Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA)

Legacy, Positioning, and Vision
The Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA), singularly positions itself as India’s top management institute for leadership in Strategic Marketing, Marketing Communications, Brand Management, and Digital Business. Established in 1991 by the Mudra Foundation, MICA was designed to meet the rising need for professional managers who could expertly blend analytical, creative, and strategic skills at the intersection of business, branding, and storytelling.

Over three decades, MICA has pioneered advanced programs that fuse consumer insights, digital analytics, and multi-channel media understanding to shape leaders for the rapidly evolving marketing and communications ecosystem. The core vision guiding MICA is “leadership in strategic marketing and communication for impactful change,” making it uniquely different from generic MBA B-Schools and lauded by recruiters, corporates, and agencies for producing creative-yet-strategic leaders.

Academic Distinction and Curriculum Excellence
MICA’s flagship PGDM and PGDM-C programs are built around an experiential and industry-responsive curriculum. The learning approach synthesizes case method, real-time projects, integrated digital campaigns, scenario-based business games, content creation assignments, and simulation labs covering:

• Core Marketing (Brand, Digital, Retail, Strategic)

• Analytics and Data Visualization

• Communication (IMC, PR, Media Strategy)

• Creative and Storytelling Workshops

• Advanced Business Research Methods

• Social Impact, Rural Engagement, Sustainability

A major distinguishing feature is MICA’s dual admission process (CAT/XAT/GMAT scores plus the institute’s own aptitude test–MICAT), filtering for not only IQ and managerial potential but also analytical and creative lateral thinking.

Continuous curriculum adaptation ensures graduates are job-ready for high-stakes roles in digital marketing, social media strategy, advertising, consumer insights, e-commerce, content management, entrepreneurship, and business analytics. MICA faculty is a blend of top B-school professors, global PhDs, industry CMOs, and veteran media professionals, ensuring disciplinary depth and contemporary industry interface.

Campus and Infrastructure
Spanning an idyllic 19-acre campus on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, MICA’s built and natural environment is best-in-class for modern business education. Architecture is punctuated with digital marketing labs, a 24×7 learning resource center (library) with 50,000 titles, media production studios, content and research hubs, amphitheatres, digital classrooms, and recording studios.

Residential facilities are state-of-the-art, providing WiFi-enabled, air-conditioned rooms, contemporary amenities, a fitness center, student-run cafes and common rooms, and spaces designed for creative collaboration. The campus ecosystem features in-house team-building activities, annual fests (MICANVAS, TEDx), hackathons, and industry conclaves that drive sustained exposure to real-world challenges.

Faculty and Research
MICA’s pedagogy is deeply research-driven. Faculty members regularly publish in international SCM and digital marketing journals and collaborate with consultancies for industry reports on branding, influencer marketing, and media technologies. Visiting C-suite leaders and alumni participate as industry guides and mentors in capstone and innovation projects.

On top of that, MICA’s research centers focus on emerging domains such as

• Brand Analytics and Marketing Insights

• Digital and Social Media Lab

• Consumer Culture and Urban Research Unit

• Communication Policy and Ethics

• Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Venture Design

These hubs encourage student-faculty research, provide consultancy to global clients, and organize thought leadership summits.

Global Exposure and Partnerships
MICA has set up vibrant academic alliances with universities in France (Sciences Po), the United States (Emerson College), and the Netherlands (Wageningen University). These partnerships power semester exchanges, collaborative research, and dual-degree opportunities. Participation in global competitions and international live campaigns further hones a multicultural, cross-border marketing outlook.

Student Life and Clubs
Life on campus is dynamic and creatively charged. Over 25 active student clubs and SIGs (Special Interest Groups) drive engagement in digital marketing, entrepreneurship, creative writing, quiz, design, analytics, and consulting. Flagship student-run events—like MICANVAS (national management festival), TEDxMICA, Expression (storytelling fest), and The Open Mic (creative showcase)—strengthen leadership and teamwork skills.

