Unlike previous years, when application numbers for MBA were opposite to economic cycle, the GMAC report for 2012 reveals a drastic change from earlier post-recession trends.  After declining consecutively for 3 years, the application numbers for MBA programs are rising when the economic conditions are in the process of recovery. As per the 2012 MBA Application Trends Survey, 51% of the graduate business management programs surveyed received more applications than 2011. Though there was a rise across all types of programs, maximum growth was registered in applications for distance and online courses.

Highest growth in terms of volumes was recorded for full-time MBA programs in Central Asia and Asia-Pacific. US reported a rise of 32% in applications for full time 2 year MBA programs, Europe-37%, in China 80% of all MBA programs witnessed rise in applications and in India 83% of all management courses registered an increase in applications. Thus it is visible that due to strong economic growth, India, China and 2 most crucial markets in Asia Pacific are inviting huge numbers for management studies.

Moreover the professional, personal and financial stability offered by the program are the major driving forces for the increasing demand of MBA in India. The Indian students mentioned these multifold advantages in a separate survey done by GMAC – 2012 Alumni Perspectives Survey. The survey reported that 92% Indian alumni cited that their MBA degree is personally rewarding while 88% agreed that their degree is professionally rewarding.

Across the world, among the foreign applicants, Indians account for maximum number of applications for 43% of MBA programs.  Also, Indians account for greatest number of foreign applicants for 34% of MBA programs across Asia. They account for 44% and 59% in US and Europe respectively.

Another remarkable point is that besides reporting the highest growth in overall rise in applications Asia also registered maximum increase in women applicants in terms of volume for fulltime 1-year MBA programs at 77%. This number stood at 47% and 32% in US and Europe respectively. In India, 73% of the MBA programs surveyed revealed more female applicants than 2011. This shows that the initiatives taken by B-schools to improve the gender diversity on campus are paying out.

The GMAC survey also reports special measures taken by programs to attract 13% pre-experience candidates, 16% entrepreneurs and 9% members from LGBT community.

This year the survey was conducted on 744 programs, including 24 PhD/DBA programs 193 specialized master’s programs and 527 MBA programs from 359 business schools across 46 nations.

Source: Times of India

For Frequent updates you can share with your friends.        

Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and Google+