6 Types of MBAs: Choosing the Best Degree for Your Graduate Business Education

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate business and management degree. You can customise your education to suit your goals best, choosing from six main ways to study your MBA: full-time, part-time, online, hybrid, global, and executive.

The demand for MBA graduates in India remains strong, with a 71 percent employment rate for graduates in 2024, up from 47 percent in 2021 [1]. Once you've earned your degree, you can explore many career options. For example, you might specialise in marketing, finance, operations management, or healthcare, honing your knowledge in one of these areas and developing greater leadership, critical thinking, and analytical skills. 

Review the difference between each type of MBA, discover the common specialisations you can choose in an MBA programme, and explore how to determine the best type for you. 

6 Types of MBA programmes

If you've gained several years of professional experience and you’re interested in advancing your knowledge about business, management, and leadership, earning your MBA may be a rewarding choice. While other types of postgraduate business degrees exist, such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), an MBA is the long-running graduate business degree with a solid academic reputation.

MBA programmes aim to elevate workforce experience with advanced subject knowledge and skills development. The type of MBA programme you choose depends on your career goals, the amount of experience you have, and the time you dedicate to your degree. Review the differences below. 

1. Full-time MBA

You’ll find two main types of full-time MBAs: one-year and two-year programmes. No matter which one you choose, you’ll attend class full-time and likely not hold a job whilst you’re in school so you can concentrate on your studies. 

• Two-year MBAs: These programmes provide a more comprehensive education that’s well suited if you’re looking to advance your business knowledge, select an area to concentrate on, and possibly complete an internship near the end of your schooling. 

• One-year MBAs: These programmes offer an accelerated timeline that lets you graduate in less time. They tend to be useful for those with more professional experience who hold a bachelor’s in business and have completed certain prerequisite courses. 

2. Part-time MBA

A part-time MBA is a traditional degree that doesn’t require you to stop working. It’s usually a more flexible programme geared towards professionals with other commitments who want to advance their business education. A part-time MBA can last anywhere from two to four years. 

You’ll likely find two main types of part-time MBAs: In-person classes that you can access on the weekend or evening or an online version where you can access material and work at your own pace. 

3. Online MBA

As with a part-time MBA, an online MBA also offers greater flexibility. It doesn’t require relocating; you can complete classes on your computer. Both factors often mean that you can continue working while completing your degree. 

Moreover, you don’t have to sacrifice interaction with an online MBA. Many programmes facilitate virtual networking, peer-to-peer engagement, and more. Online MBAs can also be more affordable than in-person MBAs. 

4. Hybrid MBA

A hybrid MBA is a programme that allows you to take a combination of online and in-person classes. Hybrid MBAs are not available at every business school. Still, they can be a strong option for students who want the benefits of an in-person education with the flexibility of learning online. 

5. Global MBA

Business is increasingly a global undertaking. A global MBA programme focuses more on international business management and global business practices. You can expect to view business issues and gain knowledge through an international lens. 

Enrolling in a global MBA can lead to increased networking opportunities and more chances to share and exchange knowledge with people worldwide, which can help you build your professional relationships and extend your potential reach as a global business professional.

6. Executive MBA

Executive MBA (EMBA) programmes are geared towards professionals with at least three years of experience or more, depending on where you study. They aim to help you elevate your business career, often to the executive level, by building on what you already know. EMBAs also allow you to continue working whilst earning your degree. 

EMBA programmes largely operate on part-time schedules, such as weekend classes, sometimes online, allowing you to earn your degree faster than traditional part-time MBA programmes. 

What are MBA specialisations?

You can develop a broad knowledge base and strong skills through a general full-form MBA programme. However, if you have specific career goals, consider specialising in some business area. Popular specialisations include: 

• General management: You can choose the general management option if you prefer not to specialise in a specific area. This allows you to implement what you’ve learnt into any sector. 

• Marketing: This option allows you to gain marketing knowledge on subjects such as brand management, digital marketing, and business intelligence. 

