SkillCircle vs upGrad: why learners choose SkillCircle
Online university-partner programmes vs hands-on classroom learning near you. A fair, side-by-side look at courses, classroom vs online, centres, fees, certifications, AI training and placement support, based on each institute's public website.
See the comparisonBook a free demo class- 74,356+learners
- 750+hiring partners
- 5 yearsof Placement Support
- 2026Best Vocational Institute (Entrepreneur India)
Which one is right for you?
upGrad is one of India's best-known online learning companies. Most of its digital marketing and data programmes are online and built with universities and institutes such as MICA, and it has recently started classroom centres under the upGrad X name. SkillCircle is a classroom-first institute in Delhi NCR and other cities, with live online batches for learners who cannot come to a centre. Both can be a good fit; the right choice depends on how you like to learn, your budget and how much hands-on practice you want.
Pick SkillCircle if
you want face-to-face classes in Delhi NCR or a partner city, an agency internship, AI tools taught inside every module and placement support that runs for 5 years.
Pick upGrad if
you are a working professional who prefers a self-paced online format with a university brand such as MICA on the certificate, and you are comfortable with a higher fee for some programmes.
SkillCircle vs upGrad: side-by-side
Competitor details come from upGrad's own public pages, checked on 16 Nov 2026. Where a detail is not on their site, we say "Not publicly listed" instead of guessing.
| Feature | SkillCircle | upGrad |
|---|---|---|
| Courses offered | ✓Digital Marketing, Data Science, Data Analytics and AI (Generative AI, AI for non-tech professionals, Vibe Coding), plus UI/UX & Creative AI, Cyber Security and Cloud & DevOps | ✓Online programmes with university partners (for example MICA's Advanced Certificate in AI-Powered Digital Marketing & Communication), plus upGrad X classroom courses in Data Science, Full Stack and more |
| Classroom vs online | ✓Hybrid: classroom batches at 15 centres plus live, mentor-led online programmes | ~Mostly online (8–10 hours a week of recorded lessons, live sessions and projects). Classroom learning through upGrad X centres |
| Centres and cities | ✓Company-owned centres in Connaught Place, Noida, Gurugram and Pitampura (Kohat Enclave, North Delhi), plus campuses in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Navi Mumbai, Lucknow, Jaipur, Patiala, Hubli, Ranchi, Ghaziabad and Meerut | ~upGrad X centres in cities including Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore, Gurugram, Indore, Jabalpur and Mumbai. Business Standard reported 23 centres in 20 cities in March 2026 |
| Fees (publicly listed) | ✓₹40,000 to ₹1,60,000 depending on the programme. Online Digital Marketing Course: ₹65,000 + 18% GST | ✓MICA digital marketing certificate: ₹84,999 for the 4-month core, up to ₹1,84,994 with 5 specialisations. Business Standard quotes upGrad's offline courses at about ₹75,000 for six months on average |
| Duration | ✓3 months (Foundation in DM) to 11 months (Diploma in DM). Data Analytics 4 months live; Masters in Data Science 6 months live | ✓MICA core programme 4 months; each specialisation adds 6 weeks. upGrad X Data Science course 6 months |
| Certifications | ✓IBM and Meta certifications on selected programmes, NASSCOM FutureSkills, plus prep for Google, Meta and HubSpot exams | ✓Certificate and Executive Alumni Status from MICA (DM). Data Science course with I3C-IIT Jammu at upGrad X |
| Live projects and internship | ✓10+ capstone projects in Data Science and Analytics; 1-month in-house agency internship with AhujaMedia in DM Masters and Skill Degree; paid internship in the Diploma | ✓Industry projects and case studies; optional 2-day MICA campus immersion at ₹10,000 + taxes |
| AI tools in the curriculum | ✓AI-native curriculum: ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, AI inside Google Ads and Meta, and simple agents you build yourself | ✓AI-assisted personas, AI website creation, GenAI content, answer-engine and generative-engine optimisation in the MICA curriculum |
| Placement support | ✓Placement Support for 5 years, 750+ hiring partners, openings via #JobCircle, resume help and mock interviews | ✓1:1 career coaching, resume building and mock interviews; upGrad X lists access to jobs, internships and hiring drives |
| Interview guarantee | ~Minimum 5 interviews or 1 year free learning *T&C. Centre-specific: Connaught Place, Kolkata and Hyderabad only | –Not publicly listed |
| Mentors and live faculty | ✓Live classes led by industry practitioners, with mentor feedback on projects | ✓MICA faculty and industry experts, plus 1:1 career mentoring |
| EMI | ✓Yes, EMI through Bajaj Finance | ✓Yes, 6 months no-cost EMI on the MICA programme; seat block at ₹10,000 |
Why learners pick SkillCircle over upGrad
Learn in a real classroom, not only on a screen
upGrad's flagship digital marketing programme is online at 8–10 hours a week. SkillCircle runs classroom batches at company-owned centres in Connaught Place, Noida, Gurugram and Pitampura, and at campuses across India, so you can ask doubts in person and work beside your batch.
