ISB PGP: Everything You Need to Know
Indian School of Business (ISB) is arguably the most popular business school in India. Its PGP (Post Graduate Programme in Management) has consistently ranked among the best in global MBA rankings. With its rigorous curriculum, world-class faculty, and strong industry connections, ISB attracts diverse and ambitious professionals from across the country making it the best learning experience. In this article, I am going to give you a comprehensive overview of the ISB PGP, including its structure, admissions process, career opportunities, and more.
Program Highlights
ISB’s PGP is a one-year, full-time residential program equivalent to an MBA and designed for experienced professionals seeking career acceleration or industry switch.
Some of the program highlights that make is the most sought after in the country:
- Accelerated learning: Unlike traditional two-year MBA programs, ISB’s PGP compresses the learning experience into one intense year, helping professionals return to the workforce sooner.
- Globally recognized faculty: ISB collaborates with top international B schools like Wharton, Kellogg, and LBS, bringing in world-class faculty. It also has industry experts teaching courses and electives.
- Strong industry connections: ISB’s deep corporate ties ensure relevant coursework and excellent placement opportunities.
- Two campus model: The program is offered at both Hyderabad and Mohali campuses, with a unified curriculum and faculty.
- Diverse peer group: The class comprises professionals from various industries, enriching peer-to-peer learning.
- International exchange: It also offers international exchange programs with leading global B schools like LBS, HEC Paris, IESE, Wharton, Darden, Ross, Rotman, NUS etc providing students with a great opportunity to learn in an international setting.
Program Structure
The ISB PGP curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in management principles with an option to specialize in a particular area through electives. The program has a wide range of core courses and electives.
Core Courses:
- Financial Accounting and Decision Making
- Marketing Management
- Managerial Economics
- Statistical Methods for Management Decisions
- Operations Management
- Corporate Finance
- Strategy Formulation
- Leadership Development, and more
Electives:
- Corporate Development: Mergers & Acquisitions
- Change Management
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Corporate Entrepreneurship
- IT & Analytics
- Global Strategic Management
- Healthcare, Manufacturing, and more
The program also includes experiential learning through Live Industry Projects (ELPs), study treks, and leadership workshops.
Learn more about ISB PGP
Admission Process
Admissions to ISB PGP are competitive, with applications from professionals with outstanding academic record and work experience. However, ISB evaluates its applications holistically with an emphasis not only on academic performance and test scores, but also leadership potential and other factors.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline)
- 2+ years of full-time work experience (at the time of application)
- GMAT/GRE score (ISB does not accept online test scores)
Application Components:
- Test Scores: GMAT/GRE scores are required (no minimum cutoff, but 675+ GMAT is competitive).
- Essays: Two essays (plus one optional essay) elaborating on career goals, personal experiences, why MBA and why ISB.
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR): One recommendation from professional setting (manager/ previous manager/ client/ business partner).
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview (online or in-person).
ISB typically has three application deadlines for its PGP, with deadlines in September, December, and January, with all rounds being treated equally in terms of evaluating applications. For international applicants, ISB follows a rolling admission process, with a decision being communicated within 6 weeks of submitting the application.
Class Profile
ISB comprises of a diverse and high-achieving cohort. As per the latest employment report, the ISB PGP class profile statistics for class of 2024:
- Average GMAT Score: 717 (classic edition)
- Average Work Experience: 4.5 years
- Average Age: 26 years
- Backgrounds: Consulting, Technology, Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Armed Forces, Entrepreneurs, and more
- Gender Diversity: ~35-40% female students
Cost
Here is a breakdown of the different cost components of the ISB PGP:
- Tuition Fees: ~INR 33 lakh (varies slightly by year and scholarships)
- Accommodation: INR 2.5-3.5 lakh (depends on room type)
- Other Costs: INR 6-7 lakh (exchange program cost, laptop, books, and insurance, etc)
- Total Estimated Cost: ~INR 45 lakh
While the cost is significant, the strong ROI in terms of career growth and salary hikes makes it a worthwhile investment.
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Scholarships & Financial Aid
ISB offers a variety of scholarships, including:
- Early Entry Option (EEO) Scholarship
- Diversity Scholarships (ex, Armed Forces Scholarship)
- Corporate & Alumni Scholarships
- ISB Need-Based and/or Merit-Based Scholarship
Loans with special terms are also available from leading banks.
Placements and Career Opportunities
ISB’s placement record is among the best in India, with top companies recruiting for leadership roles. Key highlights from their latest employment report:
- Average Salary: INR 34-38 LPA (varies by year)
- Top Recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Tata, Reliance, and more
- Functions: Consulting, Product Management, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Strategy
- 405 companies registered for the campus placements, and offered 1208 jobs to ISB PGP graduates
The Career Advancement Services (CAS) at ISB helps students with resume building, mock interviews, and networking.
Hyderabad vs Mohali Campus
ISB operates across two campuses (Hyderabad and Mohali), but both offer the same curriculum, faculty, and placement opportunities. The choice is based on seat availability rather than preference.
Is ISB right for you?
ISB PGP is ideal if you:
- Have 2+ years of work experience and are looking for accelerated career growth into management roles
- Looking for an accelerated MBA for career switch or advancement.
- Seek a globally recognized MBA program in India.
- Want a world-class learning experience with global faculty and diverse cohort.
- Want strong networking and placement opportunities.
Conclusion
ISB PGP is the ideal program to accelerate your career and help you access senior management roles or new business opportunities. If you are looking for a globally renowned MBA program in India with a rigorous curriculum, experiential learning, strong industry connections, and a powerful alumni network, ISB should is the right choice.
While the admission process is competitive, a good GMAT/GRE score, and strong work experience supplemented with compelling essays elaborating on your personal narrative and differentiating factors can significantly increase your chances of an admit. If you need help crafting a winning ISB application, feel free to reach out!
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