MBA Advertising Management: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Subjects, Colleges

• Updated on  Aug 11, 2025, by Shruti Garg

An MBA in Advertising Management is a 2-year postgraduate level program that provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the various aspects of the advertising industry. In addition to giving students the fundamental skills they need to succeed in the advertising industry, this specialized degree also allows them to make the most of their creativity in order to envision advertising campaigns and concepts.

 

The eligibility for the course varies per university, with some allowing merit-based admissions and others offering entrance exam-based admissions. The merit-based requirements is that the candidates must have a minimum of 50% in a bachelor's degree completed in any discipline, whereas the entrance exam requirements necessitate them to pass the relevant entrance exam in addition to meeting the merit requirements. The most prominent MBA Advertising Management entrance exams include CAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, and MAT.

 

In India, some of the best MBA Advertising Management colleges are Parul University, Nelson Business School, and NIMS Institute of Management Solutions. While NIMS Institute of Management Solutions provides this course through their distance learning framework, the other two universities offer it as a regular full-time curriculum.

 

The MBA in Advertising Management fee for the course in India varies between INR 80,000 - INR 4,00,000, with degree graduates having the opportunities to work as Marketing Executive, Marketing Head, Copywriter, Brand Executive, Digital Marketing Manager, Advertising Manager, etc. The average entry-level salary for an MBA in Advertising Management varies between INR 3-8 LPA, while experienced-level wages range between INR 20-40 LPA.

 

Table of Contents
  1. MBA Advertising Management Highlights
  2. What is MBA in Advertising Management
  3. Why Study MBA Advertising Management?
  4. Who should study MBA in Advertising Management?
  5. MBA Advertising Management Eligibility Criteria
  6. MBA Advertising Management Entrance Exams 2025
  7. MBA Advertising Management Colleges in India
  8. MBA Advertising Management Admission Process 2025
  9. MBA Advertising Management Syllabus
  10. MBA Advertising Management Job Opportunities in India
  11. MBA Advertising Management Vs MBA Digital Marketing
  12. MBA Advertising Management FAQs

 

MBA Advertising Management Highlights

The table below provides the key highlights of the 2-year MBA Advertising Management:

Details

Particulars

Course Name

Master of Business Administration Advertising Management

Course Level

Postgraduate / Master’s Degree

Duration

2 years

Course Type

Full Time or Distance

Admission Process

Merit Based or Entrance Based

Eligibility Criteria

Merit Based: A minimum of 50% score in a bachelor’s degree completed in any discipline (Humanities / Commerce / Science)

 

Entrance Based: Qualify the necessary entrance exam (CAT/CMAT/XAT/NMAT/MAT) and have a minimum of 50% score in a bachelor’s degree completed in any discipline (Humanities / Commerce / Science)

Course Fees

INR 80,000 - INR 4,00,000

Top Colleges

Parul University, Nelson Business School, NIMS Institute of Management Solutions

Job Profiles

Marketing Executive, Marketing Head, Copywriter, Brand Executive, Digital Marketing Manager, Advertising Manager, Media Strategist, Brand Director, Media Director

Top Recruiters

HUL, Nestlé, P&G, Dentsu, GroupM, Mindshare, ITC, Coca‑Cola, Tata Group, Ogilvy, DDB Mudra, Zee, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Hindustan Unilever

Average Salary in India

Entry Level: INR 3-8 LPA

 

Middle Level: INR 8-15 LPA

 

Experienced Level: 20-40 LPA

 

What is MBA in Advertising Management

MBA Advertising Management is a specialized 2-year full-time postgraduate program that combines management discipline with various advertising techniques and strategies, providing degree graduates with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to thrive in the advertising industry and become expert leaders in the field.

  • The course focuses on theoretical knowledge to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the various basic aspects of the advertising industry and management, such as the principles of management, advertising management, and even brand management strategies.
  • With the help of this course, the candidates are able to learn about the different forms of advertising that are used in both the modern and traditional worlds.
  • Additionally, they are able to use their creative and innovative skills to plan, visualize, and work on their own ideas for campaigns and strategies while being able to effectively contribute to the growth of a brand or business.

