Part Time MBA/PGDM Courses: Fees, Admission 2025, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Salary

Part Time MBA is a degree course offered by universities (both private and government) and colleges affiliated with these universities. Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a Diploma programme offered by B-schools that are recognised by the Central government's nodal body for technical education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Part Time PGDM and MBA are both business-orientated programmes designed with an aim to equip an individual who aspires to climb up the hierarchy and foray into the management field. In part-time MBA/PGDM students also have the unique opportunity to integrate their learning directly with their day-to-day professional roles. They can get promotions in their existing organisation, in addition to getting lucrative and promising job opportunities.

For those wishing to advance their professional possibilities while maintaining their current responsibilities, a part-time MBA (Master of Business Administration) can provide a number of advantages. A part-time MBA has the following major benefits:

• Flexibility: Part-time MBA programmes are more flexible in terms of classes and learning, hence more convenient. 
• Career Growth: A part-time MBA allows students to continue working while pursuing their degree.
• Practical Knowledge: An MBA degree helps students gain various management skills essential in the practical day to day working of an organisation.
• Networking Opportunities: An MBA programme, whether full-time or part-time, provides excellent networking opportunities. The aspirants can connect with fellow students, alumni, professors, and industry professionals, which can be valuable for their career path.

Part-time MBA is more affordable and convenient for working professionals. It allows students to imbibe the learnings in a classroom environment which is offered in a pedagogy that is a mix of traditional and modern methods. This mode also enables students to interact with professors, guest lecturers from industries, and fellow students during or after the classes. Part-time MBA can be pursued from several renowned colleges, including the prestigious IIMs, at fees ranging from INR 4 Lacs to 25 lakh. Read More: Popular Colleges for Part-time MBA

• Candidates who have scored 50 per cent score in graduation can study Part-time MBA.
• Candidates, who have successfully cleared the entrance exams, can get admission to this programme.
• People who are already working in a specific industry or role, can study part-time MBA

The duration of a Part-time MBA is flexible. Students can complete the programme as per their convenience and capabilities within three to five years. Each institute has its specific duration and some of them also allow students to take an extension to complete the programme. This is the flexibility offered by the institutes to the Part-time MBA students since they are pursuing the programme while continuing with their jobs.

In rare circumstances, it is possible to pursue an MBA without taking any entrance exam. The CAT, MAT, GMAT, XAT, and other standardized entrance exams are required for admission to many MBA programs worldwide. 

If you are not planning to take the CAT in 2024, listed below are some direct admission eligibility criteria to help you be accepted into MBA programs.

• The minimum score required in the UG level examination may differ from one college to another, however, the student must have scored at least 50%-65% aggregate in his or her graduation.
• For the reserved category, the score should at least be 45% aggregate.
• Some institutes accept other competitive exam scores such as XAT, MAT, GMAT, NMAT, ATMA, SNAP, etc.

If you did not appear for the CAT exam and still wish to get admission to the best MBA colleges in India without CAT, then, here is a list of top MBA institutes that give admissions based on different entrance criteria or exams.

MAT exam is conducted for admission to MBA and PGDM or PGP programmes offered by over 800 B-Schools in India. The exam is conducted multiple times in four phases - February, May, September and December. It is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). Candidates can appear for the MAT exam in any session any number of times. The score of the latest attempt will be taken into consideration for MBA Admission. 

There are three modes to MAT. Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT). In every exam phase, MAT CBT and PBT are conducted once, and IBT is conducted 3-5 times.  

ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) for admission to MBA/PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes in various B-schools across India.

The syllabus and exam pattern for ATMA are as follows: Syllabus: The ATMA exam tests the candidate's aptitude in the following areas:

Analytical Reasoning Skills Verbal Skills Quantitative Skills Exam Pattern: The ATMA exam is a computer-based test. The duration of the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours). The exam consists of 180 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The questions are from three different sections, namely Analytical Reasoning Skills, Verbal Skills, and Quantitative Skills. Each correct answer carries one mark, and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for incorrect answers. The total marks for the exam are 180. The detailed section-wise exam pattern is as follows:

• Section 1: Analytical Reasoning Skills This section tests the candidate's analytical and logical reasoning abilities. It consists of 60 MCQs. The section tests the candidate's knowledge of topics such as Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Analogy, etc.
• Section 2: Verbal Skills This section tests the candidate's English language skills. It consists of 60 MCQs. The section tests the candidate's understanding of topics such as Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, etc.
• Section 3: Quantitative Skills This section tests the candidate's Quantitative Aptitude. It consists of 60 MCQs. The section tests the candidate's knowledge of topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra Geometry, Trigonometry etc.

