Going to university is an enriching experience for you and your family – and having your children with you while you work towards your degree can make your uni years even more special.
As a student-parent, you’ll have a few extra things to consider, compared to many of your classmates. At your uni, you should find the support and facilities you need to succeed in your studies, while fulfilling your family responsibilities.
Career Opportunity: BBA vs. MBA
BBA graduates can look at careers as –
- Supervisors or administrators in Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, or Sales to manage various aspects of the operations
- Entrepreneurs – run your business enterprise
- Business consultants – advise businesses on niche areas as a consultant
- Business Development Executive – find new business opportunities to expand and retain market share
- Finance Manager – manages the business finances
- Recruiter/ recruitment consultant – recruit new talent for business
- Sales Executive – Handle sales of products and services
- Event manager – manage and plan various events
Whether you have entrepreneurial interests or you are looking at a career path that will lead to roles where you will manage teams, and make critical business decisions, business administration courses are important. One can take two courses to enter the management and business administration fields; a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) followed by a Master in Business Administration (MBA). The subjects covered in business administration courses are pertinent to all fields as you learn essential skills in these programmes. Here is a look at BBA and MBA.
Course Duration and Eligibility
The Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) is a 3 or 4-year undergraduate programme and the Master in Business Administration (MBA) is a 2-year post-graduate programme. Some colleges offer an integrated BBA and MBA programme which is of 5-years duration. For BBA, the candidate has to complete 10+2 from a recognised board with 50% or more. There will also be an entrance exam and different colleges have different cutoff marks for these. For an MBA in India, the students have to complete their undergraduate course with a minimum of 50% marks and they have to clear the CAT or similar entrance exams.
Curriculum
B.Com Accounting is a traditional and widely recognised programme that primarily focuses on a broad range of business-related subjects including accounting, finance, economics, and business fundamentals. The coursework in B.Com Accounting programmes often emphasises theoretical concepts and practical applications, giving students a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and their real-world implications. The curriculum emphasises a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and typically includes courses in:
- Financial accounting
- Taxation
- Law
- Audit and assurance
- Business practices
- Economics
- Accounting Information Systems
- Marketing
- General management
Curriculum and Syllabus: BBA vs. MBA
BBA course syllabus includes Principles of Management, Business Mathematics and Statistics, Operations Research, Business Economics, Financial and Management Accounting, Production and material Management, Business Communication, Organisational Behaviour, Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Information Technology for Business, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Business Law, and Business Policy and Strategy.
- Electives (these are also specialisations you can take in BBA)
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- Information Technology
- Banking & Insurance
- Communication & Media Management
BBA students appear for semester exams, apart from which the curriculum includes presentations, case studies, group discussions, research projects, industrial visits, guest lectures, and internships.
The MBA syllabus includes core subjects such as Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Operations Management and Organisational Behaviour.
- Electives
- Auditing
- Corporate Law
- Business Communication
The MBA programme includes semester exams, course works, dissertations, projects and internships.
Career Opportunity: BBA vs. MBA
BBA graduates can look at careers as –
- Supervisors or administrators in Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, or Sales to manage various aspects of the operations
- Entrepreneurs – run your business enterprise
- Business consultants – advise businesses on niche areas as a consultant
- Business Development Executive – find new business opportunities to expand and retain market share
- Finance Manager – manages the business finances
- Recruiter/ recruitment consultant – recruit new talent for business
- Sales Executive – Handle sales of products and services
- Event manager – manage and plan various events
Mostly, BBA graduates get entry-level positions and though you will grow within the team based on your performance, to get upper management positions, one has to do their MBA or an equivalent Master’s programme. BBA graduates can complete certification courses or appear for professional courses to augment their qualifications. Some alternatives are –
- Chartered Accountant – handles tax and related aspects
- Company Secretary – Handle business law
- Enterprise software certification (SaaS, PaaS, ERP, CMS, etc.) – use enterprise software for business operations
Irrespective of which field you graduate one can pursue an MBA if they want to become part of management, business administration, or entrepreneurship. MBA is also a prevalent choice among candidates with backgrounds in Engineering, Architecture, pure Sciences, and medicine to name a few. After MBA degree leads to roles such as –
- Strategic decision-making roles in Top Management (Chairman, CEO, CFO, Head of Department, etc.)
- Entrepreneur or Business Head – Run your business venture
- Team Leaders – lead project teams
- Department Heads – head of the different departments and make strategic decisions for them
Choosing the right institution
While most institutes offer the same curriculum, there are many aspects to consider when choosing a college. Some pertinent questions are –
- What are the alumni doing?
- Do they get good internship opportunities?
- What type of amenities does the college have?
- Where is the college located?
- Do they attract eminent businesspersons, thought leaders or influencers to visit the campus?
- How good is the placement cell?
Business administration studies is a wonderful area that transforms a student into someone who understands business and commerce and has an entrepreneurial mindset. Even if you grow to become a team leader, or you are heading an important scientific research expedition, understanding business administration and management subjects will teach you important skills of financial management, team management, project management, resource planning and much more. You understand the rudiments of conflict resolution, efficient decision-making, resource planning, and teamwork and learn essential soft skills, managerial skills, administrative skills, and entrepreneurial skills.
Course duration
B.Com Accounting programmes typically have a duration of three years for full-time students. The standard three-year format allows students to delve into the core concepts of accounting, finance, and related subjects, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field. The curriculum is structured to cover foundational courses in accounting, economics, business law, and other relevant areas. This relatively shorter duration appeals to individuals who seek a more streamlined and specialised education in accounting without the broader business context.
BBA Accounting programmes generally have a similar duration, spanning three years for full-time students. The timeframe results from the programme’s comprehensive approach, integrating accounting studies within a broader business curriculum. BBA students cover a wide range of business subjects, including marketing, management, entrepreneurship, and human resources, in addition to their accounting coursework. This allows for a more in-depth exploration of the interdisciplinary aspects of business, providing students with a holistic understanding of how accounting functions within the larger organisational context.