Why pursue an online MBA from Sikkim Manipal University

MBA is the key to unlocking lucrative career opportunities in today’s cut-throat competitive world. It is one of the most valued qualifications in the kitty of working professionals, with the potential to position themselves as a leader in the job market. However, with regular work commitments and other daily priorities, it sometimes gets difficult to shell out dedicated time to pursue a full-fledged MBA course in a traditional campus setting. This is where the online MBA degree program from Sikkim Manipal University gains a competitive edge over its counterparts, offering a flexible learning structure that is ideal for both students and working professionals. This blog takes a deeper look into the various benefits of an online MBA from Sikkim Manipal University. 

What is an online MBA?

Let us begin with briefly understanding what an online MBA degree entails. The popular acronym for Master of Business Administration, MBA is a postgraduate course that provides students with a deeper understanding of management concepts helpful in running businesses at top leadership positions. An online MBA offers the same learning; however, in online mode, it is different from the conventional learning system followed by traditional universities. Online MBA is a two-year Master’s-level course and is generally a top preference among working professionals who find it easier to balance their work priorities with study commitments. 

Why choose Sikkim Manipal University’s online MBA?

Pursuing an online MBA from Sikkim Manipal University has a host of benefits for students. The section below details the value of Sikkim Manipal’s online MBA course:

• Unlocks rewarding career paths: Graduating with an online MBA degree from Sikkim Manipal University makes you eligible to apply for top managerial and leadership roles in relevant industries. The course equips students with industry-desirable skills that allow them to take the next step on their career paths. 

• Boosts annual earnings: With the top managerial positions comes the exclusive opportunity to earn higher salary packages in leading organizations in various industries and sectors. Graduates are entitled to earn an attractive pay commensurate with their job role after completing the program.

• Flexible learning structure: The 100% online learning experience offered by Sikkim Manipal finds immense appeal among working professionals and other students who find it difficult to pursue a full-fledged campus degree due to other commitments. Additionally, students get the advantage of learning at their own pace and at a time and place of their choice. 

• Dual specialization privilege: Students pursuing the online MBA with dual specialization from Sikkim Manipal University stand a chance to opt for two subjects in parallel to specialize in. Students are offered a choice from Human Resource Management, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Finance, Systems, and Marketing.

• Highly affordable: This is one of the top Sikkim Manipal online MBA features. The course is relatively more cost-effective than its traditional counterpart MBA degree which is offered in the conventional way on campus. This is because the online program helps students save tremendous costs otherwise involved in commuting to and from the campus and buying books and other study materials.

Online MBA with dual specialization 

As stated earlier, the online MBA degree with dual specialization from Sikkim Manipal University allows student applicants to choose any two subjects from a wide variety of domains to specialize in. These specializations are detailed below, along with the subjects each of them covers and the prospective job opportunities that you can explore upon graduation.

1. Finance: The finance specialization is designed to enable students to learn the necessary financial and quantitative skills required to make a successful career in the world of finance.

Semesters	Subjects covered
1	Business Economics, Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior, Computer Application in Management, Marketing Management, Legal Aspects of Business, Accounting for Managers, Business Communication
2	Productions and Operations Management, Quantitative Methods in Management, Management Information Systems, Human Resource Management, Global Economic Environment and Policy, Financial Management, Research Methodology and Statistical Techniques
3	Business Strategy, Project Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing– Retail and Distribution Management and Supply Chain Management, Consumer Behavior and Advertisement and Brand Management Specialization II: Finance– Taxation, Security Analysis and Portfolio Management & Derivative Market
4	Banking and Insurance Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing-Service Marketing & Global Marketing, Market Research Specialization II: Finance– Marketing of Financial Services & Mergers and Acquisitions, Multinational Finance & Risk Exposure Management, Project Work

Prospective job roles after online MBA with specialization in Finance

Upon graduating with an online MBA from Sikkim Manipal University with a specialization in Finance, you can expect to apply for the following job roles:

Expected job role	Average annual salary (approx)
Portfolio Manager	INR 18,80,000 per annum
Investment Banker	INR 18,50,000 per annum
Budget Analyst	INR 10,50,000 per annum
Risk Manager	INR 9,02,892 per annum
Credit Analyst	INR 900,000 per annum

