MBA in Marketing

MBA in Marketing is a two-year postgraduate degree that teaches marketing, sales, consumer trends, strategies and research in various fields. In this course, candidates will spend significantly more time studying Marketing in depth. Marketing Management, Marketing Strategy, and Customer Behaviour are some of the core subjects in this degree.

Aspirants can pursue an MBA in Marketing in a variety of modes, including full-time MBA, part-time MBA, distance learning MBA, online MBA, executive MBA, and 1-year MBA. Admission into the MBA in Marketing course is usually based on the merit and results of entrance exams such as the CAT, XAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP, etc. A candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized board. Some colleges also offer direct admission to candidates in MBA in Marketing courses based on their academic performance and work experience (if any).

Among the top MBA in Marketing colleges in India are IIMs, MICA, Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, and others. MBA in Marketing fees may range between INR 3 lakhs to INR 25 lakhs, as per the college you are applying for.

MBA in Marketing graduates are qualified to work as Marketing Managers, Chief Marketing Officers (CMO), Brand Managers, Sales Managers, Market Research Analysts, Customer Relationship Managers, and other positions. One can expect a starting salary of INR 7-12 lakhs per year, which can increase as per expertise and experience. Read below for complete details about MBA in Marketing course.

The table below demonstrates the most significant highlights of the MBA in Marketing programme:

Marketing is one sector that allows for a great deal of creativity and invention. It is not constrained by any formula. To be effective, a marketer must think "outside the box." An MBA in marketing is ideal for people with a competitive, fierce, and active mentality. The programme provides numerous possibilities for students to think outside the box, which will benefit them later in their careers as members of the marketing team.

Having said that, the benefits of pursuing a marketing specialisation in an MBA might be used to justify the decision. The scope of an MBA in marketing is vast, as practically every business and organisation requires marketing to compete. While discussing MBA in marketing scope, the following benefits are the rationale behind the scope:

Greater Opportunities for Career Advancement

An MBA in Marketing can assist candidates in obtaining a career promotion and qualifying for management and executive roles in their existing firm. Because postgraduate business programmes stress the development of leadership and communication abilities, graduates can easily advance to marketing roles. These talents are essential for any senior-level function, whether they are engaged in sales, business development, media and entertainment, advertisement, brand management, or even general management.

Higher Earning Potential

A master's degree can significantly increase your remuneration package. According to Payscale, annual salaries for MBA in Marketing graduates can range from INR 3 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs, depending on seniority, organisation, and sector. Furthermore, reputable and regional organisations hire MBA in Marketing talent for a variety of marketing positions. As a result, the job duties that come with lucrative pay scales can be extensive and broad.

Knowledge Amplification

Most MBA Marketing programmes are designed to provide graduates with a foundation in 'core' business education and to enrich that knowledge with marketing-specific electives. Finance, human resources, accounting, corporate management, organisational behaviour, and other basic disciplines are covered. The elective courses, on the other hand, focus on issues such as market research, consumer behaviour, product management, brand management, strategic selling, and promotional campaign management.

Most Desired Profession

Marketing jobs or sales management jobs are widely sought after by many professionals looking to break into the business. Because marketing and sales are highly rewarding careers, a large number of people apply for open positions.

The Greatest Number of Career Possibilities

One of the primary reasons for the preceding remark is that businesses themselves have a plethora of marketing alternatives. Every year, FMCG, retail, fashion, and healthcare industries release new items that must be advertised. It is not achievable without a strong marketing staff. Furthermore, there is a continuing need to expand into more unique markets and areas, which necessitates the use of marketing professionals.

Growth and Advancement

As competition increases, so do the opportunities for advancement in a marketing career. A marketing professional with an MBA has many more prospects for advancement than those without one. The reason for this is that excellent management is just as important as having a good team. It is perhaps even more vital since an organisation requires strategic direction in order to perform well, which efficient management may supply.

Different types and modes of MBA in Marketing courses are available that are directed to specific sections of students or working professionals. The various types of MBA in Marketing courses have been tabulated below:

The most common courses found within MBA in Marketing include:

Marketing Management

Marketing management is a process of controlling the marketing aspects, setting the goals of a company, organizing the plans step by step, taking decisions for the firm, and executing them to get the maximum turnover by meeting the consumers' demands. The average course fee ranges from INR 2-8 lakhs.

