PGDM and MBA Difference: 5 Powerful Insights for Success

PGDM and MBA difference: The rise of the corporate culture has created numerous management positions. Most of these jobs offer high salaries which had made a lot of students choose management programs. However, one is often faced with the PGDM and MBA Difference dilemma while choosing the right program.

PGDM and MBA Difference is bound to happen as these are the two most prominent courses for management. However, one can minimise their doubts by understanding the PGDM and MBA Difference. MBA stands for Masters of Business Administration and PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management.

The primary PGDM and MBA Difference is that MBA is a degree course while PGDM is a diploma program. There is no PGDM and MBA Difference based on duration. They both are 2-year courses.

Understanding MBA in India

MBA is a graduate degree course. It is offered by management institutes and colleges worldwide. Only affiliated management colleges can offer this degree. All such institutes need to follow a single curriculum designed by UGC. The key PGDM and MBA Difference point here is that MBA allows one to get into top positions easily. One can make use of this course to become a successful founder or a business leader.

The fee for this course in India ranges between 20-40 Lakhs for 2 years. There are numerous specialisations in MBA. The top five highest paying of these are – Finance, marketing, data analytics, business analytics, and IT.

Understanding PGDM in India

PGDM is a two-year postgraduate diploma. This course is recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education or AICTE. This course is designed to meet the changing needs of various industries. The course is meant to help management aspirants develop relevant hard and soft skills. These skills make them industry ready. The effectiveness of this course had made people debate over PGDM Vs MBA. The primary goal of this course is to provide grooming sessions, mentorship, and industry exposure to students. And with this one gets eligible for top jobs like sales management, CEO, Operations, and Marketing managers. However, it is more expensive than MBA, which makes one consider the PGDM and MBA Difference before taking admissions.

PGDM vs MBA – Similarities

When doing PGDM Vs MBA, one will find a lot of similarities between the two courses. Some of these similarities are as follows –

Course Term

There is no PGDM and MBA Difference in terms of course duration. Both of these are 2-year courses.

Course Benefits

The primary goal behind pursuing any diploma or degree course is to get better jobs. Both PGDM MBA course provides excellent placement in managerial roles. And most of these jobs are high-paying ones.

PGDM and MBA: Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility criteria for MBA and PGDM courses are listed below.

• For admission to both MBA and PGDM courses, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in any discipline.
• Candidates need to qualify for the national-level or university-level entrance exam to get enrolled in popular b-schools in India.
• Some management programs also require prior work experience before admission.

Entrance Exams

To get admission to PGDM and MBA programs one needs to pass entrance exams. Some of these tests are CAT, GMAT, MAT, XAT & CMAT. This means one can’t do PGDM Vs MBA based on entrance tests.

Job Opportunities

There are various job opportunities after PGDM or MBA course. Most of these jobs are managerial posts and one gets to lead a team. Many individuals choose MBA after engineering to transition into management field, increase their job prospects or boost their salary.

PGDM and MBA Difference

Criteria	PGDM	MBA
Full Form	Post Graduate Diploma in Management	Master of Business Administration
Duration	Typically 2 years (can vary with institutes)	Typically 2 years (varies with universities)
Affiliation	Offered by autonomous institutes (not university-affiliated)	Offered by universities or university-affiliated institutes
Curriculum	More flexible, industry-focused, and updated frequently	More standardized with a focus on theoretical knowledge
Recognition	Recognized as a diploma, may not be recognized internationally in some countries	Globally recognized degree with widespread acceptance
Course Content	Practical, skill-based learning with a focus on industry relevance	A blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application
Internship	Strong emphasis on internships and industry exposure	Internships are encouraged, but less emphasized compared to PGDM
Pedagogy	Case-based, experiential learning, and interactive sessions	Combination of lectures, case studies, and theoretical inputs
Admission Process	Admission usually through entrance exams like CAT, MAT, GMAT, or institute-specific tests	Admission primarily through national or international exams (e.g., CAT, GMAT, GRE)
Cost	Generally more affordable, though it varies by institution	Often more expensive, especially in well-known universities
Global Recognition	Recognition varies by country and institution	Widely recognized internationally, especially from top universities
Job Prospects	Often leads to industry-specific roles in management	Opens doors to a broader range of managerial roles in various sectors
Flexibility	Often allows flexibility in course design and electives	More structured and fixed curriculum with limited flexibility
Accreditation	May or may not be accredited by global bodies (depends on the institute)	Often accredited by bodies like AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS (in top universities)

Related Read: Salary after MBA

PGDM and MBA Difference: Top Job Opportunities After Each Degree

Whether students are pursuing PGDM or MBA, one constant question that worries them is what should be the next step? How will they get a reputable job or designation in a good company?

