Great Lakes Institute of Management, Kanchipuram

Great Lakes Institute of Management (often referred to as Great Lakes or GLIM) is a renowned private business school located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 2004, the institute was founded by Dr Bala V. Balachandran, a distinguished professor from the Kellogg School of Management, with a vision to create a globally benchmarked business education hub rooted in Indian context and values. The institute operates under the aegis of the Great Lakes education trust with the goal of developing future‑ready business leaders and professionals.

The institute’s main campus is situated on East Coast Road, Manamai Village (Thirukazhukundram Taluk), Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu – 603102, positioned along the scenic coastal belt between Chennai and Pondicherry. The campus occupies a suburban setting with a substantial green footprint and is designed to foster academic focus and community living. Its approach blends contemporary management education with experiential learning, industry interactions, and practical exposure.

Great Lakes Institute of Management’s programs are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the institute holds multiple recognized accreditations, including AMBA (Association of MBAs), AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and SAQS (South Asian Quality Assurance System) — signaling global standards in management education. It has consistently featured in national B‑school rankings, attesting to its academic quality and reputation.

Great Lakes focuses exclusively on management and allied programs rather than being a multi‑faculty university. Its academic environment comprises world‑class faculty — a mix of resident and visiting professors with global academic and industry experience — supported by research centers, labs, and industry mentors. The institute also collaborates with corporate leaders and global institutions to enrich its teaching and research ecosystem.

The institute offers a range of management programs across different levels:

• Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) — a 1‑year full‑time management certificate course for professionals with work experience.

• Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) — a 2‑year full‑time course for early‑career students.

• Executive Programs (e.g., PGXPM) and Fellow Program in Management (FPM) for seasoned professionals and researchers. Admission generally requires a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and valid scores in exams such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, or NMAT for PGDM/PGPM, along with work experience where specified. Scholarships — including merit‑based and diversity scholarships — are also awarded to exceptional candidates.

Great Lakes’ campus boasts state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, including LEED Platinum‑rated green buildings, modern academic blocks with smart classrooms, a central library stocked with national and international resources, seminar halls, auditoriums, sports facilities, cafeterias, and residential hostels. Students also benefit from 24/7 Wi‑Fi connectivity, health and wellness facilities, and transportation services connecting major nearby cities.

Placements at Great Lakes are an important hallmark of its programs. Recent placement seasons have seen strong outcomes, with high average salary packages and participation from leading global and Indian companies across consulting, finance, technology, analytics, and other sectors. Recruiters such as Accenture, Deloitte, JP Morgan, Mastercard, Cognizant, and HSBC Bank have been part of the hiring cohort, offering roles with competitive compensation packages and career growth opportunities.

Overall, Great Lakes Institute of Management in Kanchipuram stands as a prominent business school in India with a clear focus on innovative management education, strong industry linkages, and global standards. Its blend of rigorous academics, practical exposure, and a supportive campus environment makes it a compelling choice for aspirants aiming for leadership roles in a dynamic business landscape.

Some Highlight Great Lakes Institute of Management, Kanchipuram

Why Choose Great Lakes Institute of Management, Kanchipuram

1. World-Class Curriculum & Pedagogy

   • Great Lakes offers innovative, industry-oriented programs like PGPM, PGDM, and Executive PGXPM.

   • Learning combines case studies, simulations, live projects, and industry interactions to build practical skills, not just theory.

2. Experienced & Global Faculty

   • Faculty includes residents and visiting professors from top international institutions.

   • Mentorship by corporate leaders and researchers ensures exposure to global management practices.

3. Accreditation & Recognition

   • AICTE approved, with international accreditations like AMBA, AACSB, SAQS.

   • Consistently ranked among top B-schools in India, ensuring credibility for career and higher studies.

4. Strong Industry Connections & Placements

   • Companies like Accenture, Deloitte, JP Morgan, HSBC, Cognizant, and Mastercard recruit from the campus.

   • High placement rates and competitive salary packages for students across sectors.

5. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

   • LEED Platinum-rated campus, smart classrooms, well-stocked library, hostels, sports facilities, and 24/7 connectivity.

   • Provides a supportive and modern learning environment for both academic and personal growth.

6. Focused on Leadership & Entrepreneurship

   • Programs nurture entrepreneurial thinking, analytics, and leadership skills.

   • Opportunities to interact with startups, incubators, and corporate mentors to build a future-ready mindset.

7. Short & Flexible Programs for Professionals

   • 1-year PGPM for working professionals accelerates career growth without long breaks.