1. Systems: This specialization offers complete knowledge and skills in the field of information systems. The curriculum covers the following subjects:

Semesters	Subjects covered
1	Business Economics, Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior, Computer Application in Management, Marketing Managemen, tLegal Aspects of Business, Accounting for Managers, Business Communication
2	Productions and Operations Management, Quantitative Methods in Management, Management Information Systems, Human Resource Management, Global Economic Environment and Policy, Financial Management, Research Methodology and Statistical Techniques
3	Business Strategy, Project Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing– Retail and Distribution Management and Supply Chain Management, Consumer Behavior and Advertisement and Brand Management Specialization II: Options between HR, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Systems
4	Banking and Insurance Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing-Service Marketing & Global Marketing, Market Research Specialization II: Options between HR, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Systems, Project Work

 Prospective job roles after online MBA with specialization in Systems

Expected job role	Average annual salary (approx)
Information Systems Manager	INR 22,60,000 per annum
IT Strategist	INR 22.1 lakh per annum
Information Security Analyst	INR 14.5 lakh per annum
IT Consultant	INR 11,07,603 per annum
Systems Analyst	INR 9,54,094 per annum

1. Marketing: The two-year online MBA with marketing specialization equips students with the creative skills required to excel in a career in marketing. 

Semesters	Subjects covered
1	Business Economics, Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior,Computer Application in Management, Marketing Management, Legal Aspects of Business, Accounting for Managers, Business Communication
2	Productions and Operations Management, Quantitative Methods in Management, Management Information Systems, Human Resource Management, Global Economic Environment and Policy, Financial Management, Research Methodology and Statistical Techniques
3	Business Strategy, Project Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing– Retail and Distribution Management and Supply Chain Management, Consumer Behavior and Advertisement and Brand Management Specialization II: Options between HR, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Systems
4	Banking and Insurance Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing-Service Marketing & Global Marketing, Market Research Specialization II: Options between HR, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Systems, Project Work

Prospective job roles after online MBA with specialization in Marketing

Expected job role	Average annual salary (approx)
Product Marketing Manager	INR 20,08,221 per annum
Content Marketing Manager	INR 11,13,599 per annum
Event Marketing Coordinator	INR 5,26,968 per annum
Social Media Marketing Executive	INR 4,37,000 per annum
Market Research Analyst	INR 4 lakh per annum

2. Human Resources: This specialization equips students with the much-desirable interpersonal and managerial skills that a Human Resources Manager is expected to possess for the smooth functioning of an organization.

Semesters	Subjects covered
1	Business Economics, Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior, Computer Application in Management, Marketing Management, Legal Aspects of Business, Accounting for Managers, Business Communication
2	Productions and Operations Management, Quantitative Methods in Management, Management Information Systems, Human Resource Management, Global Economic Environment and Policy, Financial Management, Research Methodology and Statistical Techniques
3	Business Strategy, Project Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing– Retail and Distribution Management and Supply Chain Management, Consumer Behavior and Advertisement and Brand Management Specialization II: HR– Competency Mapping & Performance Management, Industrial Relations
4	Banking and Insurance Management Specialization I (Mandatory): Marketing– Service Marketing & Global Marketing, Market Research Specialization II: HR– Compensation Management & International Human Resource Management, Organization Development & Human Resource Development, Project Work

Prospective job roles after online MBA with specialization in HR

Expected job role	Average annual salary (approx)
Performance Management Analyst	INR 7,00,000 per annum
Onboarding Specialist	INR 6,10,000 per annum
Payroll Specialist	INR 5,50,000 per annum
Compensation and Benefits Analyst	INR 4,92,024 per annum
Talent Acquisition Associate	INR 4.1 lakh per annum

3. Operations & Supply Chain Management: Students learn the exact methodologies required to boost efficiency, optimize work processes, and inspire business success through this specialization.

