Five-year Integrated BBA-MBA in Data Analytics and AI to create managers with an affinity for technology

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including IITs, are increasingly offering five-year integrated BBA/BTech-MBA programs with specialisations in Data Analytics and AI. These programs aim to produce future-ready business graduates equipped with AI, and analytics skills, enabling them to make data-driven business decisions.

The demand for these programmes, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is rising among students determined to pursue postgraduate education in lesser duration. The integrated courses also support the Multiple Entry And Exit System (MEES) to increase flexibility in learning.

Recently, IIT Mandi became the first IIT to introduce a five-year Integrated MBA (IMBA) programme starting in 2024-25 academic year. The programme aims to equip students with an in-depth understanding of management and skills in analytics, data science, mathematics, and statistics. The institute hopes to develop future business leaders with a strong affinity for technology and cross-functional management skills.

“The curriculum of IMBA programme includes courses in pure Management subjects, Analytics, Data Science & AI, Mathematics and Statistics, Data Structures, Economics, Computer Programming and other Allied Science subjects. The courses covered in the programme's first three years are designed to provide a strong foundation for the students to take specialised AI and Data Science-based management courses in the subsequent years. It includes management courses such as Operations, Finance, Marketing, Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship. Further, it deals with generic courses on Personality & Skill Development, Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, and Leadership,” says Dr Anjan Kumar Swain, IMBA, admissions chair, IIT Mandi.

The five-year programme’s major emphasis is to keep the students updated with the current demands of the industry through a six-month-long industrial internship programme and a year-long project,” says Swain. Under the MEES, the programme offers the following exit options - After completing three years, the student would be awarded a BBA Analytics degree, and after completing four years the student would be awarded a BBA Analytics (Honours) degree.

Smooth transition

Karnataka's TAPMI IPM Integrated 5-year BBA – MBA includes programmes on IT and Analytics, among other options. A student can exit the IPM programme at the end of three years with a BBA degree if the academic requirements are met. “At the end of five years, students can expect to start a junior to middle management position in leading MNCs in India or abroad. The majority of roles are in the IT and analytics, Consulting, BFSI, and retail domains,” says Prof Vishnu Chandar Venkatesh, assistant professor – Strategy, chairperson, Integrated Program in Management (IPM), TAPMI, Manipal.

The five-year integrated BBA-MBA programme provides a smooth transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies, eliminating the need for separate admission processes. “This distinctive integration allows students to receive a comprehensive education that blends UG and PG content, providing a strong foundation in business principles followed by advanced management training. Moreover, integrated programmes are typically more cost-effective than enrolling in two separate degree programmes, making it an exclusive and advantageous choice for students,” says Rajesh Verma, HOS, Mittal School of Business, LPU, Punjab, which runs several integrated BBA+MBA programmes with subjects  IT, Analytics and Machine Learning.

“A student undergoing a five-year integrated programme need not appear for competitive examinations for admission into a postgraduate programme. Additionally, the five-year programme covers the necessary credits required for the students in 10 semesters and gives them exposure to the industry through internships and other industry-related projects,” says Dr Sujata Khandai, officiating head of Amity School of Business, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh.