University of Lucknow MBA is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered through the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), established in 2001. NAAC A++ accredited, UGC recognised, NIRF #98 University and #65 Management. Total programme fee ₹1.93 lakh. Admission through CAT or LUMET. 8 specialisations. Highest package ₹24.61 LPA; average ₹7.86 LPA; 81% placement rate.
About Lucknow University MBA — Institute of Management Sciences (IMS)
The University of Lucknow business school is one of the best public university MBA programmes in Uttar Pradesh. This public institution offers a 2-year full-time MBA through the Faculty of Management Studies and the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS) — a dedicated management school established in 2001 as a Centre of Excellence in Management Education and Research within the university's 75-acre Jankipuram campus.
The University of Lucknow was established in 1921 and is one of the oldest state universities in India. With over 100 years of academic heritage, NAAC A++ accreditation, and recognition from UGC, AICTE, AIU, and BCI, it is one of the most respected state universities in North India. The university has over 550 affiliated colleges and 15+ institutes and centres.
IMS combines classroom teaching with industry exposure, projects, internships, case discussions, presentations, and skill development exercises preparing graduates for careers in management, finance, marketing, HR, data analytics, entrepreneurship, and higher education. IMS has institutional partnerships with Harvard University, The World Bank, and the IIMs, bringing international academic rigour to its programmes.
Lucknow University MBA Highlights 2026
Established: 1921 (University) | IMS established 2001
NIRF 2025 — University Category: #98 | Management Category: #65
Other Recognitions: AICTE | AIU | BCI | NCTE
International Partnerships: Harvard University | The World Bank | IIMs | AIMA | LMA
Dewang Mehta Business School Award 2013 — Education Leadership
MBA Duration: 2 Years (4 Semesters) | Mode: Full-Time, On-Campus
Seat Intake: 180 seats | Admission: CAT (valid score) OR LUMET + Personal Interview
Total Course Fee (2 Years): ₹1,92,692 (~₹1.93 lakh) | Fee Per Semester: ₹48,173
Highest Package (2025): ₹24.61 LPA | Average Package: ₹7.86 LPA
Placement Rate (2025): 81%
Why Choose Lucknow University MBA in 2026?
Lucknow University draws students for its MBA programme not just for rankings, but for the combination of low tuition fees, experienced faculty, industry connections, research culture, and the credibility that comes with a century-old state university. For students in North India — particularly UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand — it represents one of the highest ROI MBA programmes available.
Key Advantages
NAAC A++ accreditation — same grade as India's top private B-schools, at a fraction of the fee
NIRF #65 in Management category — officially ranked among India's top management institutions
100+ year-old university — institutional credibility that employers across North India recognise immediately
Dedicated Institute of Management Sciences (IMS) — purpose-built management school, not a general department
International partnerships with Harvard University, The World Bank, and IIMs
Affordable fees of ₹1.93 lakh total — one of the most cost-effective accredited MBA programmes in North India
8 specialisations including niche areas like Tourism Management and Business Entrepreneurship not widely available at this price point
Active management clubs, industry interactions, guest lectures, and corporate events throughout the programme
Deloitte, Accenture, and Capgemini recruit from LU placements — consulting entry point from a government university
Lucknow University MBA — Programme Overview
IMS offers 8 specialised MBA tracks covering both traditional management domains and niche sectors. Each specialisation runs for 2 years and follows the same admission process.
Aspect
Details
General MBA
2 Years | All management sectors
MBA Finance & Control
2 Years | Banking, FinTech, Corporate Finance, Audit
MBA Human Resource & Industrial Relations
2 Years | HR Management, Labour Relations, Talent Acquisition
MBA Marketing
2 Years | Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Sales
MBA International Business
2 Years | Export-Import, Global Trade, MNCs
MBA Business Entrepreneurship
2 Years | Startups, Business Development, VC
MBA Corporate Management
2 Years | Strategy, Operations, Corporate Affairs
MBA Tourism Management
2 Years | Hospitality, Travel, Event Management
Lucknow University MBA Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates with a valid CAT score can apply directly and skip the LUMET exam — the CAT score carries 70% weightage in the admission process.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree from a UGC-recognised university in any discipline
Minimum 50% aggregate marks for General and OBC candidates
Minimum 45% aggregate marks for SC/ST candidates
Final year graduation students may apply provisionally
Valid CAT score (current year) OR valid LUMET score — at least one is mandatory
Shortlisted candidates must appear for a Personal Interview (PI) round conducted by IMS
LUMET: Pen-and-paper exam, 100 MCQs, 90 minutes, 2 marks per question, no negative marking
LUMET Sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Comprehension, General Awareness
Lucknow University MBA Admission Process 2026 — Step by Step
CAT registration opens in August; exam held in November. LUMET is conducted by the university separately, typically April–June. For 2026–27, CAT 2026 registration is expected to open in August 2026.
Step-by-Step Process
1
Register on the University of Lucknow's official admission portal. Submit the application form along with your CAT score or LUMET registration details. Pay the application fee as specified by the university.
2
Appear for either CAT (November) or LUMET (university-conducted, typically April–June). CAT score carries 70% weightage in final selection — higher CAT scores give a significant advantage.
3
IMS prepares a merit list based on entrance test performance, academic record, and category. Shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview (PI). Final selection is based on the composite score combining entrance test performance and PI.
4
Carry original documents for verification: Class 10 and 12 certificates and marksheets, graduation degree certificate and marksheets, valid CAT/LUMET scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), and government-issued ID proof.
5
Pay the semester fee within the deadline to confirm your seat. Admission is formalised only after successful document verification and fee payment.
