IIM Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad is one of the three premier management institutions in India, nicknamed IIM A, B, and C for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta. The institution secured a score of 83.29 in the NIRF 2024 rankings, with a rank of #1 in India.

It offers four MBA programs, which are PGP, PGP-FABM, PGPX, and BPGP, which are two-year courses, except PGPX, which is a one-year MBA.

Note: We have not included the QS Rankings in this calculation because of it being unfit to rank Indian universities.

Program Overview

1. Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Management

At IIM Ahmedabad, the MBA degree is known as the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). This is because an MBA can only be offered by a university or by a college affiliated with a university, while standalone institutes like IIMs can only offer Post Graduate Programmes.

The PGP degree at IIM Ahmedabad is a two-year on-campus degree.

Admission Process

• Entrance Exam: CAT scores are mandatory. IIM Ahmedabad considers both sectional and overall percentile for shortlisting.
• Selection Stages:
  • Shortlisting based on CAT score, academic record, and work experience.
  • Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI).
  • Final selection based on a composite score of CAT, AWT, PI, academic performance, and work experience.

Syllabus and Curriculum

Core Courses

The core part of the course spans finance, marketing, operations, human resources, strategy, economics, and general management. They include:

• Financial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Operations Management
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Business Statistics
• Business Communication
• Corporate Social Responsibility

Electives

Electives are offered from the second year, allowing students to specialize in areas like:

• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations
• Strategy
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• Public Policy

Semester Plan

• Year 1:
  • Focus on foundational management concepts with core courses.
  • Terms might include mid-term and end-term examinations, quizzes, and project work.
• Year 2:
  • More electives, allowing for specialization.
  • Opportunities for international exchange programs, summer internships, and capstone projects.

Fees and Scholarship

Approximately ₹26.50 lakhs for the entire two-year PGP program.

This includes:

• Tuition fees
• Hostel fees
• Mess charges
• Medical insurance
• Library, computer, and other facilities

Scholarships

IIM Ahmedabad offers various scholarships and financial aid based on merit, need, and specific categories like:

Scholarships for underrepresented genders, transgender students, non-Indian passport holders, etc.

Scholarships for sports, fine arts, armed forces, differently-abled students, and those from government sectors or non-profits.

2. Two-Year Post Graduate Programme in Food and Agri-business Management (PGP-FABM)

Admission Process

Eligibility

1. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
2. Final-year students can apply, but they must complete their degree by June 30 of the admission year.
3. A valid CAT (Common Admission Test) score for Indian candidates or GMAT for international candidates.

Selection Stages

Shortlisting: Based on CAT/GMAT scores, academic performance, and work experience. There’s a preference for candidates with a background in agriculture or related fields.

Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI): Conducted in major cities like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi/NCR.

Final Selection: A composite score considering CAT/GMAT scores, performance in AWT & PI, academic record, and work experience.

Syllabus and Curriculum

• First Year:
  • Core Courses: Similar to the PGP, including subjects like Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, Organizational Behavior, Operations Management, Economics, etc.
  • Sector-Specific Courses: Introduction to Agribusiness, Rural Immersion Module (RIM), where students spend time in rural areas to understand grassroots issues.
• Second Year:
  • Electives: Students can opt for advanced agribusiness-related courses like Agri-Marketing, Supply Chain Management in Agriculture, and Policy & Regulatory Framework for Agribusiness, among others.
  • Exchange Programs: Opportunities to study abroad with partner institutions focused on food and agribusiness management.

Semester Plan

• Year 1:
  • Divided into three terms, each term lasting about 10-14 weeks.
  • Focus on core management courses with some agribusiness-specific modules.
  • Includes the Rural Immersion Module and ends with a summer internship.
• Year 2:
  • Consists of three terms, again around 9-12 weeks each.
  • Predominantly elective-based, allowing specialization in agribusiness management.
  • Opportunities for international exchange, capstone projects, or industry projects.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees:

• Total Programme Fee: Approximately INR 26.50 lakhs for the entire two-year duration. This includes tuition, hostel, mess, medical insurance, and other academic costs.

Scholarships

Alumni Scholarships: Funded by IIM-A alumni for specific needs or achievements.

• Need-Based Scholarships: Offered to students based on their family income, ensuring financial constraints do not hinder education.
• Merit Scholarships: For outstanding academic performance during the program.
• Industry Scholarships: Various corporate-backed scholarships, like those from Aditya Birla, are available based on academic excellence or specific criteria.
• Special Scholarships: For categories like entrepreneurship, sports achievements, etc.

3. MBA-PGPX (One Year MBA)

Admission Process

• Application: Candidates must apply online with a valid GMAT or GRE score.
  • Eligibility:
    • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline.
    • Minimum age of 25 years by March 31 of the admission year.
    • At least 4 years of full-time work experience post-graduation by the same date.
  • Rounds: Admissions are conducted in multiple rounds with specific deadlines for each:
    • Application submission followed by shortlisting based on GMAT/GRE scores, academic profile, work experience, and other criteria.
    • Shortlisted candidates are required to submit essays on given topics.
    • Personal Interviews (PI) are conducted by faculty members at various centers or via video conferencing for international candidates.
  • Final Selection: Based on GMAT/GRE score, work experience, essays, and performance in the interview.

