The following blog outlines the nature of MBA courses, specializations, the top universities for MBA in Dubai, and the benefits of studying MBA in Dubai for Indian students. Let us start by understanding the basic points and terms used in MBA.
Basics of MBA
First, let us get a basic understanding of the specializations and types of MBAs. Master of Business Administration is a course designed with core subjects like finance, microeconomics, strategic and operations management marketing and ethics to develop the student’s comprehensive skills, business sense, and interdisciplinary knowledge
There are multiple interdisciplinary specializations that can be studied for an MBA. Some of the most frequently studied courses, and the ones in high demand are listed in the table below.
| Specialization | Topics under Study |
| Finance | Investments, Financial Markets, Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling |
| Business Analytics & Big Data | Data analysis, fundamentals of Business, Data visualization, Strategic thinking |
| Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning | AI strategy, Business Analytics, Advanced ML, Big Data Management |
| Marketing | Consumer Behavior, Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, Digital Marketing |
| Human Resources Management | Talent Management, Compensation and Benefits, Organizational Development |
| Information Technology Management | IT Strategy, Business Analytics, Digital Transformation |
| Operations Management | Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Quality Management |
| Entrepreneurship | New Venture Creation, Innovation Management, Entrepreneurial Finance |
| International Business | Global Strategy, Cross-Cultural Management, International Marketing |
| Healthcare Management | Healthcare Economics, Healthcare Policy, Healthcare Operations |
| Consulting | Strategy Consulting, Management Consulting, Business Analysis |
| Rural and Agri-Business | Agricultural economics, Agribusiness, Sustainable agriculture, risk management, technology |
| Sustainability and Environmental Management | Sustainable Business Practices, Corporate Environmental Strategy, Green Supply Chain Management |
The course structure of an MBA involves core subjects that cover finance, analysis, strategic thinking, and planning. Apart from the core subjects and specializations mentioned in the table above the MBA course also includes Interdisciplinary subjects, electives, and hands-on training.
Before enrolling for an MBA course, a quick look at the type of degree provides clarity. MBA degrees can be classified into three divisions based on the time, duration, commitment to the course, and experience.
- Full-time MBA: Takes around a year or two, and is beneficial for students new to the field, and can attend classes regularly
- Part-Time MBA: Usually lasts for two to five years and is suitable for working professionals seeking advancement in their career paths. Classes are more flexible to accommodate the work schedules of individuals
- Executive MBA: Designed specifically for experienced working professionals, this course enhances and helps individuals stay up-to-date with the state of the art and modern developments. Duration varies based on courses and universities.
According to the GMAC 2023 Survey, Part-time and EMBAs saw a trend of increased admissions compared to full-time MBAs. Given the current national and international demands, analysts speculate that the following will be the most in-demand MBA graduates.
“Finance, Marketing, Operations, Information Technology, Big Data, and Entrepreneurship are leading nationally. Internationally, Global Management and Sustainability also contribute to the list of top MBA programs.”
Catching up with the recent developments, specialisations like Rural and Agri-business, AI and ML, Sustainability and Environmental Management are gaining momentum.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the outline of the MBA course, let us look at why Dubai is a good option to do an MBA abroad, and which universities make it into the Top 5 MBA programmes in Dubai for Indian students.
MBA in Dubai for Indian Students
Dubai, one of the most populous and booming cities of the United Arab Emirates, is home to a wide range of businesses in the sectors of trade, logistics, hospitality, tourism, real estate, and construction.
- Due to its strong economy and diverse business centres, Dubai is a great option to pursue a Master of Business Administration.
- Alongside that, high education quality, international faculty, and multiple Indian offshore campuses make it super convenient to pursue an MBA in Dubai for Indian students.
- Indian universities like Amity, Manipal, and BITS Pilani have their offshore campuses in Dubai. This makes it extremely suitable for Indian students to adapt to the course structures and the environment.
- Dubai consists of a decent percent of Indian population, making the students feel less homesick!
