MBA in Marketing

MBA in Marketing is a two-year postgraduate degree that focuses on marketing, sales, consumer trends, strategies, and research in various fields. In this course, candidates spend significantly more time studying Marketing in depth. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing course 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).

Marketing Management, Marketing Strategy, and Customer Behaviour are some of the core MBA in Marketing subjects that students will study during four semesters. Among the top MBA in Marketing colleges in India are IIMs, MICA, SIIBM, NMIMS, SPJIMR, and others. MBA Marketing fees range between INR 3 lakhs to INR 25 lakhs. MBA Marketing graduates are qualified to work as Marketing Managers, Chief Marketing Officers, Brand Managers, Sales Managers, Market Research Analysts, Customer Relationship Managers, etc. One can expect a starting salary of INR 7 LPA to INR12 LPA, which can increase as per expertise and experience. Find complete information about the MBA in Marketing course on this page.

• CMAT 2024 registration is expected to begin in the last week of February 2024. The application form will be available till March 2024 on the official website at cmat.nta.nic.in.
• KMAT Kerala 2024 Session 1 exam is to be conducted on March 3, 2024. Students appearing for the exam can download the KMAT Kerala admit card 2024 available on the official website (cee.kerala.gov.in).
• TANCET MBA 2024 is to be conducted on March 9, 2024, from 2.30 to 4.30 PM. The exam will be held by Anna University in offline mode (pen & paper mode).
• MAH MBA CET 2024 admit card will most likely be released in the last week of February 2024. The exam will be conducted on March 9, 10 & 11 in online mode by the Common Entrance Test Cell Maharashtra.

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

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 an MBA Marketing specialization 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 the MBA in marketing scope, the following benefits are the rationale behind the scope.

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 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.

Knowledge Amplification

Most MBA Marketing programs 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.

Various 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 to perform well, which efficient management may supply.

Pursuing an MBA in Marketing is a wise choice for individuals with a passion for marketing strategies, consumer behaviour, brand management, and market research. Various types of people can benefit from an MBA in Marketing, including:

• Business Professionals: Those who are already working in marketing or related fields and want to advance their careers while deepening their understanding of marketing principles.
• Entrepreneurs: Those who are starting their businesses or ventures and want to develop the skills to market their products or services effectively to target audiences.
• Career Changers: People from diverse backgrounds who want to transition into marketing roles or industries and require a strong foundation in marketing theory and practice.
• Digital Marketers: Those working in digital marketing roles who want to enhance their knowledge of digital marketing channels, analytics, and online consumer behaviour.
• Sales Professionals: Salespeople who want to expand their skill set beyond sales tactics and learn how to develop comprehensive marketing strategies to drive business growth.
• Marketing Researchers: Individuals interested in market research and data analysis who want to learn advanced techniques for gathering and interpreting market data to inform marketing decisions.
• Global Marketing Professionals: Those working in international business or interested in expanding their careers globally, who want to understand the nuances of marketing in different cultural contexts.
• Brand Managers: Individuals responsible for managing and promoting a company's brand image and identity, who want to gain strategic insights into brand building and positioning.
• Product Managers: Professionals involved in product development and management who want to understand how marketing concepts can inform product strategy and launch plans.
• Consultants: Experts who specialize in marketing or business strategy and want to deepen their expertise to better serve their clients' needs.

An online MBA in Marketing is an ideal choice for working professionals who are seeking to pursue higher education without compromising their jobs. This program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who cannot attend traditional classes due to their busy schedules. The online MBA in Marketing focuses on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the marketing structure of a company. It equips them with the knowledge and skills required to manage and execute marketing strategies effectively.

The curriculum of the online MBA in Marketing Management course is designed to cover a wide range of subjects that are crucial to the overall success of a business. These include Management Concepts, Industrial Marketing, Service Marketing, CRM, Agricultural and Rural Marketing, Marketing Research, E-Commerce, Total Quality Management, and Product and Brand Management, among others. An online MBA in Marketing Management provides students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for diverse roles in the marketing industry.

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

Also Read: MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance

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:

Students must meet the following eligibility requirements 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 for any nationalized 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, a 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.

Skills Required for MBA in Marketing

• 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: An MBA in Marketing candidate must 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.

It is mandatory to appear for entrance exams to get admission into MBA in Marketing course in top colleges. Candidates need to qualify for entrance exams and meet the minimum cutoff requirements set by their desired college. Mentioned below are the top entrance exams conducted for admission into MBA in Marketing courses.

National-Level Entrance Exams for MBA in Marketing

Check out some of the popular MBA entrance exams conducted for admission to the Marketing specialization.

Common Admission Test (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 three hours, with one hour per section.

Xavier Aptitude Test (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.

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (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. 

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

CMAT is a popular national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency once a year. The exam assesses a candidate's aptitude across various areas such as Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

ICFAI Business Studies Aptitude Test (IBSAT)

ICFAI Business Studies Aptitude Test (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 an MBA in Marketing, state-level common entrance tests like those tabulated below are considered:

The most common specializations 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 labour 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 a business to make revenue, a sales force management strategy is critical.

Consumer & 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.

Also Read: MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Digital Marketing

If you're planning to pursue an MBA in Marketing degree, there are some steps you need to follow to get admitted into a management institute. Here is the basic admission process.

Step 1: Apply for Entrance Exams - The first step is to apply for the MBA in Marketing entrance exams that the colleges you're interested in accept. Make sure you read and understand all the requirements of the entrance exam.

Step 2: Qualify for Entrance Exams - If you score well in the entrance exam and meet the minimum cutoff, you'll be called for selection rounds. You'll have to register to take part in the counselling and meet all the requirements.

Step 3: Participate in Counselling - Based on your entrance exam scores, you'll be shortlisted and called for Group Discussions, Written Ability Test, or Personal Interview rounds. Some MBA colleges offer direct admissions to MBA in Marketing based on merit and conduct personal interview rounds.

Step 4: Appear in the Merit List - After evaluating candidates based on entrance exam scores, GD/PI performance, academic performance, and work experience, the final list of selected students will be declared.

Step 5: Report to the College - If you're allocated a seat in the MBA college, you'll need to report (offline or online) and pay the admission fees. The classes will commence after that.

In India, there are numerous Business Schools that provide direct MBA admission without entrance exams. It’s a great option for those candidates who don’t want to appear for the entrance exams and go through counselling rounds. To get direct admission to MBA in Marketing, all you need to do is fill out the application form for the desired college and meet the admission requirements. A student must have secured at least 50% marks in their graduation from any discipline (5% relaxation for candidates belonging to reserved categories) and possess some work experience ranging from 1 to 3 years.

In addition to this, students can also opt for admission through the management quota or Institute level quota seats, provided that they have a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree. It is important to note that admission to the MBA in Marketing program is highly competitive and requires a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and a sound understanding of the marketing industry.

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 MBA Marketing fee can be more in private colleges and universities. 

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.

The most renowned private colleges in India offering an MBA in Marketing along with their course fees and NIRF Ranking 2023 have been tabulated below:

Check out the top government MBA in Marketing colleges in India along with their course fees and NIRF Ranking 2023.

If you are looking for direct admission to MBA in Marketing, then you can consider the following top colleges in India.

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

MBA in Marketing Salary in India

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: 

Top MBA in Marketing Recruiters

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

If you are aiming to advance your career and get the top career opportunities in the field, then you must consider pursuing other higher-level courses after completing an MBA in Marketing. Listed below are some of the top courses to opt for after an MBA in Marketing.