How many types of MBA courses

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Komal

08 May, 2025

How many types of MBA courses

Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life”. In a world full of expectations and ever-changing career trends, it is easy to follow the crowd. However, the real win lies in choosing an MBA that aligns with your unique journey. Whether you are a fresh graduate, a working professional, or a homemaker seeking to upgrade your qualifications, there is an MBA designed just for you.

From full-time and part-time to executive and online, people often wonder, “How many types of MBA courses are there?”. Consider this blog as your answer to this all-time trending question. Discover the different types of MBA courses. Learn about their durations, benefits, shortcomings, and more. The blog also uncovers the top colleges for various types of MBA courses and their fees. So, let’s get into it.

Types of MBA Programmes: Know Your Ideal Fit

Check out the different types of MBA courses in India and across the globe. Scroll further to gain a deeper understanding of various types of MBA courses thoroughly.

MBA Course TypesDescription
Full-Time/Regular MBAUsually a two-year course offered in in-person mode on campus.
Online MBAFlexible MBA offering live scheduled lectures as a regular course without attending campus.
Distance MBASelf-paced learning course with minimal interaction with faculty.
Part-Time MBAClasses are organised on weekends or evenings.
Hybrid MBAA blend of online and on-campus learning.
Executive MBASpecially designed MBA course for working professionals.
Integrated MBA5-year course combining an undergraduate degree with an MBA.

7 Types of MBA Courses: Exploring the Path to Fast-track Your Career

To all those wondering, “How many types of MBA courses are there?”, it should be noted that approximately 7 different types of MBA courses are available worldwide. Here are the seven types of MBA courses offered in India and globally. Explore in detail to learn about your ideal MBA type. Check out:

1. Full-Time/Regular MBA

The most common type of MBA course in India is a regular MBA. This two-year full-time on-campus programme is ideal for individuals seeking an immersive learning experience. Depending on the university, the MBA course offers you a variety of specialisations or electives. This type of MBA course requires you to attend classes on campus regularly. It is the ideal MBA type among fresh graduates seeking an interactive and in-person learning experience.


  • Pros: Face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Fixed schedules; require physical attendance commitment.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks in any discipline.

Top Colleges:

Full-Time/Regular MBA CollegesDurationFull-Time/Regular MBA Fees
XLRI Jamshedpur18 MonthsINR 24,20,000
IIM Ahmedabad2 YearsINR 26,50,000 (Indian Nationals)
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), New Delhi2 YearsINR 2,29,400

2. Online MBA

After a regular MBA, an online MBA is the most popular MBA type among students. The course is also ideal for working professionals. It is a replica of a regular MBA, just in a virtual mode. NAAC-accredited universities offer UGC-approved online MBA courses, making it widely recognised and accepted. As one of the most popular types of MBA courses, it is a more affordable MBA type than a full-time on-campus MBA. You get flexible learning schedules, cost-effective curriculum, and convenient learning.


  • Pros: Flexible, self-paced, and affordable learning.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Less faculty interaction and requires a stable internet connection.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks in any discipline.

Top Colleges:

Online MBA CollegesDurationOnline MBA Fees
Jain University Online2 YearsINR 1,96,000 – INR 3,88,000
(varies by specialisations)
Symbiosis SODL2 YearsINR 3,15,000
DY Patil Vidyapeeth Centre for Online Learning2 YearsINR 1,89,400

3. Distance MBA

The Distance MBA is a 2-year correspondence program designed for students and working professionals who want to study remotely at their own pace. While some universities offer optional campus immersion sessions, most let you learn uninterrupted from anywhere. Unlike online MBAs that typically conduct proctored virtual exams, many distance MBA programs—like IGNOU—still hold offline exams, providing a mix of flexibility and academic rigour.


  • Pros: Flexible learning options and occasional campus immersions for better engagement.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Demands high self-discipline and time management skills.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Graduation with at least 50% marks from a recognised university.

Top Colleges:

Distance MBA CollegesDurationDistance MBA Fees
Lovely Professional University Distance Education2 YearsINR 66,000 (semester-wise)
INR 62,000 (year-wise)
INR 58,000 (lump sum)
IGNOU2 YearsINR 64,000
Bharati Vidyapeeth Distance Education2–4 YearsINR 86,000

4. Part-Time MBA

Institutions offering part-time MBA types organise lectures outside business hours. This two-to-three-year MBA type offers an immersive learning experience like a regular MBA. However, in this type, the lectures are conducted on weekends or in evening classes. Many universities offer a part-time MBA for individuals with professional working experience only. It may be challenging for individuals to manage office hours and learning schedules.


  • Pros: Allows work-life balance and provides immersive classroom learning.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Tight schedule and limited access to full-time campus resources.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks in any discipline.

