PGPM vs PGDM: Which is Right for You?

Vaishali Pandey
October 30, 2024

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PGPM vs PGDM: Which is Right for You?

Many courses are available to advance your career in business management, but you are confused about which is best. PGDM, PGPM, or MBA- which course should you consider? PGPM is for managerial roles; PGDM focuses on practical skills and is suitable for both freshers and experienced professionals. MBA is a traditional course in the job market. 

Explore the difference between PGPM vs PGDM along with the MBA and PGDM differences that will help candidates select the right course.

What is PGPM?

PGPM, or Postgraduate Program in Management, is for those who have completed their graduation and want to upgrade their management skills. The PGPM course is two years long, but few colleges offer a one-year PGP course, which can benefit working professionals. 

This course provides the students with managerial skills through theoretical and practical knowledge gained through projects and internships.

What is PGDM?

PGDM, or Postgraduate Diploma in Management, helps students gain all the necessary skills required in the business industry. The PGDM course is similar to an MBA but focuses more on industry-centric subjects. This course provides a deep understanding of business tasks. 

The PGDM course prepares students to become professors and lecturers at educational and research institutes, with specialisation courses in management, accounting, and business.

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The Difference Between PGPM and PGDM

The following table shows the key differences between PGPM and PGDM courses, including course duration, eligibility, career opportunities and top recruiters.

Parameters PGPM PGDM
Full form Post Graduate Program in Management Post Graduate Diploma in Management
Curriculum Practical, leadership-focused Theoretical and practical
Course Duration One year Two years
Eligibility Graduation with 50% marks Minimum two years of experience
Entrance Exam
  • CAT
  • MAT
  • GMAT
  • XAT
Average Course Fee INR 19 - 24 lakhs INR 4 - 10 lakhs
Average Salary INR 13 - 20 LPA INR 10 - 14 LPA
Career Opportunities
  • Teaching
  • Brand Manager
  • Business Consultant
  • Strategic Project Manager
  • PR Manager
  • Senior Operations Manager
  • VP of Operations
  • Head of Marketing
  • Senior Management Consultant
  • HR Manager
  • Finance Manager
  • Digital Marketing Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Accounts Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Healthcare & Hospital Manager
Top Recruiters
  • Cognizant
  • Accenture
  • Bharti Airtel
  • Flipkart
  • Amazon
  • ITC
  • Deloitte
  • Citi Bank
  • PwC
  • Deloitte
  • Infosys
  • KPMG
  • TCS
  • ITC
  • EY

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PGPM vs PGDM: Job Opportunities

Each course offers unique job opportunities in different domains. Here, we will explore the domains and job opportunities each course provides. 

Factors PGPM PGDM
Domains
  • Human Resource Management
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Brand Management
  • Product Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Business Development
  • Data Analysis
  • Sales
  • Operations
Jobs
  • Senior HR Manager
  • Senior Financial Analyst
  • Senior Accountant
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Senior SAP Consultant
  • Senior Product Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • HR Manager
  • Business Development Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • SAP Consultant

PGPM vs PGDM: Salary

PGPM and PGDM offer great career opportunities in different job roles and salary packages. Below is the comparison between job profiles and their average salaries after completing these courses.

Course Name Jobs Salary
PGDM Operations Manager INR 8.28 lakhs
PGDM Human Resource Manager INR 7.7 lakhs
PGDM Business Development Manager INR 7.43 lakhs
PGPM IT Manager INR 20 lakhs
PGPM Operational Manager INR 20 lakhs
PGPM Project Manager INR 10 lakhs

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PGPM vs PGDM: Eligibility Criteria

While both courses have similar eligibility criteria, they differ regarding entrance exam requirements and work experience. 

Eligibility Criteria PGPM PGDM
Bachelor's Degree Graduation with 50% or above marks. Reserved category students require 45% or above marks. Graduation with 50% or above marks.
Work Experience Minimum two years of work experience. Up to 5 years of work experience is also considered, depending on the college you select. Freshers can apply. Work experience is not mandatory, but a maximum of 5 years is accepted.
Entrance Exam GMAT CAT, MAT, XAT

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PGPM vs PGDM: Top Colleges

It is essential to review the colleges offering these courses when choosing between PGPM or PGDM courses.