Operations Management

Operations management (OM) is the administration of business practices to create the highest level of efficiency possible within an organization. It is concerned with converting materials and labor into goods and services as efficiently as possible to maximize the profit of an organization.

Salesforce Management

It is the development of a sales force that includes coordination of sales operations, as well as the training and application of sales methods that result in achieving sales goals and objectives. For your business to make revenue, a sales force management strategy is critical.

Consumer and Brand Insight Strategy

A customer insight strategy is the game plan that you (and your team) develop for gathering and analyzing customer data, and then turning that data into valuable insights and key actions that your company will implement.

International and Multinational Marketing

International Marketing is a multinational process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create an exchange that satisfies individual and organizational objectives. Multinational marketing is the process of advertising and selling products and services to customers around the world.

MBA in Marketing Courses Offered by IIMs and Other Colleges

The courses offered by IIMs and other institutes as a part of the MBA in Marketing curriculum have been tabulated below:

Individuals have ample options when it comes to specializations offered by the MBA in Marketing. Given below is the semester-wise MBA in Marketing syllabus to help you get an insight into the subjects you will study during the course.

Students must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to pursue MBA in Marketing:

• Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum aggregate marks of 50%. 
• IIMs require a minimum aggregate score of 60%.
• Reserved category candidates (SC/STs) can avail themselves of a relaxation of 5%, which makes the passing percentage 45%. 
• Candidates should also qualify any nationalised entrance examination such as CAT/MAT/GMAT/XAT/CMAT, etc. 
• Candidates qualifying for the national-level entrance exams will be called for a written test and personal interview.
• For Executive MBA Programs work experience is required.
• For studying an MBA in Marketing abroad, minimum of 3 years of full-time experience is required.
• Additionally, candidates would also have to furnish IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores to apply for an MBA abroad.

Cutoff scores for entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, and SNAP govern the admission process to an MBA in Marketing course.

National-Level Entrance Exams for MBA in Marketing

To pursue MBA in Marketing, national-level common entrance tests like those mentioned below are considered:

• GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is conducted by GMAC for admission to more than 5400 programs in various Business Schools around the world. The GMAT lasts nearly 3.5 hours.
• CAT: Common Admission Test (CAT) is a qualifying exam for admission to MBA, PGDM, and other PG-level management courses in India. The eligibility for taking the CAT exam is 50% marks in graduation, for reserved categories the qualifying marks are relaxed up to 5%. The test consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam is taken online over a period of three hours, with one hour per section. 
• XAT: Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level aptitude test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission in MBA/PGDM programs in XLRI and other top MBA colleges like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI Manipal, etc. The exam duration is 3 hours. The syllabus encompasses Verbal and Logical Ability, General Knowledge, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation.
• SNAP: Symbiosis National Aptitude Test or SNAP Test is a common aptitude test conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed) University for admission to the MBA/PGDM programs. The exam is conducted once a year. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes or 1 hour. 
• IIFT: IIFT exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency and offers students admission to MBA courses. The aspirant must possess a Bachelor's degree of a minimum of three years duration in any discipline with at least 50 percent aggregate (45% for SC/ST and PwD candidates) from a recognized university.
• IBSAT: ICFAI Business Studies Aptitude Test or IBSAT is an online aptitude test conducted by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (A Deemed to be University under Section 3 Of UGC Act 1956), for students seeking admission to the MBA/Ph.D. Programs Of IBS Hyderabad and MBA program at IBS Hyderabad (off-campus) at Bangalore.

State-Level Entrance Exams for MBA in Marketing

To pursue MBA in Marketing, state-level common entrance tests like those tabulated below are considered:

Admission to MBA in Marketing can be done in two ways: direct admission and securing valid scores in CAT, XAT, MAT, or other national-level MBA exams. The process of taking admission through these two ways is mentioned below.

Admission Through Entrance Exams

Students interested in pursuing MBA in Marketing need to apply for the entrance exam that is accepted by the college they are targeting. Most of the colleges accept scores of national-level entrance exams mentioned above. Based on your score in such exams, 50% aggregate marks in the bachelor's degree (45% for reserved category), and work experience (if required), you can get admission to a reputed MBA college in India.