There are multiple career options after MBA in India. When considering post-MBA employment prospects, students should consider making a list of the industry they want to work. They should do a proper analysis of these industries and create a list of pros and cons. One should consider factors such as the job description, skills needed for the job, prospects, and PGDM and MBA Difference in salary.

Job Role	Top Job Opportunities After MBA	Top Job Opportunities After PGDM
Investment Banker	In high demand, focuses on connecting investors with organizations and managing funds.	Not typically a direct role for PGDM, but possible with PGDM in finance specialization.
Salary Scale	INR 2 – 29.9 lakhs p.a	N/A
Data Analyst	Rising demand due to technological advancements and digitalization in various sectors.	PGDM in Data Analytics or Business Analytics can lead to this role.
Salary Scale	INR 1.8 – 11.7 lakhs p.a	INR 2.5 – 8 lakhs p.a (depends on specialization)
Management Consultant	Involves problem-solving and helping organizations improve. High salary potential.	PGDM graduates with strong problem-solving and strategic skills can pursue this role.
Salary Scale	INR 8.4 – 35.8 lakhs p.a	INR 4 – 12 lakhs p.a
Human Resource Manager	Manages HR functions like recruitment, employee relations, and organizational development.	PGDM graduates specializing in HR can take up this role, with a focus on recruitment, training, and employee engagement.
Salary Scale	INR 3 – 18 lakhs p.a	INR 2.5 – 8 lakhs p.a
Information Technology Manager	Manages the IT operations and strategies of a company. High demand in the tech sector.	PGDM graduates with a focus on IT or technology management can pursue this role.
Salary Scale	INR 3.2 – 25 lakhs p.a	INR 3 – 10 lakhs p.a (depends on experience and specialization)
Accountant	Typically not a post-MBA role, but possible for those with finance specialization.	A common job after PGDM in finance, managing company finances and ensuring profitability.
Salary Scale	INR 3 – 10 lakhs p.a	INR 0.8 – 6 lakhs p.a
Financial Analyst	Involves evaluating financial trends and making investment decisions. High demand in the finance sector.	PGDM graduates with a finance specialization can also take on roles such as financial analysts or financial consultants.
Salary Scale	INR 2.5 – 10.5 lakhs p.a	INR 2.1 – 10.5 lakhs p.a
Business Advisor	Provides strategic advice to businesses for growth and development.	PGDM graduates can become business advisors for organizations, using their business knowledge and expertise.
Salary Scale	INR 5 – 25 lakhs p.a	INR 1.5 – 18.4 lakhs p.a
Entrepreneur	Some MBA graduates choose to start their own businesses, utilizing strategic knowledge and business acumen.	PGDM graduates can also pursue entrepreneurial ventures, with a focus on business management and operations.
Salary Scale	Variable, depending on business success.	Variable, as income is dependent on business success.
Brand Manager	Involves managing brands, product services, and market trends.	PGDM graduates, especially those specializing in marketing, can pursue brand management roles.
Salary Scale	INR 5 – 20 lakhs p.a	INR 5 – 12 lakhs p.a

Also Read: Best Post-graduate Courses in India after Graduation

Become a Chegg Subject Expert after MBA and PGDM

Subject matter experts are becoming highly popular because many platforms are looking for subject specialists who can guide their students in a better way. Chegg is one such platform that aims to provide quality education to students and is a great portal for people looking to become subject matter experts.

These experts are expected to follow quality parameters specified by Chegg and make sure that their platform guidelines of answering are precisely followed while upholding academic virtue. With a PGDM or a management degree, one can be an expert in the managerial field. They can share their knowledge with a wider audience and create a peer group. By becoming a Q&A expert at Chegg, one can earn money by answering questions from students worldwide.

PGDM and MBA Difference – Bottomline

After reading the above description, the PGDM and MBA Difference should be clear to any candidate pursuing any of these courses. While newbies may find it difficult to choose the best suitable course, one thing they should remember is to analyse the key features and the PGDM and MBA Difference. And based on that, pick up the course that can help provide ideal career growth depending on the individual’s interests. The PGDM and MBA difference lies in PGDM’s industry-oriented approach and flexibility versus MBA’s standardized, globally recognized curriculum.

However, if someone wants to be a subject matter expert at Chegg and get a flexible job they should sign up today. With this job, one can gain global academic exposure and meet experts from diverse fields and have a great career trajectory.

Related: Distance MBA v/s Regular MBA

Frequently Asked Questions