Here are the top 5 PGPM Colleges with their course fees:

College Name Course Fee
IIM Ahmedabad INR 11.50 lakhs
IIM Calcutta INR 11.10 lakhs
IIM Indore INR 8.05 lakhs
Great Lakes Institute of Management INR 15.86 lakhs
Management Development Institute INR 8 lakhs

Here are the top 5 PGDM Colleges with their course fees:

College Name Course Fee
IIM Kozhikode INR 20.5 lakhs
IIM Mumbai INR 8.5 lakhs
XLRI INR 2.9 lakhs
Goa Institute of Management INR 18.2 lakhs
Great Lakes Institute of Management INR 9 lakhs

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PGPM vs PGDM: Specialisation

Both PGPM and PGDM offer multiple specialisation courses that allow students to tailor their education to their career goals. Below is the list of specialisation options available for each program:

PGPM Specializations PGDM Specializations
Finance Marketing Management
Analytics Operations Management
Information Management & Analytics Hospital and Healthcare Management
International Business Business Consulting
Sales and Marketing Rural Management
Operations Business Intelligence
Business Analytics Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Human Resource Management Human Resource Management
Information Technology Financial Management

PGPM vs PGDM: Course Benefits

Here are the benefits provided by each course:

PGDM Course Benefits PGPM Course Benefits
Gain practical knowledge for real-world challenges. Help candidates to understand the challenges in business.
Provide various career opportunities for experienced professionals to learn and grow. The candidate will develop strategic planning and implementation skills through the theoretical components.
Gain valuable networks and insights within the industry. Explore strategic concepts and their implementation in business.
Extracurricular activities like fests and events help candidates develop organisational skills, personality development, and teamwork skills. Enhance teamwork and leadership skills through projects and activities.

When to Choose? PGPM vs PGDM

Choose PGPM if you want to:

  • Advance your career in a leadership role
  • Increase your earning potential
  • Access more and better career opportunities

Choose PGDM if you want to:

  • Learn specialised business skills
  • Gain practical knowledge
  • Advance your career
  • Develop industry-relevant skills

PGPM vs PGDM: Skills Required

Before deciding which course to choose, it is essential to understand the skills needed for each program. Below is a list of the skills required for PGPM and PGDM.

Skills Required for PGPM Skills Required for PGDM
Communication skills Communication skills
Analytical skills Analytical skills
Decision-making skills Decision-making skills
Ethical reasoning skills Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving skills Time management skills
Time management skills Teamwork skills
Teamwork skills Adaptability
Adaptability Leadership skills
Leadership skills Analytical problem-solving skills
Business knowledge Business knowledge
Innovative thinking skills Innovation thinking skills
Research skills Research skills
Computer skills Computer skills
Foreign language skills Foreign language skills

Many candidates think that PGPM is similar to an MBA. No, it is different. In the next section, you will learn how PGPM differs from other management qualification courses like MBA.

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Difference Between PGPM vs MBA

When considering advanced education in business management, students are confused between a Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Which one to select?

Both programs provide essential business skills and knowledge. Understanding the differences between PGPM and MBA programs is important for choosing the right path for your career.

Parameters PGPM MBA
Full Form Post Graduate Program in Management Master of Business Administration
Course Duration One year Two years
Total number of colleges in India 73 5700+
Eligibility Bachelor’s degree with 50% or above marks 3 years of Bachelor's degree with 50% or above marks
Entrance exam
  • CAT
  • GMAT
  • XAT
  • XAT
  • SNAP
  • NMAT
  • CMAT
  • IIFT
  • MAT
  • MAH CET
  • IBSAT
Average course fee INR 10 - 25 lakhs INR 10-20 lakhs
Average Salary INR 19 - 23 LPA INR 11 - 14 LPA
Career Opportunities
  • Teaching
  • Brand Manager
  • Research Analysts
  • PR Manager
  • Sales Analyst
  • HR Manager
  • Strategic Manager
  • Credit Analysts
  • Investment Banker
  • Relationship Manager
  • Banking
  • Financial Analyst
  • Finance Manager
  • Treasurer
  • Healthcare Management
Specialisations
  • General management
  • Finance
  • IT
  • HR
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Marketing
  • Human Resource Management
  • Consulting
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Operations
  • General Management
  • Global Management
  • Management Information Systems
  • Technology Management
Top recruiters
  • Deloitte
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • HCL Technologies
  • Cognizant
  • Accenture
  • Gartner
  • Godrej & Boyce
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Amazon
  • JP Morgan
  • AT Kearney
  • Microsoft

Students might also consider PGP courses instead of PGDM courses. Both courses provide good career opportunities and salaries in top companies, so it is important to know the difference between them. Discover Which course is Best after MBA? 15 Top Courses After MBA that can enhance your skills and boost your career.

