MBA vs PGDM: Differences, Eligibility, Admissions, Placements and more

The MBA program stands for Master of Business Administration, while the PGDM program stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. Both programs are two-year courses, and they differ only in a few areas. For instance, the MBA program is a degree program, while the PGDM program is a diploma course. The PGDM program is more industry-oriented, while the MBA program is more theoretical in approach.

The MBA program is recognized and regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), while the PGDM program comes under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The admission process for both programs is similar in nature. Students are required to sit for entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT etc. Top colleges such as IIMs, FMS Delhi, XLRI, IITs, MDI, etc., take WAT/GD/PI before admission.

MBA courses are offered by recognized universities, while PGDM courses are offered by autonomous institutes. The curriculum of the PGDM program changes rapidly depending on the industrial requirements, whereas the curriculum of the MBA program takes around 3-7 years to change. According to reports, the placement rate of PGDM candidates is higher than that of candidates with an MBA degree.

MBA vs PGDM: Highlights:

Candidates can choose between MBA and PGDM based on their curriculum, fees, placements, rankings etc. Some of the common parameters showing the differences between MBA and PGDM programs are listed below.

Specification	MBA	PGDM
Full form of course	Master in Business Administration	Post Graduate Diploma in Management
Course Level	Post Graduate Degree	Post Graduate Diploma
Course Duration	2 Years	2 Years
Recognition	UGC	AICTE
Eligibility	Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks from a recognized university	Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks from a recognized university
Accreditation	University Grants Commission (UGC)	All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Budget	Affordable	Expensive

Main differences between MBA and PGDM

Both MBA and PGDM programs teach management skills but there are some differences between MBA and PGDM courses. The main differences between MBA and PGDM courses are discussed below:

MBA is a post graduate degree program while PGDM is a post graduate diploma program.

MBA comes under University Grants Commission (UGC) while PGDM comes under All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

MBA programs are more theoretical in approach while PGDM programs are more industry-oriented.

Fee Structure:

The PGDM programs are a huge investment of money as the institutions offering them mostly bear all the costs themselves. However, these fees are used to enable global faculty exposure and a cutting-edge curriculum that helps students bag the most prestigious jobs.

MBA programs have lower fees and are comparatively affordable than PGDM programs as they are offered by universities and colleges, most of which are subsidized by the government.

Which is better: MBA or PGDM?

Now that we have provided all the differences between MBA vs PGDM, it is your turn to choose what is best suited for you. However, you can keep these things in mind when choosing:

Ask yourself whether you want just a degree or a more application-based approach to learning

Compare Syllabus - Practical Knowledge vs Theoretical Knowledge

From an educational point of view, if you want to continue higher studies by doing a PhD, then a candidate with an MBA degree is preferred. But if future studies are not on your mind and you are more focused on pursuing your career in the industry, then both offer similar benefits.