Founded in 1995, the School of Management Sciences (SMS) Varanasi has come a long way and has emerged as a Centre of Excellence in Management, Commerce and Computer Education. Accredited by NAAC with the ‘A’ Grade and recognized by UGC, it has been ranked among the TOP 50 B-Schools in India by Business India – a prestigious magazine.

The undergraduate programmes SMS Varanasi offers include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• B.A. (Hons.) in Mass Communication

All of them are affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith (MGKV), Varanasi.

The postgraduate programmes at SMS Varanasi include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Computer Applications (MCA)

Both of them are approved by AICTE and affiliated with Dr. A.P.J.

Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow.

It also offers the Master of Commerce (M.COM) programme affiliated with MGKV, Varanasi.

About Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith (MGKV), Varanasi

You may have heard about MGKV but by the name of just ‘Kashi Vidyapeeth’. Founded in 1921, during the Non-Cooperation Movement, by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and Bhagwan Das, the university was inaugurated in 1925 by Mahatma Gandhi. That’s when it got its name as Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith.

Its faculty has included prominent nationalists and scholars like Dr. Rajendra Prasad (the first President of India), Acharya Narendra Dev (a famous freedom fighter, journalist, and teacher), and many more. The first board of management of the university included the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Jamuna Lal Bajaj.

Today, it is one of the largest state universities in Uttar Pradesh. Thousands of rural and urban students study in its more than 350+ affiliated colleges across five districts across the state of UP – Bhadohi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Varanasi.

SMS Varanasi’s undergraduate programmes and M.Com programme are affiliated with MGKV, Varanasi.

About Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow

Founded in 2000 as Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU), Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow got its present name in 2015. About 800 colleges across the state of UP are affiliated with it. One of the largest technical universities in India (and perhaps Asia), AKTU’s colleges are categorized into five zones (with 45-50 colleges in each zone).

AKTU is a great university for students that offers more than 2,300 courses across 16 streams with an average fee of INR 55,000 per year. With experienced and renowned faculty members and state-of-the-art facilities, AKTU is committed to providing quality education to its students. Affiliated with UGC and AICTE, this university has an active student community that organizes cultural programs, sports tournaments and workshops throughout the year.

SMS Varanasi’s MBA and MCA programmes are affiliated with AKTU Lucknow.

Academic Alliances of SMS Varanasi

SMS Varanasi has forged academic alliances with many institutes, including:

• UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista), Brazil

UNESP is a real overachiever as far as universities go. With an impressive 24 campuses across Brazil (including one in the lively capital, São Paulo), it’s safe to say they have quite the reach. And that reach includes some seriously impressive stats–they offer over 150 programs, boast a faculty of 3,300+ esteemed professors, and have a whopping 54,000+ eager students.

Also, Brazil is currently crushing it on the economic and institutional fronts (they’re among the top 6 biggest economies in the world!), UNESP is perfectly poised to keep making waves and accomplishing big things.

• Claflin University, South Carolina, USA

Claflin University is a true academic powerhouse! For a jaw-dropping 8 years running, they’ve been named one of the Top 10 HBCUs by the highly respected U.S. News and World Report (2019 Ranking #7). But that’s not all – Claflin is also one of just four South Carolina unis to be crowned “Best National Liberal Arts Institution” by the same prestigious publication. 

And their alumni are a generous bunch too, with an incredible 50% giving back to their alma mater regularly. It’s no wonder Claflin students are a cut above – impressive academic scholarship designations like Fullbright’s U.S. Student Program (2008), the Harry S. Truman Scholarship (2014), the ESB Luard Morse Scholarship (2019), and a coveted Marshall Scholarship prove they’re among the best of the best.

• Emporia State University, USA

With over 150 years of experience, ESU knows how to help you uncover your full potential through practical, hands-on experiences. But that’s not all – they’re all about fostering a friendly and inclusive community where you can create lifelong connections.

Emporia State University boasts an impressive lineup of academic programs in business, liberal arts, library and information management, and teaching. It is the lone public university in Kansas to have earned the prestigious title of College of Distinction.

As the 33rd-best university in the country for doling out scholarships to international students, ESU is bridging the gap between borderlines and breaking barriers. With its 200+ programs and 100+ student organizations, it’s clear that ESU is a people-friendly university dedicated to giving students the opportunity to chase their dreams.

