In today’s fast-changing business environment, data has become essential, and using it strategically is crucial for achieving sustainable growth and gaining a competitive edge. With the rise of big data, companies increasingly recognise the need for professionals who can translate complex data into actionable insights. Hence, a Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics (MBA BA) in India comes into play, particularly in India, a country poised at the forefront of digital transformation.

As Indian businesses embrace data-driven methodologies, the demand for skilled professionals in business analytics is soaring. In this blog, we will look into the significance of pursuing an MBA in Business Analytics in India, exploring its curriculum, career prospects, and the myriad opportunities awaiting graduates in a data-driven economy with an MBA in Business Analytics in India.

What are the unique course offerings?

Let us look at the various offerings that various Indian institutes of Management offer for an MBA in Business Analytics. The list is as follows:

1. IIM Bangalore: Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA)

The Postgraduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA) is a two-year, full-time master’s degree program in Business Analytics. Designed to prepare students for leadership roles, it combines analytics and artificial intelligence to tackle complex problems. The program includes six trimesters and a summer project.

Courses and Credits – First Year

The first year consists of three terms with a total credit of 16.5 per term. A PGPBA student must complete eighteen core courses, totalling 49.5 credits.

Summer Internship

The summer internship program is scheduled after the first year and before the second year at a company in the Analytics field. Students with at least 34 months of work experience before starting the program may opt out of the internship.

Courses and Credits – Second Year

PGPBA students must complete four core courses in Term IV and at least four electives (12 credits) in the analytics domain across Terms IV, V, and VI. They need to earn a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 51 credits in their second year. 

The electives offered cover a broad spectrum of subjects, including:

• Social Impact: Social Entrepreneurship, Green Business Management 
•  Economic and Policy Analysis: Current Economic Scenario, Infrastructure Development 
•  Financial and Managerial Aspects: Business Analytics, Corporate Finance, Supply Chain Management 
•  Marketing and Branding: Digital Marketing, Brand Management

Student Exchange Program

Participation

Around 40% of PGP students participate in and spend a term at a partner school worldwide annually. Students who don’t participate in the exchange programme benefit from interactions with incoming international students who spend a term at the institute annually.

Course Requirements

• Course Load: Exchange students must complete 120 contact hours of postgraduate-level courses. 
• Credit Allowance: With the approval of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at IIMB.
• Minimum Credits: Students must earn 1215 credits during the exchange. 

Credit and Remediation 

Passing Grades: Only passing courses will earn credit. 

Deficit Resolution 

• Students with up to three credit deficits must complete additional courses, as no credits will be awarded for failed exchange courses. 
• The Office of International Affairs (OIA) manages credit transfers. 
• Those failing to meet credit requirements must take extra courses at IIMB in the sixth term or next year. 
• Degrees are awarded only after meeting all requirements. 
• Students who leave early or report late for the exchange program cannot take absences but can register within a week with approval after the sixth term. 
• Attendance waivers are not allowed, and late registration fees apply.

Additionally, IIM Bangalore offers diverse courses beyond functional electives, including German, French, Spanish, and Japanese language classes. The students can participate in international immersion programs like Business Planning in International Markets and experiential learning opportunities like the Himalayan Mountain Challenge, catering to their varied interests. Students can also

2. IIM Ranchi: MBA -BA, Postgraduate Programme in Business Analytics

The Postgraduate program in Business Analytics is a full-time, two-year course with six terms. Students complete core analytics courses and foundational management classes in the first year. 

The second year focuses on specialised electives in business analytics tools and applications, requiring an eight-week mandatory summer internship. During their second year, students must earn 117 credits, including at least 18 from the Information Systems and Business Analytics area.

Student Exchange Program (STEP)

IIM Ranchi offers one-term international exchange opportunities with partner institutions. The institute has MoUs with ten foreign institutes and universities in Finland, France, Greece, Latvia, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Immersion Program

Additionally, the Immersion Program for Postgraduate Executive Programme students at IIM Ranchi provides an intensive experience through visits to foreign business schools, expert-led sessions, and insights into global business practices. The program lasts one to two weeks at the partner institutes, and participants cover their costs.

