Difference between MBA Vs PGDM - Which is Better?
Confused between MBA vs PGDM? Know the difference between MBA and PGDM in detail here and shortlist your dream and top MBA colleges in India according to your requirements.
MBA vs PGDM: The MBA admission season for 2023 has commenced and top b-schools in India have started releasing their PGP admission notifications. Registrations for MBA admission 2023 seasons have begun already and CAT applications will be started soon. CAT 2022 results were announced on December 21, 2022.
Candidates aspiring for MBA admissions in 2023 must already be gearing up to prepare for some of the popular management exams such as Common Admission Test (CAT), IIFT, Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), NMAT by GMAC, and Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP). Aspirants are looking for relevant MBA courses and MBA colleges in India or PGDM colleges in India that they can consider for admission.
This is an apt time to figure out the type of MBA course and the MBA colleges in India where you should apply. Before preparing your college list, you must know the difference between the Master of Business Administration (MBA) course and the Post Graduate Diploma Programme (PGDM) course.
Also Read: MBA vs MCA: What is Better after BCA
How is PGDM Different from MBA?
The primary distinction between the two programmes is that while the PGDM is a diploma programme, the MBA is a degree programme. A public, private, or college with a university affiliation may provide an MBA programme. Degrees may only be granted by certain institutions, which are administered by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), which is independent of the UGC, and AICTE-recognized business schools both provide PGDM programmes. The business world, on the other hand, does not distinguish between the two. Both MBA and PGDM graduates are equally qualified for managerial positions of the same kind.
The majority of MBA programmes adhere to an established curriculum and tend to be more theoretical in nature. To keep up with changes in the business environment and employment market, curriculum revisions have a certain rigidity. These changes happen over a period of three to five years. Nevertheless, private universities with more regular curriculum updates include Symbiosis and NMIMS.
On the other hand, the PGDM curriculum is subject to revision or updating at the discretion of the B-schools, keeping it in line with evolving industry standards and requirements. The schools are able to preserve their edge over its competitors as a result, and this competitiveness fosters widespread innovation in pedagogy and curriculum. In addition, these programmes allow for more practical application-based learning than pure theoretical learning.
A top-notch PGDM programme provides much more than just classroom instruction. In PGDM courses, case study pedagogy is highly valued since these cases assist students learn how to implement concepts in practice and are based on both traditional and contemporary business situations that have impacted the field through time. In order to build a variety of soft skills necessary for management professionals, learning also occurs outside of the classroom in the form of extracurricular activities, social initiatives, events, contests, etc.
What is the difference between MBA and PGDM, which one of them is better, and what curriculum differences are there between the two – these are some of the questions that MBA aspirants seek answers for.
Difference Between MBA and PGDM
Check the table below for an in-depth comparison of MBA and PGDM courses including their focus area, curriculum, and many other details.
Course | MBA | PGDM |
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| Duration of Course |
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| Curriculum |
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Syllabus | Check:Syllabus of MBA vs Syllabus of PGDM | |
| The focus of the Course |
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| Fee Structure |
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These are the differences between MBA and PGDM courses. It is very important to understand the different aspects of both types of courses before you opt for either of the two. Also, make sure that you read the college and program details carefully before applying.
Colleges for MBA vs Colleges for PGDM
Given in the table below is a list of MBA colleges vs a list of PGDM colleges.
| MBA Colleges in India | PGDM Colleges in India |
Admission to MBA vs PGDM Colleges
While there may be quite a few differences between MBA and PGDM courses, the admission process to both largely remains the same. Candidates have to appear for a management entrance exam and then go through the GD/PI round of the respective colleges for final selection. The exams accepted for admission to MBA and PGDM colleges are also the same or similar.
Candidates who are interested in taking admission to MBA or PGDM colleges must fill up the application form of the respective college. CollegeDekho has made the application process easier and more convenient for the students through the Common Application Form (CAF). By filling the CAF once, a candidate can apply to the top MBA and PGDM colleges of the country from a single platform. In case any student faces an issue, they can contact our helpline number 18005729877 and talk to a student counselor.
Also Read:MBA vs MCom: Curriculum, Specializations, Career Scope and Job Opportunities
MBA vs PGDM Syllabus
Check the table below to know the syllabus for both MBA and PGDM.
MBA Syllabus | PGDM Syllabus |
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MBA vs PGDM Salary
Given below are the average MBA and PGDM salary packages that candidates can expect depending on their job position.
