MBA

Overview

The MBA programme is an intense, demanding academic experience, involving two years of full-time study. The programme develops business managers who can provide leadership at any level in an increasingly global economy. The two-year programme is based on a collection of Core and Elective courses which are taught in a case based method style. MBA programme is an experiential learning process which is based on practical application of reflective learning process in an entrepreneurial environment. The MBA programme was recently revised according to the current best practices incorporating feedback from alumni, students and the faculty. The new experiential learning model is based on practical application of reflective learning process in an entrepreneurial environment, which augments personal leadership capacity building by bringing industry experts to the classroom.

THE PROGRAMME IS DIVIDED INTO THREE MAIN EXERCISES

Industry Analysis Exercise (IAE):
Industry analysis exercise to give students an opportunity to apply concepts and frameworks learnt in various functional courses to real-life situations.

My Startup:
This is intended to enhance students’ willingness to set out on an entrepreneurial journey. Students will complete four major stages of a start-up venture i.e. conceiving a concept, testing a concept, commercializing a concept and eventually generating operating profits.

MBA Consultancy Project (MCP):
Students will exclusively work on a specific client’s consulting project in small groups, under the supervision of a faculty member from SDSB. Students will be encouraged to work at the company premises whenever practical to obtain relevant exposure and valuable insights. Interim progress will be monitored by the faculty supervisor and senior management of the client. The entire project culminates with a formal presentation to relevant stakeholders and submission of final reports to the faculty supervisor and client.

Structure

The SDSB MBA is a two-year programme based on a series of core and elective courses.

SOP

The SOP brings together students from diverse academic backgrounds and prepares them to deal with the challenges of the rigorous MBA programme. The SOP is offered in August, prior to the official commencement of classes. It aims at easing the transitional stage of students into the regular MBA by providing fundamental skill enhancement modules in communication, business mathematics, accounting, computer applications and statistics, thus bringing all the students from different backgrounds to one level.

Year 1

In year I, all students are expected to complete core courses that are designed to give concepts that provide the backbone of general management education.

Financial Accounting
Marketing Management-I
Managerial Communication-I
Statistical Analysis for Management
Operations Management Fundaments
Organizational Behaviour-I
Managerial Communication-II
Finance Fundaments
Marketing Management-II
Decision Analysis
Leadership & Team Building
Experiential Learning-I

Summer Internship

Between the first and the second year of the MBA programme, students must undertake a project based summer internship of at least six weeks. The mandatory internship helps students to apply classroom knowledge to a practical environment, the amalgamation adding further to the learning experience. Through the internship, students gain valuable management experience early on in their careers and identify their long term career goals. Internship placements are aided by the Placement Office at SDSB.

Year II

In year II, students select from a wide range of electives offered in multiple disciplines. This mix of general management and specialist courses through the two years makes our graduates truly versatile and ideal candidates for careers across a range of functions and industries.
These elective streams include Finance, Marketing, IT/Operations and Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management and Strategy.

The project is an excellent application of what is learnt throughout the programme. It is a challenging assignment, combining decision making ability, teamwork, working under pressure and an integrated approach towards management.

MBA Project

The MBA Project is mandatory in the second year and is equivalent to two full courses. A real life client presents a managerial issue to a team of 4-5 MBA students and over the year, the group has to present a comprehensive report to the client and is graded accordingly. The project is an excellent application of what is learnt throughout the programme. It is a challenging assignment combining decision making ability, teamwork, working under pressure and an integrated approach towards management.

The approach is that of a management consultancy assignment where possible topic may cover:

Carrying out a strategic review of an organisation and its environment
Identifying a major issue faced by the organisation
Coming up with alternative solutions for addressing it

MBA YEAR 1			MBA YEAR 2
Semester 1			Semester 3
1A (7wk)	1B (7wk)		3A (7wk)	3B (7wk)
Core Courses	Core Courses		Core Courses	Core Courses
Experiential Learnings Part 1A: Preparation		Experiential Learnings Part 1B: Execution
Semester 2			Semester 4
2A (7wk)	2B (7wk)		4A (10wk)	4B (5wk)
Core Courses	Core Courses		Experiential Learnings Part 3	Elective Courses
Experiential Learnings Part 2A: Conceiving & Testing Concepts	Experiential Learnings Part 2B: Commercialization & Profit/Loss	Summer Internship

