Difference Between MBA and PGDM Course

Difference Between MBA and PGDM Course: MBA and PGDM Courses both are the most popular management courses in India. However many candidates get confused when it comes to making a choice between these two. The reason behind this confusion and uncertainty can be the lack of awareness about the Difference between MBA and PGDM courses. So, in order to help such candidates to make accurate course choices, We are writing this article to differentiate between MBA and PGDM course, and also answer the question "MBA or PGDM, Which one is better ?"

MBA (Master of Business Administration) Course:

An MBA Course is a 2-year Post-Graduate course offered in the discipline of Management by the Universities or Colleges affiliated with the University, An MBA Program is approved by UGC (University Grant Commission). In India, there are many renowned universities and Business Schools that offer MBA course across various specializations. The M.B.A Program is designed in a way that the student gets more theoretical knowledge, the MBA programs offered by most Institutions have a uniform curriculum as the curriculum cannot be revised without the consent of the University, so the curriculum remains unchanged for a long time.

Specializations of MBA Course:

• MBA in Finance
• MBA in Information Systems Course
• MBA in Human Resource Management
• MBA in Marketing Management
• MBA in Operations Management
• MBA in Hotel Management
• MBA in Business Analytics
• MBA in Rural Management
• MBA in Event Management
• MBA in Hospitality Management
• MBA in International Business
• MBA in International Finance & Accounting

PGDM (Postgraduate Diploma in Management) Course:

A PGDM is a 2 year - Postgraduate Diploma course offered in the field of Management by the autonomous institutes (Institutes that are not affiliated with any university), a PGDM program is approved by AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education). Many Top Business-Schools/Institutes (such as IIMs, XLRI, MDI, NMIMS) offer PGDM courses in various specializations.  The PGDM program focuses more on industry-oriented skills such as developing soft skills, Communication skills, and managerial skills, a PGDM course is flexible, its curriculum can be changed or updated as per the industry’s demands and changes. Most Institutes make regular changes in the PGDM program’s curriculum every year according to the industry trends.

Specializations of PGDM Course:

• PGDM in Finance
• PGDM in Information & Technology
• PGDM in Human Resource
• PGDM in Business Analytics
• PGDM in Marketing
• PGDM in Operations
• PGDM in Supply Chain & Logistics
• PGDM in Rural Development
• PGDM in Event Management
• PGDM in Enterprise Management 
• PGDM in International Business
• PGDM in International Finance

Difference Between MBA and PGDM Course Eligibility:

There is no such difference in the MBA eligibility criteria and PGDM Eligibility Criteria that are required to be fulfilled by the candidates to get admission to any of these courses.

So here we are mentioning the basic eligibility criteria required to be fulfilled by the candidate to pursue an MBA or PGDM course:

• Students who have completed their Graduation (Bachelor's degree in any relevant subject) in any discipline are eligible for both courses.
• The minimum required percentage in Graduation courses as per University’s or Institute’s norms. Most of the universities and institutes ask for at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in Graduation.
• Some of the Universities/Institutes also ask for 1 to 2 years of working experience as an eligibility requirement to pursue these courses.
• Most reputed Universities and B-School grant MBA and PGDM admissions based on the entrance examinations such as CAT/XAT/MAT/ATMA and state level entrance examinations such as TSICET, MAH-CET mostly followed by a Group Discussion or Personal Interview Round. However, some private universities and institutes also provide merit-based admission to admission seekers.

Difference Between MBA and PGDM Course: Highlights

Top Colleges for MBA and PGDM Course:

In India, there are thousands of Colleges that offer MBA and PGDM Courses to students. But to propel in your career, it is very necessary for every individual to pursue the course from a reputed Business School. Below we have mentioned a list of Top MBA Colleges India along with MBA Course Fee:

MBA Course Fee:

Here is the list of Top PGDM colleges in India along with the PGDM Course Fee:

PGDM Course Fee:

As you can conclude, The PGDM Course Fee is higher than the MBA Course Fee. Due to the equivalency of these two courses in Industry, there will be no such impact on your future career prospects. So We advise you to plan your Post-graduation Budget accordingly and choose a suitable Management program as per your budget. Hence yes there’s a difference between MBA and PGDM course considering their Course Fees.

Career Scope after MBA Course v/s Career Scope after PGDM Course:

As already discussed, MBA and PGDM courses are equivalent courses and hold equal significance in the job market. Being a Diploma course doesn't make a PGDM program any less of it. A PGDM Holder is likely to get the same salary, same job profiles, and even same job positions as an MBA graduate. However, it also depends on the skills and knowledge of an individual. Hence there is no such Difference between MBA and PGDM course in terms of Career Prospects.

