MBA

Overview

The SDSB - LUMS MBA is a rigorous 2 year degree Programme encompassing numerous facets of business and management, enabling students to attain core knowledge of fundamental business concepts. The Programme hones students’ ability to develop analytical and problem solving skills. With a long-standing history of academic excellence, the SDSB-LUMS MBA provides an extensive, worthwhile experience unmatched by any other institution of similar calibre.

Structure

Curriculum Requirements:

Before starting the Summer Immersion Programme (SIM) and the commencement of the first semester, students are expected to complete Online Courses. All first-year courses are compulsory and students are required to complete 12 units. Table 1 provides a list of courses that students may enrol in during the first year.

In addition to the regular coursework during the first year, students are required to complete two Experiential Learning components, hereafter referred to as Experiential Learning-1 (EL-1) and Experiential Learning-2 (EL-2). In the first semester, the students will be conducting an industry analysis under EL-1 which is equivalent to 1 unit.

During your second semester, you will put into practice the designing and execution of an entrepreneurial venture, as part of the Experiential Learning (EL- 2) component worth 0.5 units.

Students are required to complete a mandatory summer internship for 6-8 weeks between their first and second years. In the second academic year, all students are required to complete 5 units of elective courses in the third semester along with 2 units of the third module of Experiential Learning (EL-3). The Management Consultancy Project in Semester 4A is followed by 2 units of elective courses in Semester 4B.

In addition to the regular coursework, students are also required to actively participate and attend activities such as career development workshops, activities organised by SDSB, extracurricular events organised by executive clubs and societies, review sessions conducted by the faculty, sessions with the Dean, Associate Deans, and Programme Director; in addition to any other projects and assignments organised by the Programme Coordination Office. Requirements for successful completion, if any, for such activities are defined and communicated by the relevant faculty or the Programme Coordination Office.

The MBA Programme comprises 22-Units, where 1-Unit is equal to 3 credit hours. 1 credit hour means 3 hours of class contact per week for 14 weeks. Therefore, 1 unit equals 14*3=42 class contact hours.

The First Year of the MBA Programme consists of core courses, while the Second Year may consist of half-semester or full semester elective courses:
· Half course (0.5 unit course) = 15 sessions (including Midterm/Final Exams)
· Full course (1.0 unit course) = 30 sessions (including Midterm/Final Exams)

**Several electives are offered in the second year of the Programme. Courses with low enrolment (i.e. less than 15 students) may not be offered. Some courses may have pre-requisites which are identified in their respective course outlines.

***Online Courses, Summer Immersion Programme (SIM), Integrated Business Games and Summer Internship are all compulsory requirements for graduation. The MBA Programme meets all the HEC guidelines, and the SDSB-LUMS MBA Programme is also accredited by the NBEAC (National Business Education Accreditation Council) with the highest possible rating.

Important Dates

Round 1

Activity	Date
Online Application Deadline (PST)	19 Feb 2020	05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents	20 Feb 2020

Round II

Activity	Date
Online Application Deadline (PST)	14 Apr 2020	05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents	15 Apr 2020
Admission Decisions	29 May 2020 to 30 Jul 2020

Notes:

Dates are applicable subject to the availability of test centers.
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 academic 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 2020 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 Programme.

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);
Completed and submitted application form and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline;
Interview (if called)

Academic Requirements for Fall 2020 Admissions

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:

Successful completion of sixteen (16) years of education leading to a Master's 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, 2020 are also eligible to apply.

Admission Test Requirement for Fall 2020 Admissions

Applicants are required to take Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or NTS GAT (General) 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.

We are aware that the current COVID-19 crisis poses difficulties for applicants to submit test scores as test centres are non-operational for the time being. Under the circumstances, you can apply to SDSB MBA Programme without test scores being submitted (if you haven’t taken the test yet). You may then be asked to appear for an interview followed by a conditional acceptance if you are successful. The condition will require obtaining a minimum test score. Once, test centres are functioning, you will need to sit for the test and attain the minimum test score required by the University.

For further details on GRE (General), GMAT and NTS GAT (General), please log on to www.ets.org, www.mba.com and nts.org.pk respectively.

Note:

GRE (General)/GMAT taken more than five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid.
NTS GAT (General) taken more than 2 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.
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.

Supporting Documents Requirement for Fall 2020 Admissions

Applicants must submit complete online application form on or before February 19, 2020 for Round 1 and April 14, 2020 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, 2020 for Round 1 and April 15, 2020 for Round 2.

Application Processing Fee

The application processing fee of Rs. 5,900
The application processing fee of $81 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)/ NTS GAT (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.

Recommendation Letters

Minimum two (2) recommendation letters are compulsory for applying in 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) or NTS GAT (General) 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)/ NTS GAT (General) for admission for the session commencing August 2020?

The deadline to take the GMAT/GRE (General)/ NTS GAT (General) for Round 1 is February 12, 2020 and for Round 2 is April 09, 2020.

What is the minimum score requirement in GMAT/GRE/ NTS GAT (General) for admission?

There is no minimum required score.

For how long are the GMAT/GRE/ NTS GAT (General) scores valid?

GMAT/GRE scores are valid for five years. GMAT/GRE taken five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid. However, the NTS GAT (General) is valid for two years.

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 NTS GAT (General)?

Details regarding registration are given on nts.org.pk.

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 or NTS GAT (General)?

There is no preference in taking GMAT or GRE or NTS GAT (General).

If I take GMAT/GRE/ NTS GAT (General) more than once, do you consider my highest score?

We will consider your best scores of a single attempt.

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 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.

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

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

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.

How do I inform about a change in the online application?

It is highly recommended to fill out the application form carefully. Changes cannot be made after the submission of online application. In sheer need an applicant can send the updated information to helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".

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/ NTS GAT (General) 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Can I submit more than one admission application for MBA?

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

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 uplifting of existing institutions in Pakistan.