
While MBA is a degree courses, PGDM is a diploma. Read this article to know more differences between MBA and PGDM.
"What is the difference between MBA and PGDM?” is a very important question that every Management aspirant must ask before choosing a course.
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM full form) or Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM full form) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) are both management courses at Master’s level. Both the courses have a commercial orientation and there is not much difference between PGDM and MBA.
“MBA and PGDM are both business-orientated courses. The main aim of both the courses is to equip a person who wants to move up in the hierarchy or enter the management field,” says expert Nikhilesh Mathur.
“For people who are interested in the corporate world or want to be an entrepreneur, PGDM would be a more suitable choice,” further says Mathur.
While both the courses have the same outcomes in terms of employment perspective, there are some subtle differences such as degee, fees, etc. Below, we have listed five differences between PGP(M)/PGDM and MBA:
1. PGDM vs MBA
At the end of a PGP and PGDM course, the candidate is offered a Diploma whereas at the end of an MBA programme, the candidate receives a Degree.
Many students think that a Diploma course does not hold the same value as a Degree course but that is not true. Many Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-Schools such as XLRI, Jamshedpur and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai offer PGP or PGDM courses. Most of these institutes are autonomous bodies (not affiliated to any University). Between a PGDM and an MBA, there is only the difference of nomenclature but not of professional value.
Both MBA and PGDM are highly valued in the job market as they are same in terms of course accreditation, curriculum and pedagogy. Another key factor is the institute. For example, a PGDM course from XLRI Jamshedpur will have more professional value than a degee course from a state university.
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Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls2.MBA vs PGDM: Syllabus
In most cases, the MBA course curriculum is designed by the university. The core MBA syllabus (and sometimes even elective subjects) will be pretty much the same in two MBA colleges under the same university. Even though the PGDM syllabus is no different from the MBA syllabus, since PGPM or PGDM courses are determined by the individual institute, it gives them certain flexibility to design the course curriculum. The MBA syllabus undergoes change according to industrial requirements periodically. Universities tend to lag behind and change their syllabus after a few years.
3.MBA vs PGDM: Susceptible to Fraudulence
Since PGP or PGDM courses are offered by autonomous bodies, students need to be careful while taking admission. Many smaller colleges and institutes make claims but do not have proper accreditation status. MBA degrees are conferred by varsities, and hence there’s a lower chance of fraudulent claims. Management aspirants should look for genuine accreditations. Apart from UGC recognition, management institutes are accredited by NAAC, AACSB, AMBA and Equis.
Also Read: Understanding MBA Accreditation
4. MBA vs PGDM: Focus
Both MBA and PGDM courses have common core subjects. However, some experts claim most MBA courses focus more on theoretical and technical aspects of management rather than adopting a practical approach. PGP or PGDM courses on the other hand, have an industrial orientation and focus on skills-based on market requirements.
5. MBA vs PGDM: Cost
It has been observed that most MBA courses have lower tuition fees as compared to PGP or PGDM courses. This may be so because mostly government universities offer MBA degrees. These universities receive financial aid and grants from the government, making the degree cheaper for the student. In case of a PGP or PGDM degree, students have to bear the cost of the entire programme. However, this is not an ironclad rule. There are insitutes which charge high tuition fees like the IIMs.
Difference between MBA and PGDM
There are several other factors which make MBA and PGDM different entities. The below table indicates the basic differences between MBA and PGDM:
Parameters |
PGDM |
MBA |
---|---|---|
Approving Authority |
AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. |
AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, UGC Approval is needed at the university level. |
Validity |
Valid and equivalent to Post Graduate Degree. |
Valid Post Graduate Degree. |
Eligibility for PhD. and Lecturership |
PGDM with a minimum of 55% aggregate are eligible to enrol for PhD. From Indian Universities. Also PGDMs eligible to teach PG students. |
MBA with a minimum of 55% aggregate are eligible to enrol for PhD. From Indian Universities. Also MBAs eligible to teach PG students. |
Placements |
Depends upon the institution. Most of the PGDM institutions have better placement records than MBA institutions. |
Depends upon the institution. Comparatively, Some of the MBA institutions like FMS, JBIMS have better placement records. |
Course Syllabus |
Dynamic, Gets updated as per needs of the industry. The syllabus is approved by AICTE. |
The syllabus is prepared by universities and gets updated less frequently. |
Innovative Practices |
Teaching and training are multidimensional. Cases, simulations, presentations, short term training are part of pedagogy. |
Limited scope for innovation as practices are defined by syllabus prepared by central body i.e. University. |
Ranking in general (by business magazines and student-centric websites) |
90% of top 100 are PGDM institutions owing to better teaching, training, exposure and placements. Eg: IIMs, XLRI, MDI, IMT, GIM, and many more. |
Approximately 10 out of the top 100 are MBA institutions such as FMS, NMIMS, KJSIMS, SCMHRD, etc. |
Equivalence |
Equivalent to MBA from any Indian University. For PhD, Teaching (UGC NET) and all other purposes. |
MBA a post-graduate degree. |
Entrance Process |
