Frequently Asked Questions: For Online Registration Process

Q1. What is the language of delivery of the program of study?

Ans. The program of study shall be delivered only in English.

Q2. How many components are there in this program?

Ans. There are three components in this program, namely,

1. Entire First Year Curriculum of XLRI’s PGDM(BM) program
2. Additional foundational credits at XLRI for the chosen specialization domain
3. Curriculum of the International Specialization track offered by XLRI’s Global University Partner during the second year of the program

Q3. How are classes going to be delivered?

Ans. As this is a full-time, residential program, classes will be delivered in-person at the campus of XLRI and at the campus of XLRI’s Global University Partner.

Q4. When will the classes by the Global University Partner start?

Ans. Classes by the Global University Partner will commence in the Fall Semester of the second year for enrolled students.

Q5. I would like some more information that is not covered in this FAQ document.

Ans. In case there is some additional information that you require and the same is not available on the websites of XLRI and its global university partners, you can write to the admission office for such information. You may also reach out to students/alumni of the global university partners for the same.

Further, we will be scheduling one information webinar with each global university partner in December 2025 for all applicants and one information webinar with each global university partner in January 2025 for applicants shortlisted for the admission process. The schedules for the same will be announced in due course.

Q1. How are these programs structured?

Ans. Students enrolling in the PGDM (BM) program with international specialization track shall undergo the complete syllabus of the first year PGDM (BM) program at XLRI. Additionally, depending upon the chosen specialization track, students will complete an additional set of designated courses during the start of the second year before they go on to the partner university campus for the remainder of their coursework.

XLRI’s global university partners offering the international specialization tracks shall transfer the credits earned by students during the specialization towards the requirements of XLRI’s PGDM(BM) program in addition to recognizing credits earned at XLRI towards awarding their Master’s in Science (MS) or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) as detailed leading to a Double Master’s set of qualifications.

Q2. Which specialization tracks are available? Which foreign university partners of XLRI are offering them?

Ans. For the incoming 2027-29 batch, we are confirming the following six international specialization tracks:

1. Healthcare Analytics & Intelligence by Rutgers Business School
2. Project Management by George Washington Business School (MS)
3. International Business by George Washington Business School (MS)
4. Business Analytics by George Washington Business School (MS)
5. Sports Management by George Washington Business School (MS)
6. Marketing (STEM) by Martin J. Whitman School of Management (MS)

A few more international specialization track offerings are in the final stages of discussions with our other global university partners for offering. The final list and program-specific information booklet will be shared with applicants by the middle of November.

Q3. How will these offerings benefit students?

Ans. Globally, there are the beginnings of a trend of industry desiring to recruit professionals having super-specializations that cut across industries and across traditional functional domains. The current MBA system is not yet attuned to addressing this dynamic, and hence, this is also reflected in slowing recruitments at top MBA programs in the US and Europe relative to specialized and super-specialized MS programs.

Combining the knowledge of management across traditional domains with an advanced, intensive course of study during the specialization/super-specialization course of study allows students to better appreciate the integration of management concepts, tools, and frameworks with the specialized concepts, tools, and frameworks relevant to the course of study.

Moreover, as these specialization tracks are in industry-relevant domains, skills developed in these specialized courses of study are largely fungible and transferable across industries. Alumni of the global university partners offering the international specialization tracks are pursuing careers with most of the reputed global employers across industries who recognize that these universities signal academic rigor, global competence, multilingual and multicultural exposure, and strong decision-making capabilities.

Q4. How are the international specialization tracks different from traditional specialization tracks in MBA programs?

Ans. Unlike traditional specializations in MBA programs that are more functional specific (Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Operations, etc.), these specializations are inter- disciplinary requiring applied inputs from across functional specializations in management and beyond to develop an integrative, analytical approach.

Another differentiating factor from traditional MBA specializations is that students will cover 400+ hours of specialization domain content unlike the 150 hours or so in traditional functional specializations. Hence, a student who completes the program will not only have a well-rounded coverage of general management obtained during the core curriculum, but will also have an advanced, in-depth knowledge of their specialization/super-specialization domain (during their second year).

Q5. For whom are the international specialization tracks suitable?

