Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC), Pune

The official SIMC information confirms a 120-student intake for the MBA programme, two-year duration and SNAP-based admission.

SIMC Pune is a strong option for students who want to combine management education with communication and media expertise.

• Part of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University) ecosystem.

• Specialized MBA in Communication Management.

• SNAP-based admission.

• Two-year full-time residential programme.

• Strong focus on communication and management.

• Exposure to media, advertising and marketing.

• Industry-oriented curriculum.

• Practical and experiential learning.

• Corporate communication exposure.

• Digital communication and branding focus.

• Opportunities in advertising and public relations.

• Strong media-industry interaction.

• Modern campus infrastructure.

• Dedicated placement and internship support.

• 100% placement reported for the 2023–25 MBA batch.

• Highest reported CTC of ₹21 LPA for the 2023–25 batch.

The flagship MBA in Communication Management is a four-semester, two-year programme designed for students who want to develop management capabilities along with specialized communication skills.

The programme prepares students for careers involving:

• Strategic Communication

• Corporate Communication

• Marketing Communication

• Brand Management

• Advertising

• Public Relations

• Media Planning

• Digital Communication

• Event Management

• Crisis Communication

• Internal Communication

• Career Prospects

Graduates can pursue roles such as:

• Corporate Communication Manager

• Marketing Communications Manager

• Internal Communications Manager

• Crisis Communication Manager

• Public Relations Specialist

• Brand Manager

• Media Planner

• Event Manager

• Advertising Executive

• Market Research Analyst

• Communication Consultant

These career areas are also listed by SIMC as potential career prospects for the MBA programme.

The programme combines management concepts with communication-oriented learning.

Core Management Areas

Students develop knowledge in areas such as:

• Marketing Management

• Financial Management

• Human Resource Management

• Operations Management

• Strategic Management

• Business Analytics

• Organizational Behaviour

• Business Economics

• Research Methodology

• Business Communication

• Communication & Media Areas

Students can explore:

• Corporate Communication

• Brand Communication

• Advertising

• Public Relations

• Media Management

• Digital Communication

• Strategic Communication

• Consumer Behaviour

• Content Strategy

• Communication Planning

• Crisis Communication

• Internal Communication

The combination helps students understand both the business side and communication side of organizations.

Although the programme is an MBA in Communication Management, students can develop career expertise across several related areas.

Corporate Communication

Suitable for students interested in:

• Internal Communications

• External Communications

• Corporate Reputation

• Employee Communication

• Stakeholder Communication

• Brand & Marketing Communication

Students can pursue:

• Brand Management

• Integrated Marketing Communication

• Consumer Insights

• Advertising

• Campaign Management

• Digital Marketing

• Public Relations

Career opportunities include:

• PR Consulting

• Media Relations

• Corporate PR

• Reputation Management

• Crisis Communication

• Media Management

Students interested in the media industry can explore:

• Media Planning

• Media Strategy

• Content Management

• Digital Media

• Entertainment Management

• Eligibility Criteria

Candidates applying for the MBA programme must satisfy the prescribed eligibility requirements.

Applicants should have:

• A bachelor's degree from a recognized university or Institution of National Importance.

• Minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent grade.

• 45% marks or equivalent grade for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates.

Final-year students may also apply, subject to fulfilling the prescribed graduation requirements.

Candidates with foreign qualifications must obtain the required equivalence certification from the Association of Indian Universities.

These requirements are specified in SIMC's admission information.

Entrance Exam Accepted

SIMC accepts the:

• SNAP – Symbiosis National Aptitude Test

Candidates seeking admission to the MBA in Communication Management must appear for SNAP.

The admission process involves:

• SNAP Examination

• SIMC Programme Registration

• Shortlisting

• Group Exercise

• Personal Interaction

• Final Merit List

The institute states that appearing for SNAP is compulsory for admission to its MBA programme.