• Finance: Specialising in finance will help broaden your knowledge base in vital areas. You can expect to study various finance-related areas, including financial analysis, corporate finance, and investment banking.

• Entrepreneurship: Specialising in entrepreneurship helps prepare you with the leadership and decision-making skills neededto create your own business. You can expect to study subjects like resource procurement, lead generation, and financing.

• Business intelligence: Specialising in business intelligence can help you hone the necessary skills to work with complex data. This concentration typically covers data modelling, visualisation, and analysis.

• Human resources: Specialising in human resources can help you work with people and lead HR teams. You can expect to learn about subjects like performance appraisals, employment law, compensation theories, operational management, and human resources analytics. 

• Hospital and health: Healthcare increasingly needs savvy business minds to operate. With this specialisation, you can expect to learn about governmental regulations, market competition, and organisational restructuring, which help prepare you for roles as a healthcare policy analyst, medical services manager, or hospital administrator.

How to choose the best MBA programme for you

Deciding which MBA programme is best for you will likely depend on your career goals, resources, and professional experience. Read on to learn about the major factors worth considering as you determine the best MBA programme for you. 

1. Assess your career goals.

Your career goals should be at the forefront of your decision-making process because they will help guide your education. Will you learn what you need to in a traditional MBA, or will a global programme be more beneficial? Do you need to concentrate on an area of business, or will a more general business focus suffice? Consider your reasons for pursuing an MBA first and the career outcomes you’d like to achieve once you have the degree. 

Additionally, consider whether you’d like to—or need to—continue working while earning your MBA. That may help you choose. For example, if you want to work full-time, getting your MBA degree online or choosing a part-time programme may be the better option. 

2. Review the cost.

Tuition costs for highly rated MBA degree programmes can range from ₹2,00,000 to ₹20,00,000, with some private institutions charging even more [2]. Many other factors will impact the total cost of your education, including whether you need on-campus housing, enroll full- or part-time, and attend a public or private institution. 

Although MBA programmes can be expensive, MBA graduates typically earn higher salaries, which may offset the cost of your degree over time. For example, according to Indeed, the average annual salary for an MBA graduate is between ₹6,00,000 and ₹23,00,000 [3]. Additionally, if you can attend part-time and continue working, you may owe less for your degree overall. 

3. Review the admission requirements.

Admission requirements vary among different universities and types of MBA degrees. Most MBA courses require a bachelor’s degree with a 50 percent pass mark. Universities and private institutions may ask you to sit for an entrance exam. The exam you sit will depend on where you choose to study. 

Depending on the type of MBA you apply for, admissions expect you to have a certain level of experience. Executive MBAs tend to ask for high experience, as this is an executive-level course. 

4. Consider the location and resources. 

Are you willing to relocate to attend university? This can be a key question when comparing MBA degree programmes. You won't need to relocate if you’re considering an online MBA. Instead, you'll be part of an alumni network that's dispersed not only across the country but also around the world. 

Business schools often have career resources to help graduates network and secure employment. Networking is a big part of the MBA experience. Take time to learn about each school's resources and how you can take advantage of those services. 

5. Reflect on each school’s reputation.

Attending a top-ranked MBA programme at a prestigious school can give you some advantages, though the degree and what you learn are ultimately important. Spend time reviewing each school’s accreditation and considering its reputation. If possible, speak with alumni about their experience and check out each university's graduate placement report to see where students work after finishing their degree. 

6. Review specialisations and courses.

Not every specialisation is available at every university. If you’re interested in a specific specialisation, create a shortlist of providers that offer it. Review the required and elective courses you’ll take and ensure they align with the education you hope to receive by embarking on a graduate degree. 

Next steps with Coursera

An MBA is a popular postgraduate course if you’re looking to upgrade your business skills. Whether you are looking for full-time study or something more flexible, you’ll find an MBA option. If you already have an established career, check out the online Executive MBA programme at IIT Roorkee. Take online classes from anywhere with an internet connection with students worldwide.