Job Profiles after MBA/PGDM Course	Average Salary After PGDM/MBA
Territory Sales Manager	Rs 5.83 Lacs
Area Marketing Head	Rs 20.51 L.P.A
Assistant Manager	Rs 6 LPA
Operation Manager	Rs 7.65 L.P.A
Plant Manager	Rs 13.15 L.P.A
Area Operation Manager	Rs 10 L.P.A
Supply chain Programme Manager	Rs 15.80 L.P.A
Administrative Assistant	Rs 2.99 L.P.A
Business Manager	Rs 8.64 L.P.A
Investment Banker	Rs 8 L.P.A
Financial Manager	Rs 9.93 Lacs
Financial Advisor	Rs 3.78 L.P.A
Bank Manager	Rs 8 L.P.A
HR Manager	Rs 6.50 L.P.A
Business Consultant	Rs 4.36 L.P.A

Job opportunities and Salary Package depend on an individual’s knowledge and skills. A candidate who has done his/her MBA or PGDM stream from a reputed B-School or University is likely to get better opportunities and a good salary package as compared to other Graduates.

Which stream is better, MBA Course or PGDM Course?

We have already discussed the similarities and differences between MBA and PGDM courses. As stated, The syllabus and objectives of a PGDM and MBA Course are exactly the same  which raises the question “MBA or PGDM, Which one is better?” Let’s talk about it!

• The career prospects and scope for both PGDM and MBA are equal. Despite a few differences both of these programs hold the same value in the Corporate World, the major influencing factor here is the institute or University offering these courses. Most of the time, the industry recruiters are not concerned that you have acquired an MBA degree or a PGDM diploma, they quantify your education based on your skills, knowledge and the reputation of the institution from which you get your degree. Pursuing an MBA Course or PGDM Course from a low-ranked college will definitely give you an MBA Degree or PGDM Diploma but it may not help you to improve your skills and knowledge than a High-ranked College or Institution will.
• We suggest you figure out your goals and expectations from your Post Graduation course and set some parameters (such as budget, college ranking, practical/theoretical knowledge, plan for higher studies, etc.) accordingly and then make a choice based on those parameters. To make it easier for you, below we have mentioned the Reasons for a PGDM Course as well as Reasons to do an MBA Course.

Please read, understand and choose wisely:

Reasons to do a PGDM Course:

• PGDM is a much more industry-oriented course than MBA as it is offered by autonomous institutes so its curriculum is frequently updated as per Industry's changing trends and demands. While pursuing a PGDM Diploma you will learn about the latest management trends and skills.
• A PGDM program allows you to choose your field of interest, for eg- If you decide to do PGDM in Marketing specialization, then you can choose minor subjects such as Finance/IT Project/Management/Business, etc.
• A PGDM Programme is a job-oriented program, a PGDM diploma gives you easy access to fair career opportunities, and you can get a well-paying corporate job right after completing your PGDM course. Most of the corporate companies prefer a PGDM Diploma holding candidate over an MBA Degree holding candidate.
• This course provides you with the practical knowledge to deal with real-time industry problems and provides you with the latest industry insights, hence making you more eligible than an MBA graduate.
• MBA is more about theoretical Knowledge whereas, in a PGDM Course, you get more practical learning opportunities, various seminars, workshops, and industry visits are conducted to give you more extensive knowledge and to update your industry-oriented skills.

Reasons to do an MBA Course:

• An MBA degree is globally accepted by companies, an MBA graduate is more likely to get better career opportunities overseas, Most International Business Schools offer an MBA degree instead of a PGDM Course.
• Pursuing an MBA degree will be a better choice if the candidate is thinking of applying for higher education abroad. A PGDM Diploma holder might face some difficulty while applying for a higher education program such as a doctoral program offered by International Universities. An MBA program is a globally recognized program and accepted by Universities Globally.
• MBA degrees are offered by UGC-recognized Universities or colleges only and they follow University norms and can easily get approval from AICTE, so there is no risk of Fraudulence, whereas some private PGDM Institutes do not follow AICTE norms meticulously and hence can be fooled by the institutes.
• An MBA Program costs less than a PGDM Program, the University or University-affiliated Colleges offer MBA Course at a lower Fee structure than a PGDM Diploma course. Most Government approved Universities offer an MBA Degree at a very low fee because they receive financial aid from the state or central government, whereas Private Universities and colleges have their own fee structure, so they might have a high fee for MBA degrees.