Important Dates

Round 1

Activity	Date
Deadline to take GMAT/GRE	12 Feb 2019
Online Application Deadline (PST)	19 Feb 2019	05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents	20 Feb 2019

Round II

Activity	Date
Deadline to take GMAT/GRE	12 Apr 2019
Online Application Deadline (PST)	17 Apr 2019	05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents	18 Apr 2019
Admission Decisions	01 Apr 2019 to 28 Jun 2019

Notes:

Each “round” stands for a distinct period in which you may apply. It does not represent a succession of steps for your application. In an application year, you may apply in one round only.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply in the first round of admission, as space becomes an issue in each successive round and one's probability of selection decreases with each round as fewer seats are available.
The University reserves the right to change dates and deadlines for admissions. Please keep informed of any changes by visiting www.lums.edu.pk periodically as well as the LUMS online application site.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Fall 2019 Admissions

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Programme. Meeting this criteria does not guarantee admission to the Graduate program.

Applicants are selected for admission to LUMS MBA programme based on the following factors:

Academic Background
Performance in the Admission Test
Work Experience (strongly preferred)
Two Recommendation letters
Interview

Academic Requirements for Fall 2019 Admissions

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:

Successful completion of sixteen (16) years of education leading to a Masters or Bachelor's* degree from a university recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan.

* Candidates holding only a Bachelor's degree of less than four years’ duration will be required to produce an equivalence certificate of 16 years of education issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan.

Note:

Applicants completing their last degree by May 15, 2019 are also eligible to apply.

Admission Test Requirement for Fall 2019 Admissions

Applicants are required to take Graduate Record Examination (GRE)/Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in order to be considered for admission.

GRE (General)/ GMAT is offered as a computer adaptive test worldwide. Apart from official test scores that LUMS will require directly from Pearson or Educational Testing Service (ETS) USA, applicants must submit or mail a copy of the unofficial GRE (General)/GMAT scores as soon as possible after taking the test. The LUMS code for receiving GRE (General)/ GMAT scores from Pearson and ETS is 0679.

For equivalency check from GRE (General) to GMAT please visit the following link https://www.ets.org/s/gre/flash/bschool/comparison/17302/170/index.html. For further details on GRE (General) and GMAT, please log on to www.ets.org and www.mba.com respectively. The deadline to take the GRE (General)/ GMAT for Round 1 is February 12, 2019 and for Round 2 is April 12, 2019.

Note:

GRE (General)/GMAT taken more than five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid.
If applicant has taken more than one test, the best score will be considered for application evaluation.
Applicants who join the MBA programme will get a refund of GMAT/ GRE (General) registration fee for one attempt.

Supporting Documents Requirement for Fall 2019 Admissions

Applicants must submit complete online application form on or before February 19, 2019 for Round 1 and April 17, 2019 for Round 2; 5:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time).

The deadline to submit all supporting documents along with the proof of payment of Admission Application Processing Fee in ONE Package is February 20, 2019 for Round 1 and April 18, 2019 for Round 2.

Application Processing Fee

The application processing fee of Rs 5,400
The application processing fee of $76 for International applicants.

Payment Procedure

After the successful submission of the online application form through the LUMS Online account on or before the application submission deadline, applicants will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and LUMS Test Registration (if applicable) Fee payment voucher. For further details regarding Fee payment options Click here

Proof of Payment

A stamped copy of the payment voucher or a confirmation email of an online banking transaction constitutes proof of payment. Applicants are required to send a copy of payment proof along with all other required supporting documents as ONE package on or before the stipulated deadline.

Applicants must print and paste the “Mailing label” on the envelope before sending it to the LUMS Office of Admissions. Applications or documents received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.

Interview Performance

A merit ranking for interview short listing is established on academic performance, work experience (if any) and GMAT/GRE (General) scores of the candidates. Only short-listed candidates are called for interviews.

Work Experience

Preference is given to applicants with prior work experience. Evaluation is based on the quantity and quality of the full-time work experience. Candidates are encouraged to acquire work experience of between 1–2 years before applying to the LUMS MBA Programme. This requirement, however, is not mandatory for admission to the MBA Programme.

FAQs

What is the admission criteria for the MBA Programme?

Please visit the following link; Admission Criteria

When should I apply, and when is the application deadline?