3. IIM Kashipur Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics

The two-year full-time MBA in Analytics is a residential program. In the first year, students complete a mandatory curriculum across three terms, focusing on fundamental management and analytics concepts. 

 This is followed by a summer internship, during which students work on an industry project for seven to ten weeks.

The second year consists of three terms (IV, V, and VI), including required analytics courses, dissertation work, and electives. The dissertation spans all three terms, helping students explore their interests while developing research skills to address real-world challenges. This program is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing graduates to lead in data science and analytics.

Industry Workshops

IIM Kashipur’s industry workshops aim to connect MBA participants with current business practices through professional interactions. They bridge internship experiences to final placements and enable the application of classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.

• The curriculum for the second year of the MBA program will include three industry workshops each term, totalling nine workshops throughout the year. 
• Participation in these workshops is mandatory and contributes to the CGPA evaluation as part of the program’s requirements. 
• Each workshop will last for 12.5 hours, which is equivalent to ten classroom sessions.

Industry experts conduct workshops, including Mr. Abhishek Gupta, Satyam S. Sundaram from E&Y, Mr. Aditya Pujari from Infosys Ltd, Mr. Jayanta Kumar Pal from Zendrive Technologies, and Hemang Jauhari from Appari.

4. IIM Amritsar Masters of Business Administration in Business Analytics (MBA-BA)

The MBA Business Analytics program is a two-year residential program that aims to develop professionals who can use their analytical and managerial knowledge and skills to manage all functions and levels of businesses.

Program Structure

First Year Course

The MBA- BA program begins with a mandatory two-week preparatory course to boost students’ readiness. Following this, an orientation helps students acclimate to the IIM Amritsar environment, familiarising them with its learning style and available resources. 

First-year courses are compulsory and aim to provide foundational knowledge and analytical skills in various management areas. 

After the first year, students complete an eight—to ten-week summer internship. This internship allows them to apply what they’ve learned through practical organisational projects, which can lead to job offers.

Second Year Course

The second year includes core courses focused on data analytics alongside elective courses in Business Analytics, Marketing, Finance, Information Systems, Production, Business Strategy, Economics, and Communication. 

Additionally, this year, students must complete a compulsory Capstone Project guided by faculty.

5. IIM Calcutta: Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA) is a selective two-year full-time residential program offered by IIM Calcutta, ISI Kolkata, and IIT Kharagpur. According to QS World University Rankings, it is ranked third in Asia and 51st to 60th globally. The program provides rigorous statistics, machine learning, and management training, preparing students for roles as data scientists, business analysts, and consultants.

Students will attend three prominent institutions during the program: ISI, IIT Kharagpur, and IIM Calcutta. Each institute will concentrate on different aspects of business analytics based on its specialised strengths. 

IIM Calcutta will emphasise the use of analytics in various functional areas, while ISI will contribute its knowledge of statistical and machine learning theories relevant to analytics. 

Meanwhile, IIT Kharagpur will focus on the technological components of analytics.

The table below details the training hours for students at each institute.

Students must also complete a six-month internship working on an analytics project within a business organisation. 

Since the program is residential, each institute will provide appropriate accommodations for the students.

Career Prospects: Placement Opportunities for MBA Graduates in Business Analytics

As the demand for business analytics professionals grows, MBA graduates are highly sought after for their expertise in analysing data and providing insights. This overview highlights various placement opportunities, career paths, and key industries, helping graduates prepare for successful careers in this dynamic field.

Below is a comparison of the placement trends for various institutes offering MBA- BA programs in India. 

Placement Company Profiles: A Comparative Overview Across Five Institutes

MBA – BA Graduates: Salary Trends Across Various IIM’s 

Global Business Analytics Market – Projections for 2024 to 2030

The Business Analytics market is expected to expand globally from USD 84.36 billion in 2023 to USD 139.96 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 7.5%. This field involves analysing organisational data using statistical techniques, including data mining, visualisation, and predictive analytics. These tools help organisations derive insights from complex datasets. They are essential for query reporting, data warehousing, and performance evaluation, integrating concepts from information systems, deep learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). 

Graduates with an MBA in Business Analytics are trained to uncover hidden patterns and trends, personalise marketing efforts, optimise operations, and anticipate market changes. These trends indicate a robust market for them, enabling them to impact the industry long-term.