If you are looking for Distance MBA courses, there are a few institutes that offer good value for your time and effort. This article by MBAUniverse.com experts will help you decide which are the Best Distance Learning MBA programs, their key features, Distance MBA Colleges Fees and how to select the Best Distance Learning MBA

The top Management Institutions and University who have been offering such courses, duly approved by the statutory authority, offer Distance MBA Learning.  Such Distance MBA Learning programmes require a minimum National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) score also. 


Advantages of MBA Distance Education  


Key advantages of pursuing the MBA Distance Education are


Top Distance MBA Colleges


Before going deep into the Distance MBA courses, let us know which are the Top Distance MBA Colleges. MBAUniverse.com experts have analyzed over hundred Distance MBA colleges and programs and have selected the best Distance MBA University and Colleges in India. Here is our list:

InstitutesProgram offeredProgram DurationFee (In Rupees)
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)MBA2 YearsRs.37,800
NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education, Mumbai MBA in 10 Areas like Marketing, IT, Finance, HR & Others- Check details below2 YearsRs.1,44,000
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), PuneMBA in 16 Areas like IB, Supply Chain, Data Science, Marketing & Others- Check details below2 YearsRs.  50,000
IMT-Centre for Distance Learning (IMT-CDL) GhaziabadPGDM2 YearsRs.1,11,000
Welingkar Institute of Management (We School) MumbaiPGDM in 18 Areas like E-Business, Travel & Tourism, Marketing, Retail, Agri-Business, HCM & Others-Check in detail below2 YearsRs.1,01,000
Shiv Nadar University, Greater NoidaMBA2 YearsRs.4,00,000

Let us know in detail about what exactly is distance MBA in India, what are the key criteria of Distance MBA eligibility, which are the MBA Distance Education programs, admission process and more

Table of Contents

  1. What is Distance MBA in India?
  2. Distance MBA Eligibility Criteria
  3. Distance MBA Admission Process
  4. IGNOU Distance Learning MBA
  5. NMIMS Distance Learning MBA
  6. IMT Distance Learning MBA by IMTCDL
  7. Symbiosis Distance Learning MBA by SCDL
  8. Welingkar Distance Learning MBA
  9. Shiv Nadar University MBA Distance Education Program
  10. MBA Distance Education from IIMs
  11. Benefits of doing Distance MBA in India
  1. What is Distance MBA in India?


Distance MBA course is a flexible and affordable Government recognized MBA program which does not require you to attend regular daily classes. So, if you are unable to pursue full time MBA for lack of time or due to high cost, Distance MBA Education is a good option. The Top Distance MBA colleges in India offer MBA in Distance Learning mode.  These colleges have a few common features like Recognition by UGC, good Brand name, Updated curriculum and affordable fee. 



Distance MBA Eligibility for admission is as per the UGC/AICTE norms:


Distance MBA Admission process is simple and is more based on direct MBA admission process. The step by step Distance MBA Admission process is as follows:


Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) School of Management Studies started its operation in 1987. IGNOU offers distance MBA along with a wide range of other courses. Distance MBA at IGNOU is a 2 year programme, duly approved by UGC and AICTE. IGNOU follows a system of course-wise registration in its Management Programme. The Open University System is more learner-oriented and the learner is an active participant in the teaching-learning process. Most of the instruction is imparted online through distance learning, rather than face-to-face communication. The University follows a multi-media approach for instruction.

IGNOU follows a modular approach in its program offerings. For example, if a student takes admission into IGNOU Distance MBA and for some reason, is not able to complete all the courses he/she is provided with exit point. If s/he completes five (5) courses in a particular specialization alongwith one (1) compulsory basic course s/he would be awarded Post Graduate Diploma in that particular MBA specialization
 


Minimum Duration to complete the IGNOU Distance MBA is 2 Years and Maximum Duration to complete the program is 5 Years


The eligibility criteria for admission to IGNOU distance MBA is as per the AICTE norms as below:

  1. Any graduate (Including Chartered Accountancy/Cost Accountancy/Company Secretaryship) with 50% marks for general category/45% for reserved category as per government of India rules.
  2. Student should ensure that his/her CGPA should meet the eligibility percentage requirement.
  3. Clearance of OPENMAT entrance test of IGNOU conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
  4. No age bar


NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education (NGA -SCE), a branch of NMIMS University, is amongst the top players in the Distance Education field. One of the top Distance MBA colleges in India, NMIMS offers 2 year Online/Distance MBA in various functional specializations of Management, such as Human Resource, Retail, Finance, Banking, Supply Chain among others.


NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education offers wide range of Distance MBA courses. Some of them are:  

NMIMS Distance MBA CoursesDuration (Year)NMIMS Distance MBA Fee (In Rs.)
MBA – Information Technology and Systems Management2 YearsRs.144,000
MBA – Retail Management2 YearsRs. 144,000
MBA – Supply Chain Management2 YearsRs. 144,000
MBA – Marketing Management2 YearsRs. 144,000


IMT Ghaziabad with campuses at Nagpur, Hyderabad, Dubai offers one of the Best Online Learning MBA programmes. IMT-Centre for Distance Learning (IMT-CDL) is a sister institution of IMT Ghaziabad. IMT CDL offers a wide range of management and information technology programmes. The institute updates its curriculum on a regular basis to be in pace with the fast moving educational world.



IMT CDL offers following MBA Programs

MBA ProgramDuration (Year)IMT Distance MBA Fee (In Rs.)
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)2 YearsRs.1,11,000


Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) is located in Pune and is part of Symbiosis International University. SCDL offers a wide range of Distance learning MBA programs across various industry sectors including International Business, Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Supply Chain, Customer Relationship, Insurance, Education, Business and Corporate Law and Entrepreneurship.  