LUMS offers two rounds of admissions.To determine which is the best round for you, please visit the following: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/programmes/mba. We encourage all applicants to apply in the first round as space becomes an issue in each successive round and once probability of selection decreases in each round as fewer seats are available.

What is the minimum CGPA requirement for applying in LUMS MBA?

There is no CGPA requirement, minimum 16 years of education is compulsory for applying in MBA.

I already have an MBA. Can I apply to LUMS?

Yes. We do not exclude candidates who have an MBA or any other graduate degree.

Do you require any entrance test for admission to the MBA Programme?

Yes, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required for admission to the MBA Programme.

What should I know about the GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is offered year round as a computer adaptive test. You should register for the test at least one month before you plan to take it. You need to complete the GMAT test before you submit the online application. You may submit your application with unofficial score report however, you will need to submit an official GMAT score report to our office before you can matriculate. There is no minimum required score. A high score does not guarantee anyone's acceptance, nor does a low score preclude it as there is no minimum score required. For further details, please log in to www.mba.com.

What is the last date to take GMAT/GRE (General) for admission for the session commencing August 2019?

The deadline to take the GMAT/GRE (General) for Round 1 is February 12, 2019 and for Round 2 is April 12, 2019.

What is the minimum score required in GMAT/GRE for admission?

There is no minimum required score.

For how long are the GMAT/GRE scores valid?

GMAT/GRE scores are valid for five years. GMAT/GRE taken five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid.

How do I register for GMAT?

The GMAT bulletins are available at the American Centers in all major cities. Details regarding registration are given in the bulletin or www.mba.com.

How do I register for GRE?

Details regarding registration are given on www.ets.org.

I would like to submit my GMAT/GRE score to LUMS when I take the test. What is the code?

Our GMAT/GRE reporting code from ETS is 0679.

Is there any preference by LUMS in attempting GMAT or GRE?

There is no preference in taking GMAT or GRE, however your best scores will be considered in case you have attempted both tests.

How can I submit the application processing fee?

After the successful submission of the online application form you will be able to print a system generated Application Processing payment voucher. Please print the voucher for making payments at Allied Bank Branches throughout Pakistan. The voucher can be paid:

Online, immediately by visiting https://admission.lums.edu.pk/student-payment-options-0 or
In cash by presenting the payment voucher along with the requisite amount at any Allied Bank branch throughout Pakistan.

Can I defer admission?

In truly exceptional circumstances the Admissions Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.

For how long I can defer my admission?

An applicant can defer his/her admission for 2 years by informing LUMS admissions office before the deadline.

Do you have any age limit for admission to the MBA Programme?

No, there is no age restriction for admission to the MBA Programme.

Do you call all applicants for interview? What kinds of questions are asked during the interview?

A merit ranking for interview short listing is established on academic performance, work experience (if any) and admission test score of the candidates. Those who qualify this comparative ranking are called for interview. The interview is a key indicator of the potential of MBA candidates to become worthy professional managers. During the interview the Admissions Committee tries to assess the applicant's communication skills, managerial potential, thinking ability, subject knowledge and level of awareness of general issues. Final decision regarding admission is taken after the interview.

Does the full-time LUMS MBA Programme offer spring admission?

Given the structure of the curriculum we only offer fall admission.

My application for admission was denied and I plan to apply again. What will I need to submit? Can you review my past application and make suggestions?

When an admission application is rejected, the LUMS Office of Admissions retains the file for one year. Applicants who applied the previous year may reapply the following year for admission. In addition they must submit online application form, official academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and an updated work experience letter. All materials including the application fee are due by the application deadline.

If an application is denied it is not possible for the department to go back and review applications to justify the denial or offer advice on fortifying a future application.

I have a change of address and/or email address and have already submitted my application?

It is very important that you keep our department aware of any address or email change. Please send an email at helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk.

What are my chances of getting a job after I have completed my MBA from LUMS?

Over the years LUMS graduates have established themselves as highly marketable individuals with a diverse set of relevant skills. Our MBA graduates are adequately skilled for both the professional environment as well as undertaking entrepreneurial ventures. Our students are recruited by some of the leading organizations of Pakistan. They are offered excellent positions and normally at prominent salaries. Our Career Development Office provides substantial assistance to students in seeking placements for internships as well as regular jobs. The Office helps them in resume writing as well as job search skills development and also arranges interviews for them. Career fairs company presentations and on-campus interviews are some of the efforts in this regard.