• Szent Istvan University, Godolo, Hungary

In the year 2000, four educational establishments in Hungary decided it was time to become one big happy family. And thus, Szent István University in Hungary (in Europe) was born. With the merger of the University of Veterinary Science in Budapest, Ybl Miklós Technical College, the Teachers’ Training College of Jászberény and the University of Agriculture in Gödöllő, the institution quickly became one of the largest higher education providers in the country. In 2009, Tessedik Sámuel College joined the clan too. 

The university may be headquartered in Gödöllő, but they have seven different faculties scattered across Budapest, Gödöllő, and Szarvas. That’s where their approximately 11,000 students go for all their studying and research needs. Some of the schools under the Szent István University umbrella have been around for over 100 years, proving they’ve got longevity as well as smarts.

This university rolls out the red carpet for exchange students from all over the globe. From Erasmus+ to EEA, CEEPUS Programmes to bilateral agreements, they’ve got it all covered. You can go there to see what the exciting and diverse community here can offer you.

• California State University (CSUSB), San Bernardino, USA

One of the biggest academic partners of SMS Varanasi, California State University is home to a whopping 23 campuses and five off-campus centres, making it the largest system of higher education in the country. From San Diego State in the south to Humboldt State in the north, these schools serve over 400,000 students. 

And if you’re a history buff, you’ll be pleased to know that the oldest campus, San Jose State University, has been providing public higher education since way back in 1857. But if you prefer to be on the cutting edge, you’ll be interested in checking out California State University, Channel Islands, the newest CSU campus which welcomed its first freshmen in 2003.

CSUSB offers over 240 subjects as well as doctoral degrees that can be obtained at various campuses, some even in partnership with other institutions. With over 417,000 students and 22,000 faculty members, CSU is a bustling community that represents about half of California’s bachelor’s degrees and a third of its master’s degrees. And with almost 2 million graduates since 1960, you know you’ll be joining a successful alumni network.

This year, CSUSB’s MBA program was deemed among the best in the nation, ranking 32nd in the Top 50 Best Online MBA programs, and climbing to the top 4 in California, with 1st place among public universities. Also, the university’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Program ranked 44th in the nation and 8th in the Top 9 in the West, with another top 4 placement in California and 2nd place in public universities.

• Karoly Robert College (KRF), Gyongyos, Hungary

Founded in 2003, Károly Róbert University College is a prominent knowledge centre of the Northern Hungarian EU region. An agrarian and research (counselling) higher education institution, it offers practice-orientated training programs, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and high-quality services.

The campus lies in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Mátra-mountains with access to magnificent scenery. The cultural and folklore traditions, along with its history, make Gyöngyös a unique place to live. The fields of study here include Business Administration and Management, Finance and Accounting, Business Development and Management and Leadership.

Besides these, this autonomous college is signing specific MOUs with several other top academic institutions in the world.

What kind of international opportunities are available for students at SMS Varanasi?

SMS Varanasi offers a range of international opportunities for its students, such as:

• Exchange Programmes for Faculty

The faculty exchange programmes allow teachers from other universities to come and teach at SMS Varanasi for a short term. The aim of these programmes is to provide the students with an opportunity to learn international experiences in different teaching styles, the latest research topics and modern approaches.

• Exchange Programmes for Students

The student exchange programmes allow students to study abroad and gain international experiences for a semester or two. Through these programmes, they can experience different cultures, explore new topics and have the opportunity to network with inspiring people from all over the world.

Studying abroad through exchange programmes is a great way to improve language skills, gain international experience and become more attractive to potential employers.

• Conducting Joint Research Work

At SMS Varanasi, students can also take part in joint research work with international institutions. These research activities offer great opportunities to learn new skills and gain a better understanding of different topics. The results of these joint projects are then utilized for the benefit of both the students and organizations involved.

International research collaborations provide students with the opportunity to learn from international experts and develop skills that can be applied in many different job sectors.

• Conducting Training & Capacity Building Exercises

International training and capacity-building exercises and programmes are designed to equip students with the necessary competencies for their future job roles. These exercises often include lectures, workshops and seminars, as well as project-based activities.

Through these activities, students learn more about the topics and gain insight into international business practices.

Studying at SMS Varanasi, the international opportunities help students to gain international exposure and learn from the best global practices, thus giving them a competitive edge. Guest lecturers from all over the world also frequently visit the campus, providing students with a chance to learn from and interact with experts in their fields.