Syllabus and Curriculum

• Core Courses:
  • Designed to give a general management perspective, including subjects like:
    • Financial Reporting and Analysis
    • Managerial Economics
    • Organizational Behavior
    • Operations Management
    • Strategic Management
    • Marketing Management
  • Leadership Development: Emphasis on developing leadership skills through various workshops and case studies.
• Electives: Offered to allow specialization or deepening of knowledge in areas of interest:
  • Finance, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, Information Systems, among others.
  • The curriculum is dynamic, with electives changing based on faculty and student interest.

Semester Plan

• Segmented Structure: Unlike traditional semesters, PGPX follows a segmented approach:
  • Segment 1: Foundation courses to level the playing field for all participants.
  • Segment 2: Core management courses with an introduction to electives.
  • Segment 3: Advanced core courses and electives, with participants choosing their areas of focus.
  • Segment 4: Deep dive into electives with project work and specialized courses.
  • Segment 5: Focus on capstone projects, internships, or international immersion programs.
  • Segment 6: Final preparation for graduation, focusing on integration of learning and transition to the workplace.

Fees and Scholarships

Program Fee

• Single Student Housing (SSH): Approximately INR 34.15 lakhs for the entire program, inclusive of tuition, books, accommodation, and service facilities.
• Married Student Housing (MSH): Approximately INR 36.20 lakhs, including similar components but with different accommodation options.
• Additional Costs: International Immersion Program (IIP) expenses (ranging from INR 2.5 to 3.5 lakhs), travel, and stay are not included in these fees.

Scholarships

• Special Scholarships: For various categories like government/non-profit sector workers, underrepresented groups, etc.
• Entry Scholarships: Offered to admitted students based on applications, potentially covering up to 25% of the SSH fee.
• Scholarships on Graduation: Based on performance during the program, these can extend up to 15% of the SSH fee.
• Interest Waiver Scholarships: Five scholarships are available, waiving interest on educational loans for one year up to INR 3 lakhs.

4. Blended (Online+Offline) Post Graduate Programme in Management (BPGP)

Admission Process

• Eligibility:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline.
  • Minimum age of 24 years by the start of the program.
  • At least 3 years of full-time work experience by the application deadline.
  • Admission can be based on:
    • A valid CAT score from tests taken within the last five years.
    • Valid GMAT or GRE scores taken within the last five years.
    • IIMA Admission Test (IAT) for those without standard test scores.
• Application:
  • Online application through the IIM Ahmedabad website.
  • Submission of professional work experience, academic records, and test scores.
  • Shortlisted candidates undergo a Personal Interview.
• Selection:
  • Based on academic record, work experience, test scores, and performance in the interview.

Syllabus and Curriculum

• Core Courses:
  • Delivered online, covering foundational management subjects:
    • Financial Accounting
    • Marketing Management
    • Organizational Behavior
    • Operations Management
    • Economics
    • Business Statistics
• Electives:
  • Offered in the second year, allowing specialization in areas like:
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Strategy
    • Information Systems
  • Students can choose electives that align with their career goals, delivered both online and through on-campus modules.
• On-Campus Modules:
  • Several modules where students must attend classes on-campus to enhance learning through face-to-face interaction.

Semester Plan

• Year 1:
  • Focuses on core management subjects, delivered primarily online with some on-campus modules.
  • Structured to blend theoretical knowledge with practical application, using case studies and projects.
• Year 2:
  • More emphasis on electives, with continued on-campus sessions for key modules.
  • Includes capstone projects or business simulations aimed at integrating learning.

Fees and Scholarships

• Fees:
  • Total Programme Fee: Approximately INR 20 lakhs for the entire two-year duration. This includes tuition but does not cover travel and accommodation for on-campus modules.
• Scholarships:
  • Merit & Need-Based Scholarships: Available to help deserving candidates, though specifics on the types and amounts of scholarships for BPGP are less detailed compared to traditional MBA programs.
  • Corporate Sponsorships: Some companies might sponsor employees for this program, reducing personal financial burden.
  • Government Scholarships: Applicable for those from reserved categories or based on specific government schemes.

Eligibility Criteria For Admissions

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Final-year students can apply, but they must complete their degree by June 30 of the admission year.
• Candidates must appear for the CAT (Common Admission Test) and meet the institute’s cutoff criteria.

Placements

IIM Ahmedabad has an excellent placement record with top recruiters from the Consulting, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and IT sectors. The highest package often exceeds INR 1 crore per annum, with an average of around ₹30-40 lakhs per annum.

How to Reach IIM Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad can be reached from cities all over India with flights, buses and trains from major cities and minor cities in the country.

You can reach the campus from your airport, bus terminal, or railway station via cars, auto rickshaws, local buses, taxis, and other modes as you deem fit.

Campus Map

Disclaimer

For the latest and most accurate information, especially regarding fees, curriculum updates, or admission processes, it’s recommended to check directly with IIM Ahmedabad’s official website or contact their admissions office.