Answered: Can I Do MBA after my BA History?

Are you a BA History graduate wondering, “Can I do an MBA after my BA History?” The answer to this question is Yes! You can. It is often a misconception that an MBA is made for people from a business or management background or other streams. However, the truth is that anyone can pursue an MBA after completing a BA in history. If you have a strong passion, the right skills, and drive, you can become the next successful leader in one of the top companies. Do you want to know how? Let us tell you all about it in this MBA after BA History blog.

Why Choose an MBA after BA in History?

Pursuing an MBA after a Bachelor of Arts in History can be a strategic move for you if you are looking to transition to business management or entrepreneurship. The critical thinking, research, and analytical skills you have learned during a BA in History are going to be resourceful for you.

Here are the top reasons why you should choose an MBA after BA History. And why you are a perfect fit for an MBA after a BA history:

1. Use Your Critical Thinking Superpowers

During your BA in History, you have developed strong critical thinking skills. You have learned to analyse events, understand complex contexts, and draw reasoned conclusions. These abilities are highly valued in business, where strategic thinking and problem-solving are essential. You can use your skills to excel in the world of business management and entrepreneurship.

2. Put Your Research Skills to Work in Business

History graduates are skilled researchers. Whether you have been digging through archives or sifting through various sources for your essays, you have a polished ability to gather and evaluate information. In an MBA programme, you would have the research skills useful for market analysis, business strategy, and decision-making processes. This is going to be your jam.

3. You Have the Right Analytical Skills

Through BA history you have gained the required analytical thinking which is another key strength for you. You have been trained to look at data, identify patterns, and make sense of complex information. You can now easily translate these skills well into the business world, where data-driven decisions are crucial. Your ability to break down complicated issues and find logical solutions would be a significant asset in your MBA studies and future career.

4. Communication Skills: Your Secret Weapon

One of the main reasons you fit for the MBA programme after BA History is your strong communication skills. All those years spent writing essays, presentations, and more will not be wasted on an MBA. Your ability to have clear and creative ideas will be appreciated and promoted in the MBA programme. You can enhance these communication skills more during the MBA programme.

5. Bridging the Gap Between Arts and Business

One of the most useful advantages of combining a BA in History with an MBA is the diverse perspective you bring to the table. The top Business schools value diversity because it has more space for creativity and innovation. Your background in BA History can offer fresh insights and approaches to business problems, setting you apart from your peers. You could be the next innovative mantra of the B school.

6. Preparing for Leadership Roles

One of the reasons to do an MBA after BA History is because it prepares you for leadership roles in areas like finance and marketing to operations and human resources. You can do it all through an MBA programme. You would also gain critical, analytical, and communication skills. The business school is all set and ready to prepare you for the top leading companies to lead teams and drive organisational success.

7. Exploring New Career Opportunities

An MBA is the golden ticket for you to change your career path entirely. An MBA programme can diversify your career options. You would be able to have broad career options in multiple industries and job roles.

Here is an example of the industries and job roles you can go forward with after an MBA:

8. Higher Salary Packages from Top Recruiters

An MBA after BA History does not only increase your chances of getting hired by some of the best leading companies, but it also provides you with higher salary packages. The average salary after an MBA is 4 LPA and if you develop the right skills and choose the right specialisations you can earn upto 22LPA.
Here is a closer look at the top recruiters that are looking for MBA graduates after BA History and their salary packages:

Source: Glassdoor

MBA Specialisations: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing the right MBA after BA History is one of the most important decisions that you would have to make. MBA has endless specialisation options. You get to pick the right one based on your interests, and aspirations. Choosing the right MBA specialisation is important as it will decide your career path ahead. Here is the list of some of the popular MBA specialisations you can pick from based on:

• Your Skills

• Your Career Aspiration

• Your Budget

• Your Location

Here is the list of the top diverse MBA specialisations in 2024 you can pick from:

Source: Which is the best MBA specialisation 2024

Are You Eligible?

Now that we have covered the essential part of why you can be the perfect match for an MBA after BA History, here is how you can find out if you are eligible or not to pursue an MBA after BA History:

1. You should have completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History from a recognised university.

2. To get better preferences, you should meet the minimum required percentage, which is around 50% to 55%, in your BA History.

3. Some universities may ask for work experience, usually from 01-03 years.

4. You should have scanned copies of your ID Card, Passport, Degree, and other essential documents required for admission handy.

Some universities require entrance exams, these entrance exams could be university level or national level, here are some of the entrance exams you can pass to be eligible for the top MBA programme business schools:

• Common Admission Test (CAT)

• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

• Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)

• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

• NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)

Steps to Apply for an MBA Programme

Here are the admission steps for you to quickly apply for an MBA after BA History.

Applying for an MBA involves these 11 easy steps:

1. Research Programmes: Explore MBA options.

2. Choose Universities: Select potential schools.

3. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet requirements.

