Completion Trends and Challenges of the FPM Program at IIMs
The Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) is a rigorous doctoral program designed for individuals pursuing research in management. However, specific statistics regarding the percentage of FPM candidates with just a bachelors degree completing the program in four years are not publicly available.
General Challenges for Bachelor's Degree Holders
Typically, candidates with only a bachelors degree who are not exempted from mandatory coursework find it challenging to complete the program within the stipulated four years. This is due to the extensive coursework and research requirements. The average completion time for FPM candidates can vary significantly, often extending beyond four years with many candidates taking five to six years or longer to finish their dissertations.
Trends in Completion Time for FPM at IIMs
Increased Duration: There has been a noticeable trend towards longer completion times for FPM candidates. This trend is attributed to the increasing complexity of research topics, the depth of required coursework, and the demands of conducting original research.
Coursework Impact: Candidates without prior research experience or those who need to complete foundational courses may take longer to progress through the program. This can significantly extend their overall time to completion.
Support and Resources: The availability of mentorship, research resources, and academic support can greatly affect the completion time. Candidates who engage actively with faculty and resources tend to complete their programs more efficiently.
Dissertation Challenges: The dissertation phase often presents the most significant delays. Candidates may encounter challenges in their research, requiring additional time to refine their work.
Work Experience and Educational Background
IIMB requires candidates to have a minimum of two years of work experience for Bachelors degrees or Bachelors/Masters degrees to apply. Therefore, all candidates who are finally admitted to the institute have either work experience or a Masters degree, and often they have both.
Average Completion Time: From data around 2014, the average completion time for FPM students at IIMB was approximately 5 to 5.5 years.
In summary, while specific data on the percentage of bachelors degree holders completing the FPM in four years is not readily available, the general trend indicates longer completion times due to various academic and research-related challenges.