Expected LUMET Cutoff 2026 — General: 65–75+ out of 200 | SC: 50–60+ | ST: 45–55+
These are indicative estimates based on previous year trends — not official published cutoffs.
Lucknow University MBA Fee Structure 2026
Fee TypeAmountNote
Fee per Semester₹48,173
Annual Fee (2 Semesters)₹96,346
Total Programme Fee (2 Years / 4 Semesters)₹1,92,692
Approximate Total Fee~₹1.93 lakh
Additional Benefits
Fee includes: Tuition Fee, Library Charges, Student Welfare Fee, Development Charges, Academic and Administrative Charges
NOT included: Hostel accommodation, examination fees, mess charges, and miscellaneous expenses (payable separately)
Post Matric Scholarship (UP Government) — tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance for SC/ST/OBC/EWS (scholarship.up.gov.in)
National Scholarship Portal Schemes — variable financial assistance for eligible category students (scholarships.gov.in)
Minority Scholarship — tuition support for students from UGC-recognised minority communities
Merit Scholarship (University) — financial assistance for students with exceptional academic performance at IMS
EWS Fee Assistance — fee reduction for students fulfilling EWS income requirements
ROI Insight: LU IMS delivers an MBA at ₹1.93 lakh with placements averaging ₹7.86 LPA — a ~4x salary-to-fee ratio. For students who cannot crack IIM Lucknow's 90-percentile CAT barrier, LU IMS is the best accredited public university alternative in Lucknow at dramatically lower cost. Compared to Jaipuria Institute (~₹12–14 lakh total), LU IMS is one-seventh the cost with NIRF #65 Management rank.
Who Should Choose Lucknow University MBA?
This programme is the right fit for:
CAT Aspirants Targeting Affordable, Accredited MBA Education
If you have a CAT score in the 65–70 percentile range and want a government university MBA with NAAC A++ accreditation and strong placement history, LU IMS is a high-value option competing with mid-tier private B-schools at 5–10x lower fees.
Students Expecting High ROI from Their MBA
At ₹1.93 lakh total fee with average placement of ₹7.86 LPA, the salary-to-fee ratio at LU IMS is among the best available for a ranked management programme in North India.
Banking and Finance Aspirants
MBA Finance & Control at IMS, combined with strong connections to ICICI Bank, Bajaj Capital, and other financial sector companies, makes this a practical path for students targeting banking, NBFC, or financial services careers in North India.
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
The MBA Business Entrepreneurship specialisation — uncommon at this fee point — gives aspiring entrepreneurs structured access to business planning, legal frameworks, venture management, and the IMS alumni network in the Lucknow and UP startup ecosystem.
Students Targeting Leadership Roles in UP and North India
For students whose career target is corporate or government-linked management roles in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, or Madhya Pradesh, a degree from the University of Lucknow carries strong regional brand recognition that private B-schools in the same fee range cannot match.
Candidates Who Prefer Government University Degrees
Many employers, government departments, and PSUs in India still view government university degrees favourably. For candidates specifically wanting a state government university MBA over a private institution, LU IMS is the top-ranked option in UP.
Placements & Career Outcomes: Lucknow University MBA 2025
The University of Lucknow concluded its 2024–25 placement session with an 81% placement rate. The placement cell — the Central Placement Cell (CPC) — actively organises internship drives, recruitment drives, aptitude training, mock interview sessions, resume workshops, and industry interaction programmes throughout the year.
Average Package (2025): ₹7.86 LPA | Placement Rate: 81%
Top Recruiting Sectors: Banking, Consulting, IT, Analytics, FMCG, Finance, Education
Internship drives organised each semester for live corporate exposure
Aptitude training sessions: quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning
Mock interviews — simulated HR and technical interview preparation
Resume workshops — professional CV and LinkedIn profile building
Industry interaction programmes — guest lectures with alumni and industry leaders
Graduates typically move into roles such as:
Management Trainee / Business Analyst (Entry: ₹3.5–7 LPA) Marketing Executive / Finance Analyst / HR Executive (Entry: ₹3.5–7 LPA) Marketing Manager / Finance Manager / HR Manager (Mid: ₹8–18 LPA) Operations Manager / Business Development Manager (Mid: ₹8–18 LPA) Senior Manager / Regional Director / CFO/CMO/CHRO (Senior: ₹18–35 LPA) Consulting Principal / Strategy Director (Senior: ₹18–35 LPA)
Top recruiters: Deloitte, IBM, TCS, Infosys, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Accenture, Capgemini, ICICI Bank, ONGC, Colgate Palmolive, MRF, Aditya Birla Group, ITC, Bajaj Capital, Sopra Steria.
Top Recruiters at Lucknow University Placements
IMS Lucknow University graduates are recruited across consulting, IT, banking, FMCG, and finance sectors.
Deloitte
TCS
Infosys
Accenture
ICICI Bank
IBM
Offered by
University of Lucknow
Course: Lucknow University (IMS) MBA
What's New?
LU Lucknow 2025 placements — highest ₹24.8 LPA (ONGC), average ₹8.6 LPA, 81% placement rate.
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University of Lucknow retains NAAC A++ — only state university in UP with this grade.
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NAAC A++ at government fees — unmatched in UP
The University of Lucknow is one of a kind in Uttar Pradesh. NAAC A++ accreditation, UGC Category-I status, a beautiful 219-acre campus, and programmes starting from ₹30,000/year — the best-value government university education in the state.
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University of Lucknow
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Based on the 2025 placement session, the highest package offered was ₹24.61 LPA. In 2024, the highest was ₹23.61 LPA (ONGC). The average package for the 2025 batch was ₹7.86 LPA with an 81% placement rate.