NIIT University and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP Announce Strategic Collaboration to Launch BBA (Applied Finance) Programme
New Delhi : Established with a vision to bring about innovation in higher education and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society, the University of the Future, NIIT University (NU) and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP (GTBharat), one of India’s leading professional services firms, have announced a strategic collaboration to co-create and launch a BBA (Applied Finance) programme. This partnership marks a significant step in reimagining business and finance education—shifting focus from degree-centric learning to outcome-driven, industry-aligned skill development that prepares students for the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
As expectations from higher education continue to evolve, industry integration has become not just a value-addition, but a necessity. Recognising this shift, NIIT University and GTBharat have come together to design a programme that embeds professional practice at its core enabling students to build relevant competencies from day one.
As part of this collaboration, NU will be responsible for academic delivery, campus infrastructure, faculty-led instruction, student assessment, etc., while GTBharat will contribute through curriculum co-development, industry mentorship, live projects, internship facilitation, evaluation inputs, etc. This integrated approach ensures a seamless blend of academic learning and industry immersion.
The BBA (Applied Finance) programme has been carefully co-created to align academic rigour with real-world industry requirements. Key features of the programme include:
• Up to 18 months of structured industry practice with stipend support, offering students sustained, meaningful professional exposure
• Up to 80% application-led curriculum, ensuring students learn by doing rather than through rote learning
• Hands-on training in industry-standard tools including Excel, Python, SAP, Power BI, and AI
• Opportunity for Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) directly through the industry practice component
• Defined pathways into consulting and finance roles, with compensation benchmarked to industry standards
The programme is designed to ensure that students graduate not just with a degree, but with the experience, skills, and professional networks to thrive in their careers from day one.
Remarking on the partnership, Prof. Prakash Gopalan, President, NIIT University said, “At NIIT University, we believe that the future of education lies in its ability to connect seamlessly with the world of work. Our collaboration with Grant Thornton Bharat LLP is a direct reflection of this conviction. By co-creating the BBA (Applied Finance) programme, we are ensuring that students are not passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in real industry environments. This partnership will equip our students with the tools, exposure, and professional readiness needed to succeed in finance and consulting, domains that are central to India’s growth story.”
Speaking on the collaboration, Kapil Arora, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP said, “At Grant Thornton Bharat, we have always believed that developing talent is as important as delivering excellence to our clients. Partnering with NIIT University on the BBA (Applied Finance) programme allows us to do both by helping shape the next generation of finance and consulting professionals. This co-created curriculum brings the depth of our industry expertise directly into the classroom, giving students a genuine head-start in their careers. We look forward to welcoming bright, well-prepared talent from this programme into the broader Grant Thornton ecosystem.”
This collaboration reflects a broader shift towards outcome-focused education that bridges the gap between academia and industry, enabling students to build meaningful careers with real-world readiness. Admissions for the BBA (Applied Finance) programme are now open.