The fee payment to appear for the MAT exam is mandatory. The AIMA charges every candidates examination fee at the time of form filling. While filling the MAT application form the fee payment is to be done for acceptance of the candidature. The MAT application fees have been increased and the revised fees are as follows: Paper-Based Test (PBT): INR 2,100 Computer-Based Test (CBT): INR 2,100 Internet-Based Test (IBT): 2,100 Both PBT and CBT: INR 3,300 Candidates are required to pay the fee in online mode I. e. through debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. Candidates must note that the MAT application form will not be submitted until the fee payment is done. Key points to keep in mind while filling the MAT application form is that the fee is non-refundable and there is no provision of form corrections. So, in case a candidate has made a mistake in the form, they will have to register again and fill a new form by paying the fee again. To take a re-test also, candidates have to fill a fresh MAT application form and pay the fee again.

This is a decision that a student should take based on his/her career aspiration or goal. If candidates aims to work in a particular sector, then it is best to choose a suitable specialization. On the other hand, if the student wants to excel in the present job and get the management lessons on each function to prep for a leadership role, then a general Part-time MBA would suffice. Moreover, there are several electives to opt for in a general Part-time MBA programme as well, which a student can choose based on his/her interest areas.

As compared to the full-time Executive MBA programme, the rigour is much lesser in a Part-time MBA. The curriculum or the course design is much more flexible to give the students the breather to efficiently balance their jobs as well as studies. Since the classes are conducted in the evenings or weekends, students can prepare their schedules to study or complete assignments without hampering their professional responsibilities.

Owing to the course design, there is no scope of industry training or visits. Moreover, since the students are working professionals, they are already aware of the major functions and operations involved in an organisation. However, the B-schools arrange guest lectures from industry experts to provide fresh insights on the best management practices and trends. Moreover, there is ample scope of peer learning from fellow students who come from diverse backgrounds in terms of sectors and functions.

Yes, there is equal acceptance of the Part-time MBA holders as there is for the full-time MBA or Executive MBAs. Moreover, if pursued from one of the top B-schools, the Part-time MBA is aptly valued by the industry. Prior work experience is also considered. Rather than the degree, the companies tend to look at the skillsets, leadership qualities, and ability to control a crisis or turn challenges into opportunities for the existing or prospective employees. If one is equipped with these qualities, there would be no hindrance towards reaching his/her goal.

Part-time MBA is best suited for working professionals, who cannot afford to invest the requisite time and funds required for the full-time Executive MBA. This allows them to attend evening or weekend classes, which would let the students continue with their jobs alongside upgrading their skillsets and adding an 'MBA' tag to their profiles.

The need for part-time MBA/PGDM programmes is growing at the moment. The top occupations for part-time MBA/PGDM holders are consulting, senior management, and entrepreneurship. Such applicants are sought after for senior management roles in a variety of industries, including Banking, Operations, Consulting, Insurance, Business Analytics, IT, Marketing, and HR.

There are a large number of people who are not able to continue full-time education for various reasons. In such a scenario, a part-time MBA course comes to the rescue. A part-time MBA course provides the same skills-set and knowledge as a full-time course but at a much lower cost and with more flexibility.

Till a few years ago, part-time MBA programs were not given too much importance in the job market, but the scenario is changing now. Companies' attitude towards a professional with a part-time degree is not of disdain anymore. Many leading management institutes in India like IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, XLRI, Jamshedpur, IIFT, Delhi, IMT, Ghaziabad, etc. offer part-time MBA courses, that benefit working professionals in their careers.

If the employee wants to get promoted to a higher managerial post, a Part-time MBA would provide him/her a much-needed push to climb up the corporate ladder. In case he/she wants to change career path or explore a more challenging leadership role in a different industry type or organisation in the same sector, the Part-time MBA would be the roadmap to the new avenue, without having to take a break from the job and suspending the earning. Some may also like to venture into entrepreneurship after the course completion.

Since the programs are conducted during evenings or weekends, and the students attend jobs during the day, the scope of Part-time MBA programs being residential is not there. Students visit the campus to attend the classes as per the schedule and need not stay back longer. In case, they need to stay back after class hours for assignments or exams, they may utilize common spaces like the library, reading room, computer labs, or cafeteria.