Online MBA, Traditional MBA, and Distance MBA: Differences & Opportunities

Feature

Regular MBA

Distance MBA

Online MBA

Program delivery

Classes are offline with a fixed timetable and offline exams.

Usually, the students receive the course materials via post. However, the exams are offline.

All the critical features, like classes and exams, are entirely online.

Eligibility

Graduates from a recognized university in any discipline with a minimum score of 50 per cent or above can apply.

A good score in the entrance examination is mandatory for admission to Tier 1 and Tier 2 B-schools.

Graduation from a recognized university, with a good score in the MBA entrance exam, is mandatory.

The aspirants need 50% or more aggregate score in graduation from a recognized university.

Schedule of teaching

The classes, assignments and projects have a strict schedule, and attendance is mandatory. 

Offline exams have a fixed schedule. But you can choose the venue yourself. 

Offers extreme flexibility in attending classes, scheduling examinations and submitting projects and assignments.

Accessibility

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can access the course.

This type of MBA is most suitable for students who live in remote places without the advantage or access to online studying.

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria and has access to a personal computer and a network connection can access this course.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the regular MBA program includes both theoretical and practical classes.

For distance MBA, the curriculum is primarily dependent on course materials. 

The online MBA program also provides virtual or online theoretical and practical classes.

Duration of course

The duration of a regular MBA course is two years. There is no flexibility on offer in terms of the length of the program.

The period of the course is a minimum of two years, but there is an option to extend it up to five years.

The period of the course is two years, but the universities offer flexibility in terms of extending that further.

Specializations offered

The regular MBA courses offer its students the widest range of specializations. 

The specializations offered in the distance mode are often fewer than regular or online MBA programs.

The online MBA programs by recognized universities offer a plethora of specializations.

Assignments and projects

The students need to submit the assignments and projects within the given time in their college.

Students receive all their projects and assignments from the regional study center. They need to submit them to that center.

Students can obtain their projects and assignments online. The submission procedure is also online.

Exposure

Regular MBA has field, factory and industrial visits as an integral part of the curriculum. These provide ample exposure to the students.

MBA distance education does not provide any field work and is a bit restricted in terms of exposure.

In online MBA, universities provide exposure through interactive sessions with industry veterans and experts.

Admission Procedure

The admission procedure is a complicated one. It requires qualification in a state or national-level entrance examination. Interviews and group discussions are also a mandatory part of the procedure.

For admission, you require filling up the application form and pay the fees to complete the procedure.

Fees

The course fee for private universities ranges from INR 15 to INR 20 lakh. It is INR 3 lakh to INR 7 lakh in government universities.

Usually, the course fees do not go up to INR 1 lakh.

The course fees for an online MBA range from INR 2 lakh to INR 4 lakh.

Placement

There are placement procedures conducted at the end of each year of the academic calendar. Often, the top companies tied up with the programs hire the students passing out.

In the distance MBA program, there is no proper placement process. Hence, students will need to search for a job on their own.

The universities offer placement assistance. Some universities arrange placement drives.