Most of the things around us are about management and crafting out practical solutions to business problems. Management courses lift your feet off the ground and expose you to wide avenues. With extensive knowledge about the working of businesses and their operations and precise application in the real world, degrees like MBA, BBA, and PGDM provide endless possibilities. BBA is a UG degree, whilst in the PG department, PGDM vs MBA is a common confusion in a student’s mind.
PGDM is essentially a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, while an MBA is a Masters in Business Administration. It is clear from the name that one is a diploma course and the other, a master’s degree. Though many colleges like NIET, Greater Noida, offer PGDM courses, when it comes to popularity amongst students in the PGDM vs MBA debate, the latter holds more ground and is extensively sought after.
In a general viewpoint, PGDM courses are known to be less desirable amongst students, and understanding the key difference between the two becomes pivotal to being able to choose one! The major difference in PGDM vs MBA is that the latter, MBA is a degree course that is offered by the colleges affiliated to universities like NIET, Greater Noida, whereas PGDM is a diploma course offered by autonomous institutes. Apart from that, there isn’t any significant difference.
Parameters of differences- PGDM vs MBA
Apart from the basic differences, there are minute things that differ here and there but in a larger context of deciding a career, they hold a considerable significance and hence, must be taken into consideration. The major differences between the two programs are :
- Syllabus– In most cases, the MBA course curriculum is designed by the university and will be more or less the same in all MBA colleges under the same university. On the other hand, PGDM courses are designed by individual institutions and this provides flexibility and uniqueness to the course curriculum. The syllabus can be updated regularly in sync with the industry requirements, while universities lag behind in making swift changes.
- The focus of study- The core subjects are common in both degrees, but the key difference in PGDM vs MBA comes in the approach of education. Where PGDM courses are more hands-on and practically aligned, MBA focuses more on the theoretical aspects. PGDM in colleges like NMIMS and NIET, Greater Noida has a dynamically updated course structure, changing according to the industry standards.
- Cost– In general, MBA programs have more affordable and lower tuition fees as compared to PGDM courses. It is not a consistent observation as in some places, the case might be the opposite. But as general logic, The MBA universities, with their access to grants and government support are able to pull down the money they have to charge from the students as compared to the independently- run PGDM institutions.
- Innovation and Education– When it comes to PGDM vs MBA, PGDM courses are more multidimensional and practically inclined. With cases, presentations, short-term training, and an emphasis on finding practical solutions to all problems, PGDM ranks above the more conventional and theoretical MBA courses.
- Examinations- PGDM institutions are authorized by an approving body like AICTE to host and conduct exams, while MBA exams are conducted by the university and are much more uniform across all colleges of that university.
- Higher Studies- After an MBA, students are eligible to pursue Ph.D. in Management. But since Ph.D. is a doctorate degree, that can only be registered for after completing a master’s degree, PGDM students will not be able to pursue a Ph.D.
Colleges and Universities – Which offers which?
Some colleges offer both courses, while some focus on only one. Generally speaking, if an institution offers MBA, there are high chances they also offer PGDM. Here is a list :
- MBA– IIM-A, IIM-B, NMIMS, IIFT-Delhi, FMS-DU, JBIMS-Mumbai, IIT-DOMS -Kharagpur, Bombay, Delhi, Roorkee, Madras, Kanpur, and NIET, Greater Noida
- PGDM- Symbiosis, IMT Ghaziabad, NMIMS, XLRI, SPJIMR, IIM-Calcutta.
Choose a college which provides all the aspects. Don’t just focus on the degree, focus on the learning and growth. Colleges like NIET, Greater Noida, and IIMs offer practically inclined, industry-level MBA courses which are better than most PGDM from a lower-tier college.
Despite a lot of small differences between both the courses, the major factor to be considered is the institute providing them as recruiters look for skills and intent more than the degree and course.
