When we talk about an MBA or Master of Business Administration degree, we often link the term ‘business’ with a background in business or a related field. While this is not entirely wrong, it is not mandatory either. Several MBA programs welcome students from a variety of academic backgrounds, including Arts. So, if you’re wondering, “Can Arts Students Do an MBA?” we say YES, absolutely. But don’t just take our word for it; read the blog all the way through to get a thorough grasp of how an MBA after a BA is possible. We’ve also compiled a list of the top MBA programs geared specifically for Arts majors.
What is an MBA?
Before answering “Can BA students do an MBA,” let us try to answer “What is an MBA.”
With its growing popularity, the MBA, especially the Global MBA, is not an unknown programme anymore. This degree program is well-known to most of us. However, an MBA is defined by more than just its full title- Master of Business Administration.
Without a doubt, the MBA is one of the most sought-after graduate management degrees. This curriculum provides students with critical management expertise by offering a thorough understanding of many business aspects such as marketing, finance, human resource management, and accounting. Furthermore, it promotes the development of critical soft skills and leadership talents that are required for success in the management profession.
Obtaining an MBA with a specific focus from a renowned and recognized business school or university could open the path to a bright career. Employers admire the degree, which attracts thousands of ambitious managers each year from diverse academic backgrounds who apply to different specializations within the course of study.
Why an MBA After BA?
“What to do after a BA degree?” This is one of the most common inquiries from recent graduates. A Bachelor of Arts degree provides plenty of chances for higher education, including postgraduate degrees in management.
The popularity of an MBA degree in terms of delivering new career options with excellent pay packages answers the question of why an MBA after BA. Although the transfer from a BA or comparable degree to an MBA programme may appear challenging at first, the contrasts between the two are apparent. Upon realizing the potential of this program in enhancing business acumen, there is a natural inclination to explore it further.
After graduation, students with a background in the humanities can benefit from enrolling in an MBA program, which will help them develop skills and prospects in the business world.
- It can help to hone business and entrepreneurial skills.
- Students can work in fields such as marketing, finance, and human resource management.
- This degree emphasizes a variety of soft skills such as leadership, organizing, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Students can work in global corporations on a national and international scale.
- Students can work in an array of sectors depending on their specialization and expertise.
Is Pursuing an MBA Restricted to any Specific Stream of Study?
Even though it is all about business administration, an MBA degree is not restricted to any one field of study.
While many students from business and associated fields apply for MBA programmes, students from non-business academic backgrounds are also welcomed. Hence, just as pursuing an MBA after a B.Com. degree is possible, obtaining an MBA after engineering or a B.A. is also achievable.
Business schools frequently encourage the spectrum of viewpoints brought to the MBA programme by students from different academic backgrounds. Furthermore, skills and information earned in sectors other than business might be useful in the business environment. Individuals from the engineering profession, for example, can contribute a unique analytical perspective, whilst applicants from the Arts can bring excellent verbal and social skills.
In a word, having an eclectic group of students can provide an enhanced learning experience for the cohort.
Can Arts Students Do an MBA?
If your question is “Can a student of arts background do an MBA?” The answer would be a big YES.
To pursue this degree program, an Arts student must demonstrate their ability for business and management in their application or SOP (Statement of Purpose). They should highlight relevant job experience, emphasize transferable abilities, and describe how their background in the arts has prepared them for the challenges of corporate leadership.
Furthermore, some institutes provide MBA preparatory programs for those with non-business backgrounds. These programs offer topics such as accounting, finance, and economics to help students get the core knowledge required for success in the MBA.
MBA After a Degree in Arts
While answering the question, “Can an Arts student do an MBA?” it is critical to offer some light on the fundamental areas, such as the eligibility criteria for enrolling in an MBA school, entrance exams accepted, and potential opportunities in this field.
● Eligibility
Arts students seeking admission to an MBA program should have the following eligibility criteria:
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- Graduate with 50% passing marks from any recognized university/ college
- Valid scores in management entrance exams such as the CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, and others.
- Many B-Schools also require at least 2-3 years of work experience for admission.
● Entrance Exams
Since a degree in BA has nothing in common with an MBA, students often question, “Can I do an MBA after BA?” Fortunately, an MBA programme is not restricted to any specific subject. To apply for admission, however, one must have a valid scorecard from any of the nationally recognized management entrance tests.
The list of entrance tests required for admission to any B-School in India is listed below.
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- CAT- Common Admission Test
- XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test
- MAT- Management Aptitude Test
- CMAT- Common Management Admission Test
- GMAT- Graduate Management Admission Test
- JMAT- Joint Management Entrance Test, etc.
● Scopes
The topic of “Can BA students do an MBA?” becomes secondary at times, and the question of “Should BA students do an MBA?” becomes crucial. This is from the perspective of the scope of an MBA degree for a BA graduate. Ultimately, considerations often boil down to financial aspects and returns on investment.
Given the high cost of MBA programs, it’s fair to be curious about the career opportunities and potential earnings in this field. So, here is a list of prospective career paths one can pursue after completing an MBA degree.
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- Marketing manager
- HR manager
- Business analyst
- Data analyst
- Product manager
- Supply chain manager
- Investment banker
- Chief technology officer, etc.
MBA After a BA Graduation: Is It The Right Choice?
Gone are the days when one had to stick to their stream to continue higher education. This is the age of multidisciplinary education where a BA graduate can choose to pursue a postgraduate management degree. An MBA degree is a highly sought course across the globe. Hence, it would be a crime to restrict it to a few academic backgrounds. After all, one can dream of succeeding in a managerial position irrespective of their undergraduate field of study.