Prospective job roles after online MBA with specialization in Operations & Supply Chain Management

Expected job role	Average annual salary (approx)
Supply Chain Manager	INR 14.4 lakh per annum
Demand Planner	INR 11.4 lakh per annum
Production Analyst	INR 10.6 lakh per annum
Logistics Manager	INR 9.9 lakh per annum
Inventory Control Manager	INR 7,98,000 per annum

Eligibility criteria for online MBA

Students interested in pursuing an online MBA with dual specialization from Sikkim Manipal University must be able to qualify through the following admissions criteria:

• Domestic applicants: Students applying from within India must have completed one of the three qualifications to be eligible – 10+2+3, 10+2+4, or 10+3+3. The undergraduate degree can be in any stream from a recognized university and the student must have graduated with at least 50% aggregate. An equivalent qualification recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is also accepted.  

• International applicants: Students applying from outside India must have also completed one of the three qualifications to be eligible – 10+2+3, 10+2+4, or 10+3+3. The undergraduate degree can be in any stream from a recognized university and the student must have graduated with at least 50% aggregate. An equivalent qualification recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is also accepted.  

Additional requirements: Students completing a 10+2 or undergraduate degree from outside India are required to demonstrate a certificate of equivalence issued by the AIU. In addition, citizens from other countries or living outside India and holding the PIO or NRE status are required to pay an international fee for the degree program, along with a set of documents. These include:

• Proof of address
• PR card
• Curriculum vitae or updated resume
• Valid visa
• Original passport 

Admission process

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you may proceed with the admission process for an online MBA with dual specialization from Sikkim Manipal University. The procedure for admission to the university is detailed below:

Step 1: Register for the program

As part of the registration process, enter your vital details, including personal information, education, and professional experience (if applicable). After filling in the form, pay the required application fee.

Step 2: Pay the admission fee

After successful registration, you will be required to make the payment for the admission fee for the course. You may choose to pay either for the first semester or the entire program at once. 

Step 3: Upload the required documents

The university requires you to upload all the essential documents as part of the admission application process. These may include your academic certificates, work experience letters, resume or CV, and any other supporting documents as desired by the university. Upload all documents and apply. 

Step 4: Obtain university approval for admission 

This is the last and final step in the admission process. Sikkim Manipal University will evaluate the uploaded documents and once approved, you will receive an official confirmation letter from the university for admission. 

Top scholarships offered by Sikkim Manipal University

To make top-quality learning a priority and within easy reach to all, Sikkim Manipal University offers a host of scholarship options to students, especially the differently-abled, students from Sikkim and other Northeast parts of India, defense personnel, and Sikkim Manipal University’s alumni. Detailed below is the scholarship structure for students opting for an online MBA from the university:

• Divyaang or the differently-abled receive a 20% scholarship credit after producing a valid certificate for the condition from an authorized doctor.
• The university’s alumni, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, are also entitled to a 20% scholarship credit.
• Students from Sikkim or other parts of the Northeast can apply for a 30% scholarship credit, provided they produce a valid proof of address.
• Defense personnel can get a 20% scholarship credit upon producing their service/personnel/IC number. 

Additionally, Sikkim Manipal University grants a 5% fee concession on an upfront payment of the annual fee and a 10% discount on the upfront payment of the entire fee for the course.

Why Sikkim Manipal University

Sikkim Manipal University or SMU, as it is popularly addressed, is accredited with an A+ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). This makes it one of the most widely preferred universities for online learning. In addition, its online degree programs are entitled by the University Grants Commission or UGC and are at par with traditional campus degrees. Its programs are also approved by the AICTE.

It is ranked as the top private university in the North East and among the top #151-200 universities in India in 2024. This gives Sikkim Manipal a competitive edge over its counterparts, in addition to being ranked #6 by The Week among the top 10 multidisciplinary universities in the East zone and #15 among the top leading universities showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit, respectively.

Conclusion

Sikkim Manipal University’s newest offering, an online MBA with dual specialization, is a treat to students aspiring for a management degree with the advantage of enhancing their knowledge base and skill sets in two domains in parallel. Moreover, Sikkim Manipal University’s online MBA career opportunities are diverse, depending on the area you choose to specialize in. Enroll for the program today and look forward to a promising career ahead.