Faculty of Management Studies, M S University, Vadodara

Overview

The Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), M S University (MSU Baroda), is a prestigious public B-School located in Vadodara, Gujarat. FMS is a highly ranked Business School; it has the 44th place in the latest IIRF Public B-School Ranking, and has received several other honors in recent years, including the second rank in a list of Government Business Schools according to Return on Investment, conducted by India Today in 2020, and rank # 23 in Outlook’s list of best MBA colleges in India, also in 2020, along with a certificate of excellence in Digital Management. The Faculty offers two PG courses: the General MBA (2 years), and an evening MBA course for Executives, which lasts three years, in addition to a PhD research program.

Even though the size of the graduating batch is relatively small (approximately 60 students), there are more than 30 major FMS MSU placement recruiters, including Consulting Giants (e.g. Accenture), India’s top Banks (HDFC, ICICI, and Kotak Mahindra Bank), Industrial Giants (Reliance, Adani, Essar), Apparel Majors (Donear, S Kumars), and Pharmaceutical Companies (Zydus Cadila and Sun Pharma). The highest placement package in the latest season was INR 10.2 LPA.

The highlight of the student event calendar every year at FMS MSU is Yuvantas, which has been in existence for over a decade. It aims to bridge the gap between students and corporates through multiple management events, and also raises money for philanthropic causes. It is now a National Level youth festival.

Highlights

Fees

The average tuition fee for the full time MBA program at MSU Baroda is INR 82,000. This is lower than the fee for many others ranked among the best Business Schools in India.

The annual living cost for students of FMS MSU Baroda is mainly made up of the hostel fee. The total amount to be paid is INR 6,200 (single or double occupancy) or INR 6,000 (3 or 4 students per room). This is exclusive of the mess fee, and has the following components:

• Hostel fee: INR 500 (1-2 seater) or INR 300 (3-4 seater).
• Hall charges: INR 2,000.
• Hostel development and maintenance fee: INR 2,100.
• University development and maintenance fund: INR 500.
• Electricity charges: INR 1,000.
• Miscellaneous fees: INR 100.

Foreign students must pay an additional hostel fee of INR 10,000. All students also pay a refundable security deposit of INR 1,000 at the time of admission, and can collect it at the time of graduation if their conduct is good and they have not damaged any University property.

Admissions

The eligibility criteria for admission to the full time MBA program at MSU Baroda are as follows:

• The candidate must be able to submit certificates from Standard X + XII Board Examinations, and an undergraduate course of study from a recognized University in India or abroad with any specialization, with a minimum duration of three years.
• The average aggregate over all semester examinations over the course of undergraduate study (all years) must be at least 50%. This is relaxed to 45% for SC, ST, and EWS candidates.
• The candidate must appear for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) and receive a valid rank.

Applications to the 3 year evening Executive MBA program must have similar qualifications to those listed above, but two years of work experience are also mandatory, or proof that they are self-employed (for entrepreneurs).

The Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) is the apex body within MSU that admits students to the MBA program at the University. Applications must be submitted online, via the MSU Integrated System portal. The ACPC team will issue a list of shortlisted students (with a waitlist) after the applications are submitted, and the students who pass the final round of selection will receive an Application Letter. After this, students must report to the MSU campus and submit their original documents for verification, and pay the first year’s tuition fees. After this, they will receive a Permanent Registration Number (PRN) and can start attending classes.

Placements

Over 30 big name companies recruit from FMS MSU Baroda on an annual basis, from all the main industrial sectors, ensuring that students of all specializations have employment options:

• National Banks: HDFC, ICICI, Kotak Mahindra, Union Bank of India.
• Retail Giants: Panasonic, S Kumars, Donear, Welspun India.
• Pharma Conglomerates: Zydus Cadila, Sun Pharma.
• Industrial Majors: Jindal, Mahindra, Essar, Larsen and Toubro.
• IT Companies: Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys.
• E-Commerce and Online Portals: Collabera.

There are three main sectors represented in the final placement statistics: two-thirds of the students are offered BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) jobs, with one-sixth each ending up in Manufacturing and IT Consulting jobs. There is also a healthy Summer Internship program, with an equal split between BFSI, Manufacturing, IT, and FMCG companies. Students of the Marketing specialization received the highest average placement packages (INR 5.89 LPA), while the highest package offered was more than 10 LPA, for all specializations except Human Resources (INR 4 LPA). The highest Summer Internship stipend offered was INR 25,000, with prominent SIP recruiters including Siemens, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, Amul, Aditya Birla Group, Adani Wilmar, Karvy Stock Broking, and Union Bank of India.

