M.Tech Vs MBA - Which is a Better Option After B.Tech?

In recent times, engineering graduates from technical institutes in India have been opting for different MBA programmes. The reasons for B.Tech graduates to choose MBA over any other course ranges from monetary purposes to career prospectives. However, many graduates get confused between the options in M.Tech and MBA programmes. Especially in terms of career opportunities, B.Tech graduates are not able to choose between M.Tech and MBA programmes. So here are some of the things to keep in mind while deciding the next academic step after completing B.Tech.

It is, however, important to note that the final decision of choosing a programme should be determined on the basis of the student's interest. Pursuing a management programme, even if one has no interest in management can be more harmful than advantageous to the student. It should also be noted that after completing the B.Tech programme, the student will be able to pursue a wide range of programmes ranging from disciplines of Arts, Science, Engineering, Management, Law, etc.

M.Tech Vs MBA

The first step in distinguishing between the programmes is to understand what the student will learn after pursuing the programme. It is important to learn the difference between M.Tech and MBA before deciding to pursue the programme. Here are some of the differences between M.Tech and MBA programmes. Aspirants who wish to pursue a postgraduate programme need to understand that pursuing either M.Tech or MBA will result in two completely different career prospectives. Since both programmes belong to two different disciplines, career prospectives will also differ.

It should also be noted that pursuing a Master’s degree will affect the career prospectives of the candidate, irrespective of the discipline or degree he/she wishes to pursue. Keeping these facts in mind, here are some facts about both M.Tech and MBA programme.

What is M.Tech?

M.Tech or Master of Technology is a postgraduate programme in the discipline of engineering/technology. At the postgraduate level, a programme in M.Tech will focus majorly on specialising in one field of a branch of engineering like electrical, mechanical, civil, computer science etc. However, since the discipline of engineering is a popular course, the admissions to the programmes are based on an entrance test that is either conducted at the National, State or University-level. In order to pursue any M.Tech programme from the M.tech Colleges of India, the aspirants will need to go through the course details of the programme offered by the college along with all the admission requirements for the programme.

As stated above, pursuing an M.Tech programme means that the candidates will be specialising in different areas. Under M.Tech programmes, the candidates will not only be able to pursue specialisations but they will also be able to pursue sub-specialisations in the different branches of engineering. It should be noted that an M.Tech degree will provide the aspirant with a degree that tags them as specialists in a field.

List of M.Tech Specialisations and Sub-Specialisations

The candidates who wish to pursue an M.Tech programme can choose from a list of the M.Tech specialisations which will be offered to them, related to the specialisation of their choice. Along with this, the candidates will be able to choose from a list of sub-specialisations under the different specialisations in M.Tech. Check out the list of M.Tech specialisations and sub-specialisations:

• Computer Science and Engineering

  • Information Technology

  • Software Engineering

  • Computer Science

  • Image Processing

• Civil Engineering

  • Transportation Engineering

  • Engineering Structures

  • Environmental Engineering

  • Remote Sensing

• Electrical Engineering

  • Instrumentation and Control Systems

  • Power System and Engineering

  • Computer Controlled Industrial Power

  • Power Electronics and Drives

• Electronics and Communication Engineering

  • Electronic Instrumentation

  • VLSI System Design

  • Advanced Communication Systems

  • Signal Processing

• Mechanical Engineering

  • Automobile Engineering

  • Product Design and Development

  • Manufacturing Engineering

  • Thermal Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

  • Process Control and Instrumentation

  • Energy Engineering

  • Industrial Pollution Control

  • Chemical Engineering

The list of specialisations and sub-specialisations that have been listed above are among the top subjects/topics that have been chosen by students across the country. However, there are other sub-specialisations that can be opted by the aspiring candidates.

What is MBA?

MBA or Master’s in Business Administration is a postgraduate management programme, that is opted by aspirants who wish to pursue higher career opportunities and positions. In recent times, a large number of engineering graduates have been opting for different MBA programmes after their B.Tech. MBA as a programme does not require any special course as an eligibility criterion, however, those who are interested in pursuing the programme need to have appeared for an entrance test. Most MBA colleges in India, consider candidates for admission based on their ranks in the different management entrance tests.