 

Why Study MBA Advertising Management?

MBA Advertising Management is more of a specialized degree that focuses solely on the advertising aspect of marketing, covering numerous advertising approaches and strategies. The key reasons to study this course are as follows:

  • The advertising market in India is still evolving, with the technologically and digitally transformed world of recent years, the necessity to advertise digitally on multiple platforms has increased, prompting several advertising organizations to emerge to offer their services. As a result, the evolution of this industry has been smooth but quick, resulting in a wide range of work opportunities and career paths.
  • With advertising being something that is highly done through digital means and tools, the majority of employment in this field is remote or hybrid options, offering the employee complete flexibility and work-life balance.
  • Since the majority of businesses and brands in today's digitally transformed world rely solely on advertising, the MBA Advertising Management program graduates are highly sought after and are easily able to command high salaries for their work.
  • MBA Advertising Management, being a highly specialized and advanced master's degree, provides its learners with the knowledge and abilities they need to survive in the advertising industry and eventually build their own startups and advertising agencies to deliver services.

 

Who should study MBA in Advertising Management?

As a master's degree, graduates of any course can apply for an MBA in Advertising Management; nevertheless, it should be emphasized that the ideal candidates for this course must be good communicators and visualizers with a strong interest in the advertising profession. The following is the list of individuals who might be the ideal fit for pursuing this course:

  • Graduates from any discipline (Science, Commerce, or Humanities), be it BBA, BCom, or BA.
  • Individuals who can use their creative abilities to plan, visualize, and successfully express their ideas to others.
  • Experienced individuals who are already working in advertising or a similar industry and wish to advance their careers by earning a master's degree.
  • Career switchers, basically individuals who are working in a different industry but desire to transition to advertising or a related industry.
  • Social media and digital marketing enthusiasts who can plan and implement advertising strategies using various technologies and platforms.
  • Detail-oriented individuals with a strong passion for modern as well as traditional marketing.

 

MBA Advertising Management Eligibility Criteria

The following is a thorough explanation of the MBA Advertising Management eligibility requirements in India that different universities follow, depending on their own needs and requirements. It should be noted that some universities offer admission to the course based on merit, while others offer entrance-based admission. Also, in order to be eligible, all of the conditions specified under the various eligibility criteria must be met.

 

Merit-Based Criteria:

  • The candidate must have a minimum of 50% score in a bachelor’s degree completed in any discipline (Humanities / Commerce / Science)

Entrance Based Criteria:

  • The candidate must pass the necessary state or university-level entrance exam with the required results as determined by the university. The most prominent entrance exams are CAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, and MAT.
  • The candidate must also have a minimum of 50% score in a bachelor’s degree completed in any discipline (Humanities / Commerce / Science)

 

MBA Advertising Management Entrance Exams 2025

As a specialized management degree that accepts students from all academic backgrounds, most of the Indian universities consider various university or state-level management entrance exam scores to assess a candidate's eligibility for the program. Some of the most renowned MBA Advertising Management entrance examinations in India, therefore, include:

Exam Name

Application Date

Exam Date

Cut-off

Application Fee

CAT 2025

August 2025 - September 2025

30th November 2025

98-99+ Percentile

INR 2,500 (General / EWS / Non-Creamy OBC)

 

INR 1,250 (SC/ST/PwD)

CMAT 2026

November 2025 onwards (Tentative)

24th January 2026

70-85 percentile

INR 2,500 (Male - General)

 

INR 1,250 (Female/ EWS/SC/ST/PwD/OBC-NCL)

XAT 2026

July 2026 onwards (Tentative)

4th January 2026

90-95 percentile

INR 2,200

MAT 2025

July2026 (Tentative)

September 2026 (Tentative)

70-80 percentile

INR 2,100

NMAT 2025

August 2025 (Tentative)

November 2025 - December 2025 (Tentative)

85-90 percentile

INR 3,000

 

MBA Advertising Management Colleges in India

Many colleges offer the course after blending it with other options to offer the course. However, here is a list of some of the best universities in India that offer this course, along with their admissions procedures, mode of teaching, and fee structure:

College Name

Course Type

Location

Fees (INR) (Approx.)