Cut-Offs

The only cut-off that is known before the admission process to the MBA program at MSU, Baroda, is the aggregate required during the course of UG study. Applicants must have an overall aggregate across all 3/4/5 years of study of at least 50% (or 45% for reserved category candidates). There is no cut-off determined ahead of time in terms of the CMAT score or rank; however, a better rank increases the probability of admission. Once all the applications are submitted, the lowest CMAT score among all the admitted candidates is the final cut-off score.

Faculty & Alumni

The Faculty of Management Studies, MSU Baroda, has six full time Faculty Members, one Associate Professor, and five Assistant Professors. The Faculty is also home to 20 accomplished Visiting Faculty members; they are drawn from among experts in various specializations, with senior CAs and CMAs providing real time industry exposure for Finance students, Marketing Heads of industries headquartered in Gujarat allowing Marketing Management students to understand current trends in the sector, and DGMs of HR assisting Human Resources students with industry knowledge. They are supported by four Data Entry Operators and Library Clerks.

MSU Baroda has an online Alumni Network website, which can be used by members of the Faculty of Management to network with other alumni of the University according to their field of study. Both full time and Executive MBA students are eligible to enroll in the MSU Alumni Network. The University organizes an annual Alumni meet in hybrid offline and online modes; this provides an opportunity for current students to meet and be inspired by their seniors, and to avail internship and job options. Eminent alumni include the MD of HSBC, the Vice President of Kotak Mahindra Bank, a Member of Parliament, the President of Yes Bank, and the Chairman of the Airport Authority of India.

Scholarships

Even though the tuition fees for MBA students of MSU Baroda are relatively low, there is still an extensive scholarship program for financially disadvantaged students. This is known as the Directorate of Student Welfare (DSW) fund, and has the following eligibility criteria:

• The total family income of the applicant must be less than INR 3.5 LPA.
• The aggregate percentage must be at least 55% in the previous year’s examination (e.g. final year of UG studies for first year MBA students).
• The candidate must be able to submit supporting documents (address proof and family income statements).

The application must be completed on the MSU Baroda DSW website, with soft copies of all documents uploaded.

After the DSW scholarship applications are submitted, a Faculty Committee is constituted to examine the credentials of all applicants; it consists of three Professors, including the Dean of Students’ Affairs, and the Dean of Sports. This committee scrutinizes the applications and sorts them into three categories: Not Recommended, Recommended, and Strongly Recommended. A core committee is then convened every year under the Vice Chancellor, and makes the final decision on the award of need based scholarships. The last step involves a Personal Interview of the shortlisted students, and those who are selected for the scholarship receive funds through a direct deposit to their bank accounts. Students of FMS, MSU Baroda, may also apply to external Government and Private Trust scholarship schemes, and follow their selection procedures.

Preparation & FAQs

The main component of the admission process to the MBA program at FMS, MSU, is the CMAT examination. To prepare for this entrance test, candidates should:

• Go through the CMAT 2024 syllabus carefully.
• Study the curriculum for the chapters where the student is weak.
• Work out at least 100 MCQs per chapter, allotting one minute per question.
• Purchase a mock test series and attempt at least 5-10 full tests in the stipulated time.
• Go through previous years’ test papers and compute the expected score and rank based on past trends.
• Use additional preparation material (including from other examinations like the CAT and XAT) to improve skills in weak areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Which is the top MBA college in Vadodara?

The Faculty of Management Studies, M S University, is one of the best Business Schools in Gujarat, and is the top MBA college in Vadodara. It is ranked #43 in the IIRF 2023 rankings of top MBA colleges in India.

Q. What is the highest package offered to students of FMS MSU during the placement season?

During the latest placement season, the highest salary packages offered to students of different specializations in the MBA program of FMS Baroda were as follows:

• Marketing, Operations, Finance: INR 10.2 LPA.
• Human Resources: INR 4 LPA.

Q. Which are the specializations available to the MBA students of FMS, MSU Baroda?

Four specializations are available to MBA students of FMS MSU: Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resources Management, and Production & Operations.

Q. What scholarships are available for needy students of FMS, MSU Baroda?

Through the DSW Program, MSU Baroda seeks to assist all MBA students with a family income below INR 3.5 LPA with their tuition fees, as long as they have a percentage of at least 55% in the qualifying examination.