Once the decision has been made by the aspirant, they will be offered a list of specialisations in MBA that they will need to choose. Like M.Tech programmes, the MBA specialisations will also lead to the students becoming specialists in particular fields of management such as operations, sales and marketing, finance, hospitality management, etc. It should be noted that the specialisations under MBA are optional and the students can pursue an MBA programme without specialisations.

List of MBA Specialisations

Those who aspire to pursue an MBA programme right after completing their B.Tech programme will be able to choose from a list of MBA specialisations. Like any other specialised field of education, being a specialist in management will further lead to better career opportunities in Management. Here is the list of MBA specialisations:

• Marketing

• Family Business and Entrepreneurship

• Information Systems

• Finance

• Human Resources

• Consultation

• Hospitality Management

• Hospital and Healthcare

• Organisational

Like in engineering, these above-mentioned specialisations are among the popular specialisations that are available under MBA. However, depending on the particular MBA college in India, the candidates will be able to opt for the specialisation of their choice. There are no sub-specialisations under Masters in Business Administration (MBA).

M.Tech and MBA Eligibility Criteria

In order to be able to pursue either of the programmes, the candidates will be required to meet the eligibility criteria for M.Tech and MBA programmes. The eligibility criteria for each of the programmes will depend on the college or institute that is offering the programme. However, the basic eligibility criterion that candidates should meet include having a valid bachelor's degree along with a score or rank in one of the entrance tests for admission to either M.Tech or MBA programmes. The specific details for each of the programmes will be available under the admission section of each of the engineering colleges or management colleges in India.

M.Tech Eligibility Criteria

The admission to any of the M.Tech or Master’s of Technology programme that is offered by the various engineering colleges of India will be based on meeting the eligibility criteria for M.Tech programmes in those colleges. The primary eligibility criteria that almost every engineering college in India requires is a valid Bachelors degree in Engineering (B.E.) or Technology (B.Tech) in the respective course or specialisation of the aspirants’ choice. Along with a valid bachelor’s degree, a valid rank or score in an engineering entrance test is also important. Given below is the eligibility criteria:

• A valid Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology, i.e. B.E. or B.Tech. in the respective course or specialisations

• A rank or score in an engineering entrance test, as specified by the engineering college of their choice.

List of M.Tech Entrance Tests

The candidates who have worked towards taking admission into one of the M.Tech programmes on offer at the engineering colleges of India can take a look at the list of M.Tech common entrance tests:

• Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE)

• Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Exam (UPSEE)

• Telangana State Postgraduate Engineering Common Entrance Test (TS PGECET)

• Andhra Pradesh Postgraduate Engineering Common Entrance Test (AP PGECET)

• Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)

• Vellore Institute of Technology Masters Entrance Exam (VITMEE)

• Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test (HP CET)

• Karnataka Postgraduate Common Entrance Test (Karnataka PGCET)

• Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)

• Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam (KIITEE)

Almost all the M.Tech colleges in India conduct admission to the different M.Tech programmes on the basis of the rank obtained by the aspirant in the entrance test. Different colleges accept different entrance tests, depending on various factors. Some colleges consider entrance tests conducted at the National level, meanwhile, there are states that conduct state-wise entrance tests for admission to the M.Tech programmes. There are colleges that conduct their own entrance tests. Therefore, it is important for the candidates to go through the individual eligibility criteria for M.Tech programmes offered by different colleges.

MBA Eligibility Criteria

The candidates who have aspired to pursue a programme in management need to satisfy the eligibility criteria for MBA. As usual, the basic eligibility criterion that is needed for any MBA programme is an undergraduate degree. Since it is a management programme, admission to different MBA programmes is open to aspirants from various backgrounds, i.e. Management, Arts, Science, Engineering, Law, etc. Along with a graduate degree, the aspirant will also need to ensure that they have a rank or a score in one of the postgraduate management entrance tests. Most management colleges take admission to various MBA programmes based on the rank obtained in the entrance test. However, before applying for any management programme, it is imperative for the aspirants to check the individual eligibility criteria for the MBA programme at the management colleges of India. The basic eligibility criteria are as follows:

• A bachelors degree in any discipline, preferably BBA

• A minimum aggregate score of 55% and above

• A rank or score in an entrance test, as applicable.

