

• High batch intake, with batch size projected to constantly increase. Due to the huge intake size, management has found it difficult to offer basic amenities in classrooms and other common places.
• While IBS Hyderabad continues to place at least 85% of its students each year, the average salary has decreased. This is because firms want to hire a large number of students rather than a small number of students with high CTCs.
• In recent years, the business school has prioritised quantity over quality. As a result, the general quality of students at the school has declined.
• Many brilliant professors have left IBS Hyderabad for better colleges. 
• The college, in many instances, lacks proper working facilities.

IBS Hyderabad Academia & Batch Size

The academia of IBS Hyderabad is generally good, but it has declined in recent years, according to student reviews. The school has a strong academic reputation, but the large batch size can make it difficult for students to get individual attention from professors. Let us see how!

Courses Offered at IBS Hyderabad

The IBS Hyderabad is renowned for offering the following Management courses to students from around the country:

Note: The average fee structure for the UG courses ranges from INR 5-10 LPA whereas the average course fee for PG courses ranges from INR 3-16 LPA. 

Our Take:
The flagship programmes of IBS Hyderabad include PGDM and MBA courses. The two-year, full-time PGDM programme is recognised by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has recognised the MBA programme, which is a two-year, part-time programme. 

Hence, IBS Hyderabad is a decent pick for pursuing a postgraduate course like MBA or PGDM. For undergraduate degrees, there are better options! IBS Hyderabad also provides a range of management specialization programmes in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, and operations.

IBS Hyderabad’s Academic Composition

• Teaching methods: IBS Hyderabad employs a range of instructional approaches, including lectures, case studies, group discussions, and more. The school also employs a variety of technologies to enhance students' learning experiences.
• Assessment methods: IBS Hyderabad employs a range of evaluation techniques, including examinations, quizzes, assignments, and projects. The school also assesses the skills and expertise of students through co-curricular activities such as internships and case contests.

Our Take:
IBS Hyderabad's academic composition is good overall. The institute offers an extensive curriculum as well as a range of teaching and assessment techniques. The institution places a high emphasis on research as well. Faculty members participate actively in research initiatives, and the school features a variety of research centres. 

However, several students have complained that the quality of instruction at IBS Hyderabad has deteriorated in recent years. Some teachers are not as eager or interested as they should be. Some students believe that IBS Hyderabad's curriculum is not as rigorous as it should be. We believe this is because the institute is attempting to accommodate a diverse spectrum of students with ranging academic backgrounds.

IBS Hyderabad’s Batch Size 

The batch size at IBS Hyderabad is increasing year by year. The PGDM programme currently has about a total of 1,200 students enrolled. This is much greater than the batch size at the majority of India's leading business schools. The school has taken certain initiatives to address the issues raised by the big batch size. For example, the school has created a mentorship programme to assist students in receiving one-on-one attention from professors.

Our Take:
Although IBS Hyderabad promises to uphold outstanding teaching standards, the huge batch size might make it difficult for students to receive individual attention from teachers. This might be difficult for students who want more assistance or want to learn more about a certain topic.

IBS Hyderabad Academic & Industry Collaborations

IBS Hyderabad has a variety of academic and commercial affiliations with world-class universities and corporations. These relationships give students with foreign exchange programmes, internships, and job placement chances.

IBS Hyderabad Academic Collaborations

Some of the notable academic collaborations of IBS Hyderabad include:

• Bentley University, USA
• Syracuse University, USA
• University of Toledo, USA
• Oklahoma State University, USA
• University of Memphis, USA
• University of South Australia, Australia
• University of Delaware, USA
• University of Newcastle, Australia
• Macquarie University, Australia
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
• Michigan State University, USA

IBS Hyderabad Industry Collaborations

Some of the notable industry collaborations of IBS Hyderabad include:

• National Stock Exchange
• Bombay Stock Exchange
• Intelligroup
• Indian Railways
• Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research
• The Indian Econometric Society
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
• IBM Global University Programmes
• State Bank Institute of Rural Banking

Our Take:
IBS Hyderabad is a well-respected school with a good reputation. It has partnerships with leading universities and companies/initiatives/programs in India and from around the world. These partnerships give students the chance to learn from the best and gain experience in the global business world.

However, not all IBS Hyderabad students can take advantage of these partnerships. The quality of the partnerships is also not always the same. This means that IBS Hyderabad could do more to help its students and make sure they have access to the best possible opportunities.

IBS Hyderabad Infrastructure

IBS Hyderabad campus is spread over 91 acres of lush green land and has all the necessary facilities for students, including classrooms, lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, conference halls, seminar halls, auditorium, library, computer lab, faculty rooms, meeting rooms, administrative offices, academics office, student support services office, and career management centre. 

