MBA After BA: Eligibility, Salary, Scope and Top Colleges

MBA After BA: Eligibility, Salary, Scope and Top Colleges

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Shruti
Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Updated on Oct 14, 2025 11:35 IST
Thinking to pursue MBA after BA? Learn about MBA eligibility criteria, MA specialisation choices, MBA entrance exams, top universities, scope, and potential salaries. Discover how an MBA can enhance your career prospects, skills, and earning potential here.
MBA After BA

MBA After BA

Considering to pursue MBA after BA? Or confused if one can pursue MBA after BA? The answer is a Yes! Candidates can pursue MBA depending upon their skills that would help in professional growth. MBA is a popular postgraduate option among candidates after graduation. MBA is two-year postgradute degree that can be pursued by candidates from any discipline and stream. Candidates are required to appear for the entrance examination and appear for the admission process of the university they desire to take admission in. Read this article to know the MBA eligibility criteria, specialisation, entrance examination and top universities here.

Table of content
  • Can I do MBA After BA? Check Eligibility Criteria
  • MBA After BA: Choosing Right MBA Specialisation
  • Types of MBA Specialisation
  • MBA After BA: Entrance Examination
  • MBA After BA: Top Universities
  • MBA After BA Scope
  • After BA Salary
  • MBA After BA: Success Stories
View More

Can I do MBA After BA? Check Eligibility Criteria

Yes, you can pursue MBA after BA. If you are a Graduate with Bachelor of Arts, you must ensure to fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility criteria for admission to top B-school in India:

  • Appeared for the national level or state level entrance examination conducted for shortlisting candidates for the admission process of B-Schools.
  • Candidate must have completed graduation from a recognised/statutory institute/university with at least 60% marks (55% for reserved categories) in aggregate in the qualifying examination.
  • Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying examination can also apply for the MBA entrance exam. Also, candidates awaiting the results of the qualifying degree examination can obtain a provisional admission letter.

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MBA After BA: Choosing Right MBA Specialisation

When choosing the MBA specialisation, candidates can consider following factors to select the right specialisation after BA:

  • Candidates must choose specialisation based on their interest.
  • Based on career objective, know how a specific MBA specialisation can help achieve goals.
  • Stay updated with the job market to know which MBA specialisations are in demand, as this helps in greater career opportunities.
  • Analyse existing skills and strengths to pursue MBA specialisation and that builds upon those skills.
  • Student must stay updated on industry needs. This can provide unique career opportunities.
  • Connect with MBA professionals in desired specialisation to gain more information.
  • Know the return on investment for desired MBA specialisation and analyse the previous session placement reports.

Also Read:

MBA Specialisation Guide

Q:   Do Iims accept MAT score?
A:

No, IIMs do not accept MAT score for MBA Admission. They only accept CAT score for admission to their MBA/PGP programmes. However, MAT score is accepted by over 700 MBA colleges in India including: Amity University GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research Christ University GITAM Institute of Management JIMS Rohini Jain University Taxila Business School, Jaipur SRM University Birla Institute of Management Technology Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Tezpur University Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India IIFM Bhopal YMCA.

Q:   What is the IIFT selection criteria?
A:

The IIFT selection criteria includes Writing Skill Assessment (WSA), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). These activities will be conducted in March-April 2025. Since, the admission to 2025 batch will be based on CAT score, candidates who will clear the CAT exam were shortlisted for WSA, GD and PI which is conducted in at several cities. The shortlist will be prepared on the basis of cut offs and the final selection will be done on the basis of candidate's overall performance in all the selection rounds. Certain points out of 100 are attributed to the parameters for selection of candidates for WSA, GD and PI. Check the table below:

IIFT Selection Parameters

Score*

IIFT exam score

73

Class 10 score

10

Class 12 score

10

Academic diversity

Non-Engg = 5, Engg=0

Gender diversity (M=0; F=2)

2

Total score

100

Q:   What are MAT eligibility criteria?
A:

Since MAT is an entrance exam for post graduate level management courses, the minimum eligibility criteria for MAT exam is graduation. Candidate should have completed graduation in full-time or part-time mode in Arts, Commerce or Science from a recognised university. The eligibility criteria for MAT PBT, CBT and IBT are the same. Final year graduation students who will be giving their final exam or awaiting results are also eligible to appear in MAT. There is no minimum score requirement in MAT. Candidates need to have passing marks in graduation.

Types of MBA Specialisation

MBA specialisation refers to the focused area of study in MBA. It helps you to develop expertise in a field of interest. MBA specialisation can include the fields like Finance, Operations, Human Resource, Strategy and so forth. Check below the list of MBA specialisation:

Also Read:

List of Top MBA Specialisations: Which One to Choose?

