Now you can apply for Great Lakes management quota seats for direct admission in Great Lakes, Chennai. If you are a Non-Resident Indian, you can try for NRI quota seats in Great Lakes. For all admission and college-related queries, contact our expert counsellors at DirectMBA.in. Call us at (+91) 9742479101 or email at contact@directmba.in. We will help you with eligibility, management quota fees, the admission process, and placements.
In the year 2003, Great Lakes was established with a PGPM program with the motto of providing 1-year business education to working professionals — just like ISB Hyderabad. Great Lakes is the second institute to receive AICTE Approval for its PGPM program after XLRI Jamshedpur. Great Lakes Chennai is the only institute where working professionals can join a 1-year executive MBA program with a minimum of 2 years of working experience. Other MBA/PGDM colleges ask for a minimum of 5 years of work experience for their executive programs. If you are looking for an undergraduate program, you can try for direct admission in NMIMS Mumbai.
How to Get Admission to Great Lakes?
Admission depends on valid scores in CAT / XAT / CMAT / GMAT. The student's academic marks in graduation, 10th, 12th, and work experience also play essential roles. Students selected in the first round have to appear for GD-PI rounds.
All students don't get the chance to take admission as the process is tough and competitive. Those who are unable to get admission through regular process and want to avoid the examination route can apply through direct admission in Great Lakes Management Quota seats, donations, or NRI quota seats. For more information, call us at 9742479101 or email contact@directmba.in.
Programs at Great Lakes Chennai
Great Lakes, Chennai offers several management programs — among which PGPM and PGDM are most notable.
PGPM – Post Graduate Program in Management
A 1-year program for applicants with more than 2 years of full-time work experience. There are 4 cycles of admission in this program.
PGDM – Post Graduate Diploma in Management
Started in 2009, AICTE-approved in 2012. A two-year full-time residential program for applicants with 0 to 24 months of work experience. Students can choose specialisations in the second year — Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain Management, or Analytics.
Associations
Notable academic associations of Great Lakes include:
- BABSON College, USA
- Cornell University, USA
- Chicago Booth School of Business
- Skema Business School, France
- IESEG School of Management
- Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Location
- Address: Great Lakes Institute of Management, Bala V. Balachandar Campus, East Coast Road, Manamai Village, Thirukazhukundram Taluk, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.
- 60 km from Chennai City Airport
- 90 km from Pondicherry City
- 9 km from Mahabalipuram UNESCO Heritage Site
- Nearest Mall: Karanji Shopping Complex
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Direct Admission in Great Lakes
Great Lakes is one of the best business institutes in India with strong faculty and a world-class campus. Many applicants dream of getting admission there, but because of the competitive process, many are unable to secure a seat. If you are one of those students, you can apply for direct admission in Great Lakes. There are multiple routes — management quota, donation seats, and NRI quota. Contact us at (+91) 9742479101.
Selection Process
- After the application process, the candidate needs to submit exam scores (CAT/XAT/GMAT).
- Based on academic records, exam scores, and work experience, the candidate receives PI calls.
- Based on PI performance, academic records, and work experience letter, the final offer of admission is made.
- University rank holders and scholars get extra weightage.
If you are interested in the Great Lakes PGDM program, contact us at 9742479101 for Great Lakes Management Quota seats. You can also ping us on WhatsApp for NRI quota seats.
Donation Seat Admission
Great Lakes Donation seats are processed based on a donation amount. Not every institute provides donation seats. The donation fee depends on the college's reputation and ranking — higher-ranked institutes have a higher donation fee. Contact us at (+91) 9742479101 for details on Great Lakes donation seats.
NRI Quota Seats
Candidates who are NRI and want to get admission to Great Lakes under NRI quota but are unable to clear entrance exams can apply for direct admission through NRI quota seats. Contact our professionals at (+91) 9742479101 or email us at contact@directmba.in.
Great Lakes Management Quota
Colleges in India reserve 3–9% seats for management and trust quotas. Admission to these seats follows separate criteria. Not everyone is aware of the Great Lakes management quota — it is for those who might not get admission through the regular merit process. Call us at (+91) 9742479101 for management quota seats in Great Lakes.
