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Kamaldeep
22 April, 2024
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Tea or coffee?
Beach or mountains?
MBA or PGDM?
Don’t you think these are some of the hardest choices to make? Tea and coffee are both beverages we often drink. Ok, I don’t drink that often. I only drink 7 cups of coffee per day. The beach and the mountains are both tourist destinations. Similarly, MBA and PGDM are postgraduate programmes in the management domain.
We often use the terms MBA and PGDM interchangeably. But are they really different? Most people don’t even know that they are different until they are in search of a good institute.
In a commoner’s terms, they are like Karan Arjun. MBA stands for Master of Business Administration; on the other hand, PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. From the bird’s-eye view, they both look the same, but there are some differences. The most common is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree universities offer. The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a diploma offered by institutes and universities.
However, there are more noticeable differences that can influence your career decision. In this blog, we will compare the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) to better understand their differences.
Ok, then sit back, grab some coffee, and relax. (It’s my 8th coffee, BTW.)
Online MBA programmes cover a wide range of aspects related to business administration, such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and many more. These will be covered in the next two years. On the other hand, online PGDM programmes also cover similar points, but the approach is different.
In the online MBA programme, the curriculum is fixed, and most of it is theoretical. However, things changed in PGDM as industry veterans designed its course curriculum to keep up with industry requirements. The curriculum focuses on practical skills, knowledge, and hands-on learning by implementing innovative pedagogy. It uses extracurricular activities like business competitions and events to develop business acumen essential for students’ success.
Universities, which come under the University Grants Commission (UGC), are only allowed to offer MBA degrees. Generally, they are accredited by the UGC. However, when it comes to online PGDM, the accreditation body is different; they are typically accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the common accreditation body for both.
As already discussed, Universities that have recognition from UGC, can provide an MBA degree, and institutes that are not recognised by UGC but have accreditation from NBA and AICTE can provide PGDM.
So, let’s see some of the popular institutions/colleges in India that provide online MBA and online PGDM courses.
| Online MBA Colleges | Online PGDM Colleges |
| Manipal University | SP Jain Institute of Management and Research |
| Amity University | MDI, Gurgaon |
| Dr. DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune | XLRI |
| University of Mysore | Welingkar Weschool |
| Jain University | MIT Pune |
Related: Top 10 Online MBA Colleges in India
Ultimately, it all boils down to career; we are all doing it for the career itself. They offer an education in business management, but their curriculum and course delivery make a big difference in career opportunities.
Online MBAs, more focused on the theoretical part, are better suited for roles in academia and research. On the other hand, online PGDM is more focused on practical learning and industry trends. It is more optimal for a career in entrepreneurship.
But in the end, it all depends on the candidate’s potential and his/her soft skills.
Both have pros and cons. The following are some of the top opportunities after successfully completing an online MBA or PGDM.
| Roles After Online MBA | Roles After Online PGDM |
| Management Consultant | Business Analyst |
| Marketing Manager | Project Manager |
| Finance Manager | Sales Manager |
| Operations Manager | Product Manager |
| Human Resources Manager | Risk Manager |
| Business Development Manager | IT Manager |
When it comes to the entrance exam, both courses accept various exam scores like CAT, GMAT, and XAT. But it varies from institute to institute. Some institutes offering online MBAs accept CAT scores, while others conduct their own entrance exam. A similar case is for PGDM.
Institutes like Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Mudra Institute of Communications in Ahmedabad conduct their own entrance exams.
There is little difference in eligibility requirements for an online MBA and an online PGDM. The former usually requires a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks. However, some institutes have their own eligibility requirements for both.
While they may look similar, some noticeable differences between an online MBA and an online PGDM, like the course structure, accreditation, career opportunities, entrance exam, and eligibility, can significantly affect students’ decision-making processes. Based on the individual’s goals and interests, one of the online MBAs or PGDMs can be the best move.
Consider these points before making your decision.
At last, it’s your own hard work that will shape your future. Success awaits.