   • Executive programs cater to mid-career professionals looking to upskill and network globally.

8. Strategic Location & Campus Environment

   • Situated on East Coast Road near Chennai, blending a serene campus with proximity to industry hubs.

   • Encourages a balanced learning and living experience with networking, workshops, and student activities.

Vision

  To Be a World Class Management Institute to Develop Socially Sensitive, Business Ready Leaders and Entrepreneurs with Futuristic Orientation and Commitment towards Innovation and Excellence through Cost-Effective Programs.

 
Mission

  To Develop Future Ready Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs with an Analytical Mindset, Prepared For Current and Future Market Needs, Through Contemporary and High-Quality Teaching, Research and Social Engagement.

Admission Process

Admission to Great Lakes Institute of Management is merit- and profile-based, designed to select candidates with strong academic credentials, leadership potential, and professional experience. For the PGDM program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and submit scores from CAT, XAT, GMAT, or NMAT, followed by group discussion and personal interview rounds. The PGPM program is tailored for professionals with 3+ years of work experience, where selection is based on academic record, professional achievements, and interview performance. Executive and research programs evaluate experience, aptitude, and research proposals. Eligible candidates are also considered automatically for merit-based and diversity scholarships during the admissions process, making it a comprehensive and transparent selection system.

Admission Criteria

MBA Admission

MBA is a two-year full-time programme. The curriculum comprises core courses, elective subjects, with an option to a summer internship. The programme is focused on experiential learning opportunities such as live projects and corporate experiences. 

Eligibility for admission requires an applicant to have a bachelor's degree in any discipline and 50% aggregate marks. Admission also requires the applicant to take a national-level test (i.e., CAT, XAT, GMAT). Final selection is based on the overall profile, i.e., the academic record, test scores, work experience (if any), and the personal interview score of the shortlisted candidates.

Placements

Great Lakes Institute of Management has a robust placement record, reflecting the institute’s strong industry connections and high-quality programs. Students from the PGDM and PGPM programs are recruited by leading national and multinational companies across sectors such as consulting, finance, analytics, IT, FMCG, and marketing. Prominent recruiters include Accenture, Deloitte, JP Morgan, HSBC, Cognizant, Mastercard, and TCS, offering roles with competitive salary packages and diverse career opportunities. The institute’s dedicated Career Management Center provides career counseling, resume building, soft-skills training, and mock interviews to ensure students are well-prepared for recruitment. Recent placement seasons have achieved high average salaries, with top performers securing offers from prestigious global corporations, underscoring Great Lakes’ reputation as a launchpad for successful business careers.

Scholarships 

Great Lakes Institute of Management offers significant scholarship opportunities to support and reward meritorious and diverse students, primarily in its flagship one‑year PGPM program. The institute provides Diversity & Merit Scholarships — up to 40 awards of ₹5 lakh each — aimed at encouraging academic excellence, professional achievement, and classroom diversity, with at least 30 % of these reserved for female candidates. Selection is based on overall application strength, essays and interview performance, and no separate application is required. In addition, the prestigious Dr. Bala V. Balachandran Merit Scholarship — named after the institute’s founder — offers a full tuition fee waiver along with mentorship opportunities with senior industry leaders and accomplished alumni for top candidates. These scholarships are evaluated automatically during the admissions process and awarded after admission confirmation. Students may also explore other financial aid options such as government postgraduate scholarships and education loans from partner banks to support their studies.

 Facilities

Great Lakes Institute of Management boasts a state-of-the-art campus designed to support both academic excellence and holistic student development. The LEED Platinum-rated green campus features modern classrooms equipped with smart teaching technology, well-stocked library with national and international resources, and multiple seminar halls and auditoriums for workshops, conferences, and guest lectures. Students benefit from residential hostels, cafeterias, sports and fitness facilities, 24/7 Wi-Fi connectivity, and dedicated transportation services connecting Chennai and nearby regions. The campus also includes spaces for collaborative learning, innovation labs, and student clubs, fostering a vibrant community for intellectual and personal growth

Transport 

Great Lakes Institute of Management provides dedicated transportation services for students and faculty commuting from Chennai and nearby regions. The institute operates fleet services with regular routes, ensuring safe, timely, and comfortable travel to and from the campus. Its strategic location along East Coast Road allows easy access to Chennai, Mahabalipuram, and other neighboring towns. The campus is also well-connected via public transport, and private vehicle parking is available for students and staff, supporting smooth daily commuting while maintaining a serene campus environment.