7.1 Symbiosis SCDL MBA Highlights

7.2 Symbiosis SCDL Distance Education MBA Programs


The two year Symbiosis MBA Programs offered by Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning are as below. Apart from these distance MBA courses, SCDL offers wide range of one year distance education MBA programs also

Symbiosis SCDL Distance MBA Courses OfferedDurationSCDL Distance MBA Fee  (In Rs.)
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration2 YearsRs. 50,000
Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Financial Services2 YearsRs. 50,000
Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management2 YearsRs. 50,000


Prin. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, a leading B-school in Mumbai, was established in 1977. Welingkar has two campuses in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Welingkar was ranked #72 among top B-schools in National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2021 conducted by Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India.


8.1 Welingkar Distance PGDM Highlights

8.2 Welingkar Distance PGDM Programs


Welingkar offers wide range of two year distance PGDM programs in 18 key areas of management. Some of the programs are shared below:

Welingkar Distance MBA CoursesDurationWelingkar Distance MBA Fee (In Rs.)
MARKETING MANAGEMENT PGDM-MM-HB2 YearsRs. 1,01,000
FINANCE MANAGEMENT PGDM-FM-HB2 YearsRs. 1,01,000
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PGDM-HRM-HB2 YearsRs. 1,01,000
RETAIL MANAGEMENT PGDM-RM-HB2 YearsRs. 1,01,000
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT PGDM-OM-HB2 YearsRs. 1,01,000


Recognized as an Institute of Eminence (IoE), by Government of India, Shiv Nadar University School of Management and Entrepreneurship offers 2 years Distance MBA. The Founder & Chairman of HCL, and Founder & Chairman of Shiv Nadar Foundation, Padma Bhushan Shiv Nadar founded Shiv Nadar University in 2011 with a vision to create a world renowned institution for multidisciplinary education, embedded in innovation and research.


9.1 Shiv Nadar University Distance MBA Highlights

9.2 Shiv Nadar University Distance MBA Programs


Below are shared the Distance MBA program offered by Shiv Nadar University School of Management and Entrepreneurship with duration, specializations and fees

Shiv Nadar University Online MBA Program NameDurationOnline MBA Fees (In Rs.)
MBA (Online)2 YearsRs.4,00,000

9.3 Shiv Nadar University MBA (Online) Program: Specializations Offered
Shiv Nadar University students in MBA (Online) program have the opportunity to pursue electives with a specialized focus in the second year. However, the MBA degree on completing the MBA will state the program as a degree of Master of Business Administration.  There are 4 areas of specialization offered in SME-Shiv Nadar Universtiy MBA (Online) program as below:

9.4 Shiv Nadar University Distance MBA Admission Process
Shiv Nadar University-SME MBA (Online) Admission process is slightly different from the regular distance MBA admission process as followed by other institutes. Key differentiating steps in Shiv Nadar University distance MBA admission process are given below:

10.  Distance MBA in India from IIM
At present there is no programe like distance MBA from IIM. However, IIMs offer customized part time distance MBA which are very short term or certificate programs. However, many IIMs are taking steps in direction of offering distance MBA. For example, IIM Bangalore has started offering open online courses (MOOCs) through its digital learning initiative, IIMBx, in partnership with edX – a not-for-profit online initiative of Harvard and MIT. Apart from edX, the programme offers courses on its own platform, IIMBx, and SWAYAM. For the online courses IIM Bangalore uses digital learning tools to enable anytime, anywhere learning in a global classroom. In next few years it is likely that Distance MBA from IIM may be offered.


  1. Key Benefits of doing MBA in Distance Mode


If you are still having doubts, MBA Programs through Distance mode offers a lot of benefits and advantages for students and working professionals. Key benefits are:

11.1 Effective Time Management:  The program offers flexibility of time and pace over regular MBA. It is well suited for people, who due to time, money or other constraints cannot afford to do full time MBA.

11.2 Power of education technology, direct to your home: MBA through distance education has greatly benefited from the rise of communication and education technology. Even premier Universities and B-schools such as MIT and Harvard Business School use education technology to deliver programs across the world. Further, MOOCs and platforms such as Coursera, Edex and Udacity have removed the stigma associated with distance education.

11.3 Cost effective Option: One of the biggest advantages of pursuing the MBA in distance mode is its low fee structure. While a regular MBA can cost you anywhere in between 15-25 Lakhs, good Distance MBA in India has a fee range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.5 lakhs.

11.4 Syllabus: The syllabus and curriculum for MBA in distance mode is more or less same as that of regular class room MBA. Students are taught same topics with case studies in various subjects.

11.5 Industry relevant Distance MBA curriculum:  Best Distance MBA institutes like NMIMS University, Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning and IMT CDL are well aware of changing business environment and hence offer an updated and industry relevant curriculum to the students.

11.6 Course Specializations: The course specializations are offered in important management areas like Marketing, HR, Finance, Operations, E Commerce, Healthcare, International Business, Retail Management, Entrepreneurship among others 

11.7 Scope: A working professional gets MBA/PGDM degree from top management institute without quitting the job. Another key aspect of the distance MBA scope is that your MBA degree is duly recognized and will be accepted in your career growth

11.8 Distance MBA in India-Recognized by Regulatory Bodies: Distance MBA in India is offered by recognized MBA colleges which are approved by UGC. You can check about the status of approval of any distance MBA program in India by visiting the UGC website. 

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