MBA Lateral Entry - Eligibility Criteria, Admission, Syllabus, Scope, Comparison

MBA Lateral Entry - Eligibility Criteria, Admission, Syllabus, Scope, Comparison

Upcoming Event

CAT Admit Card Date:05 Nov' 25 - 30 Nov' 25

Updated on 20 Apr 2024, 09:47 AM IST

The MBA Lateral Entry Course is essentially a standard MBA programme with specific entry requirements, allowing individuals to directly enter the second year of MBA programme. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) has a great demand in the business world. Professionals seeking career growth or wanting to change their career paths can get an MBA admission through lateral entry. MBA Lateral Entry provides a distinct and fast-track approach to this esteemed degree.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is MBA Lateral Entry?
  2. Eligibility Criteria For MBA Lateral Entry
  3. Admission Process For MBA Lateral Entry
  4. MBA Lateral Entry Syllabus
  5. Future Career Options After MBA Lateral Entry
  6. Comparing MBA Lateral Entry and Regular MBA
MBA Lateral Entry - Eligibility Criteria, Admission, Syllabus, Scope, Comparison
MBA lateral entry

MBA lateral entry course will enable professionals in relevant fields to refine their management skills, a crucial aspect for ascending to top management roles within an organisation. This article by careers360 will cover the eligibility criteria, admission process, syllabus, future career prospects, and comparison of regular and lateral entry MBA programmes.

Also Read: What an MBA Degree Is and What You Need to Know?

What is MBA Lateral Entry?

MBA Lateral Entry, also known as Lateral Admission or Direct Entry MBA, is a specialised programme tailored for experienced professionals who aim to pursue an MBA without starting from the beginning as a fresh graduate. The candidates skip the first year of the MBA course and directly take admission into the second year. This MBA lateral entry in India is designed for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their career prospects with a management degree. This alternative pathway leverages their existing skills and knowledge, expediting their journey towards obtaining an MBA qualification.

Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025

IBSAT 2025-ICFAI Business School MBA/PGPM 2026

IBSAT 2025-Your gateway to MBA/PGPM @ IBS Hyderabad and 8 other IBS campuses | Scholarships worth 10 CR

Eligibility Criteria For MBA Lateral Entry

MBA lateral entry eligibility criteria can vary, but some common requirements for admission to MBA lateral entry colleges are mentioned below:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates are required to have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, with a minimum of 50% marks.
  • Work Experience: Most MBA Lateral Entry programmes in India require candidates to have a minimum of 2 to 5 years of full-time work experience after completing their bachelor's degree.
  • PGPM Degree: The first year of a master's degree in a relevant discipline, a relevant PGDM, or a relevant PGPM degree is required for eligibility for MBA lateral entry.
CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages
Comprehensive CAT prep guide with focused practice on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Download Now

The eligibility qualifications may also vary by institution, so it's advisable to check the specific requirements of the programme and institution you are interested in.

Also Read:

XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026

75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools | Apply now

Symbiosis MBA - SNAP 2025

1 Exam accepted by 17 Top Symbiosis Institutes for 29 MBA programmes.

Admission Process For MBA Lateral Entry

The MBA lateral entry in IGNOU and other colleges in India varies depending on the college requirements. Given below is a general overview of the typical steps involved in admission process for MBA lateral entry programmes:

  1. Application: Students must first register on the college's website and complete the application form, either in person or online, with all necessary information.
  2. Merit List: A merit list will be created for all qualified applicants who have submitted applications and meet all eligibility criteria, such as prior academic standing, diploma degree, and admission exam requirements.
  3. Counselling and Enrollment: After a list of qualified applicants is created and made public, students will be approached for counselling and original document submission. This will be followed by fee payment and enrollment.

