After completing my five-year bachelors degree in law, I want to pursue a Masters in law as well as an MBA. Can I study for both qualifications simultaneously? Also, will a Ph D enhance my career prospects?
Nalini Rajan, Bangalore
Generally it is impermissible to read for two Masters programmes simultaneously. However, check with the university you are applying to if this is permissible. If keen on a career in research, a Ph D is very useful.
I’ve just completed Plus Two and want to study for a B.Com degree simultaneously with a diploma programme in banking.
Anil Desai, Ahmedabad
Most banking diploma courses are offered only to graduates, so first complete your B.Com degree programme. As a graduate (any discipline), you become eligible for the position of a trainee officer in private banks. You also become eligible for entry into public sector banks by writing the Probationary Officers Examination. A better option is to sign up for an MBA degree/diploma programme.
I’m interested in a career in sports management. Which universities in India offer it as a study subject?
Sukhwinder Singh, Delhi
Sports management is quickly becoming a popular career option. Currently, individuals with diverse qualifications — MBAs, marketing professionals, business managers, sportspersons, etc — are involved in sports management.
The Naval Tata Centre of Excellence in Sports Management, Mumbai; IISWBM, Kolkata (www.iiswbm.edu); Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai (www.tnpesu.org); Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education, Gwalior (www.lnupe.gov.in) and International Institute of Sports Management, Jai Hind College, Mumbai (www.iismworld.com) are among several institutions countrywide offering postgraduate programmes in sports management.
I’ve completed my B.Tech degree from an IIT and am currently working in the field of corrosion and metallurgy. I want to sign up for a postgrad degree programme in corrosion or metallurgical engineering preferably part-time or via distance learning. What are my options?
Suresh Iyer, Chennai
IIT-Mumbai and the Tata Institute of Social Science offer study programmes in corrosion science, metallurgical engineering, materials science and process metallurgy. The National Institutes of Technology at Durgapur and Jamshedpur also offer these programmes while MIT, Pune offers a postgraduate diploma in piping design and engineering. You should contact these institutes to check for distance learning programmes as no institution of repute offers correspondence courses in these hands-on learning subjects.
I‘m a second year student of computer science engineering and want to apply for a Masters degree in the US. However in Plus Two, my average was a mere 58 percent. Will a top-ranked US university accept my admission application considering my low class XII academic scores?
Suresh Patil, Pune
Admission into most top-ranked US universities is competitive and academic grades are primary criteria for selection. However, while a low class XII score is a setback, you could make up for it by topping your engineering class, getting involved in research or applied research and signing up for internships during vacations. You need to follow all this up with high GRE and TOEFL scores. American universities weigh students academic records of three-four years, referrals, personal statement of objectives, GRE and TOEFL scores.
I’m a second year liberal arts student. I want to sign up for a course in television and film direction. What is the admission procedure of reputed institutes such as FTII, Pune and the Satyajit Ray Institute, Kolkata?
Nilima Basu, Kolkata
Most film and television institutes conduct a written entrance test assessing general awareness (knowledge of Indian society, culture and the arts), cognitive capability (logic, verbal, pictorial and abstract reasoning), and aptitude for the audio-visual medium. You could also consider applying for the MA (mass communication) programme of the AJK Mass Communication Research Institute, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. Pune University also offers specialisation in video production and media research in its communication studies Masters programme.
I’m a class IX student interested in interior design or architecture. Please advise on study options.
Misha D’Souza, Mumbai
Aptitude for drawing and aesthetic sensitivity are important attributes to succeed in these careers. While diploma courses in interior design are an option after class X, finalise your career plans only after completing class XII. To qualify for a degree programme in architecture, you need to study science in Plus Two (PCM). The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad offers a five-year B.Arch and five-year interior design programme to Plus Two school-leavers. You could also specialise in interior design while signing up for a bachelor of fine arts degree programme or the interior design course of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
