Top 10 Distance MBA Colleges in India: Admission Criteria, Fees & Course Duration

Distance MBA is ideal for working professionals or those who cannot pursue regular courses due to lack of time or resources. More and more individuals are opting for Distance MBA pr correspondence MBA to further their career goals. Looking at the increasing number queries related to distance MBA and online MBA on Shiksha, we have compiled a list of top 10 Distance MBA colleges in India. 

Distance MBA or Correspondence MBA is a popular option among working professionals, because it is flexible and economical. In today's competitive world, an MBA degree is a necessity not only to kickstart a career but also to climb up the ladder in career. Working professionals need to keep up with the ever-changing demand in the job market. After pursuing an MBA programme in distance or correspondence mode, individuals can look for upward movement within their company or opt for better job roles outside.

While a regular MBA programme is of two years and taught in a daily classroom mode, distance/correspondence and online MBA programmes do not require candidates to attend classes on a regular basis, which makes it a desirable option for a large number of working professionals. But what you need to know is where to pursue distance MBA from? Or which distance MBA course will help you ascend in career? 

There are many institutes in India that offer Correspondence or Distance MBA. If you are planning to pursue an MBA programme in distance mode, you should first understand what is it about, what is the eligibility criteria, what are the benefits and which are the best Distance MBA colleges in India. Read this article to know all about it.

What is Correspondence MBA or Distance MBA?

As the name suggests, Distance MBA programme is pursued via correspondence, i.e., remote communication between two parties. Education in this format focuses on imparting lessons to students, who are not physically present in a classroom.

Also Read: Top Online MBA Courses in India

Who Should Pursue Distance MBA?

Correspondence MBA or Distance MBA is mainly meant for people with limited time and resources. A working professional, fresh graduate, specially abled or stay-at-home mother – anyone interested in pursuing an MBA course can opt for it. All that one requires is a bachelor’s degree. The cost of a Distance MBA is much less than a regular MBA programme, so it is a good option for individuals from financially weak background to upskill themselves.

MBA is now a necessary degree in most of the domains and industries. But, it is difficult to juggle work, family and study. Hence, a flexible but quality management degree becomes essential. Supporting the need for distance education, Anuradha Manjul, public relations officer, IIM Lucknow. says, “Qualitative education is crucial. Correspondence courses are convenient for working executives. There is no financial instability for the candidate or the requirement for geographical relocation.” 

However, Distance MBA requires dedication and discipline. The absence of regular classes can lead to distraction and students not taking up lessons properly.

Distance MBA Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for Distance MBA or Correspondence MBA varies from institute to institute. Normally, a Distance MBA course is for two years but can be completed in four years. Here are the common Distance MBA eligibility criteria:

• The candidate must have completed Graduation from a recognised university
• Work Experience is desired but not an essential requirement
• Some institutes offer admission to Distance MBA on the basis of MBA entrance exam scores such as CAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, XAT, etc.
• Some institutes conduct their own entrance test for Distance MBA admission

Also Read: Online MBA from IIMs

Benefits of Distance MBA

• Anyone can pursue Distance MBA: Unlike  Full Time MBA, Distance MBA can be pursued by anyone, whether they are students, working professionals or stay at home mothers.
• Skill enhancement: As mentioned earlier, an MBA degree has become a necessity in today’s competitive world, Distance MBA can equip you with the latest tools, technology, methods etc. for present and future. 
• Time management: Distance MBA allows a candidate to study without having to let go of their other important responsibilities. Since there is no classroom teaching, this mode of education is flexible allows the participant to use their time for studying according to their needs and convenience. 
• Cost-effective: Distance MBA or Correspondence MBA is much cheaper as it does not involve classroom teaching. This mode of MBA is suitable for candidates from all strata of society.
• Industry-relevant curriculum: Distance MBA courses offered by recognised colleges and universities offer course curriculum the same as that of regular MBA and are modified according to the industry need.
• Recognised by regulatory body: Distance MBA courses of all recognized MBA institutes are approved by UGC’s Distance Education Bureau (DEB). Check for UGC recognition before taking up a Distance MBA course.
• No loss of employment: Distance MBA courses are often taken up by working professionals because it allows them to improve their managerial skills, acquire a degree while continuing their jobs.

Also Read: How to choose a Distance MBA college