• Classrooms: The campus has 36 classrooms and 16 lecture theatres. The classroom setup at IBS Hyderabad is excellent. The classrooms are large and well-equipped with modern teaching tools including projectors, screens, and sound systems.

• Internet Connectivity: IBS provides well-equipped high-speed Wi-Fi facilities for practical learning purposes for the students.
• Computer Lab: IBS Hyderabad offers a well-equipped computer lab. Modern machines and software are available in the computer labs. The computer lab has 1,322 working computers with instructional software (SPSS and SAP), whereas the Bloomberg lab has 1 Bloomberg terminal. However, these computer labs are not always up-to-date.
• Library: As of fiscal 2021, the institute has a 700-seat library with 99,665 volumes, 329 national and 6,934 foreign journals, and 229 magazines. In addition, 17360 e-books were added in fiscal 2021.

• Hostel Facilities: The campus has 21-room residential accommodations for faculty and a hostel for 1,800+ boys and 1,700+ girls. The hostel is well-equipped with all modern amenities for the advantage of the students, including common rooms, geysers, water filters, refrigerators, and 24-hour Wi-Fi access. The hostel also has strict policies where students are required to follow rules and regulations.

• Sports Complex: Students have access to an outdoor sports complex where they may participate in a variety of activities such as basketball, volleyball, cricket, and football. Indoor sports are available for squash and badminton players at IBS Hyderabad.
• Healthcare Facilities: On-site medical services are available for instructors and children in the event of an emergency.
• Student Auditorium: The institute features an auditorium that is well-equipped for a range of events, seminars, guest lectures, and cultural performances. Most of the time, the auditorium is found to be overcrowded during peak events. 

• Hangout Areas and Cafes: IBS Hyderabad serves delicious and hygienic meals to students, teachers, and working staff members at reasonable prices. Staff and students can also use the college's convenience store.

Our Take:

The fact that IBS Hyderabad claims and delivers an excellent college infrastructure indicates that the school is investing in its students and providing them with the greatest learning environment possible. This demonstrates the institute's commitment to equipping students with the skills and information they need to thrive in the global business sector by establishing appropriate classroom, lab, and library facilities on campus. 

However, these facilities are not always up-to-date as per students' reviews on various social platforms. Aside from that, cases of ragging on campus, particularly in hostels, have been widely publicised in recent years. IBS Hyderabad’s dormitory ragging event in 2022 suggests that not only is there a ragging problem but it also indicates the school administration is not doing enough to prevent ragging. 

IBS Hyderabad Placements & Internships 

IBS Hyderabad claims that its students are usually placed in many different fields, such as banking, consulting, e-commerce, education, and financial services. The school's placement cell provides guest lectures, pre-placement talks, and workshops to help students prepare for jobs and internships. The school also offers career counselling and training in soft skills. However, the placement cell does not always provide students with enough support as per reviews shared by students. 

IBS Hyderabad Placements 

Here are the 2023 placement stats for IBS Hyderabad, including the highest, average, and placement percentage:

IBS Hyderabad Placements: Top Recruiters

Here is a list of the main companies that took part in the job placements at IBS Business School Hyderabad in 2023:

Our Take: IBS Hyderabad has an amazing placement record. Every year, the B-school places more than 90% of its graduates. This is a good statistical number indeed! The average starting salary for the class of 2023 is INR 10.42 LPA. Wipro, Zomato, Oracle, Aditya Birla Group, JP Morgan, and ICICI Bank are among the top recruiters for the graduating class of 2023. 

The placement procedure is quite competitive. Students who do not perform well academically or who are not interested in extracurricular activities may have trouble finding a suitable career or job for themselves. Reports and various reviews have shown that even finance students have to opt for marketing jobs and work in those domains. IBS also needs to reduce the opt-out ratio i.e. students opting out of placement.

IBS Hyderabad Internships

IBS Hyderabad provides its students with a variety of internship opportunities. The school's placement cell office also assists students in finding and securing summer internships. In addition, the internship office offers students training and support to help them thrive in their internships. However, some students have stated that the internship options provided by IBS Hyderabad are not always good or useful to their domain of study.

Our Take:
Despite the fact that IBS Hyderabad professes to have strong industrial networks and cooperation, the internship opportunities it provides are not always up to the industrial trends. Some students have complained that the internships are unnecessary or do not give them the necessary skills and experience to land a suitable career.

