Exploring the Curriculum: What to Expect in an MBA Marketing Programme

According to a recent LinkedIn survey, marketing professionals have been one of the top three job roles hired in the last few years. The growth of retail and e-commerce companies is one of the reasons why organisations are looking for talented professionals who can interpret market demand and consumer behaviour.

Since there is an increased demand for marketing professionals, pursuing a career in marketing can be a great choice. If you are interested in marketing, then we highly recommend that you pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing. However, you must be wondering what is covered in the programme that will prepare you to grab the best roles in this profession. To help you explore the dynamics of an MBA in marketing, we have come up with a guide that will help you understand what to expect in this MBA programme.

Main Subjects Covered in the Curriculum

As you must be aware, an MBA programme spans two years, further divided into four semesters. Let us understand the main subjects that are usually covered in the MBA programme semester-wise.

Year 1: Semester 1:

• Business Communication
• Business Economics
• Statistics for managers
• Indian ethos and business ethics
• Business Law
• Financial Reporting Statement and Analysis
• Marketing Management
• Organisational Behaviour
• Open Elective
• Report Writing and Presentation Skills
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (PCL-1)

Year 1–Semester 2:

• Indian Economic Policies and Reforms
• Operations Research
• Finance for managers
• Consumer Behaviour and Insights
• Human Resource Management
• Product Management
• Pricing and revenue management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Marketing of Technology Products and Services
• Open Elective
• Skill Enhancement Course
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (PCL-1)

Year 2—Semester 3:

• Global Business Management
• Operations Management
• Business Research Methods
• Digital and social media marketing
• Analytics for Marketing Decisions
• Sales and Distribution Management
• Retail Management
• Advertising and Public Relations
• Sales Promotion Management
• Brand Management
• Business-to-business marketing
• Skill Enhancement Course
• Summer Internship Project
• Master Thesis
• Entrepreneurship Project (PCL 2)

Year 2—Semester 4:

• Strategic Management
• Organisation Design
• Marketing of Services
• Tourism Marketing
• Strategic Marketing
• Global Marketing
• Marketing at the Bottom of the Pyramid
• Luxury Marketing
• Marketing Research
• Marketing Metrics
• Skill Enhancement Course
• Master Thesis
• Entrepreneurship Project (PCL 2)

Career Enhancement Programmes

Besides the academic exposure, several reputed business schools like CMS B-school, Bangalore offer career enhancement programmes to make you industry-ready with relevant skills and knowledge. These programmes usually offer activities or initiatives that go beyond the classroom curriculum. The main aim of these activities is to impart strong life skills such as communication, decision-making, leadership, and teamwork that are necessary to navigate the corporate market. Let us see some of these career enhancement programmes:

Internships and Projects
MBA programmes do not only focus on theoretical knowledge but also provide you with hands-on learning. The curriculum exposes you to internships and project opportunities, allowing you to implement your learning in real-world settings. With the help of this exposure, you can refine your skills, such as understanding market trends, consumer behaviour, and others that are crucial to succeeding in different marketing roles.

Networking Events
One important aspect of MBA programmes is their extensive networking events that will allow you to build connections with mentors, trainers, alumni, and industry professionals. If you are pursuing your MBA from a leading business school, you will be able to attend seminars, webinars, workshops, and other live events where you can interact with professionals in the marketing industry. Besides gaining knowledge, you will also be able to establish professional relationships that can unlock new career opportunities in the future.

Career Counselling Sessions
Several renowned business schools offer career counselling sessions that will guide you to crack your placements in the final year. By interacting with these counsellors, you can gain insights into recent industry trends and skills that are currently in demand in the market. These counsellors will also help you improve your soft skills, address your concerns, and prepare you for the final interview round. To put it in a nutshell, they act as a guiding light that will help you achieve your dreams.

Way Forward

In conclusion, there is a huge demand for marketing professionals across different industries. Pursuing an MBA in marketing can open doors to lucrative career opportunities in the marketing field. Moreover, reputed business schools emphasise academic learning with career enhancement programmes such as internships, networking events, and career counselling sessions. With a combination of theoretical and practical exposure, you can gain the knowledge and skills required to succeed in your career pathway!