Shiksha Opinion: What's the Better Choice for Engineering Students - MBA or MS Abroad?
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Shiksha Opinion: What's the Better Choice for Engineering Students - MBA or MS Abroad?

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Mar 20, 2025 17:56 IST
If you're an Indian engineering student thinking about pursuing higher studies overseas, you might find yourself caught between choosing an MBA or MS. Both paths offer great opportunities, but it's important to focus on your long-term career goals instead of simply following trends or what others are doing.
What's the better choice for engineering students - MBA or MS?

So, you are an engineering student in India, dreaming of getting your master’s abroad but stuck at a crossroads between MBA or MS? Well, it's a decision that haunts almost every engineer thinking of higher studies, especially when it comes to going abroad. Some may suggest you, “An MBA is your ticket to leadership and big money.” While others may argue, “An MS keeps you relevant in tech and guarantees a high-paying job in the future.” So, who’s right?

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer - it completely depends on your goals, strengths, and career aspirations. Do you love solving technical problems and working with cutting-edge technology? Then an MS might be your best bet. Or if you want to see yourself leading teams, making big business decisions, and maybe even running your own startup someday then, an MBA could be the better way to go.

But here’s the catch - picking the wrong one can set you back years and cost you lakhs in tuition fees. So, that’s why I’m here to break it down for you with guidance from Shiksha’s expert destination managers with around 10+ years of experience, in the most practical, no-nonsense way possible. Whether you're considering the USA, Canada, Germany, or Australia, this article will help you figure out which path is truly worth your time and investment.

Now let us begin with understanding some basic differences between an MBA and an MS degree.

MBA Vs MS

An MBA is perfect if you see yourself leading teams, managing businesses, or becoming an entrepreneur. It helps you transition into roles like product manager, consultant, or business strategist. You will move away from core engineering and focus more on decision-making, leadership, and networking. Check: Introduction to Product Management by Stanford University

On the other hand, an MS is the right choice if you want to stay in the technical field, specialise in an emerging area (Data Science, AI & Robotics, etc.), or pursue research. If you love coding, analytics, or R&D, an MS will deepen your expertise and boost your salary in a specialised domain.

Here is the comparison between MBA and MS degree abroad:

MS Vs MBA degree

Key Parameters

MBA

MS

Focus

Focuses on business leadership, strategy, management, and entrepreneurship. Ideal for those who want to move away from core technical roles into decision-making, business analysis, and operations. Check Certificate in Business Leadership offered by Wake Tech
Focuses on technical specialisations, research, and innovation. Ideal for those who want to deepen their technical expertise after completing engineering in fields like Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Mechanical, production engineering, oil & gas, etc.


Curriculum

Covers business-related subjects such as finance, marketing, operations, supply chain, strategy, leadership, economics, and business analytics including case studies, team projects, and networking opportunities.

Covers core technical subjects based on specialisation (e.g., Machine Learning, Robotics, Cloud Computing, Biotechnology, Renewable Energy, etc.). The course also includes lab research, coding assignments, and a thesis/project.

Duration

1-2 years (varies by country & university). USA MBAs are usually 2 years, while UK, Canada, and Europe have 12-18 months of accelerated MBAs.

Most programs vary in length from 1.5-2 years. However, some research-based MS programs (like in Germany) can extend to 2.5-3 years if a thesis is involved.

Work Experience Requirement

2-5 years of work experience is required for most top MBA programs. A fresh graduate will struggle to get into top-tier MBAs.

No work experience is needed. Fresh graduates can apply directly after engineering.

Top Countries

USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Singapore are the top countries to pursue an MBA with popular business schools like Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate Business School, INSEAD, London Business School, Rotman (Canada), and Melbourne Business School.

USA, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, and Switzerland are the top countries to pursue an MS degree with popular universities like MIT, Stanford, ETH Zurich, TU Munich, University of Toronto, CMU, UC Berkeley, University of Sydney.

Career Scopes

The most popular career paths include business strategy, consulting, finance, investment banking, product management, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Best for those looking to enter leadership roles at large firms or start their own business.

The most commonly opted career paths include software development, AI/ML research, cybersecurity, embedded systems, renewable energy, and data science. Best for those looking for high-paying technical roles or research positions.

Possible Job Roles

Product Manager, Business Consultant, Marketing Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Head, CEO, Startup Founder, Investment Banker, Strategy Consultant, etc.

Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Research Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Robotics Developer, Software Engineer, System Architect.

Budget

₹50 lakh – ₹1.5 crore (tuition + living expenses). USA & UK MBAs are the most expensive, while Germany, France, and Singapore offer cheaper MBA options. Scholarships and assistantships are limited.

₹30 lakh – ₹60 lakh (depends on country & university). Germany (public universities) offers low-cost or tuition-free MS options. Scholarships, research assistantships, and part-time work opportunities are available.

