Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) are management courses offered at the Master’s level. Since both are business-focused courses, sometimes it becomes difficult to differentiate between the two. The two are designed to train students to move up in the hierarchy and foray into the fastest growing management field.
But still, there are some differences in them which is necessary to explore before making an informed decision regarding your career. Candidates planning to do either of the courses can go through the blog to check out some differences between PGDM and MBA.
MBA Degree vs PG Diploma
Post the completion of a PGDM course, candidates are offered a Diploma. But on the successful completion of an MBA course, candidates get a degree.
Many students get confused that a diploma course doesn’t hold the same value as that of a degree. But this is not the reality at is not true. Doing a PGDM course from renowned institutes like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-Schools can help you explore numerous career opportunities ahead. But for the candidates planning to foray into the corporate world or want to become future entrepreneurs, an MBA is a better option as compared to a PGDM course.
Body of Accreditation
MBA courses received accreditation from the university to which the college providing the course is affiliated. While the PGDM courses get approval and recognition by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
In reality, one of the main differences is that an MBA is a degree course conducted by Universities and colleges with affiliation to those Universities. On the other hand, the diploma program, PGDM is the course conducted by autonomous institutes that have received recognition from AICTE and approved by the Ministry of HRD and Government of India.
Course Duration
The duration of MBA courses is 2 years while PGDM courses are either 1-year long or 2-year long based on the kind of program you have opted for. Any PGDM course that is equivalent to an MBA is also a 2-year long course.
MBA vs PGDM: Syllabus
In the majority of the cases, the course curriculum of an MBA is designed by the university. The core syllabus and in many cases, the elective subjects are almost similar to different universities. But this is not the case with the PGPM or PGDM courses. The course curriculum is designed by an individual institute making PGDM more flexible.
PGDM programs are designed by institutes separately that makes them more flexible. Each year, many changes are made in the syllabus. Thus colleges offering a PGDM course are ideal as they stay updated with the latest trends in the corporate world.
MBA vs PGDM: Program focus
Both MBA and PGDM courses have almost the same core subjects. But many experts believe that MBA courses lay more emphasis on theoretical and technical aspects of management instead of practical approaches.
On the other hand, PGDM courses are industrial-oriented courses and focus on skills-based on market requirements.
MBA vs PGDM: Tuition cost
The tuition fees for an MBA course are lower as compared to PGDM courses. More number of government-approved universities offering MBA degrees could be the reason for lower MBA tuition fees as compared to PGDM fees. Even many universities get financial aid and grants from the government that makes MBA cheaper for the student.
But in case you plan to do a PGDM program, you need to bear the cost of the entire program. However, this is not the same in all cases, as many colleges take higher MBA fees.
MBA is a more affordable option and needs a lesser amount of funds but on the other hand PGDM program is quite expensive and the cost differs from INR 6- 20 lakhs.
Innovative Teaching Methods
Training and teaching are diversified in the PGDM program, case studies, presentations, short-term training, etc. are all part of a training program. However, the scope of innovation in the MBA program is awesome as the syllabus is decided by the university and the focus is laid on classroom studies as well.
Entrance Examinations
Some of the common entrance exams to get selected for a PGDM course is CAT/MAT/ATMA/XAT, there are many state-level exams like MHCET, TSICET, etc. that are considered while shortlisting the most eligible candidates.
But to get selected for an MBA course, some of the exams that are accepted include CAT, XAT, NMAT, MAT, and GMAT scores for admissions.
Admission to MBA vs PGDM Colleges
Though there are a few differences between MBA and PGDM courses, the admission process for both the programs remains almost the same. Candidates need to give a management entrance exam, shortlisted candidates will be called for further rounds, including the GD/PI round of the respective colleges for final selection.
Candidates planning to get admission to either MBA or PGDM course need to fill up the application form of the respective college.
MBA vs. PGDM – How it will help Your Career
Getting an MBA degree is helpful for the candidates as it helps them a little more value as compared to a diploma. MBA graduates get the master’s degree while PGDM graduates get a diploma. From the perspective of getting a job, there are not many differences at all. Getting a decent placement post completing MBA or PGDM program in good companies is not that challenging in case you have obtained a PG degree/diploma from a reputed business school in India.
Thus it is important to do either MBA or PGDM from good institutes that can offer a higher rate of investment. One such renowned institute offering an MBA program is SAITM Gurgaon that comprises the best faculty, and teaching methodology used while delivering quality education.
Hence, needless to say, a degree or diploma earned from prestigious institutes like SAITM can always be valued beneficial for more obvious reasons. Thus in case, you plan to have a successful career in the field of management, then it hardly matters which course you select. St. Andrews Institute of Technology and Management’s MBA (SAITM MBA) is a 2-year regular program designed for graduates planning to have a career in the growing business world. SAITM’ MBA has received approval and accreditation from AICTE and MDU.
All that matters is the kind of institute you are selecting for pursuing higher studies.
Hope through this blog we have provided you more details about MBA and PGDM programs. Now you can easily conclude which course is better for me keeping your career objectives in mind.
We wish you a great career ahead!
