MBA after Hotel , Hospitality Management

As the times have changed, career aspirations of young Hotel Management and Hospitality Graduates have changed. Most of them would like to pursue MBA degree after their Graduation.

Masters in Business Administration, popularly known as MBA is offered by many Universities and Institutes in India. It is a 2 year full time course after Graduation. The institute should be affiliated to an UGC recognised university and programme has to be approved by All India Council For Technical Education ( AICTE ) . 

Some of the institutes offer 2 year Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM ) programme . However , the programme should be recognized by AICTE  in India .

Few Universities offer Part Time MBA for working professionals. This programme is of 3 year duration and minimum requirements would be 2 years of work experience after Graduation. This programme is also required to be recognized by AICTE besides the affiliating University. The nomenclature for Part Time Programmes could be MBA / MHRDM / MMM / MFM / MIM .

MBA is also offered through distance learning mode . The programme is of 2 year duration. Executive MBA programme is also offered by many institutes for working executives .

One can pursue MBA after Hotel Management / Hospitality Management Graduation. Securing a good score in Graduation as well as CAT /MAT / CMAT / MH CET / Any other entrance test is very important. 

Based on the score and performance in Group Discussion, Interviews and other selection tests, one can secure admission in a premier and reputed institute as the competition is very intense. Preparation for the entrance test can be started during the final year of Graduation. The institute should be chosen based on the affiliation status, reputation and brand, infrastructure, faculty and quality placements in the Industry.

Hotel Management / Hospitality Management Graduates with MBA qualifications can find placements in Hotels in the functional areas of Sales & Marketing, Human Resources , Learning & Development , Finance , Public Relations and Corporate Communications .  However, in Operational areas like Food & Beverage Service, Front office , House Keeping , Food & Beverage Production , MBA is not essential in the entry level positions . It would be desirable for the middle management and senior management operational positions.

Hospitality degree with MBA is a good qualification to join the services sector .Armed with an MBA degree, the growth is much faster in the industry and the knowledge of business and environment will change one's perspective and expands the horizon.

Pursuing MBA while working in Hotels is  an option for many. In my personal opinion, it would be extremely difficult for balancing both as each one has its own demands and requirements. In this case, a full time MBA is preferred.

MBA qualification is essential in the long run as one has to plan his or her career for at least 40 years .The business environment is highly dynamic and one needs to stay relevant to face the challenges of change.  

Is there a difference between Hospitality and Hotel Management courses ?

Many students and parents always ask me if there is any difference between the term Hospitality & Hotel Management as these are very confusing terminologies. The answer is yes. Understanding the basic difference is essential and important to choose the right course or profession. Primarily, both these terms are interrelated and forms part of the larger tourism industry. However, Hotel Management is more specific to the Management of a Hotel, Resort or Food & Beverage establishments .Hotels can be of different star category. There are five star deluxe hotels, four star, three star, two star and one star hotel in India as classified by The Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC) . Hotel Management course focuses on operating and managing these establishments.

However, the career prospects does not limit only to hotels. As hotel industry is an integral part of the services sector, there are plenty of job opportunities awaiting for a hotel management graduate. 

In India, hospitality management is offered as  a 3 year degree programme after the class 12th with nomenclature such as BSc/BBA/BA in Hospitality Management.The 3 year programme is affiliated to an university and comes under the purview of University Grants Commission (UGC).The 3 year degree progamme does not come under the purview of  All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Also,few universities offer 4 year degree programme in Hotel Management with the nomenclature of  BHMCT which stands for Bachelor's in Hotel Management and Catering Technology . The 4 year BHMCT programme has to be recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) besides being affiliated to an university.

Hospitality Management curriculum also covers Hotel Management but the career scope is wider than Hotel Management. Hotel Management is more specific to Hotels where as  Hospitality Management opens up opportunity to the  Services Sector.  Generally Hospitality Management courses are of 3 year duration after 12 standard. Graduates of Hospitality Management can join hotels and other sector of services like the travel, tourism, airlines, retail stores,malls, super markets, multiplexes , food Courts, banking, facilities management, and so on.

The final choice is of the student. Whichever course the student chooses,he/she needs to work hard ,possess the right attitude and work with passion in order to excel in the chosen profession.


For Professional advise connect with me @ : gmbhuvan@gmail.com