With the evolution of the industry and the rise in corporate culture, the organizations are aiming to become more growth-oriented and enhance the efficiency factor. Thus, more emphasis is laid on streamlining and optimizing the organizational processes which in turn has led to the increased involvement of management in various processes. This is the reason why there is a rise in demand for candidates from a management background in the market. Companies are actively hiring management graduates for various managerial roles.
With such favorable market conditions for management students, we see the majority of students opting for management programs for their post-graduation. Management programs have become the first choice of students from various fields like B-Tech, BCA, BA, B.Com. Students after graduating from any field aim to pursue a management course for their post-graduation to achieve greater heights in their careers. Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) are the two most popular PG programs in the field of management in 2021. Students planning to pursue a management course after their graduation in 2021 must know the difference between MBA and PGDM to make the right decision for their careers. Therefore, we are going to draw a detailed comparison between MBA and PGDM to help you understand the differences and similarities between them.
Master of Business Administration, MBA
MBA is a 2 years regular postgraduate degree program that students can join after completing their graduation. The program is offered by several renowned universities and B-schools in India. Students are required to give national-level MBA entrance exams like CAT (Common Aptitude Test) and CMAT, and GMAT to get admission to the top management institutes in India. Some of the most popular MBA entrance exams conducted by private institutes are NMAT, XAT, and SNAP. MBA is a 2 years regular classroom program whose curriculum includes theories and practical applications of management and administration principles. MBA curriculum is inclusive of the latest managerial practices followed in the industry and students are given a wide industry exposure through various seminars, guest lectures, and workshops.
Post Graduate Diploma in Management, PGDM
PGDM is a full-time 2 years postgraduate diploma course in the field of management and administration. Students can join a PGDM program after they graduate from any discipline. PGDM course is offered by institutes approved and recognized by AICTE. PGDM is an industry-oriented program and the focus is laid on making students familiar with real-life managerial practices. The program mainly imparts industry-specific knowledge and prepares students to overcome challenges they might face in the industry while managing processes and people. Students who want to pursue PGDM are required to take various entrance exams as per the requirement of the institute. Some institutes grant admission to the PGDM program based on students’ scores in CAT, GMAT, and CMAT and some institutes conduct separate entrance exams at the institutional level.
General Comparison – MBA v/s PGDM
| Course | MBA | PGDM |
|---|---|---|
| Institution Type | Both colleges affiliated with a university and autonomous institutes offer MBA. | Only autonomous institutes approved by AICTE offer a PGDM program. |
| Program Type | Degree Program | Diploma Program |
| Duration | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Course Specification | Comprehensive | Industry-Oriented |
| Eligibility Criteria | Minimum aggregate of 50% marks in graduation from any discipline from a recognized board or university. Students are required to qualify CAT and other entrance exams. | Minimum 50% marks in graduation from any field from a recognized board or university and 60% marks for IIMs. Students must pass the entrance exams as per the institution’s admission criteria. |
| No. of Semesters | 4 (2 semesters per year) | 4 (2 semesters per year) |
| Average Fee Structure | INR 1 Lac – 12 Lacs per annum | INR 2 Lacs – 12 Lacs per annum |
Top Colleges for MBA & PGDM In India 2021
Students must first attempt to get admission in any of the IIMs to pursue MBA or PGDM. IIMs and well-renowned government B-Schools should be students’ first choice to pursue higher education in management as these institutions are globally recognized and provide top-notch quality education. An MBA degree from IIM is valued much more than from anywhere else. Apart from the IIMs and government institutes, there are several prestigious private universities and colleges that offer MBA and PGDM programs. Many private MBA institutes provide best-in-class education and exposure. SAITM (St.Andrews Institute of Technology & Management) is one of them. SAITM provides a regular MBA program and enrolls students on the basis of their performance in SAITM’s entrance exam for MBA – SAJEE and CAT scores. SAITM’s MBA program is inclusive of various aspects of management and administration relevant to the industry and provides extensive exposure to the students.
We are listing some of the top private institutes/B-Schools offering MBA and PGDM in 2021 to help you choose the right college.
| MBA | PGDM |
|---|---|
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Specializations Offered – MBA v/s PGDM
There are a number of specializations offered under MBA and PGDM. The Master of Business Administration course is widely specialization-oriented. Specialization determines the management niches that students can work in after their post-graduation. Though there are a large number of MBA specializations available in the market, no one institute offers all the specializations. Various colleges offer different sets of MBA specializations. The specializations offered for PGDM are very similar to those of MBA and caters to various industry niches.
Let’s have a look at the top MBA & PGDM specializations in India.
| MBA Specializations | PGDM Specializations |
|---|---|
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Career Opportunities & Scope – MBA v/s PGDM
There is a wide scope of both Master of Business Administration and Postgraduate Diploma in Management courses in the market as the industry is in high demand of management professionals. Also, both MBA and PGDM extend a large number of career options. But an MBA degree is valued more by the companies in comparison to the PG Diploma in Management. Thus, with an MBA degree, there are more chances for students to reach the top level of management in an organization and acquire upper-level managerial roles. Following are some of the popular job roles offered to MBA and PGDM graduates.
| MBA | PGDM |
|---|---|
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Final Thoughts
Since MBA is a degree program and PGDM is a diploma course, MBA from a well-esteemed college like SAITM is valued more, and MBA graduates are given better opportunities by the companies. Companies prefer to hire an MBA holder for senior managerial positions whereas PGDM graduates are offered mid-level managerial positions. Since the fee structure and duration of both the courses is almost the same, it is advisable for students who want to build their career working in the corporate sector to opt for an MBA program unless there is a specific specialization or college preference that is met by the PGDM course. Students before making their choice must invest some time to analyze their areas of interest and choose the course that meets their expectations and requirements.