Difference Between PGP vs PGDM

The PGP course is for freshers with no prior work experience. It gives a solid foundation in management principles. The PGDM courses are for those candidates who have prior work experience. It is more suitable for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise or shift their career focus.

Here is the difference between the PGP vs PGDM courses that will help you to choose the best course for your future career.

Parameters PGP PGDM
Full form Post Graduate Program Post Graduate Diploma in Management
Course Duration 2 years 2 years
Entrance Exam CAT
GMAT
CAT
XAT
MAT
Eligibility Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% or above Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% or above
Work experience Not Mandatory. Freshers can also apply 2 years of work experience is required.
Average Course Cost INR 14 - 31 lakhs INR 4 - 10 lakhs
Average Salary INR 20 - 30 lakhs INR 6 - 15 lakhs
Career Opportunities
  • Consulting
  • Finance
  • IT/ITES
  • FMCG
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Startups
  • Finance Manager
  • Digital Marketing Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Accounts Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Healthcare & Hospital Manager
Specialisations
  • Portfolio Management
  • Marketing
  • Financial Accounting and Decision Making
  • Managerial Economics
  • Marketing Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Government, Society, and Business
  • Marketing Management
  • Hospital & Healthcare Management
  • Human Resource
  • International Business
  • Business Analysts
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Information Technology
  • Financial Management
Top Recruiters
  • Amazon
  • TCS
  • Microsoft
  • HDFC Bank
  • Deloitte
  • Deloitte
  • Infosys
  • KPMG
  • TCS
  • ITC
  • EY

When considering the managerial career path, it is important to explore PGDM vs MBA: Which is Better for Your Career? This will help students to find which option is best for them.

Understanding the differences between MBA, PGPM, PGDM, and PGP programs can help students and working professionals choose the right course for their future needs.

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FAQ for PGPM vs PGDM

Which course is better, PGPM or PGDM?

The choice between PGPM and PGDM depends on your career goals and personal circumstances. PGPM is typically more suitable for fresh graduates, while PGDM may be a better fit for those with work experience looking to advance their careers.

Are PGPM and MBA the same?

No, a PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management) is not the same as an MBA (Master of Business Administration). While both programs focus on management education, they have different structures, course durations, and sometimes different eligibility criteria.

What are the disadvantages of PGPM?

One disadvantage of PGPM is that it may not be as widely recognised as an MBA in some industries. Additionally, some PGPM programs may focus more on theoretical knowledge rather than practical experience.

Which is better, an MBA or a PGDM?

This depends on individual preferences and career aspirations. An MBA is often viewed as a more traditional and recognised degree, while a PGDM may offer course flexibility and specialisation options.

What is the average salary of PGPM in India?

The average salary for PGPM graduates in India typically ranges from INR 20 to 30 lakhs per annum.

Does IIM offer a PGPM course?

Yes, several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) offer PGPM courses like IIM Tiruchirapalli, IIM Bangalore etc.

Is there a 1-year PGDM course?

Yes, ISBR Business School offers 1 year of PGDM course with 5 lakhs of course fee.

Can I do a PhD after PGDM?

Yes, you can pursue a PhD after completing a PGDM, provided you meet the specific admission requirements of the institution offering the PhD program.

What is the full form of PGPM?

The full form of PGPM is the Graduate Program in Management.

Is CAT required for the PGPM course?

Yes, many institutions require the Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission into PGPM courses.

What is next after PGDM and PGPM?

After completing PGDM or PGPM, graduates can pursue various career opportunities in management or consider further studies such as a PhD or specialised certifications.

Which is more cost-effective, PGPM vs PGDM?

PGDM programs are generally more cost-effective, with average course fees ranging from INR 4 to 10 lakhs, compared to PGPM courses, which can cost between INR 14 to 31 lakhs.

Who earns more, PGPM or PGDM?

PGPM graduates typically earn more, with average salaries ranging from INR 20 to 30 lakhs, compared to PGDM graduates, who earn between INR 6 to 15 lakhs.

Which course is more suitable for a career switch, PGPM vs PGDM?

Both PGPM and PGDM can facilitate a career switch, but PGDM may be more beneficial for those with prior work experience, as it often focuses on practical skills and specialised knowledge.

What are the eligibility criteria that highlight the MBA and PGDM difference?

Both MBA and PGDM programs generally require a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. However, PGDM programs often require 2 years of work experience, which is not mandatory for an MBA.

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