I really enjoyed my time at Universal Business School (UBS), and thinking about it brings back some awesome memories as I head off to join the Tata Group.
First off, the school is led by Prof. Tarun Anand, a former global CEO with experience in cities like London, New York, and Hong Kong. His leadership is super inspiring, and he's all about getting UBS into the top 10 business schools in India. The Program Directors share this vision and work hard to make sure we have a great experience and achieve our goals. They constantly encourage us to push our limits. Our Mentors are there weekly to help us go beyond what we thought possible, and that’s where I really grew.
The faculty at UBS is top-notch, starting with Brig. Cheema, who spent 35 years in the Indian Army. He taught us a course on finding purpose in our lives, which was really deep and meaningful. Then there are the Marketing gurus, Prof. Vijay Tandon and Prof. Elora Basumatary, both from IIM-Calcutta. They made learning exciting with a focus on hands-on experiences. In Finance, we had Prof. Maneesh Ketkar, a seasoned banker with 30 years of experience. For Operations, Prof. Sriram brought his vast corporate knowledge to life with simulations and role-playing activities. Prof. Nilanka, with her HR expertise, and Prof. Guru, an Economics enthusiast, made learning engaging and supported us with research opportunities. We were definitely lucky to have such experienced faculty members guiding us.
UBS offers lots of fun experiential learning like the 48-hour Case Blazer, trading competitions, and global contests with students from top schools like Cornell and MIT Sloan. There are also social events like Prom Nights, New Year’s, and Diwali Parties, along with fun club activities every week.
I had the chance to pursue a double specialization in Marketing & Business Analytics, which was a fantastic combo. My friends in Cardiff had similar opportunities, and during placements, our course choice didn’t matter—employers were just looking for talent.
The college has great sports facilities, from football and cricket to badminton and tennis. The UBS Olympics was a blast, and I even won some trophies. The campus life is lively with parties and hangout spots, and the wardens are super helpful. They’re building a new Plaza and Amphitheatre, which everyone is excited about. Karjat’s beautiful location makes it feel like living in a resort. During Covid, we were well taken care of, with lots of in-person classes compared to other colleges, allowing us to enjoy the campus fully.
Lastly, I got a full return on my investment with the reasonable fee of Rs. 9 lacs and my job offer from Tata Group. Overall, UBS truly felt like my second home, and I’m grateful for the amazing two years I spent there thanks to the dedicated team at UBS.
Universal Business School is nestled in Karjat, not too far from Mumbai, Maharashtra. It offers a 2-year PGDM program that is residential and crafted by top industry experts from various business sectors. The school is well-known for its global perspective and international programs.
Teaching Style & Faculty: The PGDM course at UBS focuses heavily on hands-on and practical learning, making up 80% of the curriculum. The program spans two years and includes two mandatory internships. The faculty team features CEOs from leading companies like Thompson Reuters and professors from renowned institutions such as JBIMS, SPJIMR, and IE Business School. Over 60 CEOs from different sectors mentor the school. UBS was founded by Tarun Anand, who previously served as Managing Director at Thompson Reuters. Students can also enhance their skills through live projects, self-assessment, and counseling sessions.
Admissions & Student Profile: The admissions process at UBS is comprehensive and considers the overall profile, similar to top international business schools. Even students without any work experience can apply. The school accepts scores from exams like CAT, GMAT, CMAT, and CET.
Career Opportunities at UBS: The placement process for the 2021 batch was a success, with companies like HUL, Deloitte, ITC, EY, and Federal Bank offering jobs. The highest salary reached INR 40 LPA, and the average was INR 8.42 LPA. There were 9 international placements, with one student securing a job at 1.01 Crore overseas. The program costs around 8–9 Lakhs, providing almost a 100% return on investment.
Overall, UBS stands out as a strong B-School option for students. Best of luck!
Universal Business School in Karjat, Mumbai, is unique in India for offering an international degree along with international accreditation and curriculum. Cardiff Met, which is associated with the school, is highly ranked in the UK. The school aims to develop future CEOs in a beautiful, green, and refreshing environment.