Related Reads:

These were some of the major differences (yet not comprehensive) between an MBA and MS degree abroad. You can get more information on these by connecting with Shiksha’s expert counsellors on a case-by-case basis. 

Now let us read what our expert destination managers have to say based on the current scenarios in each major country.

Shiksha’s Opinion: Hear from our Destination Managers on MBA vs. MS

There is no “one size fits all” spectacle when it comes to choosing the right country, course and university to study abroad. You have to select the best course for you based on several parameters. Read on as we bring the most genuine expert advice straight from the house of Shiksha. 

1. MBA or MS? | Find out which Course Suits Best the Landscapes of Canada

Prayas Tarani, our destination manager for Canada with a rich experience of 10+ years in the study abroad field suggests that the choice of a better course starts from the best interest of the student, given how much of professional experience has he earned. 

In his own words, Prayas suggests - “The ideal situation is that a fresher student from a technical background should go for a technical master’s degree in Canada as it is more competitive and in demand. Not only this, most universities providing MS courses are public hence you may expect to pay a much smaller amount than what you pay for an MBA in Canada. So, if you are getting a good university, grab the opportunity without a second thought.”

On the other hand, Prayas suggests students with 3+ years of experience can go for an MBA degree in Canada. Further, he suggests that if the student is confused about which specialisation he must choose for his MBA - he/she can go for a general MBA which is a mix of all but getting admission can be really competitive.

Further, to conclude his valuable advice for students, Prayas suggests that students who wish to grow in their own technical fields must go for an MS; but if they wish to reach a managerial position in future, they must go for an MBA degree. However, if a student wishes to get to a leadership position later in their career but has no desired experience for pursuing an MBA can start their journey by opting for an MS and can gain a managerial role by growing in their field with time. 

2. MBA vs MS: Free Education in Germany? | It depends on the course you choose. 

Most students choose Germany over other European countries because of the free education it provides. But when it comes to studying an MS or an MBA for free in Germany, things change. Other than free education, graduates in Germany enjoy several other benefits too, one of which includes - payment of salary for the whole term of a fixed contract even if you stop working midway due to any unforeseen situations. 

Abhineet Saxena is a valued mentor of the Shiksha Toppers Team. With a rich experience of 6+ years in the study abroad field and his own experience of studying at TU Dresden, Abhineet deeply understands the technicalities, scope and perks of studying in Germany and goes a step beyond to help students get into their dream university.

Abhineet suggests that students willing to study master’s for free in Germany must go for an MSc degree. This is because free education is possible only at public universities in Germany and most top public universities are research-based. These universities do not charge any fee for technical courses (except for the ones located in Badenwuttenberg, universities here charge 1500 euros per semester for an MSc degree). However, students need to pay between INR 15-40 lakhs to study MBA at these universities. 

Further, in terms of career and employability, Abhineet suggests that only the ones with near-native proficiency in the German language can find a job and sustain it after an MBA. This is because the job will require you either to set up a business or engage in interaction with clients in Germany, both of which require interacting with the local community. Hence, a strong hold on the language is a must. 

On the other hand, working as an MS graduate requires one to interact with other graduates in the same field, hence English can be used as a common language and you might not need to gain a higher proficiency in German. 

3. Should You Choose an MBA or MS in the UK? Hear from our Expert: Deepti

According to our UK destination manager, Ms Deepti Sinha, going for an MBA in the UK is a better option than an MS if the students have relevant work experience. Ms Deepti emphasises that getting an MBA is better if the students are looking for a career shift or seek advancement in their current field. To this, she adds that if a student has a managerial, team handling or a similar experience of 2-3 years prior to applying for an MBA in the UK, chances are high that they may get accepted at a top-ranking MBA college in the UK

However, if the MS courses are considered, they don’t require prior work experience for admissions. Getting an MS is also cheaper than getting an MBA in the UK. Alongside, the MS degree is a technical degree which helps to gain expertise in specialised fields which are in demand in the UK. 

An MBA degree helps you to get senior/leadership job opportunities if you have similar prior experience, this way you can start your career with a high salary early. On the other hand, as far as the jobs after an MS are concerned, especially from the STEM background, students get better opportunities because of the very high demand in this sector in the UK. Non-STEM MS graduates may struggle to compete with MBA graduates or people with prior experience.

4. Master’s Degree vs MBA in France

When we talk of a master’s degree in France, a MIM degree is said to be a premium program that is also the most recommended course as per the current dynamics in the country. Our destination manager for France and Germany, Chandra Prakash Jha, explains that if you’re going to study in France, MIM is the best option you can choose. It is a dual degree, the first year of which is focused on core MIM courses and with the second year comes the specialisation and an internship of 6 months. So, this degree equips students with all the theoretical and real-world knowledge that they need to succeed in today’s world. 

Chandra adds a few more points that make MIM an attractive course option such as, the course is suitable for fresh graduates who do not have prior industry experience or for the ones who have less than 3 years of experience and gives an early start to their careers. Along with this, the MIM course in France is Grend’ecole accredited, gives extra payout and hence a high return on investment. In terms of fees, there is no significant difference between a 1-year MBA and a 2-year MIM course in France. Check: Top Ranked MIM Universities in France 2025

For students willing to go for an MBA, a prior experience of a minimum of 3 years is required. Further, Chandra states that students may easily find triple-accredited MBA universities in France, but studying in those universities can be really expensive. The course curriculum is focused more on practicals and case studies rather than on theoretical studies. 

The best advice that comes from Chandra is when you go for an MBA, the average class size is 5-10 years of experience which means that people from diverse fields, with 4+ years of experience (say a data scientist with over 10 years of experience) will be there in your class. These people must be in a senior or leadership role in their previous jobs and with them, you will have numerous opportunities for better learning and professional growth. However, in MIM, which is a technically specialised course, the average class size would be 3-5 years, all from similar backgrounds (say - supply chain). Check: Reasons to Choose Supply Chain Management in France

The last piece of advice from Chandra is to go for a 2-year master’s degree as it provides a deeper understanding for career progression. Hence, for fresh graduates with no experience, MIM is the best option. However, for the experienced ones with over 5-10 years of experience, an MBA is a better choice as this course not only offers the chance to switch to a new field but is also designed for leaders who want to bring out more output from the same sources. Check: MBA Vs. MIM Vs. MSc in France

5. Master of Science vs MBA in Ireland: The Emerging Study Abroad Destination

“MSc programs are recommended over MBA in Ireland” - states our destination manager for Ireland, Ms Deepika Bisht. The MS programs in Ireland are designed as per the industry needs and demands; while the MBA programs are designed for experienced professionals with 5+ years of managerial work. Check: Top MBA Colleges in Ireland

Furthermore, an MS typically leads to technical roles within a specialised field, while an MBA opens doors to leadership positions across various industries.

MS programs often accept recent graduates with no work experience, while MBA programs often prefer candidates with significant professional experience. MS programs are suited for students who wish to take the course at a lesser fee in comparison to the ones who are okay even with the high fee. Those students can even go for an MBA course in Ireland. 

What can be Your Best Bet in Europe - MBA or MS?

With his extensive experience across European countries, Chandra suggests that the top two reasons for which students choose to study in European countries are - quality of education and affordability. If, somehow, students become able to overcome the language barrier of studying in these countries, they will easily land in the education paradise for sure. Check: Study in Europe without IELTS 

Again, Chandra Prakash Jha suggests that for graduates with less than 3 years of experience, there are two options. For the ones with a finalised specialisation, MIM in Europe is the best bet. Students get 1st year of general business studies and get the time to choose a specialisation till the beginning of the 2nd year. For students with a finalised specialisation or field (such as data science, supply chain and AI), an MS or MSc degree is a better option as the course provides in-depth expertise in the designated field. 

Talking of graduates with 4-5 years or more experience, an MBA in Europe is the best option as it offers a greater ROI, direct manager’s positions and early growth in the career. 

The best countries to study an MS or MBA in Europe are France and Germany. Students seeking global or triple-accredited degrees must go for France as it has universities that offer triple accreditations. On the other hand, students looking for shorter programs, lower tuition fees and an industry-focused curriculum must go for Germany. Read: Benefits of Studying in France

According to Chandra, the other major differences that students may consider while making a choice between these two countries are - 

  • The validity of the job search visa in France is 2 years and that in Germany is 1.5 years. Read: Post Study Work Visa in Germany
  • The popular courses in France include supply chain, logistics, luxury brand management, and wine management. While the popular courses in Germany are automobile engineering, mechanical engineering and leadership programs (for English-speaking candidates)

Also Read: How to Study in Germany for free?

This was all about the difference between MS and MBS programs. We have also provided a clear understanding of the master’s degree vs MBA based on different countries. For further queries and assistance related to the admissions process, reach out to Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free.

Further Reading:

Q:   Why choose to study in BSBI Germany?
A:

A few of the reasons to study at BSBI Germany campus are:

  • Central Location: The main campus of BSBI Germany is located in the heart of Berlin. It is located in the historical building of Alte Post. The neighborhood surrounding the campus has shops, restaurants, and cafes
  • Diverse community: When students join BSBI, they are going to witness a diverse student cohort of over 100 nationalities
  • Affordable education: Berlin is one of the best value European cities that lead to high-quality education, making it one of the most affordable cities in Europe to live and study in
  • Dedicated career and employment support: BSBI Berlin a range of career support services to its students
  • Academic excellence: The teachers at the school are experienced industry professionals who pass on their expertise through hands-on teaching methods
Q:   Is MIT costly for Indians?
A:

MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate of Hertfordshire University?
A:

The University of Hertfordshire has a 70% acceptance rate, making it easy to get into and having simple admissions requirements. Academic achievement, English language proficiency, references, and many other factors are taken into consideration while making the selection. At Hertfordshire, some programs may require four to five years of experience. To enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University, students must meet the qualifying requirements. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.

