Both MBA and PGDM are highly lucrative programmes for business management aspirants. As such, it is difficult to differentiate between the two as both of them a
Small-scale as well as large-scale start-ups and business ventures are burgeoning all over the world. Prospective entrepreneurs, managers and others who are keen on embarking upon their business journeys are constantly on the lookout for a formal degree that will give them the edge in a vast, competitive business market.While MBA is short for Masters in Business Administration, PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. As their names suggest, MBA is a degree programme, whereas PGDM is a diploma course. However, the latter is considered as an equivalent to an MBA degree and is quickly becoming the go-to course for entrepreneurs and corporate workers. There are a number of other minor differences between MBA and PGDM. They vary according to factors such as course expenditure, syllabus to be covered, entrance examinations, etc. Although subtle, a close scrutiny of the differences between the two courses would help anyone wanting to make a mark in their business career. Choosing the right course of study is, after all, a vital career choice. Making an informed decision after considering all the available options is the key. Course ExpenditureAs per latest reports, according to the type of MBA (executive MBA, part-time MBA, distance MBA, etc.), the standard range of MBA tuition fees is from ₹10 lakhs to ₹23 lakhs in Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which are premier government-approved institutes of management education and research in India.Currently, PGDM fees range from ₹15 lakhs to ₹23 lakhs in IIMs. Considering all management institutes in India, the average course fees ranges from ₹1 lakh to ₹15 lakhs per annum. This is a good indicator of how course expenditures can vary from one institute to another.The best thing about both MBA and PGDM is that students from all streams of discipline, i.e. Science, Commerce, Arts/Humanities can apply. But admission depends on the successful clearance of certain entrance tests which are not the same for both courses.On the other hand, admission in PGDM courses mostly require the passing of National Level Entrance Exams like CAT (Common Admission Test), MAT (Management Aptitude Test), XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test), or ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions). AIMS stands for Acharya Institutes for Management and Sciences, a private institution affiliated to Bangalore University.The syllabus for an MBA course is designed by the university. It is more rigid in nature than the ones designed for PGDM courses. MBA programmes are more theoretical in their approach. The focus is more on the development of basic and advanced concepts in business studies. This ensures a sound, solid training for the students eager to showcase their knowledge in the business world and even become brilliant academicians and business educators themselves in the future.
Career GoalsThose who want to establish themselves as self-made entrepreneurs or work in large-scale private corporations, would do well to obtain a PGD in Management. In private companies, the designations of business manager, HR manager, client relationship manager, marketing assistant, management trainer, finance executive, among others, look for candidates who are PGDM holders. This is a direct result of the skill-oriented training programmes incorporated in PGDM courses, designing the syllabus according to the needs of the industry at the moment.
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