MBA in Investment Banking: Top Colleges, Fees, Entrance Exams

Finance has always been a demanding and lucrative profession for most people, and it’s a career that involves significant risks and major decisions. However, recently investment banking has grown from a niche occupation to a much more visible and glamorous industry due to increased mergers, acquisitions and other types of large deals. This specialisation has a clear educational path, which teaches practical knowledge and skills to its graduates.

This is exactly what an MBA in Investment Banking is designed to provide the right preparation for the complex, fast-paced environment of today’s financial market.

Some of the reasons why this specialisation would be the right choice for you:

• Capital Markets Growth in India & Worldwide
  Growth in capital markets is driven by the number of IPOs, private equity funds and foreign investments in Indian companies.
• High Compensation Packages
  On the other hand, investment bankers as a group usually make a lot more money than their MBA counterparts.
• Global Career Opportunities
  Highly portable knowledge of financial markets, valuation, modelling and merger processes.
• Distinctly Valuable Skillset
  Unlike other types of MBAs, you will learn specialised skills like investment analysis, portfolio management, financial modelling and M&A.
• Combination of Tech & Finance
  The rising FinTech and algorithmic finance sectors need people with both skill sets.

This specialisation may also appeal to adrenaline junkies for its unique appeal.

Important Information:
One of the main reasons students choose to study the specialisation is because of the good value for money (high ROI). Even the middle-tier schools have decent placement rates for their investment banking graduates.

In order to enroll, you'll need:

• Undergraduate degree in any subject (preferably in Finance, Commerce, or Economics, although it's not mandatory)
• 50–60% aggregate percentage in graduation (might be higher for top colleges)
• Final-year students are allowed to apply
• High aptitude in analytics and mathematics
• Some employers prefer candidates with internships or work experience in finance

Note:
If you have no experience in finance it should not be a problem for many programs as they teach everything from the ground up.

Admission into MBA in Investment Banking is conducted via a fairly straightforward sequence of steps:

1. Entrance Examination
   You will have to give an entrance test (such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, SNAP)
2. Shortlisting based on Results
   The applicants meeting certain standards will be shortlisted based on scores or percentiles.
3. GD/PI/WAT Interviews (for shortlisted students only)
   • Group Discussion Round
   • Personal Interview
   • Written Ability Test (WAT is rarely required, though)
4. Admission into the Program

1. Undergraduate Mark Sheets & Certificates
2. Entrance Test Scorecard
3. ID Proof (Aadhar Card, PAN Card, or passport)
4. Passport-size photographs
5. CV (required for GD and PI rounds)
6. Work Experience Certification (optional)

Note:
CAT exam is the most popular entrance exam for top B-schools. But the increasing number of admission possibilities to other institutions makes the choice of a suitable entrance examination easier.

Note:
In the 3rd and 4th years the courses are very practical and have a fair amount of real world experience in the form of case studies and simulations.

Note:
Leading IIM institutions are still dominating placement rates in front-end investment banking and consulting.

Note:
There are benefits of being in the financial capital of the country like better networking opportunities and more chances of internships.

Note:
IIM Calcutta is one of the best options for investment banking and has a strong reputation for finance-related specialisations.

Note:
FMS has one of the best ROI for Investment Banking specialisation among the Indian institutes.

Note:
Colleges in Bangalore are well-connected to IT companies and can help you specialise in FinTech.

Note:
Front end positions generally pay relatively high salaries but mean long working hours. At the same time, back-end jobs are often related to stable income and work-life balance.