Q:   How long does Hertfordshire University take to reply?
A:

After applying to Hertfordshire University UK, the applicants are going to receive an initial decision about their application within 2-3 working days. After the submission of the application and documents, the applicants are required to pay their tuition deposit. Then, complete the Sponsorship interview and the financial declaration. International students are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 before registration. The balance can be paid in line with the liability dates related to the year and entry of the semester.

Q:   Is Utah State hard to get into?
A:

The acceptance rate of USU is around 94%. This means that it is slightly easier to take admission to this university. So, to take admission to this university, applicants who have a good academic background and meet the entry requirements have a higher chance of getting admission. For admission to UG courses, a GPA of 2.7 is required in high school / secondary school education. For admission to PG courses, a GPA of 3.0 is required. Additionally, meet the English language requirements.

Q:   Is Hof University Germany a good university?
A:

Hof University is voted the most popular university in Germany for 2024. It continues to receive the highest marks for teaching. These rankings are as per the ranking published by the renowned portal Studycheck.de. More than 40 bachelor’s and master’s programs in Computer Science, Business, Engineering as well as Interdisciplinary and Innovative Science are offered by the university. Also, the teaching at this university is based on innovative methods to convey application-oriented knowledge.

Q:   Is it hard to get into University of Northern British Columbia?
A:

The University of Northern British Columbia acceptance rate 2023 is expected to be around 70-75%, However, it is important to note that the acceptance rate can vary depending on the specific programme or major you are applying for. The University of Northern British Columbia is a famous and highly-ranked public university in Canada. 

Q:   Is Excelia a good choice to study MIM in France?
A:

Excelia Business School is ranked among the top 100 business schools in the world for business master’s program. Students get quality Master in Management programme at an affordable tuition fees. Hence, Excelia is a good choice to study MIM in France for international students.

Check the list of Top Countries to study MIM abroad

About the Author
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is an experienced content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-dat... Read Full Bio

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Reviewed by
PURNA
Europe & UK Region.

Purna Ganguly, a seasoned professional with 16 years in the education management industry, holds a PGDM, an MA in Economics, and a PhD in Business Management. As an Associate Vice President Counselling at Shiksha St... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(282)

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ajay chaudhary

3 years ago

I had a GATE Score of 477 in CS (Rank 4000) in year 2022 which colleges are considered the best one

Reply to ajay chaudhary

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Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Hello Ajay. For me to be able to help you with your query, you will have to supply me with more information like your preferred course and the country that you would like to study in. You can also get in touch with our counsellors for assistance with university application, here: https://studyabroa

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Indrayani Yadav

3 years ago

Hello I had completed my bachelor's in E&TC engg. and I have more than 8 years of experience. which degree I can persue MBA or MS in Tech management or MIS? I was looking for bussiness insite without loosing my core tech knowledge.

Reply to Indrayani Yadav

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Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Hello Indrayani. Choosing a course involves many factors such as interests, future plans and past academic records. Hence, you should discuss this with a career counsellor. you can visit our website to know about the popular universities to pursue courses abroad.

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Thiru Narahari

3 years ago

Hi,am completed my b tech in ece course which country is better to do ms regarding less cost of living and less tution fee without any entrance exams please suggest me

Reply to Thiru Narahari

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Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Hello Thiru. You can check out our article on the most affordable countries to study abroad here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/most-affordable-countries-to-study-abroad-articlepage-1427

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Ganesh Kale

3 years ago

Hi, I am last year student of B.E.(IT) and planning to persue MS abroad. So should i go immediately after graduation or get some experience here in IT industry and then go. What should i do ? Please guide me.

Reply to Ganesh Kale

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Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Hello Ganesh. This would entirely depend on your preferred university. If they require you to have work experience for your preferred course, you should go ahead and get yourself that work experience before applying. If work experience is not mandatory, go ahead with the course.

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Adarsh Tiwari

3 years ago

Hi, I did my Btech in mechanical engineering but I am working in IT companies for last 4 years now and planning to persue MBA. What should be the next step for me?..Can you please guide me.

Reply to Adarsh Tiwari

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Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Hello Adarsh. In a nutshell. You could look up some of the top universities offering MBA programmes. You can look at the university profile, ranking, course structure, fee structure, scholarships. then you could go ahead and check out the stay back period as part of your ROI. and then go ahead and

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