Agency work before your first job
SkillCircle's DM Masters and Skill Degree include a 1-month in-house agency internship with AhujaMedia, and the Diploma includes a paid internship. You leave with live campaign work for your portfolio.
Fees that start lower
SkillCircle programmes range from ₹40,000 to ₹1,60,000, and the Online Digital Marketing Course is ₹65,000 + 18% GST. upGrad's MICA certificate starts at ₹84,999 for the core and goes up to ₹1,84,994 with all specialisations.
Long-term placement support
Placement Support for 5 years and 750+ hiring partners. At Connaught Place, Kolkata and Hyderabad you also get a minimum of 5 interviews or 1 year of free learning (*T&C).
Honest note: no institute can promise you a job. Placement support helps you prepare and connects you with openings; getting hired depends on your skills, effort and interviews. The interview guarantee (minimum 5 interviews or 1 year free learning) applies only at SkillCircle's Connaught Place, Kolkata and Hyderabad centres. *T&C apply.
5 questions to ask at any demo class
1. Who teaches, and what do they do at work?
Ask whether trainers run real campaigns or data projects today.
2. What will be in my portfolio?
Ask for examples of projects or internship work past learners can show.
3. What exactly does the fee include?
Check GST, certification exam costs, internship and EMI charges.
4. How long does placement support last?
Ask what happens if you do not get a job in the first few months.
5. Can I sit in on a live class? A free demo class shows you the teaching style, batch size and classroom before you pay. SkillCircle offers free demo classes at every centre.
SkillCircle vs upGrad: common questions
Is SkillCircle cheaper than upGrad?
For digital marketing, usually yes. SkillCircle's programmes cost ₹40,000 to ₹1,60,000 depending on the course, and the Online Digital Marketing Course is ₹65,000 + 18% GST. upGrad's MICA Advanced Certificate costs ₹84,999 for the 4-month core and up to ₹1,84,994 with five specialisations. Always compare the exact programme you want.
Does upGrad have offline classes?
Yes. upGrad runs classroom centres under the upGrad X brand in cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Gurugram and Mumbai, mainly for data science, full stack and similar courses. Its MICA digital marketing programme is online with an optional 2-day campus immersion.
Which is better for a fresher in Delhi NCR?
If you want daily structure, in-person doubt solving and an agency internship, SkillCircle's Delhi NCR centres (Connaught Place, Noida, Gurugram and Pitampura) are built for that. If you are already working and need to study in the evening at your own pace, an online programme like upGrad's can fit better.
Do both give certifications?
Yes. upGrad's MICA programme gives a MICA certificate and executive alumni status. SkillCircle offers IBM and Meta certifications on selected programmes, NASSCOM FutureSkills, and prepares you for Google, Meta and HubSpot exams.
Does SkillCircle guarantee interviews?
At the Connaught Place, Kolkata and Hyderabad centres, SkillCircle offers a minimum of 5 interviews or 1 year of free learning (*T&C apply). Other centres provide placement support for 5 years but not this specific guarantee. upGrad does not publicly list an interview guarantee for the programmes we checked.
Can I pay in EMI?
Yes, both offer EMI. SkillCircle offers EMI through Bajaj Finance; upGrad lists 6 months of no-cost EMI on the MICA programme.
Compare SkillCircle with other institutes
Still comparing? Talk to us.
Meet a counsellor, sit in on a free demo class, and ask about the right course, the next batch, fees and EMI.
Talk to a Career CounsellorCall 98991 40180Find a centreSources (checked 16 Nov 2026)
- https://www.upgrad.com/mica-advanced-certificate-ai-powered-digital-marketing-and-communication/
- https://www.upgrad.com/offline-centres/
- https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/upgrad-bets-on-offline-learning-targets-50-centres-in-12-months-126033100863_1.html
- SkillCircle facts: skillcircle.in course and centre pages
This comparison uses information that each institute publishes on its own website, plus news reports where noted. Fees, courses and offers change often, so please confirm details with each institute before you enrol. Names and trademarks belong to their owners. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.