Top Colleges:

Part-Time MBA CollegesDurationPart-Time MBA Fees
Pondicherry University3 YearsN/A
NMIMS Mumbai2 YearsN/A
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies3 YearsN/A

5. Hybrid MBA

This type of MBA offers you a blended learning model. A hybrid MBA is a combination of online and on-campus learning. Depending on the institutions, the learning frequency of campus immersions differs. Hybrid MBA courses are generally offered to working professionals. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) MBA programmes for working executives are the most popular hybrid MBA courses in India. This is one of the most in-demand types of MBA courses among working professionals. Their duration generally varies from 11 months to 24 months.


  • Pros: Offers both immersive and flexible online learning.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Require time investment commitments for on-campus modules.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks.

Top Colleges:

Hybrid MBA CollegesDurationHybrid MBA Fees
IIM Ahmedabad2 YearsINR 20,00,000
Pune Institute of Business Management2 YearsINR 2,50,000 – INR 3,00,000
IIM Nagpur2 YearsN/A

6. Executive MBA

EMBA or executive MBA programmes are specially curated courses for working professionals. Executive MBA duration varies from 11 months to 24 months. This type of MBA course generally follows a blended (hybrid) learning format. However, some institutions may offer an online executive MBA for flexible and self-paced learning with fewer or no on-campus modules. EMBAs generally require a minimum of 3 years of full-time working experience.


  • Pros: Allow professionals to learn and earn simultaneously.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Demands high motivation and determination to manage office hours and learning.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Graduation with at least 50% marks + minimum 3 years of industry working experience.

Top Colleges:

Executive MBA CollegesDurationExecutive MBA Fees
IIM Mumbai1 YearINR 15,00,000 (lump sum)
INR 16,00,000 (module-wise)
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies2 YearsINR 5,90,000
DY Patil Online11 MonthsINR 1,50,000

7. Integrated MBA

This is a unique MBA course type that includes both an undergraduate degree with an MBA programme. An integrated MBA is mostly offered through a regular full-time learning mode. However, some universities have launched their online integrated MBA programmes. The integrated MBA course duration generally ranges from 4 years to 5 years. Depending on your choices, you could pursue an integrated MBA with a BBA, BCom, or BCA.


  • Pros: Combined UG and PG degree.
  • 🔴
    Cons: Fewer UG courses available for integration with MBA.
  • 📊
    Minimum Eligibility: Passed 10+2 from a recognised board.

Top Colleges:

Integrated MBA CollegesDurationIntegrated MBA Fees
Lovely Professional University (LPU)4 YearsINR 4,80,000
Manipal University Jaipur5 YearsINR 2,35,000
MIT World Peace University, Pune5 YearsINR 16,25,000

10 Popular MBA Course Specialisations: Fuel Your Career with the Right Expertise

Here are the most in-demand MBA specialisations among employers that you could consider for any type of MBA course. Take a swift look:

10 Popular MBA Course Specialisations: Fuel Your Career with the Right Expertise


  • MBA in Finance

  • MBA in Marketing Management

  • MBA in International Business

  • MBA in Operations Management

  • MBA in Business Analytics

  • MBA in FinTech

  • MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

  • MBA in Human Resource Management

  • MBA in Data Analytics

  • MBA in Information Technology

Logging Out

Now that you have come this far, you may have observed that we have discussed seven types of MBA courses. Depending on your personal and professional preferences, there is a suitable MBA type available to enroll in. Despite regular, online, distance, executive, part-time, hybrid, and integrated, you may hear about a global MBA that focuses on international business management aspects. Often misinterpreted as a type of MBA, this is a course that could be available offline as well as online. Make sure to analyse your career goals, personal and work commitments to select your most suitable type of MBA course.

FAQs

Q1. Which type of MBA is best?

The best MBA type depends on your requirements and preferences according to your future career goals. If you are seeking a more immersive campus experience, a regular MBA is the best. However, for working professionals, an online or distance MBA is a more ideal option.

Q2. How many MBA types are there?

There are approximately seven main types of MBA courses available worldwide, each catering to different learning preferences and professional goals.

There are mainly five types of MBA:

  • ✔️
    Regular or Full-time MBA
  • ✔️
    Part-time MBA
  • ✔️
    Distance MBA
  • ✔️
    Online MBA
  • ✔️
    Executive MBA

The hybrid MBA and Global MBA are other categories based on blended learning models.

Q3. Which MBA has most demand?


  • MBA in Finance

  • MBA in Business Analytics

  • MBA in Marketing Management

  • MBA in Human Resource Management

  • MBA in Operations Management

  • MBA in Information Technology

These are some of the highly in-demand MBA courses.

Q4. How many types of MBA courses are there in India?

In India, there are mainly 5 popular MBA types: Regular MBA, Online MBA, Distance MBA, Part-time MBA, and Executive MBA. Fresh graduates and professionals pursue any one of them that fits their career or personal requirements.

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