Is there any format for recommendation letters?

An applicant need to furnish the recommendation letters on LUMS format only available in online admission application in recommendation letter section.

How many letters of recommendation should I submit?

Minimum of two letters of recommendation are required by the office.

Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation for me?

We recommend that at least one should be from a supervisor in your professional career. The other letter can be from a faculty member who has had a reasonable opportunity to evaluate you academically.

Can I transfer credits from another graduate programme?

Transfer of credits from another programme to the LUMS MBA Programme is not allowed. All admitted students regardless of having an advanced degree will begin the programme as a first year student.

If I provide you with my GMAT/GRE score or GPA or resume etc., can you tell me my chance of admission?

We consider many factors in the admissions selection process therefore, it is impossible to predict one's chance of admission without reviewing a complete application. You can review a class profile on our website if you like to benchmark your statistics against current LUMS MBA students.

Is work experience compulsory? I do not have any work experience. Can I apply to the LUMS MBA Programme?

Yes, you can apply. Preference is given to people who have some work experience. Candidates having an exceptional academic track record complemented by a very high GMAT/GRE score with the experience of a few internships are also considered for admission.

I don't have a business background. Will this impact my chances for admission?

We welcome applications from people with a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. We will be looking for you to demonstrate your potential as a leader and consider your professional experience and past performance while assessing your application.

How many years of work experience do I need to be admitted?

We do not have an absolute requirement for years of work experience although at least two years is preferred. However, applicants with less experience who demonstrate exceptional maturity and outstanding leadership through their personal experiences will also be considered.

Can I send in my documents before receiving my GMAT/GRE result?

You can send in your GMAT/GRE un-official score report along with your supporting documents.

What supporting documents should I send with my form?

Please visit the following link; https://admission.lums.edu.pk/checklist-required-supporting-documents-graduate-admissions

Can I submit more than one admission application for MBA?

No, you can submit only one application in an academic year for MBA Programme.

How does the round system work?

The purpose of rounds in an admission cycle is to start processing the applications as soon as they are complete and submitted successfully. An application is considered as complete when all of the requisite information and documents are in his file including the GMAT/GRE test results. In short the application would be considered in Round 1, if it is completed by the deadline for the Round 1. Similarly, if the application is completed by Round 2 deadline; it would be considered in round 2 and so on.

Will applying earlier benefit my application?

Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply in the first round as the available space is limited.

May I apply using the paper based application and send paper materials?

We only accept applications submitted electronically. This allows us to process your application more quickly. It also allows you to keep informed of the status of your application throughout the process by checking it online.

What is the application process?

Application for admission to the LUMS MBA programme is an online process (there is no paper based application to fill out or mail).
After creating an account and accessing the online admission application you may then begin to complete your application.
You can work on your application at any time and submit it when it is ready. Please note that we expect applicants to adhere to the deadlines stated on the LUMS website.
You can "track" the receipt of supporting documents submitted.
The earlier you submit your application the sooner you can learn about the receipt of these materials.After submission you may print a copy for your own use.

How will you notify me regarding a decision on my application?

Admission decision will be communicated through courier service; however, you can also check your application status through your online account. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding the application status by telephone or e-mail.

May I appeal my admission decision or ask to have the decision explained?

The admission process is a well deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, all of them do not qualify because of the limited number of available seats. The decision regarding admission is final.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will also receive a letter informing you of this. Due to the volume of applications the University receive; it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

What if my supporting documents didn’t reach LUMS on time?

You need to send us your supporting documents on or before deadline, it might take a day or so in reaching LUMS that will be acceptable for us.

Who is an International applicant?

A Foreign national who is not of Pakistani origin and does not have a Pakistani passport/NICOP/CNIC is eligible to apply to LUMS under its International Student Programme. Applicants holding dual nationality out of which one is Pakistani are not eligible to apply through LUMS International Student Programme.

What is the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan?

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is an independent, autonomous, and constitutionally established institution of primary funding, overseeing, regulating, and accrediting the higher education efforts in Pakistan.
HEC is responsible for formulating higher education policy and quality assurance to meet the international standards as well as providing accrediting academic degrees, development of new institutions, and uplift of existing institutions in Pakistan.