MBA Salary
Job Position | Average MBA Salary in India Per Year (in INR) |
Financial Analyst | 5,23,000 |
Finance Manager | 10,00,000 |
Accounting Manager | 7,10,360 |
Marketing Manager | 7,86,000 |
Business Analyst | 5,81,000 |
Brand Manager | 51,97,300 |
Operations Manager | 3,50,000 - 8,00,000 |
Supply Chain Program Manager | 4,50,000 - 12,00,000 |
HR Manager | 3,60,000- 10,30,000 |
Risk Management Director | 52,50,000 |
Marketing Sales Director | 38,00,000 |
Real Estate Development Manager | 44,48,646 |
PGDM Salary
Job Position | Average PGDM Salary in India Per Year (in INR) |
Finance Manager | 10,00,000 |
Operations Manager | 7,65,000 |
Sales Manager | 4,88,164 |
Human Resources Manager | 7,00,387 |
Product Manager | 17,16,878 |
Marketing Manager | 6,88,000 |
Senior Finance Analyst | 6,04,000 |
Procurement Manager | 12,63,000 |
Fema Specialist | 55,35,000 |
International Sales Manager | 10,80,000 |
MBA vs PGDM - What to Choose?
We have provided all the major differences between both these programs in this article. You can read the differences between them before choosing one. Some of the important factors that you can consider while choosing between PGDM and MBA are fee structure and curriculum. The curriculum of the PGDM is more focused on practical knowledge while the major percentage of the curriculum of MBA includes theoretical concepts of management.
While preparing for CAT and other such MBA entrance exams, you must ensure that you put in the best of your efforts to secure a good score in the exam. The entrance exam score is important but is not the sole criteria for admissions to top MBA or PGDM colleges of the country. The management institutes usually conduct further screening through GD (Group Discussion), PI (Personal Interview), and WAT (Written Ability Test) rounds in which the shortlisted candidates should perform well to save a spot in the respective MBA/PGDM college. Learn more about the topics and tips for the GD, PI, and WAT rounds here. Given below are some more related articles on MBA admissions in India.
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FAQs
What is the difference between the fee of MBA and PGDM?
The fee of MBA programme ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 23 lakh per annum while the fee of PGDM ranges from INR 6 lakh to INR 25 lakh per annum. A PGDM course is more expensive than MBA since an autonomous authority is responsible for offering PGDM.
What is the difference between the selection process of MBA and PGDM?
The selection process of MBA and PGDM generally remains the same i.e students are selected on the basis of their performance in the entrance exams like CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, ATMA (conducted at the national-level) or MAHCET, PGCET, TANCET (conducted at the state-level), group discussion, entrance exam and personal interview.
What are some of the good colleges for MBA in India?
Some of the good MBA colleges in India are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIM Kozhikode, XLRI Jamshedpur: Xavier School of Management, ISB Hyderabad: Indian School of Business, FMS New Delhi Faculty of Management Studies, MDI Gurgaon: Management Development Institute, IIT Delhi: Department of Management Studies New Delhi, IIFT New Delhi: Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, NMIMS Mumbai, etc. The course fee at the top IIMs is approximately INR 23,00,000.
What exams are conducted for admission to the MBA and PGDM courses?
The exams conducted for providing admission to MBA and PGDM can be sub-divided into: national-level, state-level, and institute-level. Some of the exams conducted for MBA and PGDM admission at the national-level are CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA, and CMAT. State-level entrance exams include TS ICET, AP ICET, JEMAT, MAH MBA CET, etc. B-MAT, NIPER, JEE MBA, and CUSAT CAT are entrance exams conducted at the institute-level.
What are the parameters to choose the right MBA/PGDM college?
The parameters to choose the right MBA/PGDM college include ranking of the B-school, legacy of the B-school, fee of the B-school, student-faculty ratio, placement record, whether the sought after MBA programme is offered by the B-school, and location of the B-school.
Do IIMs offer PGDM courses?
Yes, IIMs offer PGDM courses. IIM Ahmedabad offers PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP courses. PGP and EPGP courses are offered by IIM Kashipur and IIM Kozhikode. PGP, PGP-ABM, and PGP-SM courses are offered by IIM Lucknow.
What is PGDM?
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a two-year business management programme that meets industry needs and aids management aspirants in the development of pertinent hard and soft skills to become management professionals who are prepared for the workplace. PGDM is provided by independent B-Schools approved by AICTE. For managers, leaders, functional heads, and specialized executives all across the world, the PGDM programme offers career options.
What is an MBA?
An MBA is a graduate-level degree that offers both academic and practical instruction in business or investment management. Graduates can better comprehend general business management duties by studying an MBA. An MBA degree might have a general concentration or a specialized emphasis in areas like human resource management, accounting, finance, sales or marketing.
What is the difference between MBA and PGDM?
The main difference between the two programmes is that the MBA is a degree programme, whilst the PGDM is a diploma programme. PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management and is offered by a private institution, institute, or university that is affiliated with AICTE. MBA is a management degree awarded by a university.
What is the duration of PGDM and MBA?
The duration of both the PGDM and MBA is 2 years. MBA is a degree programme while PGDM is a diploma programme. The exams are conducted on a semester-basis.