List of MBA Entrance Tests

In order to take admission to different MBA programmes on offer at the college, the candidates are required to appear for an entrance test. Here is a list of MBA entrance tests, through which aspirants will be able to take admission to different MBA programmes.

• Common Admission Test (CAT)

• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

• Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)

• Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT)

• Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

• AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA)

• NMAT by GMAC

• MICA Admission Test (MICAT)

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Entrance Exam (IIFT Entrance Exam)

• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)

These are just some of the entrance tests that are conducted all over India for the admission to the MBA programmes in the different MBA colleges, Institutes and Universities. However, not all institutes, colleges or Universities will accept the above-mentioned entrance tests. Therefore, those who are interested in taking admission to the MBA programme in the MBA college of their choice need to check the eligibility criteria for the MBA programme for the college of their choice.

M.Tech and MBA Career Scope

The major reason as to why students opt for higher education, especially a master’s programme is to ensure that they have a better career scope than those who carry a bachelors degree alone. Therefore, candidates must note, by pursuing a master’s degree in any course, i.e. Engineering or Management, they can increase their career scope. Listed below is the career scope of both programmes.

M. Tech Career Scope

When a graduate decides that he/she wishes to pursue an M.Tech programme in a specific field, it means that they wish to specialise in that field. Pursuing an M.Tech programme will help the student in attaining technical knowledge and expertise in that particular field, for example, in M.Tech Computer Science and Engineering. While pursuing an M.Tech programme, a student will be exposed to different research and study activities as the field requires such expertise. Many experts claim that is today’s day and age, a specialist in a particular field is hard to come as many engineers opt to pursue programmes in different disciplines.

A student will also be able to find a good job with an attractive pay package. One of the opportunities that are available to students who graduate from an M.Tech programme is to become a teacher in one of the engineering colleges in India. M.Tech graduates can also act as consultants in their respective fields due to their vast knowledge of the specialisation.

An M.Tech graduate will be able to bag a job that pays an annual package ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. Different factors, such as the job position and the skill level of the candidate will determine the annual package that a student will receive upon the completion of their course. With enough skill and experience under the belt, an M.Tech graduate will eventually be able to increase their package.

MBA Career Scope

The major reasons as to why any candidate opts for an MBA after his graduation is that the career opportunities, as well as the annual packages that an MBA graduate receives, is high. A Master’s in Business Administration or MBA is a specialised programme, however, when a B.Tech graduate decides that he/she wishes to pursue an MBA, it can be assumed that the student is learning the basics of management from scratch. Management faculties from different colleges will focus more on the specialisations, rather than the basics. A change in the discipline is a risky move, as learning the basics of management along with the specialisations may evolve into a task that may be difficult.

Although, students who have a knack for management, business or entrepreneurship will find it easier to pursue a career in management. One drawback of MBA is that students with work experience will be given preference and thus, get a better package. After the completion of the programme, an MBA graduate will be able to find a job among the different managerial positions in a company. The starting package that an MBA graduate receives on completion ranges anywhere between ₹7 lakh per annum to ₹9 lakh per annum. This also depends on the job position that is offered to the graduate. Like in M.Tech, different factors determine the starting salary of the candidate. The candidates will need experience and skill during their initial years, to grow in their respective fields.

To conclude, it is impossible or rather, impractical to compare either M.Tech or MBA programmes. The end results or outcome of both programmes are different. Both programmes target different organisational and personal goals. Candidates can also take a look at the pros and cons of pursuing an MBA/M. Tech after B.Tech to have a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing both the courses.

To summarise, candidates who wish to pursue a more research-oriented and technical-based career will find M.Tech to be a better option for them. However, the candidates who have created a career goal of attaining the highest position in an organisation, a programme in MBA will be the best bet. Many organisations prefer employees with a degree in management for a managerial position over those who have more technical knowledge.