Pursuing a higher education degree after your undergraduate course provides you access to better opportunities for career development. Since many organisations and companies prefer to hire individuals who have advanced degrees and deeper knowledge of their field, getting a master’s degree is a wise decision. It enables you to improve your ability to manage more complex projects and develop your problem-solving skills critically. Hence, higher education brings forth greater scope, higher positions, more authority and, of course, more monetary compensation. If you wish to pursue a master’s degree in the field of marketing, our blog, stating the differences between a Master’s in Marketing vs MBA, is the perfect guide for you.
In recent times, marketing has grown to be a crucial aspect of the field of business. Individuals who pursue postgraduate degrees in the field of marketing are not only equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills but also learn to develop marketing strategies, conduct market research and manage branding and advertising campaigns. Although MBA is a popular career stream, a master’s degree, specifically in marketing, also opens doors to a lot of new avenues. Read on to find out all the major differences between the two degrees.
What Is An ‘MBA’ Degree?
MBA, Master of Business Administration, is a postgraduate degree usually taken up by candidates who want to advance their career ahead after working for a few years. The degree trains students to achieve the skills and strategies required to transcend themselves in the fields of management and business. MBA programmes generally tend to focus on skills that would benefit students in leadership and management roles, along with business and operational organisation. Students also have the flexibility to choose topics like economics, finance, business statistics and ethics. An MBA course specifically in marketing will emphasise marketing topics.
What Is A ‘Master’s In Marketing’ Degree?
While comparing a Master’s in Marketing vs MBA, it is quite evident that the former degree would focus more on marketing topics themselves. Marketing students are trained in subjects like consumer behaviour, brand development, marketing strategies and cultural considerations in international marketing. Although they get the option to choose modules that include an overview of leadership skills and general business practices, they are generally not considered the main focus. Also, a Master’s degree in Marketing is more suitable for candidates who have recently earned their bachelor’s degree or those who have little to no professional experience.
Differences In Eligibility Of Masters In Marketing Vs MBA
Since a Master’s in Marketing degree and a Master of Business Administration degree are both postgraduate courses, there aren’t many differences in their eligibility criteria either. The minimum educational qualification for both courses is a bachelor’s degree. Students are required to write standardised tests like GMAT and GRE. For applying to foreign universities, English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS are mandatory. In the criteria of certain universities, minimum work experience may be a requirement specifically for MBA applicants. However, applicants for a Master’s in Marketing are open to apply directly after their bachelor’s degree.
What Is The Average Tuition Fee For Each Of The Courses?
When comparing the differences between a Master’s in Marketing vs MBA, the cost of tuition is an important aspect one shouldn’t overlook. In India, the average tuition fee for a Master’s in Marketing degree ranges from INR 1,50,000 to INR 10,00,000 per year. Similarly, for an MBA course, the tuition starts from around INR 6,00,000 and can go up to INR 28,00,000 per year. Since students usually rely on financial aid, grants or scholarships for their educational finances, these numbers can result in added student loans and debt for several years into the future. To avoid this, you can choose to pursue these courses on a part-time basis. In such cases, the classes are conducted in the evenings, on weekends or holidays. It is also important to take into account that these average values of tuition fees will vary depending on the university or college, its location, mode of study, and specialisations, amongst other factors.
What Is The Average Duration Of a Master’s In Marketing Vs MBA?
The average duration of a Master’s in Marketing course is around two years, whereas that for an MBA course is 18 months to 2 years. However, for accelerated courses, this duration might be much lesser, whereas, for part-time courses, the duration may stretch for as long as three years.
What Are The Job Prospects & Expected Salary For Each Course?
Another important factor to help you decide which course is more suitable for you is comparing the different job prospects and expected salary for either course. Not only should the popular job offers match your field of interest, but they should also be ideal to utilise your acquired skills and talents to the maximum. Deduced by surveys of 2022, it was found that the starting salary for MBA graduates is around INR 8,00,000 per year, whereas the average annual salary is approximately INR 22,00,000. Some of the job profiles for which these figures are applicable are –
- Accounting Manager
- Business Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Business Operations Manager
- Finance Officer
Students who specifically select marketing as a major for their MBA degree can explore jobs like –
- Vice President Of Marketing
- Senior Product Manager
- Director Of Marketing
- Chief Executive Officer
Graduates with a Master’s in Marketing degree can expect a starting salary of around INR 3,00,000 per year. After acquiring a work experience of around 2 – 3 years, an average annual salary of INR 6,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 can be expected. Since marketing is a broadly experience-based field, candidates can expect an increment in their annual salary as and when they gain more experience and learn more strategies. A few of the popular job profiles for graduates include –
- Sales Manager
- Brand Development Specialist
- Public Relations Officer
- Market Research Analyst
- Copywriter
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- SEO Specialist
While these estimates may help you to come to a wise decision, it is important to keep in mind that these figures are based on general data and surveys. Your job profile and salary will vary depending on your skill set, specialisation, choice of university or college, the industry and its field, current market trends and even the economy.
Master’s In Marketing Vs MBA: A Comparative Summary
The following table contains a comparison of the similarities or differences between a Master’s in Marketing degree and a Master of Business Administration degree at a glance.
| Sr. No. | Particulars | Masters in Marketing | Master of Business Administration |
| 1. | Basic Curriculum | Consumer behaviour, brand development, marketing strategies and cultural considerations in the international marketing field | Skills for leadership and management roles, business and operational organisation, economics, finance, business statistics and ethics |
| 2. | Eligibility Criteria | GMAT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS | GMAT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS |
| 3. | Duration | 2 years | 18 months to 2 years |
| 4. | Tuition Fee | INR 1,50,000 to INR 10,00,000 per year | INR 6,00,000 to INR 28,00,000 per year |
| 5. | Average Starting Salary | INR 3,00,000 per year | INR 8,00,000 per year |
| 6. | Average Annual Salary | INR 6,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 per year | INR 22,00,000 per year |
| 7. | Popular Job Profiles | Sales Manager, Brand Development Specialist, Public Relations Officer, Market Research Analyst | Accounting Manager, Business Analyst, Senior Product Manager, Director Of Marketing |
FAQs
Q1. Can I do MBA after doing a Master’s in Marketing?
Ans: While you can do MBA after finishing your Master’s in Marketing degree, it is worth noting that these are generally diverse courses with varied individual curricula.
Q2. Is a Master’s in Marketing degree worth pursuing?
Ans: A Master’s in Marketing degree is certainly worth pursuing since it helps you acquire skills for consumer behaviour, marketing strategies and brand development.
Q3. Are MBA graduates offered a good salary?
Ans: MBA graduates are generally offered great salary packages starting from around INR 8,00,000 per year.
Q4. What is the major difference between a Master’s in Marketing and MBA?
Ans: Gaining leadership and management skills is one of the foundations of an MBA degree, while the Master’s in Marketing degree focuses on more practical marketing skills.
Q5. How do I choose between MBA and a Master’s in Marketing?
Ans: The main aspects to consider while making your decision are your career objectives, your desired job profile, your expected salary and the previous work experience you hold.
Thank you for reading our guide to comparing a Master’s in Marketing vs MBA! Let us know your queries or suggestions in the comments section below.
If you found this blog helpful, you may like reading these on our website –
1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities, Specialisations & Eligibility”
I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further