Direct Admission Process

There are many B-Schools in India that offer direct admission into MBA in Marketing courses. Students should score at least 50% in their graduation from any discipline (5% relaxation for reserved categories) and have some work experience between 1-3 years. Students can also take admission from the management quota or Institute level quota seats with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree.

Different states have set different eligibility standards for admission to MBA in Marketing that have been mentioned below:

MBA in Marketing Admission in Maharashtra

The most eminent institutes for MBA in Marketing admissions in Mumbai are SPJIMR, IIT Bombay, KJ SIMSR Mumbai, NMIMS Mumbai, etc. For seeking admission to the finest MBA colleges in Mumbai, graduates from any stream (minimum 3-year degree) can apply if they possess a minimum aggregate score of 50%-60%. In addition, a minimum of 3 years of work experience is preferred. Candidates seeking admission to the top MBA colleges in Mumbai must qualify for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or MAH CET which is a management entrance test. It is officially known as MAH MBA/MMS-CET. The MAH CET exam is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. Candidates must also take nationalized entrance tests like CAT/ GMAT/ GRE, etc. SP Jain requires candidates to take the SPJAT (SP Jain Aptitude Test). 

MBA in Marketing Admissions in Delhi/NCR

The Delhi/NCR region is the abode of 52 government and 475 private MBA colleges that include the Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, BIMTECH Greater Noida, IMI Delhi, IIFT Delhi, among others. Candidates must have completed their graduation or its equivalent degree in any discipline recognized by the AIU or the AICTE with a minimum of 50% marks to seek admission to these colleges. Individuals appearing for their final year examination can also apply provided the proof of graduation testimonials is furnished. Candidates are required to furnish their GMAT, CMAT, or GRE scores. IIFT is another MBA entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency, IIFT.

MBA in Marketing Admissions in Gujarat

Gujarat is home to the most recognized institutes for MBA courses in India such as IIM-Ahmedabad, M.S.University, Om Institute of Business & Technology (OIBT), Royale Business School (RBS), Department of Management Studies, Nirma Institute of Management, Sevantilal Kantilal School of Business Management (SSBM), etc. The Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GCET) is an annual common entrance exam for MBA and MCA studies in Gujarat, India, since 2002. Candidates also need to qualify for nationalized entrance exams like CAT, MAT, ATMA, SNAP, AIMAT, etc. for seeking admission to the top  MBA colleges in Gujarat. For seeking admission to IIM Ahmedabad, candidates must have obtained a Bachelor's degree, with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA. In the case of the candidate belonging to the SC/ST/PWD category, the minimum qualifying percentage is relaxed to 45%. Valid CAT/GMAT scores Analytical Writing Test (AWT) & Personal Interview (PI) performance act as the most important determinants for admission to MBA in Marketing. 

MBA in Marketing Admissions in Karnataka 

Bangalore is home to the most recognized institutes for MBA courses in India such as IIM-Bangalore, XIME-Bangalore, NIT-Surathkal, Institute of Business Management & Technology (IBMT), SDM Institute of Management Development, IFIM Business School, Acharya Institute of Management and Sciences (AIMS), etc. Most MBA colleges in Bangalore provide admissions to MBA in Marketing on the basis of state-level MBA entrance exams like KMAT, Karnataka PGCET, and national-level MBA entrance exams like CAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, SNAP, and XAT. For admission to IIM Bangalore, candidates must possess valid CAT/GMAT scores and relevant work experience, if any

MBA in Marketing Admissions in West Bengal 

West Bengal provides admission to MBA in Marketing on the basis of a state-level entrance exam like JEMAT and national-level MBA entrance exams like CAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, SNAP, and XAT. The most eminent MBA colleges in West Bengal are the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Army Institute of Management, Institute of Engineering and Management, Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM), among others. For admission to IIM Calcutta, candidates must complete their Graduation from a recognized university (UGC/AICTE/DEC/AIU). It is mandatory for the candidates aspiring to seek admission to MBA in Marketing to possess a minimum aggregate of 50% or higher in graduation. A minimum of five years of full-time paid experience after graduation also places one in an advantageous position. 

The most renowned colleges in India offering an MBA in Marketing and the entrance exams accepted by them have been tabulated below:

The total cost of your MBA in Marketing degree will vary based on where you study, but most programmes require a large financial investment. Furthermore, the programme fee will differ from one university to the next due to a variety of factors such as the type of university, its location, goodwill, course format, alumni status, rankings, and so on. However, the average fee range for MBA in Marketing Management programmes in India is between INR 3 lakhs to INR 25 lakhs. The fee can be more in private colleges and universities. 

