Learn more about PGDM program at SCMS Cochin School of Business

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, experts at SCMS Cochin School of Business talk in detail about their MBA equivalent two-year PGDM program in detail. They share all important information on admission and selection process, placement trends, fee and accommodation. They have also listed the reasons to consider them over any other management institute in the country

Here is the edited excerpt of the conversation

Q: What is the eligibility criteria and selection process for admission in PGDM Program at SCMS Cochin School of Business?

A: Our admission process is divided into three steps:

• Written Aptitude Test: Applicant must have a valid score of any of the national accepted qualifying exam for the management programme. This includes CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA and KMAT.
• Group Discussion Round
• Personal Interview Round

Because of the lockdown, we are conducting personal interview rounds over the telephone and video conferencing tools.

The final selection will be made on the basis of students’ academic performance and overall performance in the complete admission process.

But to apply for admission in SCMS, the applicant must fulfil the eligibility criteria. The applicant must have a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent in graduation in any discipline from a recognised university. A minimum of 60 percentile in CAT or a composite score of over 400 in MAT is essential.

Q: What are the various specialisations offered to students?

A: We have a core industry-embedded curriculum and hence, we offer all those specialisations that can help students cope up with the current industry trends. We offer specialisations in:

• Marketing
• Finance
• Retail
• Human Resource
• Systems & Operations Management

We give students the opportunity to pursue the curriculum in dual specialisations with marketing being the mandatory one. This will give broad perspective and better career opportunities to students.

Q: What is the total cost of the two-year PGDM program? Do you also offer scholarships to students?

A: The total cost of the two-year PGDM program is Rs 7.5 lakh which is to be paid in six equal instalments.

We do offer the scholarships up to 40 per cent on tuition fees to students with minimum work experience of two years.

Q: Is is the residential programme? If yes, then what is the fee for hostels?

A: The PGDM program offered at SCMS is a complete residential programme. We have hostels facility on campus. Students willing to opt for accommodation on campus need to pan an additional fee of Rs 7,000 per month which includes both rent and mess charges.

Q: Can you share some insights on placements?

A: SCMS is known for its track record of quality placements. Every year we are able to place over 90 per cent of students with big corporates. Rest are either uneligible or choose to start their own start-up.

With corporates such as HDFC, Deloitte, HUL, amazon, HCL, Federal Bank and KPMG, we have been able to channelise our students' career in the bright direction.

As per the recent placement trends, we have witnessed  the highest package of Rs 19.5 lakh per annum as compared the last year which was Rs 12 lakh per annum

Also, it is mandatory for students to undergo a summer internship programme which they need to find on their own. In case if a student faces any difficulty, then we help the student.

To prepare students for Group discussion and Personal Interview round, we organsie regular personality development workshops with Mock GD and interview sessions

Q: Do you also offer any value-added courses during the curriculum?

A: We understand the need to stand apart from the crowd. Almost all management institutes follow the same curriculum but what differs is the delivery of the curriculum. Our curriculum also includes value-added courses for students such as Excel certification and foreign language courses which boost confidence amongst students and help them in adding value to their profile.

Q: Why should a student choose PGDM from RSB over other institutes across the country?
A: We are an autonomous institute offering AICTE approved management programme. We believe in quality education and this is why we have an industry-embedded curriculum. Apart from this, the reasons to choose us over other institutes are:

• We have tie-ups with international universities such as Lincoln University College, Malaysia that facilitates students to pursue the curriculum for one trimester abroad
• More than 60 companies visit the campus every year
• As a part of SCMS, students are eligible to undergo internship in Malaysia and after clearing their assessment, they will be eligible for an MBA degree from Lincoln University College, Malaysia
• Students are assigned to mentors (faculty) who help the students with academics and any other issue they may be facing
• Accredited to AICTE, accredited to ACBSP (USA), ISO certified, we are recognised as equivalent to MBA by Association of India Universities, Govt of India
• We have a strong alumni network across the globe