MBA Lateral Entry Syllabus

Core Subjects- The curriculum of MBA Lateral Entry is designed to offer advanced business management and administration skills. Core subjects in the MBA lateral entry syllabus include:

  • Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
  • Managerial Economics
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Operations Management
  • Strategic Management
  • Business Research Methods
  • OMBA Lateral Entry Syllabusrganisational Behavior
  • Management Information Systems

Elective Subjects- In addition to core lateral entry MBA subjects, MBA lateral entry programmes often offer a range of elective courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to align with their career goals. Some popular elective options include:

  • Environmental Management
  • Healthcare Management
  • Information Technology Management
  • International Business
  • Entrepreneurship

Also Read: MBA Subjects and Syllabus in India 2023

Future Career Options After MBA Lateral Entry

Earning an MBA lateral entry can open up a wide range of career opportunities, especially for experienced professionals. Here are some potential future job roles after completing an MBA lateral entry programme:

  • Business Development Manager: Focuses on identifying and pursuing growth opportunities for their organisations, with an average salary of ₹6 LPA.
  • Senior Manager: Responsible for overseeing teams, making strategic decisions, and driving organisational growth, with an average salary of ₹24 LPA.
  • Product Manager: Oversees the development, marketing, and performance of specific products or services, with an average salary of ₹16 LPA.
  • Marketing Director: Leads marketing teams, develops marketing strategies, and manages product launches and branding efforts, with an average salary of ₹30 LPA.
  • Supply Chain Manager: Ensures the efficient movement of products from suppliers to customers, with an average salary of ₹12 LPA.
  • Investment Banker: Assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and financial advisory services, with an average salary of ₹4.5 LPA.
  • Human Resources Manager: Oversees personnel, recruitment, and employee development, with an average salary of ₹6.6 LPA.

Comparing MBA Lateral Entry and Regular MBA

When considering MBA options, it is essential to understand the differences between MBA lateral entry and a regular MBA programme:

  • Eligibility: MBA lateral entry requires prior work experience, typically 2-10 years, along with one year of PGMP degree. Regular MBA programmes are typically open to fresh graduates or individuals with limited work experience.
  • Duration: MBA lateral entry programmes are often shorter, ranging from 1 to 2 years, assuming students have prior business knowledge. Regular MBA programmes are typically 2-year programmes, although some accelerated options may be available.
  • Specialisations: While MBA lateral entry allows for specialisation options, course availability may depend on the institution. Regular MBA programmes offer a wide range of specialisations, and students often choose their focus during the programme.
  • Class Profile: MBA lateral entry classmates are typically experienced professionals from diverse industries and backgrounds. Regular MBA pass-outs may consist of recent graduates with limited professional experience.
  • Learning Pace: MBA lateral entry assumes students have practical knowledge, potentially leading to a faster learning pace. Regular MBA programmes offer a more structured learning experience with a focus on building foundational business skills.
  • Career Opportunities: Graduates of MBA lateral entry often seek senior management roles or career transitions in their industry. New MBA graduates step into a wide range of career paths taking up entry-level positions and management roles in various industries of their interest.

Also Read:

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA Business Analytics
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
The Science and Business of Biotechnology
Via Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Online MBA
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hey! With an All India Rank (AIR) of 302,821 in NEET and belonging to the BCE category, it is highly unlikely to get a BDS seat in Telangana under the state quota, as the closing ranks for BCE are usually below 50,000. You may consider applying to private colleges under management quota or explore BDS seats in other states, but the chances remain very limited with this rank.

At KIMS Amalapuram, the internship stipend for MBBS students is generally reported to be around 20,000 per month, though some students have mentioned that in certain years no stipend was provided at all, which means it can vary depending on the policies in place at the time of your internship. To get the most accurate and updated information, it is always best to confirm directly with the college administration or recent interns, but on average, you can expect a stipend in the range of 18,000-20,000 per month during the compulsory rotating internship.

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

  4. If the issue is not fixed after 48 hours, contact the official CAT helpdesk immediately with your transaction details.

Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.