PGDM vs. MBA: Difference between PGDM and MBA

The dilemma of PGDM vs. MBA has been a hot question for all the applicants ready to pursue a postgraduate course in management. The trouble usually arises because students are not completely aware of the similarities or differences between MBA and PGDM.

Let's talk about the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), before the IIM Act 2017; it has conferred PGDM as a degree, which gained noteworthy popularity for PGDM courses. But still, the word Diploma also has a stain attached to it in India. Therefore, it is necessary to know what parameters to see before taking admission into an appropriate course – PGDM or MBA.

Let's try to make you understand difference between PGDM and MBA.

One of the main differences while comparing PGDM and MBA is that Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a diploma course offered by independent institutes/B-schools,  whereas Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a degree course that can only be offered by any college which is affiliated to a university.

Just for your understanding, IIM's too granted PGDM before the IIM Act 2017, when they were under the umbrella of the Societies Act. Since Societies aren’t likely to offer degrees, so IIMs started offering diploma courses. But after the passing of the IIM Act 2017, they were termed anew as institutes of national significance and were established eligible for granting degree courses. But yet, not all IIMs have started awarding MBA degrees, some IIM's decided to adhere to granting diplomas as they’ve now brand equity attached to it. Initially, IIM Bangalore was the first IIM to grant a degree in 2018, followed by Indore, Ahmedabad, and Calcutta.

What is the difference between MBA and PGDM?

Let's evaluate similarities and differences between PGDM and MBA, is the key to finding which course suits your career needs. In the table here, we have differentiated PGDM vs. MBA on some parameters that should give you transparency about their compatibility with your demands.

 

PGDM vs. MBA

PGDM

MBA

Eligibility

·    Both are full-time graduate degree or diploma of a minimum of two years duration. ·    Different B-schools or colleges set different cut-offs as percentages obtained in graduation. However, on a broad basis, 50% is the accepted percentage level. ·     Students appearing in the final year of bachelor’s degree are eligible for admission, provided he/she can produce a letter from their college’s head confirming their present status as claimed.

Entrance Exams for Both

MAT, CAT, CMAT, IIFT,  NMAT, SNAP, GMAT, IRMASAT,               XAT, etc.

Qualification

Diploma course

Degree course

Course Structure and Approach

·  PGDM has Industry oriented program focused more on building soft skills. ·   It has mostly a trimester-based system.

·  But, MBA has University approved curriculum, hence, mostly theoretical based and uniform across institutes affiliated to a university. ·  It has mostly a semester-based system.

Accreditation

·      AICTE ( Accredited by All India Council for Technical Education)

· UGC ( Accredited by University Grants Commission)

 

Both PGDM and MBA are seen as equivalent while recruitment. The influencing factor is mostly the universities and colleges offering MBA. Also, while PGDM courses are industry-oriented and preferred by the corporates, they might have to face roadblocks while applying to pursue higher education or jobs overseas. Still, there are some differences in the way these courses – PGDM and MBA are designed; the aim is ultimately to make the student ready for Industry. 

Conclusion:

However, despite several differences between both the courses – PGDM and MBA, the major influencing factor is the institute providing them. Recruiters frequently quantify the diploma or degree obtained by a student looking at skills owned by the student and the brand equity of the institution. Although, PGDM courses absolutely are known to lay more impetus on sharpening the skill set while MBA degree colleges focus more on management theory. But caution requires to be kept while getting admission to PGDM courses. As the awarding institutes are autonomous, checking their course’s accreditation becomes of most importance, without which there can be critical cases of fraud.