SIMC does not publish a permanently fixed official SNAP percentile cut-off. The effective shortlist level can change according to:

• SNAP performance

• Number of applicants

• Applicant profile

• Available seats

• Overall competition

• Indicative SNAP Percentile Guide

• SNAP Percentile

• Admission Position

• 95+

• Very Strong

• 92–95

• Strong

• 90–92

• Competitive

• 85–90

• Possible depending on profile

• Below 85

• More Challenging

Note: These are indicative guidance ranges, not an officially announced SIMC 2026 cut-off. Students should not treat them as guaranteed admission thresholds.

• Step 1: Register for SNAP

Candidates must register for the SNAP examination.

Step 2: Appear for SNAP

Candidates can appear for the SNAP test according to the official examination schedule.

Step 3: Register for SIMC MBA

After SNAP registration, candidates must complete the separate SIMC MBA programme registration.

Step 4: Shortlisting

Candidates are shortlisted for the next stage based on their SNAP performance and applicable selection criteria.

Step 5: Group Exercise

Shortlisted candidates participate in the Group Exercise (GE).

The exercise evaluates areas such as:

• Teamwork

• Creativity

• Problem-Solving

• Innovation

• Time Management

• Step 6: Personal Interaction

The PI evaluates:

• Communication Skills

• Academic Background

• Interpersonal Skills

• Career Goals

• Overall Personality

• Step 7: Final Selection

Candidates are selected based on the prescribed admission criteria.

• SIMC Pune MBA Fees 2026–28

For the MBA (Communication Management) programme, the approved first-year academic fee for Indian students is ₹7,51,000, with a ₹35,000 refundable institute deposit.

Component

• Additional

The official SIMC fee structure lists hostel and mess charges separately and notes that they are subject to change based on the campus and accommodation type.

The current programme page shows the 2026–28 MBA fee structure with the academic fee split into four instalments of ₹3,75,500 each, totaling ₹7,51,000 per academic year.

The academic fee generally relates to programme and institutional academic expenses.

Students should budget separately for:

• Hostel

• Mess

• Personal expenses

• Laptop

• Travel

• Books and study materials

• Additional certifications

• Other living expenses

Students can explore scholarships and financial assistance available through Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and other eligible government or recognized schemes.

Depending on eligibility, students may explore:

• University scholarships

• Merit-based scholarships

• Government scholarships

• Category-based scholarships

• Other financial assistance schemes

Scholarship eligibility and amounts can change by academic year, so candidates should verify the latest official notification before applying.

SIMC has a dedicated placement process supporting students in their transition from academics to professional careers.

The MBA programme provides career opportunities across:

• Advertising

• Marketing

• Brand Management

• Corporate Communication

• Public Relations

• Digital Marketing

• Media Planning

• Consulting

• Market Research

• Event Management

According to the institute's published placement data, the MBA (Communication Management) programme recorded the following results:

The institute also announced 100% placement for eligible students of the MBA (Communication Management) and MA Journalism batches of 2023–25 in May 2025.

Note: Placement outcomes can vary by batch, specialization, recruiter demand and market conditions.

SIMC graduates can build careers in:

• Advertising

• Account Management

• Campaign Planning

• Creative Strategy

• Client Servicing

• Advertising Operations

• Marketing

• Brand Management

• Digital Marketing

• Marketing Communication

• Consumer Research

• Product Marketing

• Corporate Communication

• Corporate Communications

• Internal Communications

• External Communications

• Reputation Management

• Public Relations

• PR Management

• Media Relations

• Corporate PR

• Crisis Communication

• Media

• Media Planning

• Media Strategy

• Digital Media

• Content Strategy

• Campus Infrastructure

SIMC is located at the Symbiosis Lavale campus near Pune, providing students with a residential academic environment.

The institute highlights infrastructure including:

• Smart Classrooms

• Studios

• Computer Labs

• Learning Spaces

• Recreational Facilities

• Residential Facilities

• Digital Infrastructure

The official SIMC website specifically highlights smart classrooms, equipped studios, computer labs and recreational facilities.

As a residential programme, MBA students have access to campus accommodation.

Hostel-related facilities include:

• Residential Rooms

• Dining/Mess Facilities

• Internet Connectivity

• Common Areas

• Recreation Facilities

• Campus Security

Hostel and mess charges are listed separately in the official fee structure.

Student life at SIMC combines management education with media, communication, cultural and extracurricular activities.

