It takes just about a year to change your life. No matter where you are from, what you have been doing, once you pass out from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, your life will never be the same again.

The B-school believes “where you come from doesn’t matter… where you go definitely does.” ISB in association with two of the world’s leading B-schools — the Kellogg School of Management and the Wharton School — aims to integrate students from diverse backgrounds and transform them into future leaders. The one-year postgraduate programme in management (PGPM) was launched in 2001. ISB is the first Indian B-school to be ranked among the top 20 B-schools in the annual MBA rankings by the Financial Times, London. M.Rammohan Rao, dean, ISB, says, “In another 10 years I would like to see ISB figure in the top five and also be considered the top B-school in research.”

To be eligible for the one-year course one needs to have a bachelors degree in any discipline, preferably with two years’ full-time post-qualification work experience and a GMAT score (scores of last five years are valid). Shortlisted candidates are interviewed as part of the selection process. The fees for the PGPM course are Rs 17,98,000, including tuition fees, accommodation, ISB alumni association membership fee and a refundable security deposit of Rs 15,000.

The institute awards several scholarships in the form of fee remission to outstanding candidates. Scholarships are both need and merit based. ISB also partners with several corporates to provide scholarships up to Rs 11,00,000 during the course of the academic year. It has inked loan agreements with four leading banks / institutions that provide funding to cover up to 95 per cent of the programme cost. “We believe education should not be hampered by lack of finance,” says Rao.

The PGPM programme has 440 students in the current batch and the number is expected to go up to 560 in the next session (2009-2010). “The number of applications has gone up by 30 per cent,” says Rao.

Is one year enough to impart quality education to management students? Rao says, “Those who come to ISB already have considerable work experience and I would like to view it as a 51-week programme rather than a one-year one. Moreover, learning is a lifelong process and no amount of time can be sufficient to gain knowledge.” Manvi Gupta, an architect and student at ISB, says, “I had my own practice and taking a two-year sabbatical would have been difficult. The one year PGPM suits me just fine.”

The PGPM course boasts of a contemporary curriculum, case studies and real-life projects. The first four terms are compulsory and then on students can choose elective courses for five to eight terms. Some of the highlights of the course are the leadership development programme, experiential learning programme, corporate interaction and international students’ exchange programme.

ISB has exchange programmes with 33 global B-schools. The tuition fee for the exchange programme is part of the ISB fee but the student has to pay for travel and living expenses. “We have 40-50 students from international B-schools at ISB but the number of students from ISB opting for the exchange is less. The exchange programmes take place either in January or in March and as the placements take place in January, most students are reluctant to leave at that time,” says Rao. The institute has an excellent placement track record with the average annual domestic offer being Rs 19,00,000 and the average international offer reaching $1,44,812.

ISB’s faculty includes renowned management academicians with international research and teaching experience. A mix of resident and international faculty gives students international exposure as well as a strong research base.

At the heart of the 260-acre campus, is the academic centre which has an extensive library with a huge collection of printed and electronic books, a computer lab, six lecture theatres, meeting rooms, and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 400. The recreation centre is the hub of all activities where students and faculty unwind after a day’s work. It is equipped with a swimming pool, football ground, gymnasium, basketball court and billiards table, as well as tennis and squash courts.

There are housing facilities for students and faculty. The student villages comprise air-conditioned, furnished apartments. ISB is one of the few B-schools that allow families of students to live on campus. It also has an active spouse and family association.

Even though the campus is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there is not a single dull moment in the life of the students. Says Kaavya Kasturirangan, student and director, marketing and communication council, graduate student board, “We have various clubs such as the high-flyers club which has organised flying trips for students, the bartending club, book club and winetasting club. We also have the ISB radio, which is by the students and for the students of ISB and has campus news, musical programmes by the students, interviews of professors and other campus-related content.”

As the course ends, it leaves the students craving for more. All of them swear that the experience has changed their lives and made them confident, well-rounded personalities.

Devlina Ganguly

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? It is one of the top B-schools in India

WHO’S THE BOSS? M. Rammohan is the dean

what is the course fee? The fee for the PGPM course is Rs 17,98,000

Where is it? Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500032
Phone: (040) 23007000
Fax: (040) 23007099
Website: www.isb.edu