4. Prepare for Exams: Study for entrance tests.

5. Sit for Exams: Take required tests.

6. Request Recommendations: Ask for references.

7. Craft Personal Statement: Write your statement.

8. Complete Applications: Fill out forms accurately.

9. Submit Documents: Send applications and papers.

10. Gather Documents: Collect necessary paperwork.

11. Track Progress: Follow up on your application.

Balancing Work Experience and MBA Studies

Doing an MBA after BA History has more than just how it looks on the surface. However, the greater plus point you would get while selecting your ideal business school is to work after your bachelor’s. If you work in a related field of research, content, analysis, marketing management, or human resource management, you would get a higher opportunity to get selected in the top B-schools in the city. Gaining work experience before pursuing an MBA can be beneficial. It allows you to apply practical knowledge to your studies and enhances your resume. Many MBA programmes value applicants with professional experience. Many universities prefer prior work experience before an MBA. Some of these universities are IIT, BITS Pilani, IIM, IMT, and others.

Skills Acquired in a BA History that Benefit MBA Studies

If  you’re planning to do an MBA after BA then you would need to have this set of skills handy. Note that some of these skills you might already have due to your degree in BA History:

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

We know that shifting careers, colleges, or specific subject domains could be challenging. When you are deciding on switching from a BA History to an MBA, you might face certain challenges, such as:

• Academic Shift: Moving from History to Business Analysis.

• Knowledge Gaps: Lacking basics in finance and marketing.

• Learning Style: Adapting to practical, case-based learning.

• Networking: Building a new professional network.

• Confidence: Adjusting to new business standards.

Here is a quick solution on how to overcome these challenges:

• Bridge knowledge gaps: Take introductory courses in business basics.

• Leverage transferable skills: Use your analytical and research skills in business contexts.

• Adapt learning styles: Engage in case studies and practical exercises.

• Build networks: Join business groups and attend networking events.

• Boost confidence: Seek mentorship and stay updated with industry trends.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Benefits for MBA Students After BA History

Doing an MBA after a BA could be challenging with a tight budget. But worry not; there are different financial aids and scholarships available:

Pursuing an MBA can be costly, but financial aid and scholarships can help:

• Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded for academic excellence.

• Need-Based Scholarships: For students with financial constraints.

• Corporate Sponsorships: Offered by companies for employee education.

• Government Scholarships: Support higher education for disadvantaged students.

• University-Specific Scholarships: Offered to attract talented students.

Scholarships for MBA after BA History

Here are the top universities, institutions, and private organisations that provide scholarships for MBA after BA History:

1. BML Munjal University MBA Scholarship

2. T. Thomas Scholarship (IIM Ahmedabad)

3. IIM Bangalore MBA Scholarships

4. ONGC Scholarship

5. IMT EWS Scholarships

6. IIM Lucknow MBA Scholarship

7. IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship

8. IIM Ahmedabad MBA Scholarships

9. Aditya Birla Group Scholarship

10. IIMA Special Needs Scholarship (IIM Ahmedabad)

11. Scholarship for SC/ST candidates (IIM Ahmedabad)

12. OP Jindal Engineering and Management Scholarships (OPJEMS)

13. Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities)

14. TATA Scholarship

15. NHFDC Scholarship

16. Ratan Tata Scholarship

17. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship

Impact of an MBA after BA History: The Good Books

An MBA can significantly impact career growth by positively growing you in many areas including career, soft skills, hard skills and better job roles. Here is how an MBA after a BA History can take your career to sky high:

1. Enhancing Employability: Making you a more attractive candidate for various roles.

2. Providing Leadership Opportunities: Equipping you with skills to take on leadership roles.

3. Facilitating Career Switches: Enabling transitions into different industries.

Salary and Job Roles after MBA

If you’re still wondering where an MBA after a BA History can take you then let us tell you some of the famous job roles you can get along with their fees (in INR):

Logging Out

Pursuing an MBA after a BA in History can open doors to numerous career opportunities, higher salaries, and personal growth. If you are passionate about business and management, this path could be highly rewarding. Embrace the challenge and take the first step towards a successful career in business administration. You would get over 16-18 specialisation options along with scholarships, fee waivers and more. You are made to transition easily, and an MBA would make sure it would polish your skills at top speed to keep up with the job market.

What are you waiting for? Get your notebook and start researching which college best suits you. Let’s go!

FAQs

Q1. What can I study after BA History?

You can study different subjects after completing BA History including MBA, MA History, MA Political Science, MA Psychology and more.

Q2. Can I do MBA after MA History?

Yes, you can. If you have 50-55% aggregate in your last recognised graduation degree then you are mostly eligible for the MBA courses. You might have to pass the university level of the national entrance test for an MBA as well.

Q3. Is MBA difficult for BA History students?

No, An MBA after BA History is not difficult. You have developed some of the skills in History which is further required in an MBA including research, analysis, report writing and problem-solving.