Let us take a look at the top 5 colleges in Dubai to pursue an MBA
Top 5 Colleges in Dubai for MBA
| University | Type | Mode | Time | Tuition Fees | Scholarships |
| London Business School | Executive MBA | In-person | 20 months | 1,25,29,046 INR | ICICI Bank education loan |
| University of Dubai | MBA | In-person (full-time, part-time) | 12-15 months | _ | Merit, Nationality, others |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education | MBA (day), (evening) | In-person (full-time, part-time) | 2 years | 11,45,676 INR | Merit scholarships on tuition fees |
| Institute of Management Technology | MBA | In-person; full time | 1 year | 19,32,234 INR | Student merit-based scholarship |
| BITS Pilani | MBA, MBA in Business Analytics | In-person | 2 years, | 7,27,374 INR | Merit, tuition scholarship, bank loans |
- London Business School
This institution provides a 20-month, in-person Executive MBA degree. Ranked 9th in the world for EMBA, this school has an alumnus of over fifty thousand and is located in the heart of the Dubai International Finance Centre. New intakes for 2024 start in September this year.
This degree applies to experienced personnel with an average of 13 years of work experience. The London School of Business webpage outlines the available core courses and about 70 plus electives to choose from.
The fees are stationed at 150000US$. When converted to Indian rupee, the value is around 1,25,29,046. There are varieties of scholarships available based on the nationality of students. For Indian students, the ICICI Bank Education loan is available as a financial aid. Additionally, scholarships and leadership funds are available specifically for experienced women professionals.
The faculty at the London Business School are from different nationalities and levels of expertise, building a strong foundation for the knowledge, research, and skills of their students.
- University of Dubai
The University of Dubai, located in the Academic city, is one of the key institutions providing multiple different specializations for the degree of Master in Business Administration. The specializations include regular MBA, MBA in Supply chain management, MBA in Digital Marketing, MBA in Fintech, and MBA in Strategic human capital. This school of business is licensed under the Ministry of Education, UAE.
The intake for the regular MBA is throughout the year and is taught in both the full-time and part-time mode. Apart from the specialisations listed above, the School of Business also provides certificate courses to enhance the knowledge of students. A bachelor’s degree in Business administration and a mentioned score in IELTS or TOEFL are required for admission to this institute. The fees vary for national and international students, so it is advised to contact their admin office and use their fees calculator to arrive at the final sum. Scholarships are provided based on nationality, merit, school scores, and multiple other cut-offs.
- Manipal Institute of Higher Education
Manipal Group of Education has one of its offshore campuses located in Dubai. It provides a multitude of courses related to business administration. They include an MBA in both a full-time day mode and a part-time evening and weekend mode, a Post-graduate diploma in Business Administration and a Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain and Logistics.
These courses designed for two years include beneficial opportunities and a guarantee of placement. The day MBA degree provides an option of earning a dual degree from Edinburgh Napier University, UK. The specialisations span from Marketing, Finance, and Operations, to Human resource management, healthcare and entrepreneurship. The evening MBA provides comprehensive training and overviews of all subjects included in the regular course.
The fee structure for the day course is about 11, 45,676 INR, whereas the tuition fee for the evening course is around 8, 83,126 INR. Financial aid is available in terms of merit-based scholarships applicable on tuition fees.
- Institute of Management Technology
IMT is a school of management that is registered and licensed by the Ministry of Education, UAE. The institute is located in Dubai International Academic City and houses a full-time one-year MBA course. The course begins in September 2024.
The course is structured into four terms, with core subjects, electives, and experiential learning. The international exchange program and the global immersion program of this institute provide students with a holistic and rich learning and skill expertise. The course fee is 85000 AED which is converted to INR and sums up to 19, 32,234 rupees. Scholarships are awarded based on student merit and follow its own set of guidelines. These scholarships do not apply to administration, accommodation, travel, visa, and insurance.
- BITS Pilani Offshore Campus
The BITS Pilani Institute provides two options; one is the regular Master in Business Administration, and the other is the MBA in Business Analytics. Individuals with a minimum three-year bachelor’s degree and having studied mathematics and statistics in either 10 +2 or higher level are eligible to apply for this course.
Both of these courses are suitable for graduates, and working professionals aiming to advance their careers. Working professionals have the option of choosing a dissertation over an internship in their final semester. Merit scholarships, tuition fee scholarships, and hostel fee concessions are provided. The tuition fees amount up to 32,000 AED which when converted to INR equals 7, 27,374 rupees.
In totality, here are a few things to consider before you begin your application process:
● Make sure you have the right Visa and Passport ready.
● Enquire at the admin office of the universities to gain more detailed information and consultation.
● Be well informed about your choices, current market needs, and specialisations.
● Each institute has its intake requirements that may be based on entrance exams, graduation levels, and years of work experience. Make sure to check the requirements before applying.
Happy learning!