Admission Process

Parul University

Full Time

Gujarat

1,63,100

Merit Based

NIMS Institute of Management Solutions

Distance

Rajasthan

2,80,000

Merit Based

Nelson Business School

Full Time

Telangana

89,562

Merit Based

 

MBA Advertising Management Admission Process 2025

Most Indian universities have switched the admission method for MBA Advertising Management to an entirely online mode, allowing interested applicants to follow the fundamental procedures and complete practically all of the basic admission formalities from the comfort of their own homes. At Parul University, the following steps can be followed to secure admission to their MBA Advertising Management course:

 

Step 1: The first step is for the candidate to register on the Parul University Admissions Portal. The candidate should visit the official website of Parul University and register with their official email address and phone number.

 

Step 2: After completing the registration, the candidate must log in to their account to continue filling out the application form.

 

Step 3: The candidate must fill out the application form with his or her personal information, as well as educational qualifications, along with the submission of the necessary documentation asked in the same. The candidate must double-check all of the information provided because edits to the application form are not permitted once it is submitted to the university.

 

Step 4: The candidate must select the course for which he or she wants to apply. In this case, it would be MBA Advertising and Brand Management, and you must also pay a non-refundable application fee to complete and submit the application to the university.

 

Step 5: Once the application has been submitted, the university will review all of the applications and shortlist individuals for the course based on their bachelor's degree scores.

 

Step 6: If selected, the candidate will receive an admission confirmation letter from the university through his/her registered email ID and will be required to complete certain basic formalities to confirm his/her seat in the course.

 

In case the candidate’s application is rejected, the university will inform him/her of the same through his/her registered email ID as well.

 

Documents Required

  • 10th marksheet and passing certificate issued by the board.
  • 12th marksheet and passing certificate issued by the board.
  • School Leaving Certificate
  • Bachelor’s Marksheet
  • Bachelor’s Passing Certificate
  • Provisional Certificate
  • Coloured Passport Size Photographs
  • Entrance Exam Admit Card (If applicable)
  • Entrance Exam Scorecard (If applicable)
  • Caste Certificate (If applicable)
  • Identity Proof issued by the government (Aadhar Card/PAN Card/Passport, etc.)

 

MBA Advertising Management Syllabus

The syllabus for MBA Advertising Management in most colleges is CBCS approved and contains a combination of theoretical core and elective subjects, as well as internship and research opportunities, to make learning as easy and practical as possible. At Nelson Business School, the course syllabus is spanned across 4 semesters and is divided as follows:

Semester I

Semester II

Principles And Practices of Management

Human Resource Management

Organizational Behavior

Marketing Management

Management Accounting

Marketing Management

Managerial Economics

Operations Management

Business Communication

Project Management

Management Information System

Strategic Management & Business Policy

Semester III

Semester IV

Research Methodology

International Business

Legal Aspects of Business

Business Leadership

Advertising Management

Brand Management and Strategy

Creative and Copywriting Techniques

Media Planning and Buying

Integrated Marketing Communications

Public Relations and Corporate Communication

Digital Marketing, Advertising, and Social Media

Advertising Strategy and Campaign Planning

 

MBA Advertising Management Job Opportunities in India

Listed below are the leading and most sought-after Advertising Management MBA job opportunities, together with the details of their top recruiters and even the average salaries:

Job Profile

Experience (In years)

Top Recruiters

Average Salary (INR)

Marketing Executive

0-3

P&G, Nestlé, Coca‑Cola

6-8 LPA

Copywriter

0-3

Ogilvy, DDB Mudra, Zee

3-6 LPA

Brand Executive

0-3

Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Marico

6-8 LPA

Digital Marketing Manager

4-8

Google, Facebook, Amazon

12-18 LPA

Advertising Manager

4-8

Ogilvy, Viacom18, Zee

8-15 LPA

Media Strategist

4-8

Performics, Schbang, Hiveminds

8-12 LPA

Brand Director

9+

HUL, Nestlé, P&G

25-40 LPA

Media Director

9+

Dentsu, GroupM, Mindshare

20-15 LPA

Marketing Head

9+

ITC, Coca‑Cola, Tata Group

20-30 LPA

 

MBA Advertising Management Vs MBA Digital Marketing

The MBA Advertising Management focuses on the aspect of creative advertising campaigns and brand promotion in the mainstream media, where advertising is the key component, while MBA Digital Marketing is all about the use of internet resources and digital tools in advertising.

