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MBA vs. PGDM: Qualifications, Admission, Employment, and Pay in 2024

Both the PGDM and the MBA are postgraduate degrees in business, however there is one significant distinction: A PGDM is an industry-focused diploma from independent institutes, whereas an MBA is a university degree that is frequently worldwide and heavily theoretical. Employers value both, but PGDM may provide a greater practical advantage and appeal to individuals looking for business knowledge unique to India. When selecting, take your desired learning style and career objectives into account.

Table of Contents

MBA Vs. PGDM right Highlight rightOverview

mba

Selecting the Best Management Degree: MBA vs. PGDM
The two-year postgraduate MBA and PGDM programs are developed to give you the information and abilities needed for prosperous careers in business. But, when you’re choosing, there are a few important distinctions to take into account.

Here’s a little explanation:

FeatureMBAPGDM
TypeDegreeDiploma
AffiliationUniversities (UGC)Autonomous Institutes (AICTE)
CurriculumMore theoretical foundationMore industry-oriented
FlexibilityCurriculum revisions may be slowerCurriculum can be updated more frequently

MBA Highlights:

  • Internationally recognized degree
  • Strong foundation in business theory
  • Diverse program options, including specializations

PGDM Highlights:

  • Focus on practical application of skills
  • Curriculum adapts quickly to industry trends
  • Often lower tuition fees compared to some MBAs

Choosing the Right Program:

  • Consider your career goals: If you aim for international opportunities, an MBA might be preferable. If you want a program that closely aligns with current industry needs, a PGDM could be ideal.
  • Think about your learning style: Do you prefer a strong theoretical foundation or a more hands-on approach?
  • Research specific programs: Look beyond the degree type and compare the curriculum, faculty expertise, and placement records of the institutions you’re considering.

MBA vs. PGDM: Qualifications right

QualificationMBAPGDM
Focusright--v1Often international, theory-basedIndia-specific, practical
Curriculumright--v1General business management principlesIndustry-oriented with a focus on developing practical skills
Durationright--v1Typically 2 years (full-time) or 1 year (executive)Varies, typically 1-2 years (full-time)
Eligibilityright--v1Bachelor’s degree with minimum marksBachelor’s degree with minimum marks
Entrance Examsright--v1GMAT/GRE (for international programs), CAT/MAT/XAT (for Indian programs)CAT/MAT/XAT (for Indian programs)
Recognitionright--v1Globally recognized qualificationPrimarily recognized in India

MBA Vs. PGDM rightAdmission rightEntrance Exam

Exams for admission and entrance: hand-right-skin-type-2MBA vs. PGDMAlthough postgraduate business management programs like the MBA and PGDM are similar, their admissions procedures differ significantly in a few important ways:Admission Requirements:
  • Academic Background: A Bachelor’s degree in any area is normally required for both, with a minimum percentage (usually between 50 and 60 percent). There may be subject-specific prerequisites at some B-schools for particular specializations.
  • Tests for admission: Results from a variety of national and even worldwide admission tests are accepted for both programs. Popular choices include of:
At the national level
  • The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the exam most highly favored by India’s best B-schools.
  • Several prestigious B-schools recognize the results of the XLRI Jamshedpur-conducted Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT).
  • The Management Aptitude Test, or MAT, is offered several times a year and is widely recognized by B-schools.
  • The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national exam used to get into MBA programs.
  • Alternatives Institutions may accept results from their own institute-specific entrance exams, state-level MBA entrance exams (e.g., KMAT, TANCET), or the GMAT (for international students).

hand-right-skin-type-2       Selection Process:

Beyond entrance exams, B-schools might consider other factors during the selection process, such as:

  • Work Experience: Some programs might have minimum work experience requirements.
  • Group Discussions & Interviews: Many B-schools assess communication, teamwork, and leadership skills through these stages.
  • Past Academic Performance: Your undergraduate GPA might be considered.
  • Extracurricular Activities & Achievements: Well-rounded profiles are often preferred.

hand-right-skin-type-2 Here’s a table summarizing the key points:

FactorMBA AdmissionPGDM Admission
Academic BackgroundBachelor’s degree (any discipline)Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
Entrance ExamsCAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT (for international students), state-level examsSimilar to MBA
Additional Selection CriteriaWork experience, GD/PI, Past Academics, AchievementsSimilar to MBA

Selecting the Appropriate Course:

When choosing, take into account your desired entry examinations, theory-based vs. practical learning style, and professional ambitions. Look into the particular prerequisites of the B-schools you want to attend.