IBS Hyderabad Student Diversity & Demographics 

IBS Hyderabad has a gender ratio of 61% male to 39% female. This is based on a recent analysis of 3,880 IBS Hyderabad students registered on the Youth4work platform. The analysis excluded students who did not specify their gender. The gender ratio at IBS Hyderabad is almost equivalent to the national average for business schools in India, which is 60% male to 40% female. Aside from this, here are some more statistics about student diversity and demographics: 

• Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are the top five states of origin for IBS Hyderabad students.
• Students are of many religions and ethnic groups. Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are the primary religions represented at IBS Hyderabad. Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, and Tamil are the primary nationalities represented at IBS Hyderabad.
• Students come from a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds. IBS Hyderabad provides a variety of scholarships and financial aid programmes to help students from various backgrounds afford an education.

Our Take:
The student body at IBS Hyderabad is diverse. Students at the school come from all around India and the world, and they have a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. This variety contributes to IBS Hyderabad's diverse and lively learning environment. 

The male-to-female student ratio shows that IBS Hyderabad is doing a good job of attracting and retaining female students. But it can do better! It is also worth noting that the gender ratio at IBS Hyderabad varies for each programme. The MBA programme, for example, has a more balanced gender ratio than the PGDM programme.

IBS Hyderabad Faculty & College Administration

• Faculty: IBS Hyderabad has around 100 faculty members, including professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, according to the school's official website. The faculty members have extensive experience and knowledge in management sectors such as finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and international business. It is very important to note, however, that the level of teaching at IBS Hyderabad varies depending on the professor. 
• College Administration: The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education manages IBS Hyderabad, which is a Deemed-to-be-University under Section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956. The Dean is supported by a team of Vice-Deans who are in charge of various aspects of the school, such as academics, student affairs, and placement. Aside from the admissions department, the finance department, and the human resources department, the college administration comprises a number of additional departments. IBS Hyderabad's college administration is generally acceptable, however there are several areas where the institution could grow. 

Our Take:
The college administration at IBS Hyderabad always claims to be committed to providing students with a high-quality education and a positive learning experience. But, according to several students, a few faculty members are no longer as interested or enthusiastic as they once were. Apparently, there are no actions yet taken by the administration on these faculty members. 

The school has a number of policies in place to support students, such as academic advising, career counselling, and student support services. However, students have mixed opinions about these claims as some feel that the administration has not provided any guidance during their placement process. 

IBS Hyderabad has a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure that all operations run smoothly and also takes care of the safety and security of its students and staff. However, last year's ragging and sexual assault case of a 17-year-old boy poses a serious question to the administration! 

IBS Hyderabad Location

IBS Hyderabad is located in Donthanapally, Shankarapalli Road, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The campus is located about 40 km from the city centre of Hyderabad. Here are the pros and cons of the IBS Hyderabad location:

Pros:

• The campus is in a calm and pleasant neighbourhood, which is great for studying.
• The school is surrounded by rich nature, and the weather is nice.
• The campus is near a variety of industries and businesses, which provides students with internship and placement possibilities.
• Public transportation very well connects the campus to the city centre of Hyderabad.

Cons:

• The campus is well connected but far from Hyderabad's city centre, which might be troublesome for students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities or socialise outside of the school.
• The university is located in a rural place.
• The university is located in a hot and humid atmosphere, which might make some students uncomfortable.

Our Take:
IBS Hyderabad is located in a quiet and peaceful area with a pleasant climate. This is ideal for students who want to focus on their studies. However, the campus is located far from the city centre of Hyderabad and in a relatively remote area. This may not be ideal for students who are looking for a more vibrant and social college experience.

IBS Hyderabad: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

The well-known business school IBS Hyderabad is known for its academics, infrastructure, rankings, ratings, courses, and location. The university pledges to give students a world-class academic atmosphere, first-rate infrastructure, and a variety of management courses that will equip them to be future business leaders. In reality, however, the school may not always live up to these claims.

• The faculty of IBS Hyderabad is highly skilled and experienced. 
• IBS Hyderabad provides a diverse range of programmes, including MBA, PGDM, and BBA degrees.
• IBS’ courses are well-designed and cover a wide variety of management subjects. However, these courses are devoid of practical experience and touch.
• The infrastructure at IBS Hyderabad is excellent, with well-equipped classrooms, lecture theatres, computer/IT labs, and other facilities. The institute pledges to provide a safe and secure atmosphere, but the ragging incident of a 17-year-old student last year casts doubt on this claim.
• IBS Hyderabad is regarded among the best business schools in India by many rating organisations, although its NIRF Management Rankings have been declining in recent years. 

Final Verdict:
IBS Hyderabad is a good business school with a decent academic reputation and overall ratings. However, there are some areas where the school doesn't live up to its claims. Students should think carefully about what they want from a business school before deciding whether or not to attend IBS Hyderabad.

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