Aspect

MBA in Advertising Management

MBA in Digital Marketing

Focus

Traditional advertising, brand management, campaigns across TV, print, radio, and outdoor media

Online marketing channels: SEO, SEM, social media, content marketing, email marketing

Core Skills

Creative advertising strategy, consumer behavior, media planning, campaign execution

Digital tools & platforms, analytics, performance marketing, social media management

Typical Subjects

Advertising Management, Brand Building, Market Research, Consumer Psychology

SEO/SEM, Social Media Marketing, Web Analytics, Digital Campaigns, Email & Mobile Marketing

Career Opportunities

Advertising Executive, Brand Manager, Media Planner, Creative Director

Digital Marketing Manager, SEO Specialist, Social Media Manager, Content Strategist

Approach

More strategic and creative with offline and some online advertising integration

More technical with focus on data-driven online marketing and emerging digital trends

Industry Trend

Established field with core importance in branding and traditional media

Rapid growth sector driven by increasing online presence and technology adoption

 

MBA Advertising Management FAQs

What is the average MBA Advertising Management salary?

The average salary for entry-level MBA Advertising Management roles can range from INR 3-8 LPA, while for middle-level roles (usually with 4-8 years of experience) it can range from INR 8-15 LPA, and for experienced level posts (with 9+ years of experience) it can range from 20-40 LPA.

What is an MBA in advertising management?

MBA in Advertising Management is a 2-year postgraduate degree course undertaken to learn and study the fields of the advertising industry and marketing methods at a higher level. It introduces students to the knowledge of advertising strategies, media planning, consumer behavior, brand management, and public relations.

What is the scope of advertising management?

The scope of advertising management is broad and divided across the media houses, advertising agencies, corporate marketing departments, public relations firms, and digital marketing firms. The graduates are expected to work in brand management, client servicing, campaign planning, media, and client servicing. The discipline is expanding at a high rate, considering the importance of branding and online advertising in business.

What does an advertising manager do?

As an advertising manager, one plans, guides, and coordinates advertising campaigns to promote products or services. They are involved in the process of devising strategies for reaching out to target audiences, budgeting, media scheduling, directing the production of the creative content, consultation with other marketing and sales teams, evaluating campaign performances, and maintaining brand consistency.

What is the importance of Advertising Management degree in 2025?

The advertising industry has been on a slow but steady rise in recent years, with the advancement of technology and digital tools, many businesses have started using both online and traditional advertising techniques to increase the awareness and presence of their businesses amongst individuals. As a result, despite being scarce, the demand for MBA Advertising Management graduates is extremely high, with businesses even willing to pay high salaries for their services.

How to become an advertising manager after completing an MBA in Advertising Management?

As an experienced-level role, a fresher of MBA Advertising Management must first start with some entry-level roles in the advertising sector, such as an advertising or branding executive, and then focus on gaining relevant work experience in different positions in the same industry for at least 5-6 years to ultimately become an advertising manager.

Which is better between MBA Marketing Management and MBA Advertising Management?

An MBA in Marketing Management is a more of comprehensive degree that provides an in-depth look at all of the different types of marketing strategies and modes available, whereas an MBA in Advertising Management is a more of a specialized degree that focuses solely on the advertising aspect of marketing including the various advertising techniques and strategies.

Is a distance MBA Advertising Management better than a regular MBA Advertising Management?

A regular MBA in Advertising Management is unquestionably more beneficial than a distance one, owing to the fact that the resources available in a regular degree are far greater and superior to those available in a distance degree, which requires students to rely entirely on online sources and tools to stay in touch with the faculty. However, it should be mentioned that in terms of recognition, a distance MBA in Advertising Management is just as valuable as a regular one, especially if you are a working professional.

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