IPM- Is it worth pursuing? Check facts of 5-Year IPMAT Integrated Programmes

The Integrated Program in Management, or IPM, is gaining popularity as a way for students to take their first steps towards a management career after completing 12th grade. IPMAT is more advantageous to students because it is more than just a management course. The exposure is provided due to early admittance into a prominent IIM and its accompanying benefits, such as an assured MBA pathway and solid placements. Students in the IPM program complete a three-year BA degree at a prominent IIM before moving on to a two-year conventional MBA. Using this path, students are not only exposed to a holistic, grounded education across many fields, but they also gain a head start on their management careers.

IPM Course decoded

As the name suggests, the IPM is a five-year Integrated Programme in Management offered by IIMs and a few non-IIMs in India. The admission to the courses is held on the basis of the entrance test named the Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test. For students who have finished Class 12, an IPM course is a five-year Integrated Programme in Management that blends undergraduate and graduate management studies. Since students are automatically promoted to the MBA program after the first three years if they meet the requirements,

After enrolling on this course, students can begin their management careers right after Class 12 through its smooth integration of undergraduate (BA/BBA) and graduate (MBA) education. This results in time saving as it offers a direct route to a management degree without requiring a separate CAT-like entrance exam. As per the curriculum of the programme, initially the first three years concentrate on developing a solid foundation in subjects like economics and management, after the next two years cover advanced management courses, leading to an integrated MBA or comparable degrees.

Advantages of 5-Year IPMAT Integrated Programmes

Superb Career Opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of IPM is that students can start planning their careers early. Beginning in the first year, the program includes practical learning experiences such as internships and real projects. These early industry exposures provide students with a competitive advantage by allowing them to obtain hands-on experience and hone their abilities before entering the job market.

Opportunity to pursue an MBA from IIMs

IPM is given by prominent institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which are internationally recognised for their excellent educational standards and managerial excellence. IPM at an IIM will significantly boost one’s resume and provide excellent possibilities at some of the world’s biggest companies across a wide range of industries.

A seamless conversion to an MBA

For students who are certain of their goal to pursue a management profession, IPM offers a smooth and clear path to an MBA, in contrast to other traditional pathways, where students must apply for MBA programs after completing undergraduate studies and need to appear in various entrances.  IPM students are automatically enrolled in the MBA component of the program after completing their first year.

Glorious Placements over the year

After completing the 5-year integrated programme, IIM has achieved tremendous progress in its placement performance for the recent graduating batch, demonstrating a strong recruitment push that has attracted a varied spectrum of top-tier organisations. Top recruiters include HSBC, Deloitte, KPMG, Accenture, PwC, J.P. Morgan, Ernst & Young, Citibank, ITC, Infosys, and many others. In IIM final placements, the average salary package offered to candidates ranges from INR 20-25 lakh per year, but salary packages at newer IIMs are typically between INR 10-20 lakh per year.

Time Effectiveness

The IPM program combines undergraduate and postgraduate management education into one continuous journey. This saves time because the MBA can be completed in five years rather than the usual seven to eight years required for an undergraduate degree followed by a two-year MBA program.