Across the two-year program, spread across six trimesters, core courses are offered in the I and II trimesters, and specialization courses in the III, IV, V trimesters, and Internship in the VI trimester. Six specializations – Marketing, Finance, Human Capital Management, Business Analytics, Hospital & Healthcare Management, and Operations Management – are offered in the III trimester. Students are given a wide range of more than 60 subjects to choose from across all specializations. PES University also offers specializations from sister institutions, including Science and Humanities, Economics, Law, Psychology, and Engineering.

At PES University, the pedagogy includes a variety of experiential learning opportunities such as Hackathons, Studyathons, Readathons, Certificate Programs, Workshops, and Networking with CXOs to provide students with real-world experience and industry exposure. These initiatives are designed to complement traditional teaching methods, giving students hands-on experience in problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership development.

The case method of teaching and learning focuses on giving students the opportunity to understand the role of decision-makers as they explore various challenges in case contexts drawn from companies across the world. Learning to think quickly with available information helps build analytical and problem-solving skills, empowering future managers and leaders to make critical decisions in real time.

The academic experience of undergoing a case-based curriculum, writing research papers, doing presentations, and participating in class empowers students graduating from the MBA program with increased management knowledge, leadership skills, and a strong foundation for making a difference in the corporate world.

Research Papers: Writing research papers enables students to develop a research mindset and learn from insights beyond textbooks. Research paper writing fosters the development of a scientific temperament for conducting systematic corporate research, designing appropriate research models, collecting pertinent data, conducting comprehensive analysis, making logical inferences, and developing professional reports for dissemination at conferences or through publications.

Presentations: Preparing and delivering presentations on topics of contemporary importance encourages students to gather accurate and relevant information from credible sources and present it to their classmates. The process of preparing and giving presentations builds self-confidence, enhances public speaking skills, develops the ability to handle question-and-answer sessions, and strengthens emotional resilience when facing critical feedback, all while navigating professional and social interactions with peers.

Hackathons, Studyathons, and Readathons: These events promote a collaborative and competitive environment where students solve real-world problems, engage in intensive study sessions, and explore various domains of business and management. Hackathons foster innovation, Studyathons encourage in-depth analysis, and Readathons build critical thinking and knowledge expansion beyond textbooks.

Certificate Programs and Workshops: PES University offers certificate programs and workshops that provide practical insights and skill development in areas such as leadership, business strategy, and emerging technologies. These programs help students stay updated on industry trends and build competencies essential for the corporate world.

Networking through CXOs: PES University fosters industry connections by facilitating networking opportunities with prominent CXOs and industry leaders through its 100+ CXO Talks. These interactions provide students with valuable insights into leadership, strategic decision-making, and the latest trends shaping the business landscape, helping them build professional relationships that can benefit their careers. Some of the distinguished leaders and professionals who have participated in the CXO Talks and have engaged with students include:

• Dr. S. Devarajan, Senior Vice President, TVS Motors
• Shri Srikanth Iyengar, Chief Client Officer, QA Ltd
• Shri A R Ghanashyam, Former Indian Envoy to Angola & Nigeria
• Shri S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, India
• Shri Narendra Jadhav, Former Member of Rajya Sabha
• Shri Shubham Khurana, Vice President, Goldman Sachs
• Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Prize Laureate
• N Gopalaswami, Chief Election Commissioner of India
• Ms. Sujata Ives, CEO, Centre of Global Alliance and Leadership Expansion
• Shri Satyen Rao, Creative Director, Ogilvy, New York
• Shri Soumya Kanth Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Advisor, State Bank of India
• Shri Chandrashekhar Tilak, Executive Vice-President, NSDL
• Shri Sourav Modi, CEO, Just Jute Products
• Dr. Philip Kotler, Professor & Marketing Guru
• Shri K. Gopinath, Head of Core Banking, Canara Robeco Asset Management Co. Ltd.
• Jayashankar Narayanakutty, Group Director Sales, Cadence Design Systems
• Prasanna Rai, VP and CMO, WIPRO
• Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhag, Human Rights Commission Member
• Bhuvana Subramanyan, CMO, Randstad India
• Purnima Menon, CMO, Marlabs Inc.

These engagements, along with workshops, speaker series, and networking events, ensure that PES University students gain practical industry exposure and valuable professional networks, enhancing their career prospects.

Case Method: Case study classes help students gain insights into industry analysis, problem identification, and decision-making. Case studies enable students to understand theoretical connections to real-world applications and stimulate creative problem-solving amidst uncertainty and incomplete information, simulating a real-time corporate environment. The case method of teaching and learning instils constructive thinking, encourages analysing case contexts, and envisions alternative solutions with justifications. Case study discussions help students develop leadership skills, team-building abilities, problem-solving acumen, and practical applications of conceptual knowledge. These discussions also simulate what it takes to be a leader, using analytical tools to explore decision alternatives with justifications while coping with the ambiguities and uncertainties inherent in business contexts.

Class Participation: Meaningful class participation involves having the presence of mind to know when to contribute to discussions and express opinions respectfully, while accommodating the diverse views of classmates. Class participation fosters greater engagement in the learning process and provides opportunities for students to learn from each other, enriching the classroom experience and promoting holistic development.