Thorough CAT/ MAT/XAT/ATMA and some state-level examinations like TSICET, MAH-CET etc. |
Thorough national and state tate level entrance examinations like CAT, MAT, CMAT, TSICET, MAH-CET etc. |
Examinations |
PGDM institutions are authorised by approving body, AICTE, to conduct the Examinations |
Examinations are conducted by University |
Colleges Offering MBA or PGDM
Here is the list of IIMs and other Top Management Colleges Offering MBA and PGDM/PGP courses:
College Name |
MBA/PGDM (PGP) |
---|---|
MBA |
|
MBA |
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MBA and PGDM |
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PGP |
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PGP |
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PGP |
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PGP |
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MBA |
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PGP |
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PGP |
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PGP |
|
PGPM |
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MBA |
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MBA |
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MBA |
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MBA |
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MBA |
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MBA |
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PGP |
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MBA |
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PGDM |
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PGDM |
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PGDM |
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MBA and PGDM |
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PGDM |
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MBA |
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MBA |
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MBA (MMM) |
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MBA and PGDM |
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MBA |
|
MBA |
|
MBA |
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MBA |
|
MBA |
|
MBA |
|
MBA |
|
MBA |
Read More:
- MBA Admission: Check Application Deadline of Current Session
- MBA fees in India: Check college wise MBA fees
- Top MBA colleges in NIRF-MHRD ranking 2022
- Top 20 MBA colleges apart from IIMs
CAT 2023 on November 26. Know More About CAT Exam Dates, Registration, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation!
CAT 2023 Latest UpdatesFAQs on Difference Between MBA and PGDM
Q: What is the difference between MBA and PGDM?
Q: Which is more valuable between MBA and PGDM?
Q: Is PGDM equivalent to MBA?
Q: Do IIMs offer MBA or PGDM?
Q: Which is better among MBA and PGDM?
Q: Is it possible to pursue an MBA after completing PGDM?
Q: What are the scopes of higher education after completing MBA and PGDM?
Q: Is it necessary to do an MBA to get a Government job?
Q: Which course is more affordable among MBA and PGDM?
Q: Which are some of the top MBA colleges in India?
Q: Which are some of the top colleges offering PGDM?
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Comments
s
2 years ago
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ISMS pune mba global program is good or worth doing?
Reply to saurabh borse
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2 years ago
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in this article initially it is written PGDM can apply for Ph.d..ln later part it states PGDM are not eligible for Ph.d as it is Diploma
Reply to Ashok Yadav
n
4 years ago
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whether PGDM is better than MBA?
Reply to nandhini s
M
3 years ago
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Tell me about IBA college or ISBR BANGLORE college is good for PDGM
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3 years ago
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MBA Vs PGDMPGDM expands as Post Graduate Diploma in Management and it is NOT a degree. PGDM is offered by any autonomous body which is NOT affiliated to any University. As a result, such institutes are not allowed to provide MBA degree. However, these programs are approved by AICTE.The main reaso...MBA Vs PGDM
PGDM expands as Post Graduate Diploma in Management and it is NOT a degree. PGDM is offered by any autonomous body which is NOT affiliated to any University. As a result, such institutes are not allowed to provide MBA degree. However, these programs are approved by AICTE.
The main reason why postgraduate courses are named as PGDM is because when an Institute is an autonomous body (not affiliated to any University) and conducts management courses, then such Institutes cannot offer MBA degree. Even IIMs, XLRI's,NMISM-Mumbai,SPJAIN doesn't offer MBA degrees; they only give PGP Diploma.
The major plus of PGDM course over MBA is that the curriculum of PGDM is more flexible. It will get updated from time to time. Whereas the curriculum of MBA won’t be like that, as MBA course is offered by institutions which are affiliated to universities, the curriculum will get updated once in 3-4 years or maybe more. The curriculum of MBA is more exam-oriented and covers the theoretical aspects, while that of PGDM is more industry-oriented and covers the soft skill aspects. In fact, PGDM makes you industry ready and prepares you for the market. An MBA course is for those people who would like to get a comprehensive view of the program, whereas, a PGDM course is for those who would like to specialize in their areas of interest, it’s more like having an in-depth knowledge.
While choosing an college for doing PGDM, one should make sure that he chooses an institute with a good brand name.
Typically if any PGDM is to be equivalent to MBA then the course duration should be 2 years, a 1 year PGDM will not be equal to MBA course. A two year management degree expands to Master of Business Administration, only Universities can grant MBA degrees. It could be foreign university or Indian University
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