The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a master’s degree program with a specialization in leadership, human resource management, accounting, and business economics. Whereas, the Masters in Management (MIM) is a Master’s degree program that takes one to two years to complete and includes graduate-level business management material. The MIM program offers in-depth knowledge of a variety of management streams, including finance, marketing, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
Let’s answer the most basic questions about MIM and MBA.
MIM full form is Masters in Management. MIM is a master’s degree program that takes an average duration to complete of 10-13 months. The course includes a graduate level in Business management.
MBA full form is Masters in Business Administration. MBA is a master’s degree program that takes a duration of 2 years or more than 2 years. The course included post-graduate and middle-level management studies like financing, investment management, administration, etc.
MIM differentiates from MBA primarily because it is European-based and lasts for a shorter period of time (10–13 months), as compared to the MBA. Additionally, MIM is comparable to an MBA in terms of content and structure by 30% to 50%, but it places more of a focus on theory than an MBA internationally, which gives students access to more practical training.
Let’s examine the difference between MBA and MIM to better understand this.
| Basis of differences | MBA | MIM |
| Duration | 1 – 2 years for full-time | Average duration is 10- 13 months |
| Tuition Fee | 37,880 USD – 1,05,873 USD | 19,271 USD – 54,201 USD |
| Work Experience | At least 2 – 3 years | No or minimum required |
| Suitable for | Experienced professionals | Early graduate |
| Average Salary | 1,64,000 USD – 2,01,500 USD | 68,000 USD – 1,06,000 USD |
| Career scope | Mid-level positions | Entry level positions |
| Curriculum focuses | Practical | Theoretical |
| Applicant Goal | Career development | Starting their career |
| Colleges | QS world ranking | Location |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 1 | United States |
| Harvard Business School | 2 | United States |
| Penn | 3 | United States |
| HEC Paris | 4 | France |
| London Business School | 5 | United Kingdom |
| MIT (Sloan) | 6 | United States |
| IE Business School | 7 | Spain |
| Columbia Business School | 8 | United States |
| INSEAD | 9 | France |
| IESE Business School | 10 | Spain |
| Colleges | QS world ranking | Location |
| HEC Paris | 1 | France |
| ESSEC Business School | 2 | France |
| London Business School | 3 | United Kingdom |
| IE Business School | 4 | Spain |
| INSEAD | 5 | France |
| Esade Business School | 6 | Spain |
| ESADE/UVA Mclntire/Lingnan | 7 | United States |
| ESCP Europe | 8 | France |
| Copenhagen Business School | 9 | Denmark |
| WU Vienna | 10 | Austria |
Candidates must satisfy requirements that are almost identical for both courses in order to be accepted. The basic entry requirements for MBA and MIM are the same because both programs fall within the management domain.
The MBA degree, which lasts 1 to 2 years and is the most popular course in any profession, is a prominent and well-liked management degree. Both courses have very different orientations. An MBA is more practical and learning-focused, with a focus on real-world examples from the corporate world and case studies. Through hands-on learning, candidates develop the capacity to evaluate and research various business issues analytically. MBA programs place a significant emphasis on teaching students how to use a variety of financial instruments so they can pursue careers in business.
However, Masters in Management (MIM) is a closely related program that puts a greater focus on the theoretical side of management applications and promotes critical thinking. MIM courses typically last 10 to 13 months. MIM is typically 30–50% similar to an MBA. MIM programs, which aim to develop one’s theoretical foundation before one launches a profession, are thought to have mostly originated in Europe.
The syllabus for both MIM and MBA may be the same, but the curriculum has a different approach. The aspects of these two courses are different. Let’s discuss points.