Ans. As a career choice, students have two alternatives, one, to take up a general MBA and continue to develop their careers around the path that the MBA leads them to. Those who wish to develop super-specialization/specialization skills may take up these programs separately at later stages of their careers. However, this may not be practicable for many, due to the high costs of such super-specialized programs as well as other responsibilities that may not make it feasible to pursue a full-time program of study again after an MBA.

The international specialization track is designed for students who seek to combine their management education with advanced, fungible skills and knowledge in an industry- relevant, inter-disciplinary domain.

Q6. How do I decide which international specialization track is suitable for me? Can I change the specialization track after I join the program?

Ans. The choice of specialization track is entirely driven by your career aspirations. We recommend that you evaluate your long-term career aspirations and subsequent career moves prior to selecting the specialization track. You will not be given an opportunity to change the specialization track once you join the program as the international university partners will initiate their regulatory processing requirements for enrolment into the specialization tracks.

Q7. What is the credit & course structure for these programs?

Ans. Students will take up the entire 64 credits of the first-year core curriculum of XLRI’s PGDM(BM) program. Subsequently, students may, during the summer break, undergo a two-month industry internship or an academic internship under a faculty of XLRI in a topic area related to their specialization track. During the first two months of the second year, students will undergo between 6-8 credits (depending on the foundational requirements of the international specialization track).

From the fall semester of the second year, students shall take up coursework equal to 24 credits in the specialization track offered by the US global university partner. These 24 credits will be transferred back to XLRI as 36 credits. For the French university partners, the corresponding coursework will equal 400 hours that will be transferred back to XLRI for XLRI’s equivalent credits.

Q8. What is the minimum academic criteria for the program?

Ans. In addition to meeting the minimum academic standards set by XLRI for each course and the first year of studies, students will have to ensure that they do not obtain failing grades in the courses whose credits will be transferred to the global university partner as that will make them ineligible for the international specialization track of studies.

Students will also have to meet the minimum academic standards as required by the global university partner for their curriculum and to meet the award of their degree. Further, students will have to ensure that they obtain at least a passing grade in each course in the international specialization curriculum as credits and grades for these courses will be transferred back to XLRI and will count towards XLRI’s overall minimum criteria for award of the PGDM(BM).

It is in the best interests of students to aim for excellence in their academic performance at both institutions as that will be a significant factor determining the extent of additional merit-based scholarship that they would be eligible for.

Q1. What are the eligibility requirements to apply?

Ans. For applying to the program, you must have completed at a minimum a valid four-year bachelor’s degree (10+2+4) from a recognized university/academic institution in any discipline that is officially accredited by the relevant regulatory authorities such as AICTE, UGC, and other relevant regulatory authorities. While there is no mandatory requirement for prior work experience, having some industry exposure would help students relate better to the curriculum delivery in the selected international specialization track.

Q2. Are there any additional eligibility requirements by XLRI’s Global University Partners?

Ans. Students selected for enrollment into an international specialization track will be required to fill in a separate application form for the global university partner during the first term or second term of their studies at XLRI. This is a formal requirement for initiating the process of documentation from the global university for the student visa applications. Further, some of the Global University Partners require a valid TOEFL score which can be taken during the first term at XLRI.

Q3. How can I apply for the program?

Ans. While filling in the application form for XLRI, you will have to select the box to apply for the international specialization track along with the specialization tracks that you would like to apply for in order of preference. The rest of the application documents shall be the same as for XLRI’s PGDM programs.

Q4. Can I apply for multiple international specialization tracks? What if I am selected for admission to multiple tracks?

Ans. Yes. You may apply for more than one international specialization track at the time of application. If selected for admission to multiple specialization tracks, you will have to choose one as your final choice for the program at the time of accepting the offer letter and communicate the same to XLRI.

Q5. Is the selection process for the international specialization tracks different from that of XLRI’s PGDM(BM) program?

Ans. No. It is the same common selection process.

Q6. I am applying for more than one international specialization track as I am yet undecided. Will I be required to appear for multiple interviews?

Ans. No. There will be one interview process per applicant.

Q1. When will the study visa application process start?

Ans. The study visa application process commences with the filling up of a separate application form required by the global university partner to process the documentation required for your study visa application. This separate application window is expected to open during September – November of the first year of your studies at XLRI. In case, the global university partner requires a valid TOEFL score or equivalent, the same must be completed before the start of the application process.

Q2. What happens if I am denied the student visa?