MBA After BA: Entrance Examination

Candidates willing to puruse MBA after BA must appear for the national level or state-level examinations to get admission to top B-schools in India. Candidates qualifying for the National level or state-level examinations do not guarantee admission to B-schools in India. Qualified candidates will have to appear for the selection rounds of the respective B-School. On the basis of your aggregate performance in MBA entrance exam and selection rounds, final admission is offered. Refer to the list of National level MBA entrance exams and State level MBA entrance exam below:

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  3. MAT
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State Level MBA Entrance Exams

  1. OJEE
  2. TANCET
  3. TSICET
  4. MAH-CET
  5. AP ICET
  6. Karnataka PGCET
  7. KMAT

MBA After BA: Top Universities

Check the list of Top MBA universities accepting MBA entrance exam scores below:

  1. IIM Ahmedabad - Indian Institute of Management
  2. IIM Bangalore - Indian Institute of Management
  3. IIM Calcutta - Indian Institute of Management
  4. XLRI Xavier School of Management
  5. NMIMS School of Business Management, Mumbai
  6. IIM Lucknow - Indian Institute of Management
  7. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Symbiosis International, Pune
  8. Management Development Institute
  9. SP. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai
  10. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi

Also Read:

Best MBA Colleges in India

MBA After BA Scope

Check below to know the Scope of MBA after BA:

  • Helps in career growth in industries like consulting, finance, and management.
  • Provides in-depth knowledge of business concepts, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
  • Provides networking opportunities.
  • Helps in gaining necessary knowledge.
  • Higher salaries compared to those with just a BA.
  • Increased job opportunities, including management positions, consulting roles, business development, and corporate strategy.

After BA Salary

MBA salary after BA varies widely based on factors such as work experience, location, qualification, MBA specialisation, and so forth. On average graduates with MBA degree earns higher than candidates without MBA degree. On average MBA, a professional can earn from INR 5 lakh to INR 25 lakh per annum. These salaries can differ and can go higher with experience and expertise. Check the table below to know the MBA salary in various specialisations.

MBA in Finance Salary

Job Profile

Average Starting Salary 

Financial Analyst 

INR 3.63 LPA 

Corporate Finance 

INR 6.10 LPA 

Assistant Vice President - Corporate Banking 

INR 19.26 LPA 

Credit Risk Management 

INR 11 LPA 

Derivatives Structuring 

INR 9.25 LPA 

Portfolio Manager 

INR 11.35 LPA 

Treasury Manager 

INR 9 LPA 

MBA in Business Analytics Salary

Job Profile 

Average Starting Salary 

Marketing Analyst 

INR 4.87 LPA 

Data Analyst 

INR 4.38 LPA 

Marketing Manager 

INR 6.85 LPA 

Senior Business Analyst 

INR 9.94 LPA 

Order Processing Manager 

INR 4.34 LPA 

Business Analyst (Unspecified Type) 

INR 5.42 LPA 

MBA in Sales and Marketing Salary

Job Profile

Average Starting Salary

Sales Management

INR 6.09 LPA

Marketing Management

INR 5.97 LPA

Business Development

INR 6.77 LPA

Customer Relationship Management

INR 6.37 LPA

Strategic Management

INR 8.05 LPA

MBA in Human Resources Salary

Job Profile 

Average Starting Salary 

HR Manager - Talent Acquisition 

INR 3.5 LPA.  

HR Manager - Training 

INR 4.6-4.7 LPA. 

HR Manager - Compliance 

INR 3-4 LPA. 

HR Professor 

INR 2-3 LPA. 

Read More on MBA Salary in India

Q:   How many test centres can I choose for KMAT?
A:

Candidates can choose only one KMAT test city according to their preference. Candidates must very carefully select the cities as once the KMAT application form is submitted, they can't change city preference. They should choose the first city of preference as their hometome or where they are residing as the exam authorities will likely allot the test centres to candidates in their first city of preference. Candidates should know that the KMAT test cities cannot be changed once the form is submitted even during the form correction window. 

Q:   What is the age limit to appear for CAT?
A:

There is no age limit to appear for CAT. The CAT exam is open for fresh graduates as well as working professionals. Since CAT is accepted by over 1300 B-schools across India for their full-time as well as executive MBA or online professional courses, a lot of working professionals appear for the CAT to pursue such courses. CAT score is accepted by Iims for full time MBA, executive MBA and FPM programmes.

Other top MBA colleges in India also shortlist candidates for executive MBA or part-time MBA on the basis of CAT score. The minimum age limit for has to be 20 years as the minimum qualification for CAT exam graduation. Any candidate who has completed Graduation with 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST candidates).

Any candidate in final year of Bachelor's degree course can appear in CAT exam. Any candidate having a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWAI with a minimum of 50 per cent in aggregate.

Q:   What are the passing marks for KMAT Kerala?
A:

If you're a General/SEBC candidate, you need at least 72 marks out of 720 (10%) in KMAT Kerala to pass. But if you're from SC/ST/PWD category, you should get 54 marks (7.5%) to qualify. Only the aspirants who score above this criteria will be eligible for admission to the KMAT Kerala partiipating colleges. Candidates who are aspiring admission to top MBA colleges in Kerala must ensure that they meet the qualifying cutoff criteria in order to secure a seat and be eligible for the admission process. The admission completely depends on the total number of seats available in the college. 

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About the Author
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Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Shruti is a graduate in Education and Literature with expertise in exam preparation, admissions, and higher education content. She creates reliable guides and resources to help students acheive their academic and ca Read Full Bio