I’m currently a 2nd year student in the BBA DBE program from IIMB, and since a lot of people keep asking me about it, here’s a proper detailed review from someone actually studying in the program.

PS: Use AI for formatting because Reddit formatting is painful 😭

I’m doing BTech + BBA DBE.

Overall Experience

Overall, I would say it’s a pretty good degree.

The course structure is honestly better than what I’ve seen in many private colleges and more interesting than a lot of IPMAT-style programs in some aspects. I’m not saying it’s academically “better” than every IPM obviously, but the way they teach here is much more modern and practical.

Since it’s a digital-first degree, they use animations, visual explanations, online PPTs, recorded lectures, practical tools, and structured dashboards instead of just traditional board teaching. Because of that, concepts stay in your mind better.

You also get proper resources like books, PPTs, lecture recordings, live sessions, faculty doubt-solving, revision support, etc. Some smart people in the batch have even created automated notes systems using APIs where lecture videos get converted into proper notes automatically, so the overall learning ecosystem is honestly becoming pretty strong.

The academic cell itself also provides revision notes and tuition session before exams.

AI, Tech & Practical Learning

One thing I genuinely liked is that they’re not ignoring AI like many traditional colleges.

For example, in website development, they literally taught us how to use AI alongside HTML, CSS, JS, automation tools, and digital workflows, which honestly makes much more sense for the future if someone wants to build a digital business or startup.

The degree is also very entrepreneurship-focused. You’ll learn things like Business Model Canvas, digital business concepts, website development, analytics, Excel, advanced statistics, visualization, digital tools, etc.

In first year itself we had startup/venture-based projects where we had to ideate and build concepts.

There’s also a lot of group-based work where you interact with random people in your batch and solve problems together.

Batch Diversity

Honestly, the batch diversity is one of the biggest strengths of this program.

You’ll find IIT students, IIM/IPM students, startup founders, CA/CFA students, family business people, working professionals, people doing internships/jobs, dual degree students, etc.

There are genuinely very smart people here, and some already have crazy internships and startup experience.

Academics & Difficulty

People seriously underestimate the rigor.

Stats especially is NOT normal stats.

They go from probability theorems to advanced regression, advanced analytics, and statistical modeling because they literally have something called Advanced Statistics.

Excel was surprisingly detailed too. They taught pivot tables, dashboards, visualization, analysis systems, and proper Excel implementation, which honestly many usual colleges don’t teach properly.

If you just want to PASS the degree, you can manage.

But if you genuinely want to LEARN properly, you need to invest serious time watching lectures, making notes, revising, reading books, and implementing concepts. Otherwise technical subjects become difficult very quickly.

A lot of people are already exiting with certificates/diplomas because they cannot manage the workload properly.

So yes, managing this degree is not easy, especially if you’re doing another degree, BTech, BS, entrepreneurship, internships, or work alongside.

Faculty

Faculty quality is honestly top-notch.

There are live sessions where you can directly talk with faculty members and solve doubts.

Internships & Placements

Official internships were stopped this year because currently they don’t want to aggressively use the IIMB brand image yet since the program is still evolving.

But from what I heard internally through people in the Partnerships Cell, they’re experimenting with something called Live Projects.

Basically students work with companies for 1–2 months, reports are submitted, evaluations happen from both sides, and it becomes a proper industry-project system. For live projects, they will be placed by the PLACECOM itself. So it can lead to internship if job is done well.

And honestly, because of the NSRCEL ecosystem, alumni network, startup ecosystem, partnerships, and external relations, students will probably get decent opportunities eventually.

Also realistically speaking, batch size will naturally reduce over time because the degree gets tougher every term.

And yes -ONLY full degree students get official alumni status.

Certificate and diploma exits DO NOT get full alumni status.

NOVA & Campus Exposure

We have something called NOVA.

NOVA is basically an inter-zonal online event system where students are divided into zones and zonal leads conduct competitions and events.

Last time I literally won an event and got a ₹2000 Amazon gift voucher through a storytelling competition.

Then there’s NOVA Unplugged, where students are invited to the campus physically.

Last year students stayed in the hostels for 2 days, and this year I think it’s around 3 days.

It’s honestly a pretty good experience. More networking, talks, workshops, etc. rather than “fun college fest” vibes, but still valuable.

You also get official email IDs, library resources, academic resources, bonafide certificates, participation opportunities, and case comp support.

And yes, the IIMB tag definitely helps while applying to case comps, external events, competitions, and startup ecosystems.

Cells & Student Ecosystem

The outreach side still needs improvement sometimes since the program is still evolving.

But the Partnerships Cell has improved a lot recently. They’re doing city meetups, incubation partnerships, company collaborations, and ecosystem building.

Current major student-led cells include the Academic Cell, Media Cell, and Partnerships Cell.

The Academic Cell mainly handles extracurricular activities, competitions, student engagement, zonal coordination, and events.

The Media Cell handles content creation, photography, videography, design, social media, and event coverage.

The Partnerships Cell handles collaborations, incubation partnerships, city meetups, outreach, and external relations.

ERP systems and ID cards are also being implemented properly now (hopefull by june)

Final Thoughts

Personally, I think online degree value in general will increase massively in future.

And honestly, the IIMB tag obviously carries huge weight.

Obviously full offline flagship programs are different, and yes, you WILL miss traditional campus life.

But if you’re someone who is self-driven, likes flexibility, wants to build skills, wants entrepreneurship exposure, wants networking, and wants practical implementation, then this degree can genuinely become very valuable.

