If you are looking for a college with a strong faculty pool, it's worth noting that MICA's faculty pool is better. Their faculty members have done impressive research work, and they've had CXO-level professionals from FMCG, FMCD, Advertising, and BFSI sectors take classes as visiting faculty and guest industry lecturers.
Both MICA and NMIMS have extremely strong alumni networks with alumni in impressive positions and careers. However, if you are interested in marketing specifically, MICA's alumni may be more advantageous as they have traditionally dominated this field.
Regarding placements, NMIMS has a slight advantage in terms of median and average packages. However, it's important to consider that the profiles that come to each college are different. While MICA is well-represented in other sectors, they haven't had consulting companies on campus, while NMIMS has been lagging in Advertising.
The fee and ROI are similar for both colleges, and they have similar student pools. However, a key differentiator is Campus Life. MICA has one of the most beautiful campuses in India, spread across 19 acres with over 3000 trees and well-maintained. In contrast, NMIMS is a typical 7-floor conglomerate office with zero foot space outside the building, and students do not live on campus.
These were essential parameters that mattered to the person who conducted the research, and they ended up selecting MICA over NMIMS. If these factors are important to you, then MICA might be the better choice for you too.
There are several factors that you should consider before deciding on a business school. Fee is one of them; though the fees you pay at any business school is not directly equivalent to the average package offered, so keep that in mind before making any decision.
Now, Management schools generally increase their annual fees by 10 to 20% every two years. For instance, in the year 2018, MICA increased their fees from Rs 16.5 lakhs to 18.5 lakhs and then last year, they increased it again to Rs 20 lakhs. Similarly, SIBM Pune increased their fees by 20 % in the year 2018. Thus, bear in mind that most business schools change their fee structure annually or bi-annually while it is a deciding factor, it is also highly common.
Tabulated below are the recent fee structure and average salary offered by the institutes:
Institute Name |
Fee Structure |
Average Salary |
MICA |
21 LPA |
13.9 LPA |
SIBM Pune |
18.8 LPA |
20.14 LPA |
IIM Shillong |
10 LPA |
18.76 LPA |
Comparison:
MICA is an excellent college with a unique structure; people are creative and innovative there. The college will definitely help you grow and will offer you a very different and unique experience, unlike a traditional management school. While it is a good and upcoming college; it has to work to match up to management colleges like SIBM Pune and IIM Shillong.
Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA) is a premier autonomous B-School in the field of Marketing and Communication. Apart from its well-known interdisciplinary PG Diploma courses, it also offers a number of online programmes in subjects such as Digital Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Advertising and Public Relations Management.
To be eligible to apply for admission to MICA, one needs to have secured less than 50% throughout his academic career and have completed graduation from an AUC accredited university. Other notable features about the admission procedure are:
With the help of regular practise, solving previous year papers and hard-work, one can easily ace the admission test. The personality and thought process of a candidate is judged through the GE and PI. Thus, along with preparing for the aptitude tests, one also needs to focus on his/ her creative aspects by continuously reading books, newspapers, blogs.
MICA university holds 12th rank issued by outlook in 2019. Admissions in this university are based on entrance tests followed by personal interview and counseling. Placements at this university are really good.
Symbiosis Center for Management & Human Resource Development (SCMHRD) holds 13th rank for MBA issued by times. Admissions for MBA are based on entrance tests followed by personal interview and group discussion.
Tabulated below gives a brief overview of both institutions:
Particulars |
SCMHRD |
MICA |
Application fee |
1000 INR |
1,965 INR |
Top recruiters |
Accenture, ACCENTURE, Avalon Consulting, Axis Bank, Bajaj Auto, Barclays Bank, Bridgei2 |
Raymond, Titan, Saavn, Walmart, Amazon, Google, Apollo, Linkedin, YesBank, Amazon, Puma, Usha and Topline |
Average salary |
15.6 lakhs |
12.8 lakhs |
Admission process
MICA
SCMHRD
Placements
SCMHRD
MICA
Infrastructure
SCMHRD
MICA
Overall both institutes are equally good for management. The admission process of both institutes is based on entrance tests conducted by institutes. Placements of both the institutes are equally good. Both institutes have an engaging and encouraging environment.
XLRI offers a program in digital marketing through the Talentedge platform which is a 4 month online course. MICA on the other hand offers a certificate program in digital marketing which is for 5 months and offered online and through the upgrad platform.
Admissions:
Particulars |
MICA Digital Marketing |
XLRI Digital Marketing |
Eligibility criteria |
10+2+3 from a recognized University |
Minimum 3 years of work experience 10+2+3 from a recognized University |
NIRF Ranking |
Top 100 |
9th |
Total seats |
30 |
20 |
Fees |
INR 70,000 |
INR 70,000 |
MICA: Collaborations with Nanyang University, Queensland University and a few other top colleges from Europe help enhance knowledge and outlook. Internship opportunities are also provided with average stipend being 81,000 and highest stipend being over 1.5 lacs.
