MBA and PGDM both are two-year professional postgraduate program pursued after completing an undergraduate degree. An MBA is a degree course of two years while a PGDM is a diploma course of two years. More importantly, PGDM programs are geared towards the delivery of industry-focused components in contrast to the MBA-oriented theoretical content.
This is because when it comes to clarifying the differences between an MBA and a PGDM there is a lot of variances that makes it quite tricky especially for many prospective students. Earlier before the IIM Act 2017, IIMs awarded PGDM degrees, however, they were famous for PGDM courses. But in India, a diploma is considered to be less prestigious than a degree, and this greatly influences student’s decisions. Hence, it becomes crucial for aspiring candidates to know about the significant factors involved while choosing between an MBA and a PGDM.
What is an MBA?
The MBA is a degree program typically offered by government and private universities and colleges. MBA programs generally have a fixed structure, with any changes made only after extensive planning, usually occurring every 3-5 years. Graduates with an MBA are well-positioned to pursue a variety of senior managerial roles in organizations worldwide.
What is PGDM?
PGDM, or postgraduate diploma in management, is a diploma course in business management that is awarded by recognized businesses, schools, and autonomous institutions. The curriculum of PGDM programs is changed based on the decisions made by business schools on the principles of business industry trends. Where MBA is a Generally Management Administration then PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management the leading key feature of MBA is that it is completely based and founded on the foundation of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
MBA or PGDM Key Differences
It is a major decision for candidates when choosing among them, some of the aspects the candidates compare include ranking of the institutions, curriculum offered, fee structure, and placements offered. Here are the major differences:
| Parameters | PGDM | MBA |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Form | Post Graduate Diploma in Management | Master in Business Administration |
| Course Level | Post Graduate Diploma | Post Graduate Degree |
| Focus | Practical knowledge and industry orientation | Theoretical and technical aspects of business management |
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
| Accreditation | AICTE | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Eligibility | Bachelors in any discipline from a recognized university/institute | Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized university in any discipline |
| Affordability | Expensive | More Affordable |
MBA Vs PGDM Affiliation and Accreditations
MBA programs are delivered by the government and or private colleges approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) affiliated to universities. Whereas PGDM programs are offered in autonomous institutes that are approved by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
MBA vs PGDM Course Eligibility
MBA and PGDM both the courses have the same eligibility standards for admission, a candidate needs to have a graduation degree of minimum 50 % marks. Prospective students have to also pass national or university entrance tests for them to be admitted into the top-ranked business schools. Certain programs may need the completion of previous work experience as well.
MBA vs PGDM Admission Process and Entrance Exams
MBA and PGDM both the courses have the same eligibility standards for admission, a candidate needs to have a graduation degree of minimum 50 % marks. Prospective students have to also pass national or university entrance tests for them to be admitted into the top-ranked business schools. Certain programs may need the completion of previous work experience as well.
MBA vs PGDM Admission Process and Entrance Exams
MBA and PGDM admission processes are almost the same. There are basic qualifications in terms of education, specific tests that a candidate needs to pass, and interviews. Some of these include CAT, XAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, SNAP, and state-level tests like MHT CET, TANCET, TSICET, and PGCET.
MBA vs PGDM Course Content
MBA has a set Course content developed by the university and has a more theoretical structure with comparatively moderate variations in syllabi over three to five years. Some of the major subjects are Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Quantitative Methods for Management, and many more.
The content of PGDM curriculums remains the responsibility of each institute, and it comprises practical and recent ideas. This is the reason why the syllabus is revised from time to time to fit the industry standard. Some of the most popular topics are usually Marketing and Consumer Behavior, Financial Reporting and Analysis, and Strategic Management among others.
MBA vs PGDM Tuition Costs
As a general rule, MBA is cheaper because universities are heavily subsidized by the government. PGDM programs require relatively higher investment costs and they are mostly self-financed for the institutions. Fee ranges for MBA and PGDM courses are generally:
| Course | Fee |
|---|---|
| MBA | 10-25 Lakhs |
| PGDM | 10-35 Lakhs |
PGDM vs MBA: Curriculum
The syllabi of MBA and PGDM courses are in most cases similar and cover the management courses though the PGDM curriculum is more vulnerable to frequent changes to suit the current market trends. Some MBA programs may not have such flexibility in changing the curriculum in the course of their academic year since they are associated with universities.
MBA vs PGDM Salary and Jobs in India
Both the courses are attributed to the graduates being appreciated in the job market but still an MBA degree has the added advantage of global recognition. This gives credence to the fact that the reputation of the institution as well as the skill set of the candidate hugely define the career path and remunerations.
Selecting a Management Specialization
Whenever one is enrolling for an MBA or any other Post Graduate Diploma in Management, one should weigh various courses or specializations in tandem with what one wants to achieve in the future. Areas of concentration in management vary with the understanding that self-commitment and effort play a vital role in career progress.
MBA Vs PGDM Colleges
Here are some prominent institutions offering MBA and PGDM courses:
| Colleges Offering MBA | Colleges Offering PGDM/PGP |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | IIM Calcutta |
| IIM Calcutta | IIM Kozhikode |
| IIM Bangalore | IIM Lucknow |
| IIM Jammu | IIM Shillong |
| IIM Ranchi | IIM Indore |
| IIM Kashipur | IIM Rohtak |
| IIM Sambalpur | IIM Bodh Gaya |
| IIM Udaipur | IIM Visakhapatnam |
| IIM Amritsar | IIM Trichy |
| IIM Nagpur | IIM Raipur |
| IIM Sirmaur | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| NMIMS | MDI Gurgaon |
| IIFT Delhi University | SPJIMR |
| FMS Delhi University | NMIMS |
| JBIMS Mumbai | IMT Ghaziabad |
| IIT Jodhpur | Symbiosis International Deemed University |
| IIT Delhi-DOMS | IIT Bombay – SJMSOM |
| IIT Kharagpur – VGSOM | IIT Roorkee- DOMS |
| IIT Madras-DOMS | IIT Kanpur-DOMS |
High scores in entrance exams are critical for admission to top colleges. Prepare strategically to enhance your chances of selection.
Therefore, based on the differences discussed above encompassing course content, accreditation, and career goals among others one has to choose between the MBA and PGDM. MBA stands for Master of Business Administration and is a degree affiliated with universities, it is more theoretical and recognized globally while PGDM is, a graduate diploma in management, offered by autonomous institutes, more practical and industry-specific. While MBA cost is comparatively lesser and the curriculum is more rigid, PGDM cost is a little expensive and shows variation in its syllabus which is updated as per the current industry requirements. Each of those approaches has its strengths and possibilities for a further career, and the choice depends only on personal preferences and visions of the future profession. When it comes to the choice of a particular learning institution and its programs, the features such as the offered programs, costs, and reputation can guide one towards making the right decision regarding their working career.
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