Especially if combined with another degree, startup work, freelancing, technical skills, or internships.

So overall, I would recommend the degree IF you know how to leverage opportunities properly.

And yeah, if you have genuine doubts, ask me in comments.

But please don’t ask:
“What’s cutoff?”
“Will I get in with 55 percentile?”

All of that is already available on the official website 😭

Realistic AMA, will be honest. Love this degree personally.

Dear all, this will be my 3rd and final post regarding this matter.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Dear Sir,

With due respect, we have been genuinely satisfied with the course structure and overall learning experience. I am sharing this here on Reddit to avoid any possibility of bias, doxxing, or personal targeting, and to ensure that this feedback is received in an open and neutral manner. The intention is purely constructive.

However, there are several serious concerns that require immediate attention:

• There have been multiple errors in examinations, which directly affect fairness and credibility.
• The policy of allowing excessive retakes is highly unfair. Students who prepared sincerely and cleared exams early are being treated the same as those clearing in later attempts. (WHO GIVE 4 ATTEMPTS BRO😭)
• The decision to allow a fourth attempt significantly dilutes academic rigor.
• Regarding internships, while there may have been a few cases of misuse, this does not justify restricting opportunities for everyone. Hundreds of students could have been placed with proper screening and stronger alumni/corporate engagement.

Additional concerns include:

• Examination centers are inconsistent and poorly managed, with repeated complaints.
• Frequent changes in exam patterns are creating confusion. The technical issues (such as typing problems) in the last semester made things worse.
• No clarity on ID cards.
• No access to Nova incampus accomodation, despite the fees being charged.
• Students working in various cells are putting in significant effort without compensation, incentives, or recognition, which is demotivating. (My friend in Media Cell works day and night, no incentives or recognition)

There is also a broader structural issue:

• The program appears to be over-focused on social media marketing and paid advertisements, projecting a premium image without consistently delivering equivalent value.
• There should be a clear shift toward organic value creation—internships, partnerships, and leveraging the institution’s network.
• Strict action must be taken against misuse of the DBE tag, as it impacts the credibility of all students.
• Internship opportunities should be structured, merit-based, and genuinely valuable, especially at this critical stage of our careers.

On internships specifically:

• Instead of removing or restricting internships entirely, there should be a proper system before, during, and after internships—including screening, monitoring, and accountability.
• A two-way communication mechanism should be established between students, the institute, and companies to ensure transparency and prevent misuse from either side.
• The Outreach Team should deliver tangible benefits, such as access to tools (e.g., Canva PRO) and meaningful industry tie-ups.
• Unpaid apprenticeships with no clear outcomes should be avoided—students deserve either paid roles or clearly beneficial experiences. (Marketing one looks like we are being fooled into labored work)
• Time and resources spent on external events and branding should be redirected toward real student outcomes.

We genuinely want the program to succeed, but these gaps need urgent attention. With better execution and a stronger focus on student value, the program can deliver significantly more impact. We also request that you interact with the student more with more transparent answers and have online townhall meets every sem.

Thank you.

This is a serious concern regarding internships in DBE

We are paying around 4.5L and the program is failing to provide even basic internship support or structured industry exposure This is not acceptable

Based on information from my friend who was part of the old Partnership Cell earlier internship opportunities were misused Some students secured internships using the DBE tag took stipends and left within a few days without completing the term

This escalated to the extent that complaints reached the Director and now the internship drive has been cancelled As a result the entire batch is losing access to genuine opportunities

Students who are willing to work and build experience are now facing the consequences of both misuse and lack of corrective action

There has been no clear communication no accountability and no recovery plan to address this situation

Under Suresh Sir there is still no transparency on how this issue is being handled or how internship opportunities will be restored. Suresh sir should be holding a townhall with us, but nothing. We rarely even see him as a chair of the degree.

These guys will be paying 20L+ for stupid inorganic ADs, and cringe Instagram reels, but nothing for current students. Such a sad state. Have lil shame management.

I am in 2nd yr of BBA DBE in North Zone. The course structure and teachers are really good! but:-

Honestly, what is the Outreach team even doing🤡🙏

We are paying around 4.5L and there is practically nothing for students All they seem to do is inorganic marketing random outreach drives and spend money on events that do not translate into any real value.

CITY MEETUPS aren't helping NO ONE😭
NOVA no Accommodation, but FEES YES🤡😭
INTERSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES NO RESPONSE
DO FREE WORK FOR US MEDIA/ACADEMIC/PARTNERSHIP/MARKETING CELLS OR APPRENTSHIPS- YES YESS😍
FAKE PROMISES - 100🔥

Why can they not partner with organizations that actually benefit students If outreach is happening across cities with travel and logistics costs then where are the outcomes for us.

They be spending LAKHS on Promotion events and zero for existing students.

Instead it feels like all this effort is just to increase applications and bring in more students rather than improving the experience of existing ones.

Communication is extremely poor Emails go unanswered there is no clarity no updates and no sense of coordination. Many initiatives feel rushed poorly executed and done just to show activity rather than create impact.

Under Suresh Sir, there is little to no transparency on how outreach decisions are made or how funds are being used. Members like Sidra, Thaneshwar, and Jacob are part of the team, yet we get zero response or transparent answers from them.

We keep hearing about outreach efforts and spending across different cities but what exactly are students getting out of it, NOTHING

If students are paying this much the least we deserve is transparency structured communication real partnerships and actual career outcomes Right now it just feels like inefficient spending with zero accountability and zero student benefit

Anyone else in DBE feeling the same or is it just me