With the growing need for quality business education and job-ready skills, recent graduates and early-career professionals with limited experience must choose the right business degree to build relevant knowledge and skills. The MiM or Master in Management is specifically designed for freshers, and leading schools like HEC Paris, LBS, and INSEAD provide them with global exposure and a solid foundation in business fundamentals. Certain MBA or Master of Business Administration programs offer freshers a unique path to join top business schools. The following curated list highlights the top 10 MiM and MBA universities for freshers that provide students with outstanding value, reputation, and career prospects.

Confused about which University to choose?

Mentioned below is the list of Top 10 MiM and MBA Universities

Top 10 MiM Universities

  1. University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

    2. Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM)

    Duration: 18 months

    Cost: CHF 3,329 per semester (Total Program Tuition – INR 10,69,655)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Recognised Bachelor’s degree in a similar subject with at least 180 ECTS credits

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • Average grade during undergraduate studies

    • Extracurricular activities and work experience

    • Two reference letters

    • Video interview

  1. HEC Paris, France

    2. Master in Management (MiM)

    Duration: 24 to 36 months

    Cost: € 55,800 (Total Program Tuition – INR 55,68,059)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A bachelor’s degree of at least three years, having obtained 180 ECTS in any field of studies (engineering, social sciences, sciences, arts, etc.)

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • One reference letter

    • Online interview

  1. INSEAD, France

    2. Master in Management (MiM)

    Duration: 14 to 16 months

    Cost: € 55,500 (Total Program Tuition – INR 55,36,014)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A bachelor’s degree from a recognised college/university or proof that you have completed 180 ECTS in any field of studies (business, engineering, social sciences, arts, economics, etc.)

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Video and Online interview

  1. EDHEC Business School, France

    2. Master in Management (MIM) – Grande École

    Duration: 24 to 36 months

    Cost: € 49,450 (Total Program Tuition – INR 49,32,539)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Minimum three years bachelor’s degree

    • GMAT/GRE/TAGE MAGE/CAT (Indian Students only) score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Video interview 

  1. Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Antai College of Economics and Management, China

    2. Master of International Business (MIB)

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: RMB 188,000 (Total Program Tuition – INR 22,51,986)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Outstanding academic performance and potential

    • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

  1. ESCP Business School, France

    2. Master in Management (MiM)

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: € 28,000 per year (Total Program Tuition – INR 55,87,400)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A bachelor’s degree awarded in a university outside of France after at least three years of university study

    • An internationally-minded student with proven academic excellence

    • GMAT/GRE/TAGE MAGE/CAT (Indian Students only) score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

  1. London Business School, UK

    2. Masters in Management (MiM)

    Duration: 12 to 16 months

    Cost: £ 49,950 (Total Program Tuition – INR 57,54,605)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A strong undergraduate degree in any discipline with a UK 2:1 (or global equivalent) or above

    • A track record of excellence, achievement and leadership potential

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • One reference letter

    • Online interview

  1. Emlyon Business School, France

    2. Master in Management (MiM) – Grande Ecole

    Duration: 24 to 36 months

    Cost: € 21,450 per year (Total Program Tuition – INR 42,79,490)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A degree from a university outside France (minimum Bachelor’s degree, Licence, Master, etc.) 

    • GMAT/GRE/TAGE MAGE/CAT (Indian Students only)/Emlyon online management test score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Digital Test/Video interview

  1. Nova School of Business and Economics, Portugal

    2. Master’s in Management (MiM)

    Duration: 18 months

    Cost: € 12,149 (Total Program Tuition – INR 12,10,040)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Open to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in any field. Applicants who need to enhance their quantitative skills are highly recommended to complete bridging courses before the program starts to ensure they are adequately prepared

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • One reference letter

  1. ESSEC Business School, France

    2. Master in Management (MiM) – Grande École

    Duration: 24 to 36 months

    Cost: € 52,000 (Total Program Tuition – INR 51,87,260)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A non-French 3-year Bachelor’s degree (minimum level) in any field of study (engineering, sciences, business, management & economics, humanities & social sciences, law, health, political science & international relations, architecture & real estate, etc.) from a top university/school 

    • Open-minded, internationally oriented, sensitive to the world around you and have leadership potential

    • GMAT/GRE/TAGE MAGE/CAT (Indian Students only) score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

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Top 10 MBA Universities

  1. Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA

    2. Full-Time MBA / MBA Deferred Enrolment

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: $ 85,755 annual tuition (Annual Tuition – INR 73,78,343)

    Admissions Criteria:

    For Deferred Enrolment

    • You are in your final year of a bachelor’s degree or a joint bachelor’s/graduate program

    • You did not work full time (other than internships or co-ops)

    For Deferred Enrolment and Full-Time MBA

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

    Note* Work experience is not required for entry to the Stanford MBA Program

  1. Harvard Business School, USA

    2. 2+2 Program – Deferred Admission Process

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: $ 78,700 annual tuition (Annual Tuition – INR 67,71,332)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Undergraduates in their final year of study are eligible to apply

    • Candidates in joint bachelor’s/master’s degree programs are eligible to apply

    • Candidates from master’s degree programs who have not held a full-time work position (other than internships or co-ops) are eligible to apply. Candidates need to have gone directly from undergraduate to graduate school

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

    Note* Some preference will be given to applicants who are on paths less established in leading to business school, including:

    • Applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds

    • Applicants who are the first in their family to attend college

    • Applicants who are planning to work in underrepresented industries and functions, such as:

      • Operating companies

      • Entrepreneurship

      • Technically demanding roles

  1. Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA

    2. Moelis Advance Access Program – Deferred Enrolment Program

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: $ 87,970 annual tuition (Annual Tuition – INR 75,68,921)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Students who are in the process of completing or recently completed their bachelor’s, full-time master’s, or other graduate degree

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Virtual Team Discussion and Online interview

  1. London Business School, UK

    2. Full-Time MBA

    Duration: 15 to 21 months

    Cost: £ 119,950 (Total Tuition – INR 1,38,36,568)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • A strong track record of achievement and success

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • One reference letter

    • Online interview

    Note* Admission may be granted to candidates with less than three years work experience if they can demonstrate superior academic credentials and truly outstanding evidence of leadership through professional and personal experiences.

