ICFAI Business School – [IBS], Bangalore Admission Process

ICFAI Business School (IBS) Admission process

How to Apply for PGPM/ MBA?

Program Highlight

The two year MBA Program of IBS is designed to give graduates exposure to management skills needed for the creation of specialists who can integrate across functional areas in a dynamic organisation.

The Program provides a broad perspective of all areas of management. The courses offered in the program are practice oriented with emphasis placed on application of principles, tools and concepts to meet challenges and problems faced in today’s organisations.

Curriculum Highlights

Students are exposed to the latest body of knowledge through the contemporary, market-oriented curriculum. Students receive regular classroom instructions, which help them to learn and internalise their understanding of subjects. 

Learning is based on cases. Most of the courses are thought through real life cases, designed to help students appreciate real life situations.

Summer Internship Program (SIP) is an integral part of the curriculum with close supervision from the faculty

Purchasing application forms at any of the marketing offices

IBS Information Offices Near You

IBSAT bulletin is available at our marketing offices. You may locate your nearest branch by clicking the above link and purchase the Bulletin by paying the requisite application fee in cash.

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Eligibility

2 year Management Program (MBA/PGPM):

Graduation (any discipline) with 50% and above marks with medium of instruction as English.

All applicants should have completed a minimum of 15 years of education (on 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 basis). 

Candidates not meeting the eligibility criteria of English medium in graduation have to submit the TOEFL/ NELT/ IELTS score by May 31, 2025.

Applicants in their final year bachelor’s degree course are also eligible to apply, provided they complete their graduation requirements (including practical examinations / viva / assignments) before May 31, 2025. The admission will remain provisional until they produce marks sheets and degree certificates establishing their eligibility. The last date for submission of proof of graduation is November 01, 2025.

Eligibility criteria checked from August 2025 onwards. Hence, the onus of ensuring that they satisfy the eligibility criteria rests solely with the candidates.

Selection Process

The Selection Process for admission to the MBA/PGPM programme at our 9 IBS campuses in February 2025 will consist of two components: Micro-Presentation and Personal Interview, each carrying a weightage of 25 marks.

As part of the Personal Interview, each candidate will be interviewed for 5-7 minutes. The Interview Panel will focus on assessing the attitude and aspirations of the candidates, besides evaluating their General Knowledge, communication skills, clarity of thought and expression, as well as aptitude for a career in management.

The Micro-Presentation component aims to provide a focused assessment of a candidate’s communication and presentation skills, along with their ability to think and organize thoughts quickly.

Micro-Presentation Overview

Process:

1. Candidates will select a number between 1 and 100. Each number corresponds to a pre-assigned topic.
2. Upon selecting a number, the candidate is provided with the corresponding topic.
3. They will have 1 minute to prepare and then deliver a 3-minute presentation.

Flexibility:

• If a candidate finds the first topic difficult, they may request a second topic by selecting another number between 1 and 100.
• Candidates may choose between one of the two topics but will not be given additional chances.
• The topics are randomised after each selection. Even if a subsequent candidate chooses the same number, they will receive a different topic.

Key Features of the Micro-Presentation

• The Micro-Presentation is an individual exercise, unlike a Group Discussion. Only the presenting candidate will speak, with no interaction or discussion among participants. Candidates will not be posed any questions during or after the presentation.
• Each candidate presents his/her topic before a batch of 9-11 fellow candidates and 2 Panel Members.

Evaluation Parameters

The Selection Panel will assess candidates based on their ability to:

• Think quickly and organize thoughts effectively.
• Present information clearly and concisely within the 3-minute time limit.
• Demonstrate the following qualities:
  • Communication skills
  • Logical reasoning
  • Relevance to the topic
  • Body language
  • Confidence

Guidance for Candidates

Candidates may be advised to:

1. Quickly jot down key points or an outline during the 1-minute preparation time to structure their thoughts.
2. Focus on delivering the most critical and relevant information clearly and succinctly.
3. Practice speaking at a steady pace to fit within the 3-minute limit.
4. Maintain confidence, clarity, and appropriate body language throughout the presentation.

This new format is designed to provide a more effective evaluation of essential skills while ensuring a fair and consistent selection process.

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Ph.D Program (Full time / Part time)

Full-time Ph.D Program

Ph.D Program is aimed at producing high quality researchers and teachers. The Ph.D Program is systematic, meticulous and interdisciplinary with a blend of content, pedagogy and research. The program has four phases, namely, Coursework, Qualifying Examination, Preparation of Thesis Proposal and Thesis Work & Submission of Thesis.

We offer Full-time programs in:

• Ph.D in Management with specialisations in Marketing, Finance, Operations and HR

The Full-time Ph.D Program are of four years duration. Each academic year comprises two semesters: Semester I and Semester II, each of 6 months duration. During the First year, the students have to go through course work, along with associateship. Immediately following the coursework, the students undertake a Summer Research Project. Towards the end of first year, the students have to appear for the Ph.D Qualifying Examination. After successful completion of the Ph.D qualifying examination, a Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) is formed and students have to develop their theses proposals and demonstrate their progress by giving research seminars (at least one per semester). By the beginning of Third year, students are required to defend their theses proposals. In the Fourth year, students have to complete the Ph.D thesis work and submit for evaluation.

