I’m a computer science engineering graduate working in a multinational company for the past two years. I want to enroll in an MBA programme abroad. Will my technical background help me in getting admission?
Ravi Krishnan, Chennai
Your engineering degree and work experience will be given weightage in the MBA admission process, especially the latter as work experience is a mandatory requirement of most B-schools abroad. You should highlight your strengths in your resumé and statement of purpose, and submit letters of recommendation from your employers and college.
Could you suggest some reputed universities/business schools in Canada or Australia which offer a Masters in finance? What are their eligibility requirements?
Satish Rao, Bangalore
A masters in finance degree programme is offered by Monash University and University of New South Wales in Australia as also by Queens and York universities in Canada. For admission into postgraduate study programmes in Canada you need to submit GMAT and TOEFL scores. For Oz universities you need to write the IELTS exam.
Should I enroll in a BBA (bachelor of business administration) course after completing class XII (commerce)? Will it help me secure admission into an MBA programme later? Or should I enroll in a B.Com programme?
Neelam Chawla, Pune
The BBA programme is the equivalent of the BMS (bachelor of management studies) course of Mumbai University. Other varsities such as University of Delhi offer the BBS (bachelor of business studies) degree programme. The subjects you study in BBS/BBA/BMS will give you an idea of what to expect of an MBA programme but it will not facilitate admission. Admission into an MBA programme, depends upon performance in entrance tests such as CAT, XAT, CET, etc — the curriculum of which is not covered in BBA or any equivalent programme.
If you want the option of pursuing professional courses such as chartered accountancy, cost and works accountancy or company secretaryship, then pursuing B.Com would be useful, but not necessary.
What subjects should I opt for in Plus Two if I want a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering?
Peter Vaz, Panjim
For marine engineering, you should study science with physics, chemistry and maths as your optional subjects in Plus Two. After that you can apply for admission into a four-year marine engineering degree programme. A list of colleges offering marine engineering is available on www.dgshipping. com and www.dte.org.in. Admission is through a written entrance exam. Another option would be to complete a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or naval architecture from an engineering college and then enroll in a one-year pre-sea training course.
For which disciplines apart from medicine and engineering do I have to write the Common Entrance Test. Also is there an entrance test for admission into the bachelor of management studies (BMS) programme?
Daisy Irani, Mumbai
CET is required for admission into hotel management and architecture degree programmes as well as fine/applied arts. The common entrance exam for BMS is known as the Centralised Common Entrance Examination (CCEE).
After completing my BA (psychology) next year, I want to sign up for a Masters in counseling psychology either in India or the US. After postgraduation I want to establish a private practice in India. Would you advise me to study in the US or India?
Reena Punjabi, New Delhi
Studying abroad will give you international exposure and also an opportunity to learn in a diversified environment. A degree from a renowned university abroad is highly valued by Indian companies and may give you an advantage in the employment market. Moreover, there are more work opportunities in counseling psychology abroad. While applying to universities in the US for the Masters programme, keep in mind that they require students to complete 16 years of school plus college education. Therefore you may need to do the first year of MA programme in India to complete your 16th year. In addition, you will need to write entrance tests such as the GRE and TOEFL to qualify for admission.
I’m keen on a career in biotechnology after I finish class XII (science) in 2014. Which prominent colleges in Mumbai and outside offer the B.Tech (biotechnology) programme?
Satish Kale, Mumbai
In Mumbai, you could apply for the M.Sc biotechnology programme offered by IIT-Powai. Admission is on the basis of your rank in IIT-JEE. A high score/rank will also qualify you for admission into the B.Tech biotechnology and biochemistry programmes of IIT-Kharagpur; B.Tech (biotech) of IIT-Chennai and M.Tech (biotech, dual degree) of IIT-Delhi. B.Tech (industrial biotechnology) is also offered by Anna University, Chennai. Moreover, the Vellore Institute of Technology (www. vit.ac.in) offers admission to AIEEE (conducted by CBSE) toppers. The future is bright for well-qualified biotechnologists.
I want to know about the Indian Institute of Materials Management, the courses it offers and its selection process.
Dilip Mukherjee, Kolkata
The Indian Institute of Materials Management (IIMM) offers study programmes related to materials management. Among them are the graduate diploma in materials management (GDMM), postgraduate diploma in materials management, certified purchasing manager programme of the National Association of Purchasing Management, USA, graduate diploma in public procurement (GDPP), post-graduate diploma in logistics management (PGDLM), diploma in stores and logistics management.
Admission is through an entrance examination. Moreover, there is a lateral entry scheme for students with a graduate diploma from IIMM for the final year of MBA. See www.iimm.org for further details.