Student Activities

Students can participate in:

• Media Events

• Management Competitions

• Case Competitions

• Workshops

• Seminars

• Cultural Events

• Sports

• Student Committees

• Industry Events

• Guest Lectures

• Communication Projects

The SIMC campus provides dedicated student-life opportunities through clubs, societies and events.

Industry Exposure

One of the major advantages of SIMC is its focus on connecting classroom learning with the communication and media industry.

Students can gain exposure through:

• Industry Interaction

• Guest Lectures

• Workshops

• Live Projects

• Corporate Projects

• Internships

• Case Studies

• Management Events

• Media Industry Engagement

This exposure is particularly valuable for students targeting careers in communication, marketing, advertising and media.

SIMC's teaching approach combines management education with practical communication and media learning.

Teaching Methods

• Classroom Lectures

• Case Studies

• Presentations

• Group Projects

• Live Projects

• Industry Sessions

• Workshops

• Simulations

• Research Projects

• Experiential Learning

The objective is to develop both managerial capabilities and communication expertise.

Research & Innovation

SIMC also maintains an academic research ecosystem around media and communication.

Research and academic initiatives can cover areas such as:

• Communication Management

• Media Studies

• Digital Media

• Advertising

• Journalism

• Strategic Communication

• Corporate Communication

• Consumer Behaviour

• Media Technology

• Communication Research

The institute also highlights research initiatives and centres as part of its academic ecosystem.

SIMC has an alumni community working across media, communication, advertising, marketing and corporate sectors.

Students can benefit from:

• Career Mentoring

• Industry Networking

• Guest Sessions

• Professional Guidance

• Industry Insights

• Alumni Interaction

• Career Awareness

SIMC has continued to receive recognition in the media and communication education space.

The institute's website reports that SIMC was ranked India's #2 Private Media Institute in the Outlook-iCARE Rankings 2026.

Website note: Rankings should always be accompanied by the ranking organization and year because rankings can change annually.

For the MBA (Communication Management) 2026–28 batch, SIMC published the following schedule:

• Event

• Date

• SIMC Online Registration Starts

• August 1, 2025

• SNAP Test 1

• December 6, 2025

• SNAP Test 2

• December 14, 2025

• SNAP Test 3

• December 20, 2025

• SNAP Result

• January 9, 2026

• SIMC Registration Closes

• January 19, 2026

• GE-PI Shortlist

• January 31, 2026

• GE-PI

• February 27 – March 1, 2026

• First Merit List

• March 10, 2026

• First Merit List Fee Payment Deadline

• March 23, 2026

Note: These dates apply to the 2026–28 admission cycle. Future dates may change.

SIMC's ROI should be evaluated based on the student's intended career path.

For students interested in communication, advertising, marketing, PR, branding and media management, the specialized MBA can provide relevant industry exposure.

• Symbiosis university ecosystem

• Specialized MBA

• Communication-focused curriculum

• Residential campus

• Industry interaction

• Internship opportunities

• Strong placement record

• Media and marketing career opportunities

• Pune location

• Corporate communication exposure

The reported 2023–25 MBA batch recorded a ₹21 LPA highest CTC and ₹8.44 LPA average CTC, with 100% placement reported by SIMC.

SIMC Pune vs General MBA

SIMC is different from a conventional general MBA because its programme has a strong focus on communication management.

Parameter

• SIMC Pune

• General MBA

• Programme

• MBA Communication Management

• General MBA

• Main Focus

• Communication + Management

• Broad Management

• Best For

• Media, Marketing, PR, Branding, Corporate Communication

• Finance, Operations, Consulting, General Management

• Entrance

• SNAP

• Varies

• Industry Focus

• Media & Communication

• Multiple Industries

• Career Areas

• Marketing, PR, Advertising, Communication

• Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, Consulting

• Programme Type

• Residential

• Depends on institute

SIMC is particularly suitable for students who already have an interest in communication-driven business careers.

Why SIMC Pune Stands Out

SIMC Pune stands out because it brings together management education and communication expertise under the Symbiosis ecosystem.

Major Advantages

• Specialized MBA in Communication Management.