This brings us to whether an MBA after a BA is the right choice. Well, the answer depends on different factors, some of which are the student’s passion for the programme, their knack for the subject, their choice of specialization, etc.
So, here are some factors that will bring to the surface the benefits of an MBA after BA degree and help to answer whether an MBA After a BA graduation is the right choice.
● Career Goals
Can I do an MBA after BA? You can if your professional goals include managerial or leadership jobs, which are often linked with an MBA. In other words, if you see yourself in management or leadership roles, earning an MBA is an appropriate choice.
● Soft Skills
An MBA degree can offer you broader skill sets. Along with learning fundamental management, business, and administration, it also imparts soft skills like communication, reasoning, social connection, team management, and so on. Hence, pursuing an MBA after earning your BA degree makes perfect sense if acquiring these abilities will be useful for your intended job path.
● Leadership Skills
An MBA program stands out for its emphasis on developing essential leadership skills, which are especially important for prospective managers. Hence, taking an MBA after completing your BA is the right choice if you aim to thrive in managerial roles and believe you have a knack for enhancing your leadership qualities.
● Networking Scopes
MBA schools frequently provide excellent networking opportunities with peers, alumni, and industry experts. MBA students often need to participate in internship programs, which pave the path for better networking. So, if networking is important for your job progress, an MBA degree can give you a useful platform.
● Pursuing the Passion
To pursue a course, one needs to have a passion for the in regardless of credentials and academic background. Hence, contemplate whether you are truly interested in business and management. Pursuing an MBA should be in line with your interests and passions to make the experience more rewarding.
● Multi-Sectoral Professions
An MBA degree holder does not remain confined to any specific sector or industry. They get the chance to pursue their career in an array of sectors including FMCG, hospitality, hospital, banking, insurance, etc. So, if you think this inspires you, you can surely think of pursuing an MBA after a BA.
Is an MBA difficult for Arts students in India?
Because Arts students are not exposed to any business-related subjects, students from this background frequently ask, “Is an MBA difficult for Arts students in India?”
There is no straightforward answer to this question. The difficulty of an MBA for arts students might vary depending on individual aptitude, dedication, and the criteria of the given school. While the usual route to an MBA school requires a foundation in business or a related discipline, many MBA programs are open to Arts students.
However, regardless of specialty, Arts majors may encounter a learning curve in certain quantitative parts of business, such as finance and accounting. So, as previously stated, few institutes provide MBA preparatory courses for students with non-business backgrounds. Here, it is essential to realize that a student needs to possess traits such as motivation, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, in addition to an appropriate academic background.
Pros and Cons of an MBA Programme for Arts Students
There are both brighter and not-so-shiny sides to every MBA programmes, especially if a student belongs to a non-business academic background, like Arts/ Humanities. So, if you’re thinking of pursuing this programme, here is a list of some benefits and difficulties that an MBA programme can bring with itself.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Better communication skills– Arts students often possess good communication skills, which can help them during internships and other areas. |
Difficult Curriculum– Curriculum may be difficult, especially in subjects like finance and accounting. |
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Networking opportunities- Good communication and other soft skills can help students from Arts backgrounds to form industry networks easily. |
Highly competitive market– The market is highly competitive. This degree doesn’t guarantee a job but opens up career options. Arts students must keep up with excellent networking and management skills. |
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Career scopes– An MBA programme has the potential to open lucrative career options in an array of sectors. |
Work Experience– Many MBA programs prefer students with prior work experience. Before applying to specific programs, arts students may need to get professional experience. |
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Internship opportunities– Since an MBA programme is a specialized one, it offers internship programmes, which help in getting introduced to the real job world. |
May be stressful– Since the syllabus is different with many new topics, and subjects, the programme may seem challenging initially for Arts students. |
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Credibility– An MBA degree can enhance your credibility by asserting your strong foundation in business principles. |
Expensive– MBA programs can be hefty; course fees can range as low as Rs 16k to as much as Rs 25 lacs. |
Top 10 MBA Programmes for Arts Students
Since MBA programmes are multidisciplinary, the admission of students from the Arts background has increased in the last few years. Here are the top MBA programmes that are feasible for students with an academic background in Arts.
- MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM)
- MBA in Hospitality Management
- MBA in E-Commerce
- MBA in International Business
- MBA in Entrepreneurship
- MBA in International Trade
- MBA in Operations Management
- MBA in Business Analytics
- MBA in Hospital Management
- MBA in Fashion Designing
How Globsyn Business School Can Help?
Globsyn Business School, which has been in existence for over a decade, has established itself as one of the premier business schools in Kolkata. It is one of the city’s few B-Schools that offers an MBA (Global) degree in International Business in collaboration with Malaysia University of Science & Technology.
This MBA program with dual specialization is designed for students who are fundamentally high flyers and want to pursue a career in International Business. Students in this program participate in a Summer Internship Program (SIP), which allows them to work in real-world settings. The MBA program is open to everyone, regardless of their graduation field of study.
The GBS MBA program also provides several other advantages that enhance candidates’ learning experiences.
- Top-notch infrastructure
- Hybrid classrooms
- Immersive learning experience
- Classes by international faculty
- Corporate connect sessions
- Scholarship opportunities
- Optimum placement scopes
Conclusion
The bottom line is that ‘it is possible to pursue an MBA after BA degree.’ All one needs is passion and conviction to navigate the program successfully. However, before making a selection, it is critical to research MBA programmes, consult with professionals in the desired sector, and thoroughly balance the pros and cons. Consultation with professional consultants or mentors can also provide useful insights suited to your specific position.