Redefining Leadership with an MBA in Liberal Studies and Management
The traditional approach to business management education typically emphasises scientific methods and controlled environments. However, the reality of the business world often presents a very different scenario, where decisions are made based on incomplete and frequently chaotic information. Therefore, relying solely on conventional scientific methods is insufficient to prepare future leaders. This gap underscores the urgent need for a new approach to management education.
An MBA in liberal studies offers a refreshing perspective. It challenges students to develop problem-solving skills and critically evaluate which challenges to address and the rationale behind their choices. This educational approach encourages deeper inquiry into the significance of specific challenges and fosters essential leadership qualities and a commitment to service. As a result, graduates are better prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.
The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode recognises the necessity for innovation in business education and offers an advanced Postgraduate Programme in Liberal Studies and Management (PGP-LSM). This unique program aims to cultivate emotional, cultural, and creative intelligence in future leaders. By the end of this blog, you can make a well-informed decision about pursuing an MBA in Liberal Studies.
What are the unique course offerings?
IIM K – Post Graduate Programme in Liberal Studies & Management (PGP-LSM)
The PGP-LSM is an engaging two-year program structured into six terms. In the first year, students explore liberal studies alongside core management principles, while the second year offers advanced courses and electives.
A standout aspect of this program is the one-week International and Rural immersion modules, which give participants valuable real-world experiences. Additionally, the Master’s thesis in the sixth term offers students a unique opportunity to explore a topic of their choice in depth.
This program is designed to prepare participants for managerial roles in marketing, human resource management, media, social enterprise, hospitality, and healthcare—this program emphasises a holistic perspective. It nurtures diverse thoughts, essential for effective leadership in people-centric roles. The course details are as follows:
Category | Courses |
Induction Courses | Impactful Presentations using PowerPoint, Executive Grooming, Basic Mathematics and Statistics, Pedagogy (Cases, Simulations and Written Analysis), Social Innovation, Case Analysis |
Core Courses | |
Term I | Microeconomics, Business Communication Legal Environment of Business, Marketing Management Organisational Behaviour, History and Evolution of Management Thought, Accounting for Managers, |
Term II | Statistical Thinking and Analysis, Social Psychology, Macroeconomics, Design Thinking & Innovation, Sociology for Management, Readings in Literature, Financial Management |
Term III | Leadership, Management of Corporate Accountability, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Economic History of Modern India, Strategic Management, Social Transformation in India, Critical Reading and Writing, Gandhian Leadership (Workshop) |
Term IV | Qualitative Inquiry, Discovering Self, Political Science and Management, Electives |
Term V | Social Innovation, Management of Service Business, Digital Innovation and Business Transformation, Application of Linguistics, Business Plan Project/ Social Development Project(BPP/SDP), Electives |
Term VI | Integrative Simulation, Rural Immersion, Dissertation and Viva, International Immersion, Electives |
The PGP-LSM program includes mandatory Rural and International Immersion for one week each in the second year, which provides unique and diverse learning experiences.
Students can choose their elective courses from one of the three primary majors listed below.
- Health, Hospitality and Tourism
- Social Enterprises and Non-Government entities
- Communication, Films and Entertainment
Students may select electives from other postgraduate programs, provided they fulfil the credit requirements and adhere to existing regulations. Below is a tentative list of potential electives, which is subject to change based on student demand and the availability of faculty specialists.
Electives | Theories of Design, Consumer Behaviour, Digital Humanities, Literary Imagination, Public Health Management, Sustainability, Globalisation and Culture, Responsible Leadership, Intellectual Property Rights, Data Visualization using Tableau, Visual Thinking, Aesthetics, Creativity & Innovation, Discourse Analysis, Health Management & Administration, Cultural Studies, Film & Media Studies, Public Policy, Hospitality and Tourism Marketing, Environment, Society and Governance, Business and Government, Public Private Partnerships, Ecosystem Management, An Introduction to Future Studies, Technology, Media and Law, Information and Communication Technology for Development, Experiential Marketing, Managing Operation in services-Healthcare, Hospitality and Tourism, Humanitarian Supply Chain Management, Personal selling and Positivity, Human Resource Management, Walk to Wonder. |
Empowering Futures: Career Prospects for PGP-LSM Graduates
Summer internships and final placements are combined for all three programs at IIMK: PGP, PGP—FIN, and PGP—LSM. As a result, the placement report released by the placement committee encompasses all three programs, detailing aspects such as the companies and roles offered and the average salary packages.
PGP—LSM students gain a perspective that emphasises humanity’s future and fosters creativity. This perspective sets them apart in various roles, from technical fields like finance to versatile areas such as human resources. This combination of creative and liberal thinking in management can provide an advantage when securing their first corporate position. The placement opportunities for the entire cohort feature diverse roles in marketing, consulting, finance, and operations.
A total of 537 students participated in the placement process, with over 156 recruiters engaging in recruitment for 2024.
- 70+ new recruiters have hired students across multiple domains this year.
- The highest CTC offered has increased from 67.02 to 72.00 LPA.
- The finance and consulting sectors have experienced a rise in the maximum compensation packages offered in these domains.
- Finance and IT/Analytics have seen increased offers in the respective domains.
Overview of the CTC Offerings
Highest CTC (In LPA) | Mean CTC (In LPA) | Mean CTC Females (In LPA) | Median CTC (In LPA) |
72.02 | 28.05 | 29.20 LPA | 27 |
Final 2024 Domain Placement Highlights
Domain | Highest CTC
(In LPA) |
Offers (In %age) | Average CTC (IN LPA) |
General Management | 33 | 8 | 25.96 |
IT/Analytics | 67.02 | 15 | 28.31 |
Operations | 49 | 6 | 29.42 |
Sales and Marketing | 31 | 10 | 26.12 |
The General Management sector featured a variety of roles provided by over 15 companies, representing 8% of the total job offers. Notable firms in this category included Adani, ABGLP, Airtel, Bajaj Consumer Care, Bajaj Finserv, Capgemini, Disney Star, Gevme, Hinduja, JSW, L’Oreal, Mahindra, Reliance, Renew Power, TAS, and Vijaya Diagnostic Centre.
In the IT and analytics sector, 15% of the offers came from prestigious recruiters such as Accenture Technology, American Express, Air India, Amazon, EXL Analytics, HSBC Technology, IndiGo, Media.net, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, Walmart, and Wipro, many of which provided opportunities in the sought-after Product Management area.
The Operations domain accounted for 6% of the total offers, featuring leading companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Flipkart, and Uber. New entrants such as Apitoria, CPCL, and P&G also offered several positions in Operations. Additional noteworthy recruiters included Asian Paints, Diageo, Genpact, and Tata Steel.
Sales and Marketing represented 10% of the offers, with major companies like BP Castrol, DRL, Johnson & Johnson, Meesho, Maruti Suzuki, HUL, ITC, PepsiCo, PhonePe, Pidilite, Reckitt, Samsung, Tata Play, Tata Steel, and Vodafone Idea.
The PGP-LSM program is grounded in sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical considerations, evident in its curriculum, program structure, and meaningful discussions that enhance the student’s learning experience.
In conclusion, the Liberal Studies and Management Program is designed to equip students with a competitive edge in navigating the complexities of daily corporate operations, emphasising innovative approaches and a commitment to the greater good.