MBA Vs. PGDM  books-emoji  Syllabus

FeatureMBA SyllabusPGDM Syllabus
FocusTheoretical foundation of businessIndustry-oriented and skill-based
Designed ByUniversity AffiliationIndividual Institutions
UpdatesLess frequent (every 3-7 years)More frequent (based on industry needs)
Core Subjects (Examples)* Management Principles * Accounting * Economics * Marketing Management * Human Resource Management(Similar to MBA) * May include additional industry-specific courses
SpecializationsOffered by many programsOffered by many programs

MBA Vs. PGDM right Fee Placement And Jobs

FeatureMBAPGDM
TypeDegreeDiploma
AffiliationUniversities (UGC)Autonomous Institutes (AICTE)
CurriculumMore theoretical foundationMore industry-oriented
FlexibilityCurriculum revisions may be slowerCurriculum can be updated more frequently
FeeGenerally lowerGenerally higher
PlacementDepends on the university’s reputationDepends on the institute’s reputation
JobsGood job opportunities, especially in academia and researchGood job opportunities, especially in the corporate sector
Top PGDM Colleges with Average Annual Fees

 

  • Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad: INR 19,53,000
  • XLRI Xavier School of Management: INR 12,90,000
  • SP Jain Institute of Management and Research: INR 20,42,000
  • Birla Institute of Management Technology: INR 13,00,000
  • GLIM Chennai: INR 18,75,000
  • Jaipuria Institute of Management: INR 5,70,000
  • Ramaiah Institute of Management, Bangalore: INR 8,00,000
PGDM Colleges with Average Annual Salary
 
  • Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad: INR 17,35,000
  • XLRI Xavier School of Management: INR 32,70,000
  • Birla Institute of Management Technology: INR 11,25,000
  • SP Jain Institute of Management and Research: INR 33,02,000
  • GLIM Chennai: INR 14,50,000
  • Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur: INR 11,49,000

MBA Vs. PGDM right Top Colleges Offerings

CollegeLocationProgram
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)Ahmedabad, IndiaPGDM
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)Bangalore, IndiaPGDM
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)Kolkata, IndiaPGDM
Indian School of Business (ISB)Hyderabad, IndiaMBA
XLRI – Xavier School of ManagementJamshedpur, IndiaPGDM
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of DelhiDelhi, IndiaMBA
S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)Mumbai, IndiaPGDM
Management Development Institute (MDI)Gurgaon, IndiaPGDM
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS)Mumbai, IndiaMBA
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)Delhi, IndiaMBA

MBA Vs. PGDM right Top MBA Colleges

Top MBA Colleges

  • Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
  • Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi
  • Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
  • Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi
  • Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay
  • Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi
  • National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
  • Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune
  • Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
  • Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

MBA Vs. PGDM right Top PGDM Colleges

Top PGDM Colleges
 
    • Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)
    • Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
    • Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)
    • XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
    • S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
    • Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
    • Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML)
    • Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)
    • Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK)
    • Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad

FAQ On MBA Vs. PGDM

Top PGDM Colleges
 
    • Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)
    • Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
    • Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)
    • XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
    • S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
    • Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
    • Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML)
    • Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)
    • Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK)
    • Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad

PGDM and MBA are equally valued but differ in focus; PGDM emphasizes practical skills, MBA can be broader.

PGDM isn’t actually “in” MBA, but rather a separate diploma program focused on management.

The average PGDM salary in India ranges from ₹5 LPA to ₹20 LPA depending on specialization and experience.

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