Why should you pursue MBA from Pune’s FLAME University?

Shiksha conducted a conversation with the experts at the FLAME University, Pune, and deep-dived into why students should pursue Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Know all about the courses offered, admission process, eligibility criteria and future prospects in these edited excerpts:

Q: What is the USP of MBA courses offered at FLAME University?

A: FLAME University offers programmes across various disciplines, anchored in the core ethos of liberal education. Our two-year full time residential MBA and MBA (Communications Management) programs weave together management concepts with humanities and social sciences, and enhance understanding of consumer behavior, societal perspectives and management dynamics through curricular innovations and experiential learning courses.

Q: What all MBA specialisations working professionals could pursue?

A: Professionals can take up specialisations such as Finance, Human Resource, Marketing, Operations and Entrepreneurship in the residential courses. On the other hand in Communications Management, Advertising and Branding, Digital Marketing and Communications, Film and Television, are some of the specialisations available.

Our postgraduate business program offered by FLAME School of Business is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for a period of five years. This program has also been accepted into the CFA University Affiliation Program.

Our degrees are affiliated to the UGC and hence are valid for pursuing any kind of higher studies or for professional advancement

CFA affliation helps our students pursue CFA alonside their MBA. More than 75% of our course is mapped to the international standards of the CFA.

Q: What is the selection and admission process to study MBA from FLAME University?

A: The goal of our assessment process is to select best performing and well-rounded applicants who can contribute and enhance the learning experience at FLAME University. We have an internal assessment process which considers the following aspects of your application:

• Admission Test (CAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT/MAT/MH-CET)
• Group Discussion and Personal Interview which includes a 60-second video recording about your views on, 'Why you want to join FLAME University?'
• Past academic record
• Extracurricular activities/achievements
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Work experience (if any)

We follow a sliding principle for selection, where we shortlist applicants based on their overall performance on all the parameters enlisted above.

Q: What is eligibility criteria to get admission into an MBA course?

A: The minimum eligibility to apply to FLAME University’s postgraduate programmes include a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a university/institution recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or equivalent bodies with a minimum score of 50 per cent in aggregate or an equivalent grade (CGPA/ CPI/ etc.). Candidates in their final year of bachelor’s degree program can also apply, provided they can produce the final year degree certificate / mark sheet before August 31.

Test scores in any of the following national level tests conducted in the current year – CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ MH-CET or GMAT (valid score).

Q: What is the average batch size for both residential MBA and MBA (Communications & Management)?

A: We look at admitting 80-100 students in residential MBA while MBA (Communications Management) has a strength of 30-40 students.

Q: What is the annual fee structure for MBA courses offered by FLAME University?

A: The fee for residential MBA programmes is Rs 7.90 lakh per annum of which Rs 5.80 lakh is tuition fee while lodging and boarding is Rs 1.60 lakh and Rs 50,000 for other expenses.

On the other hand, for MBA (Communications and Management), the annual fee is Rs 7.40 lakh of which Rs 5.30 lakh is tuition fee. The lodging and boarding fee and other fee as same as that of the regular MBA.

We also have scholarships, both merit and need-based. Partial to full tuition fee waivers may be awarded to candidates based on overall performance in the selection process. For students with consistent academic record, CAT or XAT scores of more than 90 per cent percentile or GMAT scores of more than 650, 100 per cent tuition fee waivers are awarded. This is called the FLAME Fellows Program.

Q: Does the University assist students in getting education loan for admission?

A: Yes. We do assist students who need education loans. You may contact the admissions office once your admission is confirmed at the University.

Q: Why should a student choose FLAME University?

A: Multi-disciplinary management education: Study disciplines like sociology and psychology, in addition to core management subjects, to enhance your understanding of management dynamics, consumer behavior and societal perspectives.

Best of Faculty: Learn from faculty scholars trained at prestigious national and international institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Oxford, NUS, IITs, IIMs and MICA amongst many others.

Valuable Industry Interface: Interact with industry stalwarts through guest lectures and speaker series. More than 120+ lessons from the masters like Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy (Co-founder, Infosys), Mr. Deepak Parekh (Chairman, HDFC Bank), Mr. Uday Kotak (VC & MD, Kotak Mahindra Bank), Mr. Manish Chopra (Sr. Partner, McKinsey & Co., New York) and many others.

Global Exposure: Participate in international immersions, study abroad and exchange programs with prestigious institutions like Babson Collaborative (USA), York University (Canada), Kelley School of Business-Indiana University Bloomington (USA), IE University (Spain), amongst others

Career Services: Over 70+ recruiters across multiple domains including companies such as ITC, Amazon, Accenture, Deloitte Consulting, Cafe Coffee Day, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Viacom18 and many more hire from FLAME regularly for different roles.

Campus Life: Experience a world class campus built over 60 acres of green expanse, replete with facilities like sports complex, library, dining hall, gym, performing arts studio, visual arts studio, housing, etc

Q: Does the University have any international partnerships?

A: The collaborative, exchange and study abroad programs undertaken by FLAME University are aimed at providing students and faculty a global perspective on education and research, and prepare them for leadership and service in an interconnected globalized world.

Some of the collaborations are:

• BABSON Collaborative
• Kelley School of Business, Indian University Bloomington, USA
• DHBW, Germany

Q: What are the placement trends for MBA students at the FLAME University?

A: The placements are one of the best in the industry as the highest package offered is over Rs 13 lakh per annum while the average CTC stands at Rs 6.64 lakh per annum. Recruiters that hire students from FLAME University include ITC, Amazon, Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, Zomato, Deloitte Consulting, Infosys, Axis, HDFC, ICICI, ZeeTV, UTV Bindass, Info Edge India, Café Coffee Day, Dunia Finance, Khimji Ramdas among others.

Q: Is internship part of the curriculum?

A: Yes. It is facilitated at the end of first year for a duration of 10-12 weeks.

Q: What do you mean by liberal education courses?

A: These courses are specific programmes that are included in the MBA programme. It is compulsory for everyone to pursue these courses. These include:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Fine & Performing Arts I (Dance, Music, Theatre, Fine Arts)
• Sociology and Industry
• German I or Spanish I or French I
• German II or Spanish II or French II
• Introduction to Public Policy and Public Administration
• Indian Society and Culture

Sports is another component that is compulsory with all MBA students pursuing Golf as a mandatory course.