Hello Om,

With time, integrated MBA is gaining popularity in India. However, you need to understand the purpose of doing an MBA. You cannot choose between the two if you are not clear with that.

If you do not want to face the hassles of appearing for exams like CAT, XAT, IIFT, etc. after your graduation in order to pursue your post graduation, an integrated MBA is the better option. But along with that benefit, you will lose out on a few aspects.

I will state the advantages and disadvantages as well that would help you to choose wisely.

ADVANTAGES of integrated MBA:

1. You save time only if you have aimed to an integrated BTECH+MBA. This factor is not applicable if you have chosen to do BBA/BBS+MBA. That would anyway be a 5-year course.

2. No hassles of appearing for MBA entrance exams and along with that you have saved yourself from the dreaded procedure of GD, PI and WAT and the anticipation of crossing all these uncertainties

3. You would not need work experience. So in case you are not keen to have an industry experience after your graduation, integrated MBA can be your call.

DISADVANTAGES of integrated MBA:

1. Not many colleges in India offer an integrated MBA course. As far as my knowledge goes, few top-ranked institutes like NMIMS, IIT-KGP, IIT-Mumbai and BITS Pilani offer this course. Other than that, you won't find any top institute in the list. So you lose out a big chance to secure admission in many other B-schools in India like the prestigious IIMs, MDI, FMS, SP JAIN, JBIMS, etc.

2. Biggest disadvantage. DUAL DEGREE. You won't be given a separate MBA/PGDM degree. So in case, you get a thought of studying further and that too outside India, they would not be considering your MBA degree at all because you won't be getting one! Even for jobs that would have the basic shortlisting criteria as an MBA pass-out, won't be considering you or in other words, your dual degree.

3. Your choice of stream selection will be limited and so will be your number of subjects. While some people may take it as an advantage, but people who have completed their MBA degrees from top B-schools won't be having the same suggestion for you. You lose out a fair chance of studying some very interesting subjects that would be available for the usual MBA students.

All in all, if you need a piece of advice, I would always prefer a normal BBA degree followed by an MBA degree instead of an integrated MBA. Rest, you need to think twice before making a decision. All the best!