| MIM |
| The course duration between MIM and MBA is an average of 1.5 or 2 years. Sometimes some universities offer MBAs as the same as the MIM duration. |
| The MIM course offered studies in Business finance, Theories, Marketing, and Leadership. Also required to do research and conduct statistical analysis. |
| It is a good choice for those who want to do a lot of material research and theoretical analytics. |
| Coursework on qualitative and quantitative research methodologies will prepare you to conduct in-depth investigations into Business organization structures, management, and economic sectors. |
| MBA |
| This is one of the popular courses among international students. Which helps to develop the most advanced management and leadership skills. |
| The program included finance, management, marketing, and digital marketing. Which have high-level employer opportunities and high ROI |
| MBA also integrates concentration and elective coursework, culminating in a strategic management capstone. |
| Two-year MBA programs also require you to take up a summer internship in between your first and second year. |
The tuition costs for an MBA are significantly higher due to the greater popularity given to MBA universities around the world. Even though there are a number of things to consider, including the location, the university, and the special course benefits, enrolling in this course is still costly. The MIM tuition costs are generally less expensive in comparison.
An MBA costs between 37,880 USD to 105,873 USD in tuition, whilst MIM costs between 19,271 to 54,201 USD.
MIM degrees is typically less expensive than MBA degrees. Even so, it’s still a big investment. The good news is that students in both majors can apply for a good number of scholarships:
| MBA Scholarship | MIM Scholarship |
| B.K. Birla MBA Scholarship (London Business School) | IVEY Business School Financial Need Awards |
| Kellogg Scholarship (Kellogg School of Management) | HEC Foundation Excellence Scholarship |
| Tahir Fellowship (UC Berkely Haas School of Business) | ESMT Berlin 700+ GMAT Scholarship |
| George J. Stigler Fellowship (Chicago Booth School of Business) | Essec Academic Excellence Scholarship |
| Forte MBA Fellowship for Women | INSEAD Financial Fellowship |
| Reaching Out LGBTQ MBA Fellowship | London Business School Fellowship |
| Consortium for Graduate Study in Management | Indian Academic Excellence Scholarship at Smurfit Business School |
| External MBA Scholarship | ESMT Berlin Asia Scholarship |
| McKinsey Emerging Scholars program | Kofi Annan Scholarship for Developing Country Students |
| Aga khan Foundation Scholarships | Volkswagen – HEC women in leadership scholarship |
| Aga khan Foundation Scholarships | |
| JN Tata Endowment for Higher Education Scholarship Program |
According to the needs of the program’s objectives, candidates for an MBA degree must have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional experience in order to be admitted. However, the MIM degree, which is more focused on recent graduates, only needs 1-2 years of work experience or can even be pursued without them. In terms of work experience, professionals with more experience are more prepared to understand the advanced modules in the MBA than in the MIM, because the latter pursues a steady process of knowledge acquisition.
At a junior management level, a Master in Management degree offers many of the same employment options as MBA programs. Graduates of the Master of Management program are hired by prestigious companies across various sectors, including consulting, finance, technology, and consumer goods. While MBA graduates often focus on general management, finance leadership, international management, marketing, etc. Let’s compare the MIM salary to the MBA salary.
| Job Profile | Average Salary (in USD) |
| Project Manager | 56,421 |
| Management Consultant | 74,521 |
| Operations Manager | 55,817 |
| Business Development Manager | 52,559 |
| Finance Manager | 60,316 |
| Job Profile | Average Salary (in USD) |
| Marketing Manager | 44,923 |
| Business Operation Manager | 55,103 |
| Project Manager | 59,337 |
| Management Consultant | 57,752 |
| Business Development Manager | 52,957 |
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Book your Free Counselling Session now!Although both programs cover a range of business topics and fundamental business ideas, the MBA is usually designed for students who have had some job experience. For those who have little to no work experience and are recently out of college, the MIM is more of a career boost.
No, the MIM is not an MBA substitute. Although the two degrees’ curricula are substantially comparable, they have different eligibility requirements. While the MBA is the best degree for working professionals, MIM is appropriate for recent graduates.
It is advisable to pursue an MBA following a MIM. MBA graduates are more senior in terms of experience and managerial abilities, which helps them secure high-level management roles. Since an MBA is a mid-career degree and a MIM is an early career degree, you can always pursue an MBA after a MIM.
Despite the fact that the MBA and MIM course curricula are essentially identical. The requirements for both programs’ eligibility vary. Three years of work experience are required for an MBA. MIM is for recent graduates.
A MIM is not essential to have any or very little work experience, ideally 1-2 years.