  1. Columbia Business School, USA

    2. Deferred Enrolment Program

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: $91,172 annual tuition (Annual Tuition – INR 78,27,672)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Students graduating from a bachelor’s degree program

    • Students completing a graduate degree program. Candidates must have started the graduate degree program directly after completing their undergraduate degree

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • One reference letter

    • Online interview

  1. MIT Sloan School of Management, USA

    2. MBA Early – Deferred Admission Option

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: $89,000 annual tuition (Annual Tuition – INR 76,41,193)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Undergraduate students who are in their final year of undergraduate studies

    • Undergraduate students who do not have any prior full-time work experience except for internships or co-op experiences

    • Graduate students who are in their final year of a graduate program

    • Started graduate school immediately after obtaining their undergraduate degree; and have not had any prior full-time work experience except for internships or co-op experiences

    • Applicants should demonstrate thoughtful leadership with the ability to inspire others, a collaborative spirit and focus on community, and exceptional intellectual abilities, intellectual curiosity, and analytical strength

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

  1. INSEAD, France

    2. Full-Time MBA

    Duration: 10 months

    Cost: € 107,600 (Total Tuition – INR 1,07,54,190)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Unique perspectives and experiences that enrich the class

    • Curiosity and openness to diverse cultures and perspectives

    • Strong analytical skills and proven ability to succeed in an intense program

    • Evidence of initiative, responsibility, and the ability to inspire others

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Video and Online interview

    Note* Applicants with less experience who demonstrate exceptional maturity and outstanding leadership through their professional and personal experiences will also be considered.

  1. University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, USA

    2. Chicago Booth Scholars Program – Deferred MBA Admission

    Duration: 21 months

    Cost: $ 87,354 annual tuition (Annual Tuition – INR 75,03,202)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Applicants who are in their final year of undergraduate work (including joint bachelor’s/master’s degree programs) at any institution, with any major, and with a wide array of backgrounds and interests

    • Any graduate degree student is eligible to apply to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program, provided they transitioned directly from their undergraduate studies to a Master’s degree program

    • Applicants demonstrate intellectual curiosity, personal maturity, competitive scores, and leadership. They also have a history of substantive internships or part-time jobs and/or an entrepreneurial spirit

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • Two reference letters

    • Online interview

  1. IESE Business School, Spain

    2. Young Talent Path (YTP) – Early Admissions Program

    Duration: 24 months

    Cost: € 110,000 (Total Tuition – INR 1,09,84,820)

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Demonstrate academic and professional excellence, have a clear motivation to pursue an MBA in the future

    • Final year university students (preferably with a secured job offer) or recent university graduates with 0 to 2 years of full-time work experience (excluding internships)

    • Applicants who are still completing their undergraduate studies are encouraged to apply to the YTP after they graduate. Priority will be given to recent graduates who have job offers or are currently working.

    • Applicants demonstrate intellectual curiosity, personal maturity, competitive scores, and leadership. They have a history of substantive internships, part-time jobs and/or an entrepreneurial spirit, and have diverse backgrounds and nationalities

    • GMAT or GRE score

    • English Language Proficiency Test

    • One reference letter

    • Video interview

    • Selected applicants are invited to the 3-day Assessment Boot Camp in Barcelona. If an applicant is invited to the Assessment Boot Camp, they will be able to experience the life of an IESE MBA student and gain insights into different aspects of business management such as Analysis of Business Programs, Entrepreneurship or Marketing. They will work in cross-cultural teams on an assigned project, and based on their performance, they may be eligible to become an IESE YTP candidate

    Note* YTP candidates will be eligible for a 25,000 Euros scholarship upon joining the MBA

  1. Indian School of Business (ISB)

    2. PGP in Management for Young Leaders

    Duration: 20 months

    Cost: INR 26,15,700

    Admissions Criteria:

    • Ideal candidates demonstrate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, early evidence of leadership qualities, and the ability to think laterally, all grounded in a solid academic foundation and a desire to create meaningful impact

    • A maximum of 24 months of work experience

    • GMAT/GRE/CAT score

    • One reference letter

    • Personal or Online Interview

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FAQs

The MiM or Master in Management is specifically designed for recent graduates with or without a business academic background and with little or no work experience, while a full-time MBA or Master of Business Administration typically requires the applicant to have at least 2 to 3 years of experience, since the average work experience for the majority of MBAs is 5 or 6 years.

Some common application components or admission requirements between a MiM and MBA include a bachelor’s degree, academic transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, English proficiency test scores, a resume, essays, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

For a MiM, France, the UK, Germany, Singapore, and even the USA offers excellent MiM programs at highly reputable universities. The most sought-after MBA programs are in the USA, followed by the UK, with India and Singapore gaining traction.

MiM and MBA applicants are eligible for scholarships offered in the form of merit-based, need-based, and country-specific scholarships. External scholarships and fellowships are also available. Know your availability for a scholarship, by signing up for a free session with an expert.

Choosing the right program can be difficult, and as an applicant, you need to consider factors like your career stage, program cost, ranking, curriculum, university location, practical learning opportunities, and post-study work visa. Jamboree Education can help you with this decision through a free profile evaluation.