An MBA is a master’s degree in business administration that provides advanced education and training to students interested in pursuing management roles in the corporate world. The program focuses on developing leadership skills, knowledge of the dynamics of the functioning of an organization, and the ability to make decisions based on sound financial principles.

School of Management Sciences (SMS), Varanasi offers a full-time MBA program designed to enhance the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a competitive business environment. The program provides students with an understanding of the latest management trends, principles, and techniques, as well as, offers opportunities to develop critical thinking skills.

What is the structure of an MBA program?

An MBA program typically is two years in length – spanning four semesters. In the first two semesters, students typically cover common core courses such as accounting, finance, marketing and operations. These courses provide a foundation for the understanding of business functions and processes.

The final two semesters focus on elective courses which allow students to specialize in areas such as human resource management or international business. SMS Varanasi offers MBA specializations in:

• Marketing: Students focus on Marketing Research & Consumer Behaviour, Sales & Retail Management, Digital Marketing, and Integrated Marketing Communications in this specialization.

This is ideal for students who have a knack for understanding customers’ wants and needs, as well as the ability to come up with creative solutions that ensure customer satisfaction.

• Human Resource Management: This specialization focuses on Compensation & Reward Management, Employee Relations & Labour Legislation, Human Resource Management, and Conflict And Negotiation Management.

An ideal option for students who have an interest in understanding the dynamics of employee relations, this specialization equips students with a unique set of skills to effectively handle personnel management.

• Finance: Students who opt for this specialization focus on Security Analysis & Portfolio Management, Corporate Tax Planning, International Finance Management, and Finance Liquidity & Risk Management.

They easily get absorbed into job roles such as financial analysts, portfolio managers, and other similar roles in the banking and finance sector.

• Operations Management: This specialization teaches students about Materials & Inventory Management, Planning & Control of Operations, Management Of Service Operations, and Quality Management Standards.

Those who opt for this type of MBA can easily get absorbed into job roles such as operations managers and process improvement consultants.

• Business Analytics: A rapidly emerging MBA specialization, it teaches students to do HR Analytics, Business Analytics using R software, Marketing Analytics, and Business Intelligence for Decision Making.

Students who have a knack for numbers and computing can easily acquire these skills, making them ideal for roles such as data scientists and business analysts.

Students enrolled in an MBA program can expect to take courses from professors with many years of experience in their field. The courses are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

What is the curriculum of the MBA program?

The curriculum of an MBA program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful management. Coursework typically includes accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and human resources management.

At SMS Varanasi, you study:

First Semester

In the first semester, the institute aims to build up a foundation of knowledge and skills for MBA students. It included courses like:

• Management Concepts & Organizational Behaviour
• Managerial Economics
• Accounting And Financial Analysis
• Business Statistics
• Marketing Management
• Business Communication
• Universal Human Values & Professional Ethics
• IT Skill For Managers

Second Semester

In the second semester, the institute focuses on teaching strategic thinking and decision-making. The courses included are:

• Operation Management & Research
• Business Environment & Legal Aspects Of Business
• Human Resource Management
• Financial Management
• Business Research Methods
• Supply Chain & Logistics Management
• Business Analytics Data Science

They also do a Field Survey Report, where they learn how to apply the knowledge they have acquired in class.

Third Semester

By the time students enter the third semester, they are ready to take on more difficult business problems and learn the latest technologies. They can choose their specializations (as mentioned above) according to the job roles they are aiming for.

• Insurance Banking and Microfinance
• Artificial Intelligence in Business
• Specialization Courses

In the third semester, students need to submit a Summer Training Project Report. This is an opportunity for them to apply the knowledge they have acquired throughout the course of their MBA. Internships they take up during this period allow them to gain more practical experience in the working environment.

Fourth Semester

In the final leg of the MBA, students learn about: 

• Strategic Management
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Specialization Courses

By this time, they are ready to make the transition from students to professionals. During this semester, they are required to submit their

Research Project Report & appear for a Viva-Voce.

Who can do MBA?

An MBA program is open to any graduate with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or 45% in case of SC/ST Category), from a recognized Indian University or equivalent. Candidates who are still completing their graduation may also apply.

The MBA fee at SMS Varanasi is flat INR 81,000 per semester. The other fees include:

• An admission fee of Rs. 10,000,
• A refundable caution money deposit of Rs. 5,000, and
• An alumni fee of Rs. 7500 (not applicable to existing SMS UG Students).

These fees are payable one time only.

Students can also avail of the following scholarships if they are eligible for them:

• New students can apply for Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Scholarship. Eligibility criteria include 60% in Class X, XII, and Graduation. Students can get 10% of the first-year fee for the course through this scholarship.
• BBA, BCA, BA Hons (Mass Comm), B.Com, B.Com (Hons), and B.Tech students of SMS can apply for Babu Nageshwar Singh Scholarships for Post Graduation Studies if they score 60% and above in their respective courses. They can get up to 15% of the first-year fee of the MBA course.
• Semester toppers can apply for Prof. Mukund Lal Scholarship later.

What are the potential benefits of the MBA program?

The potential benefits of an MBA program are immense and include:

• A better understanding of the business environment
• New skills in accounting, finance, marketing, and management
• An improved ability to think strategically and make decisions quickly
• Improved communication and networking skills
• Access to a vast network of contacts that may lead to job opportunities.

Businesses lap up MBA students for their ability to think creatively, handle complex tasks and make decisions with confidence.

Most importantly, MBA programs equip students with the required skillsets and knowledge to work in any business environment. This makes them competitive job applicants and increases their chances of getting hired by top companies.

If you are a budding entrepreneur, an MBA program can help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to start and manage your own business. An MBA degree is also a great way to prepare yourself for a career in management consulting or investment banking.

To sum it up, an MBA program offers aspiring professionals the ability to become adept in all areas of business, giving them the competitive edge and the confidence to take on leadership positions.