Ans. The processing timelines for documentation provide sufficient buffers to apply for the student visa more than once in event of study visa rejection. It is strongly suggested that each student ensures that they fulfill the criteria and have the required documentation in place for the visa application. In the relatively rare event that the visa is denied and there is not sufficient time for another visa application to ensure participation in the fall semester, students can apply for their study visa in the subsequent semester in which the international specialization track is offered.

Q3. What is the eligibility for Post-Study Work Visa in the USA and France?

Ans. The international specialization tracks offered by XLRI’s US University Partners are STEM designated with students being eligible for the corresponding OPT visa after completion of their specialization studies as per the requirements of the then extant US immigration policies (currently three years).

Students who enrol in the international specialization tracks offered by XLRI’s French University Partners are eligible for a residence and work visa after completion of their academic requirements as per the requirements of the then extant French immigration policies (currently one year renewable for another one year. You may refer to the Indo- French Agreement on Migration & Mobility here).

Q4. Do we have career support services for students in the program?

Ans. Yes. Students enrolled in the programs will have equal rights and access to university resources including career development and career support services at the global university partners as available for all their enrolled students. Students opting for industry internships at XLRI will have equal rights and access to XLRI’s career development and placement services for the same.

Q5. What is the global recognition of the international specialization degrees awarded the global university partners for future work visas?

Ans. XLRI’s global university partners have a rich pedigree and history spanning 150+ years to nearly 800 years. With highly alumni around the world across industry, government, academia, and the third sector, degrees awarded by these universities score highly in the evaluation methodologies of qualifications across countries. Degrees awarded by these universities are typically recognized for immigration (and in some cases, registered in national databases as well) in OECD countries, EU/EEA countries, and Commonwealth countries.

Q6. How will these programs be expected to help me in my long-term career aspirations? How can I leverage the value of my degree for career acceleration?

Ans. The extremely rigorous program of study culminating in earning the prestigious PGDM of XLRI and the international specialization track is definitely a competitive advantage that will set you apart and help accelerate your long-term career outcomes. However, as with any degree, it does not automatically guarantee a new job after graduation.

Potential employers rarely recruit managerial-level candidates based on their qualifications alone but on a combination of your academic performance, previous work experience, your displayed leadership skills, your industry exposure, and geographical exposure. Rather, it is the holistic added value that you could potentially bring to the organization or business unit that will make you an attractive candidate.

The capabilities, skills, and knowledge required to integrate diverse concepts, tools, and practices that will be developed in you during the program will provide you an edge over other potential candidates for competing roles at different stages in your career, resulting in a lifelong advantage.

Q7. Will I be eligible for admission to a PhD/Executive PhD/DBA program after completion of the program?

Ans. Yes

Q8. Should I go for an industry internship or an academic internship during the first- year summer break at XLRI.

Ans. The two-month summer internship is an integral part of the academic requirements of the program. As mentioned earlier, students have the option to choose an industry internship opportunity (if available) or an academic internship under the guidance of an XLRI faculty member.

Both alternatives have their positives, so the final choice is that of each student to make. Industry internships are generally more suitable for freshers to expose them to the workings of organizations. However, these internships may end up not being in the domain of the international specialization track.

Academic internships, on the other hand, provide an opportunity to further explore one or more facets related to the international specialization domain that will enhance your ability to better relate to the specialization domain syllabus and current developments in the domain. These would be more suitable for students who already have prior work experience.

Q1. Do the global university partners offer any scholarships?

Ans. Yes. The US university partners provide the opportunity to apply for merit-based scholarships. The French university partners have built-in the scholarship through a subsidized fee structure. Details of the fees and other estimated living costs are provided in the information booklet for the international specialization tracks

Q2. Do I have to pay the fees at one go or can I pay in installments?

Ans. The fee payments are scheduled in separate installments for each semester. Fees and Charges for semesters at XLRI shall be paid directly to XLRI as per the fee schedule of XLRI whereas fees for the semesters at the global university partner shall be paid directly to them as per their respective fee schedules.

Q3. What are the fees and costs payable to XLRI?

Ans. Details of fees and charges payable to XLRI are provided in the admissions brochure.

Q4. What are the fees and costs associated with the international specialization tracks offered by George Washington Business School?