MBA in Marketing helps an individual to get a job promotion and qualify for management and executive positions in their current company. Since postgraduate business programs emphasize developing leadership and communication skills, graduates can advance to marketing positions effortlessly.

An MBA in Marketing can provide a significant boost to one’s compensation package. According to Payscale, the annual salary for holders of an MBA in marketing ranges from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, depending on the seniority, company, and sector. Some of the leading recruiters include Tata Consultancy Services, Vodafone, Amazon, Citibank, HDFC Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The major career profiles one can explore after MBA in Marketing is Market Research Analyst, Asset Manager, Product Manager, Business Development Manager, Marketing Consultant, Marketing Manager, Media Planner, Brand Manager, and many more.

Also Read: What You Can Do with Your MBA Marketing Degree

According to Payscale, the annual salary for holders of an MBA in Marketing ranges from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, depending on the seniority, company, and sector. The job profiles and salary packages for MBA in Marketing graduates have been tabulated below: 

With an MBA in Marketing, an Individual can work in the following roles in any industry:

Top MBA in Marketing Recruiters

The top companies that recruit MBA Marketing graduates have been tabulated below:

An international MBA in Marketing degree is a sought after credential by many individuals for the following reasons:

• The average annual compensation for individuals graduating in MBA in Marketing from distinguished foreign institutions is significantly higher than those graduating from Indian universities. An international MBA in Marketing degree helps them to earn potentially higher.
• An international degree in MBA in Marketing helps individuals to gain insight into how organisations around the world use different marketing strategies to achieve success in the global marketplace. 
• An individual pursuing an MBA in Marketing abroad can build an international network of professionals. 
• An MBA in Marketing abroad bridges communication gaps across cultural and physical boundaries.
• An international degree in MBA in Marketing helps to impress the recruiters by proving the candidate’s ability to take on challenges and handle change. Hence, it increases one’s employability.

Most programmes provide students with a robust grounding in these key areas:

• Foundations of marketing
• Trends in consumer behaviour
• Strategic marketing
• Business law and ethics
• Professional sales approaches
• Principles of advertising
• Digital marketing essentials
• International marketing strategies

In order to get selected for pursuing an MBA in Marketing abroad, it is mandatory for the candidates to score 50-55% or above in graduation degree, and qualify for GMAT or GRE and some language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL. 

To promote brands, sell products, and thrive in business, marketers are stated to need to develop various soft skills and communicate with potential customers all over the world on a regular basis. When students study marketing abroad, they are not only broadening their prospects but also preparing for a lucrative future after graduation by developing the skills required to excel in the marketing sector. MBA in Marketing programmes in other countries are usually popular among international students.

MBA in Marketing abroad course fees are significantly higher compared to an MBA in Marketing course in India, i.e., up to INR 54 lakhs. Let us find out about MBA in Marketing fees for some of the top colleges abroad:

Apart from Business Knowledge, Strategic thinking, Planning Skills, etc. candidates aspiring to pursue MBA in Marketing must be equipped with the following important skills:

• Communication Skills: A Marketing Manager must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to convince others. He should be able to convey his ideas clearly to his team as well as the target audience of his company's products or services.
• Analytical Skills: For possessing a managerial role in marketing, candidates need to develop the skills of analyzing certain situations and enhancing their problem-solving skills. It also includes the ability to apply proper logical thinking that can break any complex problem into simpler parts and then provide solutions for them.
• Teamwork: It is imperative for an MBA in Marketing candidate to have teamwork skills to excel as a manager because while working for greater interests, it is important that all have to cast their differences aside and work together to achieve good results. This quality is developed a bit from college days when a group of individuals is assigned a particular project.
• Leadership Skills: Candidates must be equipped with strong leadership skills. Individuals with great leadership skills empower teams to achieve their full potential, make decisions, and strategize well to help organizations thrive. Leadership skills for marketing managers involve setting strategic goals, motivating employees to perform well, mentoring less experienced team members, and delegating tasks to other employees.

The primary differences between MBA in Marketing and MS in Marketing have been tabulated below:

Also Read: MBA Marketing vs MBA Digital Marketing