Fee Structure
Here is the fee structure for the GLIM PGPM program:
| Program & Academic Fees | Indian Students (INR) | International Students (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Academic Fee | ₹10,90,000 | $20,500 |
| Program Fee | ₹6,20,000 | $12,000 |
| Sub-Total | ₹17,10,000 | $32,500 |
| Other Charges | INR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing and Food Charges | ₹3,50,000 | $7,500 |
| Caution Deposit (Refundable) | ₹10,000 | $300 |
| Alumni Subscription | ₹5,000 | $100 |
| Total Fees | ₹20,75,000 | $40,400 |
Eligibility Criteria
- Any graduate with a minimum of 50% marks in graduation can apply.
- Minimum required work experience: 24 months.
- The essay section is very important for overall profile evaluation.
- Applicants should have a valid score in CAT / XAT / GMAT.
If you are interested in the GLIM PGPM program, call us at 9742479101. We will help you with Great Lakes Management Quota and NRI quota seats. Our experienced counsellors help students secure direct admission in Great Lakes, Chennai. You can also explore IMI Delhi Management Quota or direct admission in IMT Ghaziabad.
Hostel Facilities at Great Lakes Chennai
- 27-acre green and LEED Platinum-rated campus
- Scenic ECR road, 9 km from UNESCO heritage site Mahabalipuram
- 24/7 operational campus with state-of-the-art gym
- Extensive library with digital resources
- AC and non-AC rooms available
- Football and basketball courts
- Salons, stationery, tea/coffee shops, and fast-food corners on campus
Great Lakes Placement Record
Latest placement highlights for GLIM (2024–25 batch):
Chennai Campus
| Program | Highest CTC | Average CTC |
|---|---|---|
| PGDM (2-Year) | ₹39.3 LPA | ₹15 LPA |
| PGPM (1-Year) | ₹30.8 LPA | ₹17.8 LPA |
Gurgaon Campus
| Program | Highest CTC | Average CTC |
|---|---|---|
| PGPM | ₹22.1 LPA | ₹15.1 LPA |
| PGDM | ₹22.7 LPA | ₹11.8 LPA |
Sector-wise Placement Breakdown
- BFSI – 44%
- Consulting – 18%
- IT/ITES – 16%
- Product – 5%
- FMCG – 4%
- Food Tech – 4%
- Others (Defence, EdTech, Healthcare, Pharma) – 9%
Latest News and Updates from Great Lakes in 2025
- IIRF Tamil Nadu #1: GLIM Chennai topped the 2025 IIRF MBA list for private B-schools in Tamil Nadu.
- NIRF Top 50: Gurgaon campus featured among the top 50 management institutes nationally under NIRF 2025.
- New Programme: GLIM launched a one-year PGPM-Family Business & Entrepreneurship (FBE) programme commencing May 2025.
- Convocation 2025: ~700 graduates from the Chennai campus; 30% women; gold medals awarded to top performers.
- Analytics Recognition: GLIM featured among "Top Business Analytics Colleges in India 2024" by The Academic Insights Magazine.
Important Dates & Deadlines for Great Lakes MBA/PGDM 2026–28
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | Already open for 2026-28 batch |
| GMAT Score Accepted | Taken after Jan 1, 2023 |
| CAT Score Accepted | CAT 2024 / 2025 |
| XAT Score Accepted | XAT 2025 / 2026 |
| Work Experience (PGDM) | Freshers / <36 months as on 30 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | Second week of March 2026 (expected) |
| Application Fee | ₹2,200 (non-refundable) |
Conclusion
Great Lakes is a well-reputed college in South India with an excellent placement record and a large alumni network that provides ample opportunities for students to get placed in India or globally. The competition level is very high, but the ROI of the college is outstanding.
To be a part of this prestigious college, contact us at 9742479101 for management quota seats in Great Lakes Chennai. For direct admission in Great Lakes, call or WhatsApp us for NRI quota seats. You can also contact us for ISB Hyderabad management quota and IIM management quota seats.
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