National Institute of Construction Management and Research, Hyderabad offers a well-structured course of Quantity Surveying and Contracts Management.
The college offers ample opportunities in Quantity Surveying and Contracts Management, however, in the end, the choice depends completely on the feasibility and interest of the students.
Everyone in the construction industry is familiar with NICMAR, but GICMAR is less known. GICMAR, on the other hand, is AICTE-approved. (Diploma of Post-Graduation), Whereas, NICMAR (CISR accredited) offers postgraduate programs in a variety of disciplines.
NICMAR charges a lot for a management degree. The total course fee is around 12 LPA. It is really expensive. If you can afford it, then it is no problem.
For East or west industrial exposure, NICMAR is the best. In the recent placement drive, the average CTC offered at the institute was 6 LPA.
I will suggest you do your own research and choose an institute that is best suited for you.
The placement scenario in NICMAR varies each year. Recently, the intake of candidates is more when compared with the previous batches but the companies visiting are not increasing in the same manner.
For the 2020 batch, NICMAR observed an average salary package of 6.75 Lakhs. A total of 99.2% of students got placed with companies like ITC, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, etc.
Moreover, major companies are recruiting fewer students than from the previous years which is not an expected scenario.
Don't come to NICMAR to enjoy the brand tag and reputation and expecting an overseas job at the end with a 6 or 7 digit salary. Conditions have changed and the scenario is changing too. Take a wise decision carefully before you opt for your PG in any college.
Join NICMAR if you are willing to work for the next two years and take advantage of the prospects that Nicmar will provide, it has a lot to offer construction allied professionals.
To begin with, NICMAR is neither AICTE nor UGC authorized. It does not award an MBA degree but rather a PGP; and if you are to come here for the proper reasons, it doesn't need to be any of those things, as you will see. There are top institutes in the country that offer PGP courses rather than degrees, and there are also many third-grade institutes that offer MBA degrees. Some institutions opt to give PGPs for a variety of reasons.
I'm not going to compare NICMAR to IIMs and SP Jains, but it is one of the top institutes in its niche construction sector, with excellent senior-level faculty from most areas of the industry, a strong identity, and reputation in the industry, and modern top-class institutional amenities and infrastructure. It has a good proportion of narratives, as does every mid-level institute.
From a placement standpoint, first and foremost, as a civil, mechanical, or electrical engineer coming to study construction management, you are part of the construction industry. It is common knowledge that the last 5-7 years have been difficult, and things are only now beginning to improve.
However, NICMAR has influenced the careers of hundreds of people. Freshers have gotten positions in big global firms with 8-9 LPA, while experienced people have gotten jobs in top companies with 11-12 LPA. In the 2020 placement drive, the average CTC offered was 6 LPA. The placement average was 99.2%.
So, you will get decent opportunities at NICMAR. I will suggest that weigh out your option and decide whether NICMAR is a good fit for you.
One of my friends studied at NICMAR. According to him, the scope of a project manager in any sector, unlike only in construction, can change or be in the same field later on in his career.
You get the overall view and conception of a project manager. It is majorly the course’s purpose.
Generally experienced people go for this course, but even if you are a fresher this course provides the same scope.
The course covers subjects like construction management at an advanced level, contracts management, quantity surveying, financial studies. They also teach many project management software like Microsoft Project, Primavera, Candy, etc.
Many top companies come every year to hire candidates with packages around 6-8 LPA. Therefore it is a good choice to study at NICMAR.
One of my friends studied at NICMAR. According to him, the software that is part of the curriculum are:
Among all these MS Project will be mostly used for your project. Also, most companies use MSP for planning.
Gathering more information and knowledge about the Project Management System is important because it is the core of the course. It will definitely be helpful for securing a job offer.
I have a few friends from NICMAR and according to their opinion, you should choose the degree that interests you irrespective of campus.
NICMAR Goa only offers PGP in Advanced Construction Management (ACM). While NICMAR Hyderabad offers PGP in Advanced Construction Management (ACM), Project Engineering Management (PEM), Health, Safety & Environmental Management (HSEM), and Quality Surveying & Contract Management (QSCM).
If you want to pursue ACM, you can choose either Goa or Hyderabad. NICMAR Pune also offers an ACM course. However, after Pune, Hyderabad is better for ACM.
However, irrespective of which campus you choose, you will be allowed to sit for placement rounds. Placements are organized by the Pune campus.
Here are the differences between NICMAR Pune and NICMAR Hyderabad, in terms of their courses, placements, and infrastructure.
Courses:
NICMAR Pune (Full-time courses):
NICMAR Pune (One Year Courses):
NICMAR Hyderabad (Full Time Courses):
NICMAR Hyderabad (One Year Courses):
Placements:
The number of companies that visit the Pune campus is relatively more than what has yet been witnessed in the Hyderabad campus. However, the difference in number is due to the local companies that are visiting the campus. The MNCs’ that visit the campus for recruitment is moreover the same.
Campus Infrastructure:
In terms of the campus infrastructure, NICMAR Hyderabad is comparably larger than the campus located in Pune.
I have also heard through my friends that NICMAR Hyderabad has better faculties than the Pune campus.
The answer to your question is based on the opportunity cost of the different opportunities you already have. Finding a suitable job as a new employee is typically very tough in the construction sector. Even if you want to work for free on a construction site, there are several challenges. The businesses would add you to their payroll, which would make for an excellent learning atmosphere but not a great career one. Therefore, I would suggest joining NICMAR if you're having problems obtaining a job that's decent.
However, if you have a job, I suggest you continue with your job and gather the learnings and later pursue a PGP in management from a better institution.