Ans. Tuition and fees are set annually by the George Washington University Board of Governors. The tuition fees for the 24-credit specialization program of study at George Washington Business School works out to US $ 52,680 (i.e. US $ 2195 per credit) for academic year 2027-28 and may be subject to annual revision as per the policies of George Washington University. Students can receive an additional, merit-based scholarship award of up to an additional 35% of the total tuition fee as per the policies of George Washington Business School.

In addition, students must pay an amount of approximately US $ 1700 as other fees. Expected costs for Accommodation, Travel Food, and Utilities will work out to approximately US $ 1500 per month, Total Health Insurance of approximately US$ 4,200, Total Books and Supplies cost would amount to approximately US $ 750.

Q5. What are the fees and costs associated with the international specialization tracks offered by Rutgers Business School?

Tuition and fees are set annually by the Rutgers Board of Governors. Admitted XLRI students will be charged out-of-state tuition but will be awarded a one-time scholarship of $12,500 USO in the form of tuition credit, with $6,500 issued to the first-term bill and $6,000 issued to the second-term bill. Although subject to change, the 2024-2025 costs (in USD) for one year of graduate study at RBS was approximately: $54,096 (out- of-state tuition), $2,846 (other fees), and $14,000 (approximate cost of room and board).

Q6. What are the fees and costs associated with the international specialization tracks offered by Martin J. Whitman School of Management?

Ans. The tuition fees for the 24-credit specialization program of study at Martin J. Whitman School of Management works out to US $ 48,360 (i.e. US $ 2015 per credit) for academic year 2027-28 and may be subject to annual revision as per the policies of Syracuse University. Students will receive an additional, automatic scholarship of 10% of the tuition fee. Students will also be eligible for further merit-based scholarship award as per the policies of Syracuse University.

In addition, students must pay an amount of approximately US $ 1010 as additional fees. Expected costs for Accommodation, Food, Travel, and Utilities will work out to approximately US $ 1500 per month, Total Health Insurance works out to approximately US$ 4,200, Total Books Supplies cost would amount to approximately US $ 750.

Q7. What are the fees and costs associated with the international specialization tracks offered by IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School?

Ans. The tuition fees for the specialization tracks offered by IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School works out to €18,500. This is inclusive of all subsidies and grants awarded by the school.

While all students of IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School are eligible for free basic healthcare under Assurance Maladie, it is highly recommended that they obtain a complementary health insurance (Mutuelle) that costs approximately €30-€50 per month. Average rent in Paris and surrounding areas works out to approximately €800-€1000 per month with a CAF government housing aid of approximately €120-€200 per month that reduces the net cost of accommodation. Subsidized Transport and Subsidized food costs (through the CROUS restaurant network) and other living expenses will work out to approximately €300-€400 per month.

Q8. Are accommodation facilities provided by the institutions?

Ans. During the course of study at XLRI, students will be provided accommodation in the student hostel facilities on the Jamshedpur campus.

While the global university partners do not provide campus-based accommodation facilities, they have portals that facilitate the search for off-campus accommodation.

Q9. Are there any additional concessional facilities offered by the global university partners?

Ans. Most of the global university partners provide the occasional opportunity to engage in paid part-time administrative work or research assistantship or teaching assistantship depending on your overall performance and their policies.

PS: Fees are usually set every year by the governing bodies of the respective universities, usually with minor changes to account for inflation.

Q1. What is the alumni status for the program?

Ans. On successful completion of all requirements of the program of study, you will be eligible for life membership of the body of XLRI Alumni (managed by the Alumni Association of XLRI). You will also be eligible to obtain life membership of the alumni body of the global university partner as per their alumni policies.

Q2. How will I continue my association with XLRI and the Global University Partner after I complete the program?

Ans. Your association with XLRI and the Global University Partner will continue through your membership of the alumni body. The institutions maintain continued interaction with the alumni through various alumni events that are organized by the alumni chapters in different cities and countries. Further, there are also occasional online workshops/lectures/talks delivered by academicians/industry professionals of high repute in topical areas of interest to management professionals.

As an alumnus of the institutions, you can also enroll in short duration executive education programs of the institutions at a discounted rate (extent of discounts will depend on the policies of the institutions at the time of enrollment).

Those of you who are interested in exploring a career in academic/professional research may also continue your knowledge journey by applying for selection in the doctoral programs offered by the institutions. The alumni associations of the institutions are constantly designing and introducing new initiatives for greater connect and collaboration between the alumni.