MICA’s unique “Mican” identity is built through rural immersion visits, months long live client projects, independent media creation, NGO internships, and community outreach. The student body is highly diverse, pulling undergraduates and professionals from PAN India and abroad. Alumni hold coveted positions at Google, Facebook, Unilever, GroupM, WPP, Deloitte, Dentsu, and many more.

Placement, ROI, Alumni
MICA enjoys a legendary reputation as a 100% placement campus. The Class of 2025 saw the highest offer reach ₹40.91 LPA, with an average of ₹19.22 LPA. Recruiters come from across domains: FMCG, e-commerce, agency networks, analytics, consulting, fintech, and digital product ventures. Summer internship stipends cross ₹2 lakhs for top students. MICAns routinely win at global case competitions and digital hackathons.

Alumni are recognized thought leaders, startup founders, CMOs, and directors in India and globally. The alumni network stays active through mentorships, competitions, and speaker sessions. High RoI is assured: for an investment of ₹28L, average graduate salaries make it one of India’s most ‘value-for-money’ management programs for marketing.

1. PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management):
   A two-year residential, autonomous program equipping students for careers in brand management, strategic marketing, and digital leadership. Curriculum blends advanced analytics, communication, and leadership skills. Special modules on Media Management and Digital Transformation train for the future of consumer-facing industries.

2. PGDM-C (Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Communications):
   India’s only AICTE-approved flagship residential program combining communications, marketing management, market research, analytics, creativity, and digital business. Highly industry-integrated, includes company projects and innovative capstone challenges.

3. Crafting Creative Communications (CCC):
   A full-time one-year residential program for those seeking careers in advertising, campaign strategy, multimedia content creation, digital storytelling, and brand innovation. Focused on honing creative acumen and execution mindset for marketing agencies, film studios, and design consultancies.

4. Fellow Program in Management (FPM):
   Doctoral-level research program focused on advanced themes in marketing, branding, and communication sciences. Aimed at producing top researchers and faculty for premier institutions, think tanks, and consulting.

5. Executive Education & Certification:
   MICA’s blazing digital marketing and advanced communication management certificates are delivered via online and hybrid formats, ranging from 4 to 10 months for working professionals.

1. Eligibility:
   Graduate with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories); final year undergraduates eligible provisionally.

2. Accepted Exams:
   Mandatory – CAT, XAT, or GMAT scores; all candidates (including NRI/Intl.) must take the MICAT (MICA Aptitude Test).

3. Shortlisting:
   Candidates are screened on Composite Score:

• CAT/XAT/GMAT = 20%

• MICAT (analytical, verbal, descriptive, divergent thinking, psychometrics): 30%

• Group Exercise (team challenge): 20%

• Personal Interview: 30%

4. Final Offer:
   Aggregate merit is computed with category reservation norms observed. Shortlisted candidates receive admission letters and complete fee documentation.

Scholarships are offered for merit (top entrance scorers, toppers), diversity, and need-based candidates (SC, ST, OBC and EWS).

Key Highlights (Batch 2025)

Sector Distribution:

• Digital/Tech/Analytics: 42%

• FMCG/FMCD/Retail: 25%

• Consulting: 16%

• Media/Advertising/Comms: 10%

• BFSI & Others: 7%

Summer Internships

• 100% placement in paid summer internships for Class of 2025

• Median stipend: ₹75,000/month

• Highest stipend: ₹1,75,000

• Top recruiters: Unilever, Amazon, L'Oréal, Dentsu, Google, Times Internet

Alumni and Industry Connect
MICA is proud of a 5000+ alumni network spanning top roles in every major digital, branding, and marketing leadership vertical in India and globally. Alumni actively contribute in projects, serve as faculty, and mentor students through annual events, competitions, and panels. Industry advisory board includes global CMOs, digital entrepreneurs, and agency founders.

Key Advantages of MICA

• Unmatched legacy in creative and strategic communication management

• Most specialized program for digital, marketing analytics, brand leadership careers

• International recognition: AIU equivalence, academic partnerships

• Best-in-class RoI (highest marketing sector salaries, 100% campus placement)

• Diversity, Inclusion, and Creativity as core values

• Immersive, industry-aligned, future-oriented business education