Post Graduate Programme in Communications Management (PGPCM)

Admissions to Post Graduate Programme in Communications Management (PGPCM) leading to

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Communications) - (PGDM-C) 2010 - 2012

Eligibility

Admissions to the PGDM (C) programme requires a Bachelor's degree (in keeping with the 10 +
2 + 3 (4) system) with minimum 50% marks or an equivalent qualification in any discipline
recognised by the Association of Indian Universities. Candidates appearing for the final
examination towards a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) are also eligible to apply.

Students with demonstrable aptitude for expressing, assessing or conceiving ideas that move
people to action and achieve business results, will stand better chances of being shortlisted.

Selection Procedure

The selection process for the PGDM (C) involves three steps:
Stage - I
CAT / GMAT

Candidates have to apply on the basis of CAT 2009 or GMAT (Score of 31 December 2007 or
later).
Indian students can also apply with GMAT scores.
GMAT score of 600+ can also be considered in lieu of CAT. (However shortlisting will be
conducted depending on the number of applications).
The CAT cut-off percentile for the 2009-2011 : 90 percentile and above overall with
sectional cut off of 50 percentile and above in DI & QT. For verbal comprehension,
sectional cut off was 60 percentile and above.

Stage - II

MICA Admissions Test (MICAT)

Candidates shortlisted from CAT/GMAT will be invited to appear for the MICAT, which will be
conducted in Feburary / March at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The
MICAT is designed to assess analytical and divergent thinking, written communication skills and
familarity with the Indian ethos.
Note: The Institute reserves the right to change any MICAT Centre without assigning any reason.
MICAT Sample paper.

Stage - III
Group Exercise (GE) and Personal Interview (PI)

Candidates shortlisted on the basis of MICAT will be invited for Group Excercise and Personal
Interview later in March / April 2010.
Admission Calendar
EVENT DATE
Admission Announcement and Issue of Forms September, 2009
Last Date for Issue of Application Forms January 27, 2010
Last Date for receipt of completed Application Forms January 27, 2010
Issue of MICAT Call Letters February, 2010
MICAT February / March, 2010
GE & PI March / April, 2010
Declaration of Results April, 2010
Orientation & Preparatory Programme June, 2010
Session begins June Last week, 2010

Inquiries
All inquiries related to admission should be sent to:
KGK Pillai
Registrar & CAO
MICA, Shela, Ahmedabad - 380 058, Gujarat, India
Tel: +91 2717 237946 to 51, & +91 2717 308250
Fax: +91 2717 237945 & +91 2717 308349
E-mail: admissions(at)mica(dot)ac(dot)in

FAQs

The Post Graduate Programme in Communications Management (PGPCM) leading to Post

Graduate Diploma in Management (Communications) - PGDM (C)

What is the greatest strength of the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Communications) -
PGDM (C) at MICA?

The curriculum of PGDM (C) ensures that the students are exposed to the latest information and
knowledge in the communications management domain. MICA students are equipped to manage
the entire business communications process, which includes commissioning of research, seeking
consumer insights, formulating strategies, evaluating media options, analyzing sales and
distribution channels and thereby building the brand equity creatively by sowing ideas and
harvesting pragmatic solutions.

Is PGPCM now called PGDM (C)?

Yes, the two year PGPCM is now called PGDM (C) as directed by AICTE.

Is PGDM (C) approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)?

Yes, PGDM (C) is approved by the AICTE.

What is the student intake of PGDM (C)?

The intake allowed for PGDM (C) is 120 students per year.

Do you award a Diploma or a Degree?

MICA awards a Diploma as per AICTE directives for the PGDM (C) program.

What are the eligibility criteria for admission to PGDM (C)?

A minimum of 50 per cent marks in a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in any discipline
recognized by the Association of Indian Universities or the AICTE. Candidates appearing for
their final examinations for such a degree are also eligible.

What are the possibilities of going into TV or film-making after completion of PGDM (C) at
MICA?

The PGDM (C) is aimed to create proffessional managers who specialise in communications.
However, MICA offers short duration courses focusing on communication processes in media
houses, like the Crafting Creative Communications programme for 6 months, focusing on Art
Direction and Copywriting for Advertising agencies.

What do you look from essay type description in the application form? Do the essays affect the
chances of getting a call?

The descriptions are meant to test the self-assessment skills of the candidates and are used only
for reference during the interviews. They are not used for shortlisting the candidates for final
selection.

What is the cut-off score for eligibility for the Group Exercise and Personal Interview in MICAT?

There are no standard cut offs. Individual taking MICAT must attempt and complete all the
sections of the test satisfactorily to quality for GE & PI.

How important is it to have work experience or a portfolio to get into MICA?

MICA prefers incumbent candidates to have relevant work experience. This is, however, not a
condition for applicants seeking admissions to the PGDM (C). It has been our experience and
observation that candidates with work experience fare better in MICAT, Group Exercise and
Personal Interview.

What exactly is tested in MICAT, Group Exercise and Personal Interview?

MICAT is a classroom exam of "90/120/150" minutes’ duration, designed to test the candidate’s
aptitude and orientation towards communications as a profession. The Group Exercise is given to
a group of 8–10 students who will discuss and finalize their findings of an assigned task. It tests
the clarity of thought process, verbal skills, lateral thinking and the candidate’s level of comfort
in a group situation. The Personal Interview helps to determine the suitability of the candidate for
the PGDM (C) and the industries it caters to. Please click here for a sample MICAT question
paper.

What preparation is required for MICAT?

There is no special preparation required for MICAT. We expect our prospective candidates to be
well-read, innovative and intelligent with an analytical bent of mind. We also expect them to be
aware of contemporary social and industry issues. General awareness towards marketing,
advertising and business issues will be additional advantages.

Do all the MICA students get jobs on completion of program?

MICA students have enjoyed 100% placement for several years in a row now. For details of
industry sector and companies, please refer to the Placements section.

Do you have international placements?

Yes. The number of international companies recruiting from MICA is growing every year. For
details please refer to Placements.

What are the on-campus students activities?

There are several student activities in MICA campus. Some are listed below:

MICA LECTURE SERIES (MLS)

Periodically Eminent personalities from industry to address the students on issues relating to
organisational excellence.

MICAMINDS

Through this student consultancy arm, MICA students apply academic learning to live projects
for external clients. Students pitch for projects, conduct research and present reports for the
clients under the guidance of Faculty and MICAMINDS coordinator. Projects for Leo Burnett,
Yahoo India, O&M and Chlorophyll have been carried out in the recent past.

MICANVAS

This is the annual students’ meet for students from domestic and international institutes organised
by MICANs. The event also attracts professionals for panel discussions on issues concerning the
world of the consumer and brands.

MODEL SERVICE CENTRES

Model Service Centres, under the aegis of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre give the
students direct exposure to a business environment and encourage them to take entrepreneurial
initiatives. Participating students gain insights into factors to be taken into account while
structuring a business deal, charging fees and maintaining profitability, by regular interaction
with practicing professionals.

ON CAMPUS ASSISTANTSHIP

Faculty members often announce project based requirements for assistance. Interested students
take up these jobs. These assignments offer insights into live-project management with learning
experience in the area of management consulting within the communications domain.
SANKALP

It is the in-house theatre society, which forms a very integral part of MICA life. It is a platform to
showcase talent and is organised with a high degree of proffessionalism.

BLACK COFFEE

The in-house magazine provides an outlet for the literary creativity of students. Managed by a
literary society, the magazine is designed, edited and printed for circulation in-house.

TRINETRA

Movies are an important medium of communication and the MICANs keeps in touch through
screenings of all time greats, followed by panel discussions.