Choosing an undergraduate Programme is an important decision that has a substantial impact on your career. It is quite natural that students are ambivalent about making a career choice right after finishing their board exams, however, some give in to peer pressure and end up choosing one that is either not in sync with their career goals or not what they are passionate about. In some cases, it also happens that students are not clear about what they want to do in life, thereby creating an ambiguous situation for themselves at the time of their college applications. That is where sound career guidance is required. In this blog, we will help you understand how to choose your undergraduate programme.

Which Stream is the Best One for You?

This question often comes to mind if you are not sure which stream you want to pursue a career in. In the Indian Education system, you get to choose your stream right after 10th grade, but it also gives you the flexibility to choose a programme at an undergraduate level as well. Ideally, you should always assess your abilities and inclinations before making any decision. Once you have understood your strengths and weaknesses, it will be easier to figure out which stream you want to pursue. The primary objective to form expertise in whichever stream you go for, which in turn lays a solid foundation for your career. If you are concerned about which subject or stream gives more monetary returns in terms of salary packages and incentives, then you must note that it totally depends on the nature of the job, your expertise and how good you are at it.

Education in India v. Education Abroad

Another important factor that can be hard to decide upon is whether to pursue a degree within the country or abroad. This primarily depends on your aspirations. While there are prestigious institutions in India that offer quality education in various fields, but when it comes to exposure and practical learning, one should always look for an education that is up-to-date and is taught with a global perspective. Educators are of the view that a student should have a strong foundation at an undergraduate level and that is what prepares them for the future and thus it becomes more crucial to choose a programme that is practical and has global acceptance. The current pandemic has also changed workplace dynamics to a great extent, where firms are hunting for talent globally and not necessarily where they are based. If you have a degree from a reputed institution, your chances of getting hired are substantially more.

Is India the Place for Business Education?

Over the years, India has been proving to be crucial to the global Business landscape providing the world with some of the finest business minds, visionary CEOs apart from a myriad of business opportunities for global companies to invest in. All this makes India one of the best places to practice business but the competition is equally fierce. While the country has good business schools that include IIMs, a large number of students still turn to countries like the US, UK and Australia for quality business education which itself is a metric to ponder upon. Global education has its own benefits like broader job opportunities and a strong academic base, however, it is a costly affair for many. Living in cities like London and New York, while you are studying can be challenging. Financial constraints undoubtedly are one of the major reasons that students do not make it to the business schools abroad but the lack of awareness about alternative paths to receiving world-class business education is equally a reason that hampers students’ aspirations to receive a global education.

What to Look at While Choosing an Undergraduate Business Programme?

An ideal undergraduate business programme should give you a strong academic understanding of the subjects and also a hands-on experience of the business world. It is important that you look for a curriculum that is rigorous and updated, and then compare it with others offered by various universities. Though the programme structure may vary for different universities, there are some basic things that you need to consider while choosing one, here are a few of them:

Curriculum: Curriculum is the fundamental thing to look at while choosing your undergraduate business programme. A number of universities and institutions all over the world offer business education, but only some guarantee a strong academic experience. Comparing the programmes is one way to ensure that you are choosing the right one. The programme you choose should be in sync with the industry trends and should offer a diverse range of electives to choose from. A programme that offers a blend of theory and practice should be your preferred choice.

Degree: Another aspect to look for is the validity of your programme degree. The degree should not only be valid in the country of your education but everywhere in the world so that your career opportunities are not limited by geographical limitations. If a degree is from a reputed university then applying for a Master’s degree or a PhD at other universities abroad becomes easier.

Pedagogy: Pedagogy is yet another important factor that not only decides how you receive your education but also how you are going to apply it in real-world scenarios. The programme you choose should have faculty members who are experts in their subject and should be up to date with the latest developments and emerging trends. Following the modern approach, the faculty should be able to prepare you for higher education and at the same time give you industry knowledge to help you kick start your career earliest as possible.

Opportunities: Apart from strong academics, the programme should also offer opportunities to boost your overall development. As a business professional, it is essential that you have experiences such as participating in debates, internships, industry visits, guest lectures, etc to add to your resume. In addition to that, an institution should also have a vibrant student life with active student societies to give you an opportunity to hone your skills.

Placement: The institution you are applying for should have an outstanding placement record. If you are aiming to start a career abroad then the institution should prepare you in advance.

Pursue an Undergraduate LSE Programme at ISBF

If you want to receive a global education from London School of Economics (LSE) with a degree from the University of London (UOL), then you might be interested in knowing that you can do so while staying here in India. Indian School of Business and Finance (ISBF) offers programmes in Economics, Finance, Management and Accounting with academic direction from LSE, which means that the programmes are designed, curated, evaluated and graded by the experts from LSE themselves. On completion of the programme, you receive a degree from the University of London, making you ready to apply for job opportunities anywhere in the world. The faculty at ISBF is committed to upholding the educational standards set by UOL and LSE. In addition to that, the impeccable placement record at ISBF speaks for itself. Students have received offers from companies like HSBC, FMCG, E&Y, Goldman Sachs, etc. To know more about the LSE led programmes, fee structure and other details, visit the programmes page.