What is EMBA: Full Form, Top Colleges, Eligibility, Admission Process

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Komal

25 June, 2025

What is EMBA: Full Form, Top Colleges, Eligibility, Admission Process

Dear Reader! Are you climbing the corporate ladder faster than you imagined? Or feeling stuck while juggling deadlines, managing teams, and attending back-to-back meetings? If reaching the heights of success is your dream but a career break is not your cup of tea, EMBA could be your best move. The full form of EMBA is Executive Master of Business Administration. EMBA is an executive MBA programme that is especially designed for working professionals.

The best part about the EMBA programme is that you can pursue it without quitting your job. Consider this blog as your guide to some of the most crucial answers, such as — “What is EMBA”? Learn how the programme works, its curriculum, eligibility criteria and admission process. Explore the best EMBA colleges in India with their fee structure. So, shall we begin? Let’s get started.

What is an Executive MBA? Uncovering EMBA Full Form

The EMBA full form is an Executive Master of Business Administration, which is meant for working professionals. Like a regular MBA, an executive MBA degree follows a two-year curriculum. However, some institutes may offer you a one-year EMBA programme. Although the course targets mid-career and seasoned professionals with 10–15 years of working experience, you can apply for the course with a minimum of 3 years of full-time industry working experience.

Since the course is designed for professionals, the classes are generally conducted on weekends. Some institutes might organise sessions in the late evenings. Additionally, an executive MBA degree incorporates a blended learning model of online and offline sessions, depending on the college. It provides flexibility to learn at your convenience. To ensure maximum flexibility, executive MBAs are categorised into various segments. Keep scrolling to learn more about an EMBA programme.

Also Read: Executive MBA for Professional Success

Types of EMBA

There are three main types of executive MBA programmes. Types of EMBA are designed to cater to the needs of professionals with different commitments. You can choose any of them based on your preferences. Let’s explore:

Types of EMBA

  • 💯
    Full-time Executive MBA: Initially, it was generally an on-campus course of one to two years. Nowadays, most full-time EMBAs are available in hybrid mode to provide more flexibility to working professionals.
  • 💻
    Online Executive MBA: These programmes vary in duration. However, the curriculum of an online EMBA is primarily delivered virtually. Many institutions organise campus immersions, but they are optional. However, online executive MBAs from IIMs have mandatory on-campus modules.
  • 🔚
    Weekend EMBA: The programme has gained popularity in the past few years. It is more like a part-time EMBA, allowing you to attend lectures on weekends. It may also involve an online curriculum to learn at your pace on weekdays.

EMBA Curriculum: Here is the Breakdown

EMBA syllabus varies by institution, duration, and specialisation. While most colleges cover core subjects in the first year, some may allow you to choose specialisations. Here is a general executive MBA syllabus breakdown for the two-year programme. Take a look: 

EMBA Subjects for First Year

Semester 1Semester 2
Principles of ManagementMarketing Management
Accounting for ManagersFinancial Management
Business CommunicationHuman Resource Management
Managerial EconomicsResearch Methodology
Quantitative TechniquesBusiness Law
Organisational BehaviourOperations Management
Semester 3Semester 4
Strategic ManagementBusiness Ethics
International BusinessLeadership and Change Management
Entrepreneurship DevelopmentElective III
Project ManagementElective IV
Elective IElective V
Elective IICapstone Project

*Please note that the EMBA syllabus varies from institution to institution and for terms/semester approach.

How to Get Admission in EMBA?

The EMBA admissions follow different approaches, depending on the type of institution. For instance, EMBA IIM demands qualifying examination scores and PI rounds. On the other hand, various private institutions shortlist candidates based on personal interviews and group discussions. Thus, the EMBA eligibility and admission process is different for many colleges. Here is the minimum executive MBA eligibility and general admission process.

Admission Process

Admission to EMBA is mainly based on personal interview rounds for many colleges. However, some institutes such as IIMs may conduct entrance exams. Here is the most common executive MBA admission process. Once you make sure about your eligibility for your desired college, you can proceed with the following steps:

  • 🔹
    Visit the official website of your desired college.
  • 🔹
    Navigate for your desired EMBA with specialisation (if applicable).
  • 🔹
    Fill out the application form with personal, academic, and work experience.
  • 🔹
    Upload the scanned copy of documents for verification.
  • 🔹
    Pay the registration fee and wait for interview confirmation.
  • 🔹
    Upon application selection, you would be called for a personal interview.
  • 🔹
    If selected, you would be notified via email or SMS.
  • 🔹
    Make an online payment depending on the course fee structure to finish the enrollment process.
  • 🔹
    Receive your credentials (if available) or begin attending classrooms as per the schedules.

EMBA Eligibility Criteria: Who can apply?

Take a look at the general eligibility criteria for the executive MBA programme. It is applicable to most institutions. Here it goes:

  • ✔️
    Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised institute.
  • ✔️
    At least 2–5 years of mandatory full-time working experience, depending on the college.
  • ✔️
    EMBA at IIMs requires CAT/GMAT/GRE scores or specific EMBA IIM-based exam scores.
  • ✔️
    Although there is no EMBA age limit, some institutions may follow age-limit criteria, which may be between 24–27 years old.