XLRI: Tie-ups with universities like Tulane, University of Virginia and many others help include top faculty members from across the globe who are also advisors at the World Bank, Ford Foundation, UN.
MICA: The course is spread across 7 modules with Business methods, Search Marketing, Social media marketing, Email marketing, Display marketing, Mobile marketing and Web analytics. They also conduct additional tutorial classes in between modules and learn inter-module dynamics of digital marketing channels.
XLRI: The course has a good mix of theory and practical subjects with a comprehensive capstone project at the end of the semester related to the different aspects of digital marketing. It has core subjects like strategic brand communication, digital media analytics, content marketing, marketing plan and more. The curriculum has been designed in a way to build and develop a better understanding towards digital marketing tools and manage digital campaigns.
Since these are certification courses, the institution does not offer direct placements but completing this course will surely allow professionals to further enhance their career and gain expertise in this field. This certificate course earned by professionals helps 70% of them to either find a higher paying job or start a new career.
Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA) has been ranked among the top 5 management institutes in Gujarat. The institute offers only postgraduate diploma programmes and no undergraduate programmes. Apart from its well-known interdisciplinary PG Diploma courses, it also offers a number of online programmes in subjects such as Digital Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Advertising and Public Relations Management.
Neither are there any undergraduate programmes on offer nor any specific course on animation. But the Creative Crafting Communication (CCC) course is a unique course offered which aims at developing idea crafters. It’s a ten-month long intensive programme, including two months of compulsory internship training, aimed at training students in creative designing, creative problem solving for the creative communication industry.
Art Direction, Film-Making, Animation & Stop Motion are the specializations which lay their focus on animation. It includes brainstorming on the concepts, storyboards, animation production, shooting and editing cinematic and animatic scenes.
Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA) has been ranked among the top 5 management institutes in Gujarat. Apart from its well-known interdisciplinary PG Diploma courses, it also offers a number of online programmes in subjects such as Digital Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Advertising and Public Relations Management.
The Post Graduate Diploma in Management-Communications (PGDM-C) course offered by the institute aims at grooming business leaders. The primary focus of this course is to enhance creative thinking, communication, consumer-centricity and community outreach. Few factors to keep note of about this course are:
Two-year full-time programme divided into six terms
Total Fees: 20 lacs
Students are encouraged to do a summer internship at the end of the first year to make themselves industry ready
Various specializations offered are: a) Advertising Management b) Media Management c) Brand Management d) Digital Communication Management e) Marketing Research and Analytics
Eligibility: 50% throughout academic career and graduation from an accredited university
Admission process involves three steps:
Step 1- Clearing CAT/ XAT/ GMAT cut-off
Step 2- MICAT test involving 3 sections namely, (a) Psychometric Test (b) Aptitude testing verbal ability, quantitative ability and data interpretation, general awareness, divergent and convergent thinking (c) Descriptive Test
Step 3- Group Exercise and Personal Interview
Key features about the previous year placement statistics are:
70+ companies took part in the recruitment drives and made 150+ offers
Average CTC on offer was 12.8 LPA
Highest domestic package was 33 LPA
Highest international package was 58.2 LPA
Average placement rate was over 90%
Top roles offered were Sales and Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Strategist, Brand Manager and Analytical Lead
Major recruiters were HCL, Amazon, Nestle, IBM, E&Y, CITI among many others
Highest stipend offered to summer interns was 3.2 lacs, average being Rs.70,000
While choosing between MICA, IRMA, and XIMB, it's important to keep in mind that these institutions are very different from each other. They have different missions, visions, and outcomes. While XIMB is a general management institute, MICA and IRMA are focused on their respective domains.
If you're someone who is primarily driven by CTC and ROI, then it's important to think twice before opting for these niche programs based on general parameters. You might end up in something that you might not enjoy.
IRMA is the pioneer of rural management, with the aim of bringing about a change in the rural sector of the country through professional management. As a participant in the program, you'll learn all the principles of general management, along with social and liberal arts subjects. One of the unique features of IRMA is their three internship segments, which provide a different perspective on rural realities and society through a different lens.
By choosing IRMA, you can expect to have a rewarding career afterwards. However, keep in mind that the program is geared towards those who have a genuine interest in rural management and development. It's important to do your research and self-reflection to see if this program is the right fit for you.
MICA CAT cutoff goes above 80. There is no such MICAT cutoff as of now. Getting admission to MICA depends a lot on your performance in MICAT. Here are the factors that play a crucial role in selection.
They also check whether you are flitting in with the batch and institute. For MICAT preparation, brush up on your business GK, ensure your writing is good, and present your arguments well.