• SNAP-based admission.

• Two-year residential programme.

• Strong media and communication orientation.

• Marketing and branding exposure.

• Corporate communication focus.

• Advertising and PR career opportunities.

• Digital communication exposure.

• Industry interaction.

• Experiential learning.

• Strong placement record.

• 100% placement reported for the 2023–25 MBA batch.

• ₹21 LPA highest CTC reported for the 2023–25 MBA batch.

• Modern Lavale campus.

• Symbiosis academic ecosystem.

Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC), Pune is a specialized management institute offering an MBA in Communication Management for students interested in the intersection of business, media and communication.

The two-year residential programme combines management education with areas such as corporate communication, marketing communication, advertising, branding, public relations, digital communication and media management.

Admission is through SNAP, followed by Group Exercise and Personal Interaction. The institute's 2023–25 MBA placement data reports 100% placement, ₹21 LPA highest CTC and ₹8.44 LPA average CTC.

For students who want a conventional finance, operations or general-management MBA, other B-schools may be a better fit. However, for candidates targeting marketing, branding, advertising, corporate communication, PR and media-related management careers, SIMC Pune offers a more specialized pathway.

1. What is SIMC Pune?

Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC), Pune is a specialised institute that combines management education with media and communication. The institute is located at the Symbiosis Lavale campus in Pune.

SIMC currently offers three postgraduate programmes:

• MBA – Communication Management

• M.A. – Journalism & Media Industries

• M.A. – Film, Television & Digital Production

The SIMC MBA in Communication Management is a two-year, four-semester postgraduate management programme.

The programme focuses on combining management concepts with communication, media, branding and marketing skills.

3. What is the SIMC MBA duration?

The SIMC MBA (Communication Management) is a 2-year full-time programme consisting of four semesters.

For SIMC MBA Admission 2026, candidates are required to appear for the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP).

The admission process consists of:

• SNAP

• Shortlisting

• Group Exercise (GE)

• Personal Interaction (PI)

SIMC states that appearing for SNAP is compulsory for admission to its MBA (Communication Management) programme.

For SIMC MBA Eligibility 2026, candidates must have:

• A bachelor's degree from a recognised university/institution

• Minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent grade

• Minimum 45% marks or equivalent grade for SC/ST candidates

Final-year students can also apply, subject to fulfilling the required graduation criteria

Candidates holding foreign qualifications must obtain the required AIU equivalence certificate.

SIMC does not publish a single guaranteed SIMC MBA Cutoff 2026 that can be treated as a fixed SNAP percentile.

The admission process includes SNAP followed by GE and PI, so students should not consider an unofficial percentile as a guaranteed admission cutoff.

7. What SNAP percentile is required for SIMC Pune?

The required SNAP percentile can vary according to:

• Number of applicants

• SNAP performance

• Shortlisting criteria

• Competition

• Performance in GE and PI

Therefore, students should aim for a strong SNAP score rather than relying on a specific unofficial cutoff.

For the 2026–28 MBA (Communication Management) batch, the official fee structure lists:

• Academic Fee: ₹7,51,000 per year

• Refundable Institute Deposit: ₹35,000

• Refundable Hostel Deposit: ₹20,000

• Hostel Fee: ₹1,57,300 per year for three-sharing accommodation

• Mess Fee: ₹59,800 per year

The first-year payable amount, including the listed academic, hostel, mess and refundable deposits, is ₹10,82,900.

For the 2026–28 MBA batch, the published three-sharing hostel fee is ₹1,57,300 per year, with a ₹20,000 refundable hostel deposit.

Mess charges are listed separately at ₹59,800 per year. Hostel and mess charges are subject to applicable changes.

The SIMC MBA is focused on Communication Management and offers learning across areas such as:

• Brand Management

• Marketing Communication

• Corporate Communication

• Advertising

• Public Relations

• Media Management

• Digital Communication

• Marketing

• Business and Communication Strategy

The curriculum is designed to connect management principles with communication and media applications.

11. Is SIMC good for Marketing and Brand Management?

Yes. SIMC is particularly relevant for students interested in marketing communication, brand management and consumer-facing business roles.