Best EMBA Colleges in India: Explore the Course Fees

In India, many colleges offer full-time, hybrid, or online executive MBAs. Here are the best EMBA colleges in India to give a head start to your career. These are some esteemed and leading institutions across the nation and worldwide. Check out the list of top EMBA colleges in India along with their course fee and duration:

EMBA CollegesTotal Course FeesDuration
NMIMS CDOEINR 4,00,0002 Years (online mode)
SP Jain School of Global Management INR 15,36,000
INR 13,94,200 (if paid at one time)
18 Months
Symbiosis PuneINR 7,03,0002 Years
Great Lakes Institute of Management INR 12,35,460 (one-time payment)
INR 12,70,860 (two instalments)
INR 13,12,160 (four instalments)
20 Months
XIM UniversityINR 15,20,0001 Year

EMBA IIM: Top IIMs Offering an Executive MBA Programme

IIMs offer a blend of online and on-campus executed MBA programmes. The admission to an executed MBA is based on qualifying exams such as CAT/GMAT/GRE or specific IIM-based tests for executive MBAs. Here are the top IIMs to consider for an executive MBA degree.

EMBA IIMTotal Course FeesDuration
IIM AhmedabadINR 20,00,000 (Online MBA for Executives)2 Years
IIM Mumbai INR 15,00,000 (if paid annually)
INR 16,00,000 (if paid semester-wise)
2 Years
IIM UdaipurINR 14,20,8002 Years
IIM RanchiINR 12,50,0002 Years
IIM VisakhapatnamINR 11,90,0002 Years

*Please note that the fee may vary by year of admission or nationality.

Prospective Careers after EMBA: Job Options and Salary

An executive MBA is for progressing working professionals. This means you must be already thriving in your chosen career path. However, an EMBA can create possibilities for you in top managerial roles. Here are the job options that you could seek promotion for, depending on your career path with average salary prospects. Take a look:

Salary after EMBA

EMBA Career OptionsAverage Salary Range
Senior Sales ExecutiveINR 6.1 LPA – INR 13.2 LPA
Senior Marketing ExecutiveINR 9.1 LPA – INR 12 LPA
Corporate Vice PresidentINR 16 LPA – INR 70 LPA
Chief Financial OfficerINR 12 LPA – INR 75 LPA
General Manager OperationsINR 13.2 LPA – INR 36.2 LPA

Source: AmbitionBox

*Please note the salary mentioned above is for candidates with at least 10 years of experience.

EMBA Benefits: Your Gateway to Managerial Roles

Margaret Deland once said, “As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it.”

Here are the benefits of an EMBA programme. Explore them to know why an executive MBA could be a game-changer for career advancement.

EMBA Benefits: Your Gateway to Managerial Roles

  • 👉
    Competitive Edge in the Job Market: EMBA provides you with up-to-date knowledge as freshers. Thus, even after 10–15 years of working, you could have more powerful insights as per the latest industry demands than newbies.
  • 👉
    Skill Development: As a professional, you may have sufficient skills for your job. However, an EMBA emphasises enhancing your leadership, organisational, and social skills.
  • 👉
    Alignment with Company Goals: Executive MBAs are meant to help you advance in your existing roles. They provide you with a curriculum that corporates need to strengthen their business strategies.
  • 👉
    Networking Opportunities: Full-time EMBA offers you an immersive learning curriculum. You can connect with more cross-cultural and professional peers from different backgrounds. These connections could help you land the opportunities of your life in different industries.
  • 👉
    Promotional Opportunities: An executive MBA prepares you for high-level roles in your career hierarchy. In the same company, you could secure promotions. If you seek to switch jobs, you can land competitive and higher CTCs for senior-level roles.

Logging Out: From Larry Crowne to Leader

Remember Larry Crowne, a middle-aged employee who unexpectedly lost his job? Instead of pitying his situation, he hopped on his scooter, enrolled in a college, and rewrote his story. However, to do an executive MBA, you do not need a setback. All you need is ambition to become a leader and advance rapidly in your progressive career. Pursuing an executive MBA is not only about flexibility and education. For this, online MBAs are also available.

But, an EMBA is your gateway to leadership roles at top management levels. It opens your doors to job options that may not be in reach for many experienced professionals with the same 9-5 corporate routine. The course focuses on your leadership, social, and personal development. Enrolling in this course is the best decision for executives to live a thriving and growing career even after decades of working experience.

FAQs

Q1. Who is eligible for EMBA?

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks and at least 3 years of working experience are eligible for an EMBA programme.

Q2. What is the minimum requirement for EMBA?

Requirements for an EMBA vary by institution and programme curriculum. However, most colleges offer EMBA admissions to candidates with at least 3-year full-time working experience. Make sure you also have a passed bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% scores.

Q3. Is EMBA better than MBA?

EMBA is a better programme for working professionals who want to elevate their careers without leaving their jobs. MBA is a most ideal course for fresh graduates, seeking to advance their qualifications.

Q4. What are executive MBA fees?

Executive MBA fees range from INR 4,00,000 to INR 27,00,000. It varies by college and mode of education.

Q5. What is the duration of EMBA?

The typical full-time EMBA encompass a curriculum of two years. However, many institutions also offer shorter-duration executive MBAs, such as 12-month, 18-month, and 20-month EMBAs.

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Komal - Author

Komal Content writing / Copywriting

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Komal Rajoria is a content strategist and mental health professional with over four years of experience in digital content, blog writing, copywriting, and script development. At Learning Routes, she craft content that informs, inspires, and supports learners in making confident career decisions. With a background in psychotherapy, Komal brings empathy, clarity, and purpose to her writing. Her work blends storytelling with insight, helping readers connect not just with information, but with themselves. She is deeply passionate about education, mental wellness, and the power of words to create change. Whether she’s guiding professionals through online learning options or shaping brand voice with her editorial skills, Komal approaches each project with thoughtfulness and impact. She’s also an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and believes in writing with both heart and honesty.

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