Part-time Ph.D Program

The Part-time Ph.D Program in Management is designed for practicing corporate executives, faculty members and research scholars who aspire to become thought leaders in the domain of academic research. The Part-time Ph.D Program works in an almost similar manner as the Full-time Ph.D Program. However, the course work is completed over a period of two years and the students have to visit the campus and attend the classes once in a quarter for 9 days. The processes related to Ph.D Qualifying Examination, DAC formation, Progress seminars, Thesis Proposal submission and Thesis submission are the same as the Full-time Ph.D Program.

The Ph.D Program is rigorous and interdisciplinary. It is regularly updated, benchmarking the academic delivery against the best standards. The intensity of the program demands energy and zeal in pursuit of greater insight into the chosen topic and a willingness to master all essential components of academic research. The program has four phases, namely, Coursework, Qualifying Examination, Preparation of Thesis Proposal and Thesis Work & Submission of Thesis.

PhD Program in Management (Full-time/For working Executives) :

• Graduation (any discipline) with 50% and above marks with medium of instruction as English and
• Post Graduation in Management (full time with specialisation in Marketing/ Finance/ Human Resource Management/ Operations from an UGC approved University) with 55% and above marks or
• Post-graduation (full-time) in Economics, Commerce, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration,Statistics, and Mathematics or in an allied discipline from a UGC recognised University in India or abroad with 55% and above marks. Candidates who are offered admission are required to undertake the first year MBA courses as a prerequisite to continue in the PhD Program.
• A Professional qualification like CFA/ CA/ CWA/ CS with 55% and above marks.

Ph.D Program in Management (Full time/ Part time):

• UGC NET Qualified in Management Discipline
• Graduation (any discipline) with 50% and above marks with medium of instruction as English and
• Post-graduation in Management ( full time with specialisation in Marketing/ Finance/ Human Resource Management/ Operations from an UGC approved University) with 55% and above marks or
• A professional qualification like CFA/ CA/ CWA/ CS with 55% and above marks.
• All applicants should have completed a minimum of 17 years of education (on 10+2+3+2 or 10+2+4+2 basis).

Eligibility criteria will be checked from August, 2024 onwards. Hence, the onus of ensuring that they satisfy the eligibility criteria rests solely with the candidates.

Important Date

Ph.D Program Selection Process

The admission decision is based on the overall performance of the candidate in the selection process. A composite score is computed for each candidate based on his/her performance in the Aptitude Test in Research Methods, Micro Presentation Technical cum Personal Interview.

IBSAT 2024

IBSAT is a proctored online aptitude test conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad (a deemed-to-be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956)

IBSAT is a remote proctored computer-based test (CBT) consisting of multiple-choice questions. The test duration is 2 hours, and it aims to assess the applicant’s abilities in quantitative techniques, data interpretation, data adequacy, vocabulary, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension.

Candidates with CAT/NMAT by GMAC™/XAT/GMAT™ scores exempted from writing IBSAT 2024 Test.

Valid CAT/NMAT by GMAC™/XAT/GMAT™ scores from 2022 onwards are also accepted in place of IBSAT 2024 Test score

The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) – Deemed-to-be University, Hyderabad Main Campus and Bangalore Off-Campus, along with The ICFAI University, Dehradun, The ICFAI University, Jaipur, and The ICFAI Foundation, accept scores from IBSAT 2024 and alternatively the scores of CAT/NMAT by GMAC™/XAT/GMAT™ (from 2022 onwards) for admission to the following programs:

• MBA program offered by IBS Hyderabad, IBS Bangalore, IBS Dehradun and IBS Jaipur.
• PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management) program offered by IBS Ahmedabad, IBS Gurgaon, IBS Kolkata, IBS Mumbai and IBS Pune

Selection Process

The Candidates who have qualified on the basis on IBSAT / GMAT^TM / CAT / NMAT by GMAC^TM / XAT score are called for the selection process From 15th to 24th February 2025 at IBS Hyderabad. The final selection is based on performance in Micro Presentation, Personal Interview and the past academic performance (performance in ClassX, ClassXII and graduation).

Admission decision

The final selection is based on past academic record and performance of the candidates in Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

IBS Admission Process

Candidates who qualify on the basis of IBSAT/ GMAT^TM/ CAT/XAT/ NMAT by GMAC^TM will be called for Selection process From 15th to 24th February 2025 at IBS Hyderabad. The final selection is based on performance in Micro presentation, Personal Interview and the past academic record

Last Date to Apply: 3^rd week of December 2024

Exam Accepted and Cut offs

ICFAI Business School (IBS) Admission Calendar

Admissions Open