Students can build skills related to:

• Brand strategy

• Consumer insights

• Marketing communication

• Advertising

• Digital marketing

• Brand valuation

• Marketing ROI

The fourth semester, for example, includes Brand Valuation and Return on Marketing Investments (ROMI).

12. Is SIMC good for Corporate Communication?

Yes. Corporate Communication is one of the important career areas associated with the MBA programme.

Graduates can pursue roles involving:

• Internal communication

• Corporate reputation

• Crisis communication

• Stakeholder communication

• Public relations

• Corporate branding

SIMC lists Corporate Communication Manager, Internal Communications Manager and Crisis Communication Manager among its career prospects.

13. Is SIMC good for Advertising and Media?

Yes. The programme is particularly suited to students who want to combine business management with advertising and media.

Potential career areas include:

• Advertising

• Media planning

• Brand management

• Event management

• Marketing communications

• Digital media

• Communication consulting

SIMC lists Media Planner, Event Manager and Advertising Executive among its career prospects.

Yes. The programme includes practical and industry-oriented learning, allowing students to gain exposure to real-world communication and management projects.

Internships and industry engagement can help students apply classroom learning to branding, advertising, corporate communication, marketing and media-related projects.

15. Does SIMC provide industry exposure?

Yes. SIMC emphasises industry and academic interaction through its industry-connect initiatives, practitioner engagement and practical learning opportunities.

Students can gain exposure through:

• Industry interactions

• Guest lectures

• Live projects

• Case studies

• Practical assignments

• Workshops

• Corporate engagement

• Media and communication projects

SIMC's MBA curriculum has a global and contemporary communication perspective, with emphasis on developing globally competent and ethically responsible communication professionals.

Students also benefit from being part of the wider Symbiosis International (Deemed University) ecosystem.

17. Does SIMC support entrepreneurship?

Yes. The institute's programme vision includes innovation and entrepreneurship, while the curriculum encourages creativity, problem-solving and business-oriented communication.

Students interested in entrepreneurship can explore opportunities in:

• Digital media ventures

• Advertising agencies

• Communication consultancies

• Content businesses

• Marketing ventures

• Creative enterprises

SIMC's official website currently reports the following placement figures for its MBA (Communication Management) and M.A. Journalism cohorts:

• Highest Package: ₹21 LPA

• Average CTC: ₹8.95 LPA

• Total Placement: 100%

The institute reported 100% placement for the MBA (Communication Management) & M.A. (Journalism) batch of 2023–25. These figures represent the reported graduating batch and should not be interpreted as guaranteed outcomes for students joining the 2026–28 batch.

After completing the SIMC MBA in Communication Management, graduates can explore careers such as:

• Corporate Communication Manager

• Marketing Communications Manager

• Internal Communications Manager

• Crisis Communication Manager

• Public Relations Specialist

• Brand Manager

• Media Planner

• Event Manager

• Advertising Executive

• Market Research Analyst

• Communication Consultant

These career areas are specifically listed by SIMC for the MBA programme.

The general SIMC MBA Admission Process 2026 involves:

• Register for SNAP.

• Appear for the SNAP examination.

• Register for the SIMC MBA (Communication Management) programme.

• Meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

• Get shortlisted after the SNAP stage.

• Participate in Group Exercise (GE).

• Participate in Personal Interaction (PI).

• Merit list is announced.

• Complete fee payment and admission formalities.

For the 2026–28 cycle, SIMC listed the first phase from August 1, 2025, with SNAP tests in December 2025, followed by the SIMC registration deadline of January 19, 2026. GE-PI was scheduled for February 27–March 1, 2026, with the first merit list announced on March 10, 2026.

The selection process consists of:

SNAP → Shortlisting → Group Exercise → Personal Interaction → Final Merit List

The Group Exercise assesses areas such as:

• Innovation

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Team skills

• Time management

The Personal Interaction assesses factors including:

• Communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Academic proficiency

Overall suitability for the programme.

22. Is SIMC Pune worth it in 2026?

SIMC Pune can be a strong choice for students who specifically want a career at the intersection of management, communication, media, branding and marketing.