There are various specializations in MBA. The traditional MBA degree also has diverse electives to choose from. Knowing which stream is best for MBAis essential for shaping your future professional journey. The choice can only be made once you are clear about your strengths and career objectives. Here are some of the popular MBA streams that you should take a closer look at.
MBA is one of the most sought-after course choices among graduates from all fields. Let us look at some of the most prominent MBA specializations.
MBA in Finance
An MBA in Finance prepares aspirants for several tasks like costing, capital management, budgeting, international finance, and more. Through innovative financial strategies, professionals are able to grow businesses and churn a profit. Financial management can be a rewarding career for those who have a knack for figures.
Top Job Profiles
Credit risk managers, asset managers, investment bankers, stockbrokers, corporate finance professionals, insurance and risk managers, consultants, financial analysts, and more.
Marketing is a highly competitive yet fascinating discipline that helps garner insights related to advertising, branding, consumer behaviour, and more. Students with good communication and promotional capabilities should consider this stream.
Top Job Profiles
Marketing manager, market research analyst, brand manager, sales manager, corporate sales manager, and asset manager.
The stream covers mergers and acquisitions, global leadership, labor markets, diversity, and more. If you are someone with good people skills, confidence, and a knack for solving problems, then you may give it a shot. HR managers are the ones who handle employees, ultimately influencing company revenues and growth directly. They also play crucial roles in motivating employees to perform. You should ideally love helping others, interacting with colleagues, and training people too. If it sounds like you, then it will be a great fit.
Top Job Profiles
HR Assistant, Training and Development Coordinator, Technical Recruiter, Human Resources Manager, Employee Relations Manager, etc.
Average Salary (Per Annum):
INR 15,50,000.
MBA in Operations
This is one stream that enables a better understanding of shop floor or production management. You will learn about the maintenance of processes, workflows, vendor relationships, and more. Engineering graduates often choose Operations MBAs since they get an edge over other aspirants.
They understand the optimization of procedures and product design and development a little better. With the growth of the e-commerce sector, there are innumerable opportunities in this segment. Industries like shipping, automobiles, real estate, and FMCG also require skilled operations managers. This job involves substantial fieldwork while you will have to manage and solve various types of problems. Data set forecasting and Excel are handy skills along with good communication skills.
Top Job Profiles
Operations Analyst, Management Consultant, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Retail Manager, Construction Manager, etc.
Doing an MBA in International Business will give aspirants an intensive glimpse of organizational aspects necessary for global operations. This also includes specialized subjects like import-export, finance, global marketing, and more. This is a specialized degree from the first day itself.
Top Job Profiles
Business Development Manager, International Business Analyst, Equity Analyst, and Management Consultant.
This MBA stream is highly specific and tailored to prepare prospective managers for using, administering, managing, designing, and implementing communications and information technologies. IT graduates will have major tasks to implement, including software and hardware design for numerous business issues.
Top Job Profiles
Strategy and Planning Manager, Business Development Manager, Project Manager, Information System Manager, Product, and Corporate Marketing.
Average Salary (Per Annum):
INR 17, 50, 000.
Learn More:
MBA in Supply Chain Management
This discipline includes warehousing, inventory management, and transportation of several materials as per company/client requirements. Graduates in any field may apply for this specialization. Logistics management is another sub-division of the field and involves tracking, implementation, and planning of movement for goods and services. It also includes planning storage between the origin and consumption points. Several companies require operations or logistics managers to manage this entire cycle, giving rise to a demand for this course.
Top Job Profiles
Supply Chain Analyst, Logistics and Distribution Manager, Production Planner, Supply Chain Manager, Expeditor.
An MBA in Healthcare Management will include developing skill sets for catering to the needs of patients and stakeholders in the healthcare sector. It may include hospital administration, medical practice management, and insurance management as well.
Top Job Profiles
Healthcare Finance Manager, Pharmaceutical Project Manager, IT Manager, Marketing Manager, Health Insurance Manager.
Love travelling, exploring new places, and taking people along? Tourism and Hospitality Management may just be your ideal stream. The booming hotel industry and increase in global tourism have led to increased demand for qualified and skilled managers in this stream. There are virtually unlimited growth opportunities in this field.
Top Job Profiles
Resort Manager, Hotel Manager, Travel Agent, Assistant Manager, General Manager, Group Travel Facilitator, Ground Staff, Ramp Manager, Cargo Manager, Air Steward/Hostess, Human Resource Manager, etc.
Average Salary (Per Annum):
INR 13, 50, 000.
Now that you have an idea of the most popular MBA streams, think of your career goals and skills before applying.
World University Rankings – Full Time MBA: Global 2022
Institute
Specialisations/Electives
1
Stanford Graduate School of Business, US
Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Global management
Human resources
Information technology
Operations
Organizational behavior
Public management
Strategic management
2
Harvard Business School, US
Accounting & Management
Business, Government & the International Economy
Entrepreneurial Management
Finance
General Management
Marketing
Technology & Operations Management
4
HEC Paris, France
Advanced Management
Digital Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Strategic Marketing
Strategy
Sustainable & Disruptive Innovation
6
London Business School, UK
Management
Financial Analysis
Analytics and Management
7
IE Business School, Spain
Tech MBA
International MBA
Executive MBA
7
INSEAD
Accounting and Control
Decision Sciences
Economics and Political Science
Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise
Finance
Marketing
10
IESE Business School, Spain
International Business
Finance
Sustainability & Responsible Business
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Data Analytics & Digital Business
12
Chicago (Booth), UK
Accounting
Finance
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Behavioural Science
Business Analytics
How to Choose from Different MBA Streams/Specialization
After reading about the various MBA specializations and their prospects above, aspirants will be able to decide what side of business appeals to them most. MBA graduates are hired as managers across industries and there are several roles to choose from. Those with a knack for numbers may choose finance or business analytics, while those with an inclination towards technology may go for information management or entrepreneurship.
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Students who want to pursue MBA, usually opt for Commerce in their 12th. However, students who choose Arts or Science as their streams can also pursue a master’s course in business administration. You can choose any MBA specialization after your bachelor’s as per your interest. The most popular ones are Finance, Operations Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship among others.
Which MBA is best for IT professionals?
MBA in Business Analytics, Consultancy, International Business, Operations and Supply Chain Management are some of the best specializations available for IT professionals. They expect high-salaried jobs after completing their PG in business administration. Work experience will also help in landing a good job opportunity.
Which MBA stream has the highest salary?
MBA in International Business graduates have the highest salaries with ₹ 25, 00, 000 per annum being the mean salary for them. Finance and Marketing also pay high salaries for MBA graduates.
Which type of MBA is in demand?
Some of the in-demand MBA specializations include Accounting & Management, Entrepreneurial Management, Finance, General Management, Marketing, Technology & Operations Management, among others.
Which country is best for MBA?
US, UK, and Spain are some of the best countries to pursue MBA as all have highly ranked MBA colleges as per QS rankings.
She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!