PGDM: Full Form, Course, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Colleges, Salary 2024

PGDM full form is a Postgraduate Diploma in Management. It is a two-year diploma program that focuses on the management field. The PGDM course is offered by an autonomous B-school recognized by AICTE. PGDM and MBA are similar courses that deal with management studies. PGDM is considered equivalent to an MBA degree if the college is approved by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Candidates must have graduated (preferably with a degree in management) to be eligible for the PGDM course. Nonetheless, graduates from any field are eligible to apply for this program. PGDM admission is primarily based on entrance exams like MAT, CAT, XAT, etc.

The PGDM course syllabus is industry-aligned with market trends, which makes it a popular course among students. Post completion of the PGDM course, students are open to several PGDM jobs, such as Business Consultant, Administrative Officer, Finance Manager, HR Manager, PR Officer, Marketing Executive, etc.  The PGDM average salary for these roles ranges between INR 4 and 10 LPA.

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PGDM Course

What is a PGDM Course?

PGDM's full form is a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, and it is a practical and industry-focused management course. The PGDM admission process and fees vary from college to college. While some colleges use entrance exams to grant PGDM admissions, others use a merit-based system.

The course curriculum is relatively similar to that of an MBA, and it aims to provide students with management training programs through rigorous case studies and seminars to prepare them for the workplace.

PGDM Course Fees and Duration

Depending on the colleges, PGDM course fees vary. Private institutions may charge significant tuition fees for admission to a postgraduate diploma in management, whilst government colleges may only charge a small fee. Typically, PGDM course fees range between INR 3 and 12 lakhs.

Why Pursue PGDM Course?

Students who desire to pursue professions in the management industry find PGDM very challenging. that the PGDM program is quite rigorous. Within organizations, MNCs, and organizations, there is a significant demand for managers, leaders, functional heads, and specialized executives.  As a result, students are more eager to join this PGDM course.

• Versatile Course: The PGDM Syllabus is structured to help students develop their professional expertise in any sector. For their general growth, students who have earned a bachelor's degree in any discipline with the required percentage can enroll in the PGDM course.
• Interdisciplinary Degree: The Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is an interdisciplinary course that integrates management, accounting, economics, and other streams to fulfill industry needs.
• Manager-level positions: The need for quality managers is growing throughout the nation daily. To fulfill industry standards, organizations frequently spend a significant amount of money on their employees' training and development. The PGDM course assists students in preparing themselves as per industry and market requirements.
• Career Upliftment: The PGDM course aids students in moving up the career ladder. It helps to modify the CV and add skills to the resume to be more employable in the eyes of prospective employers.
• Increased Salary: It offers salary increments and promotions to the candidates as per market standards.

Types of PGDM

There are numerous options available for the students to select from the various types of PGDM courses offered due to an increase in the demand for PGDM courses. There are three modes for the PGDM course, which are:

1. PGDM in Full-time mode
2. PGDM in Online Mode
3. PGDM in Distance Mode

Full-Time PGDM

The PGDM course in full-time mode gives students an in-depth understanding of industry norms and requirements. This PGDM course format is the most popular. PGDM course fees for full-time can be anywhere between INR 4 to 24 LPA as per the colleges.

Online PGDM

Short-term online PGDM courses are provided by many online learning platforms and can be extremely helpful in mastering a certain topic or subject. The edtech institutes provide a variety of management specializations as per the industry trends, which can help advance in a professional career. Moreover, the course curriculum of these online PGDM courses is constantly updated as per the latest trends.

Distance PGDM

The distance PGDM course is conducted in distance mode for which students need not regularly attend the college. This type of course is extremely useful for working professionals.

Distance PGDM Top Colleges

The graph below displays the top PGDM colleges in India:

IGNOU PGDM

NMIMS University Distance PGDM

Symbiosis Distance PGDM

PGDM Subjects

The PGDM subjects can be classified into four semesters. The course curriculum is in line with industry standards and norms, assisting the student in becoming employable and landing better employment opportunities. Most of the theory and fundamental subjects are covered in the first and second semesters. The students must complete a required internship as part of the course to assist them in becoming used to the industry demands and problems.

The subjects for PGDM are divided into two sections, a series of required subjects called core subjects that cover all management fundamentals and a set of elective subjects that focus on developing job-specific skills and knowledge.

Here is a list of both types of subjects:

Core Subjects

• Macro Economics
• Business Statistics
• Business Law
• Marketing Research
• Marketing Management
• Production of Ops Management
• Management Information System
• Financial Accounting for Decision-Making

Elective Subjects

• Digital Marketing
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Web and Social Media Analytics
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Strategy Execution

PGDM Syllabus

The PGDM syllabus is broken up into four semesters. Each semester covers some important topics followed by semester-end examinations. The tabulated form below mentions the semester-wise syllabus of the PGDM course:

PGDM Syllabus First-Year

PGDM Syllabus Second Year

Course Comparison: PGDM vs Other Courses

PGDM vs MBA

While MBA and PGDM are both popular choices for management careers, there are a few differences between these courses. The tabulated form below lists the difference between PGDM and MBA on various parameters such as qualification, eligibility, fees, admission, entrance exams, jobs, and salary.

More MBA Courses: 

PGDM vs PGPM

The tabulated form below lists the difference between PGDM and PGPM on various parameters such as qualification, eligibility, fees, admission, entrance exams, jobs, and salary.

PGDM Specializations

Given below is the list of the PGDM specializations that candidates can opt for as per their areas of interest and preferences:

• PGDM in Human Resource Management
• PGDM in Information Technology
• PGDM in Sales and Marketing
• PGDM in Digital Marketing
• PGDM in Entrepreneurship
• PGDM in Business Analytics
• PGDM in International Business
• PGDM in Supply Chain Management
• PGDM in Banking and Finance Management
• PGDM in Hospitality Management

Given below is detailed information on some of the most popular specializations in PGDM or Postgraduate Diploma in Management:

PGDM in Finance

Students who are interested in learning about the various facets of financial management, such as working capital management, international finance, etc., should take this specialization. PGDM in finance educates you on how to make balance sheets and examine various notions of cost minimization.

PGDM in HR

PGDM in HR is geared to help students master and build a career in human resource management. Students who complete the program will have the abilities and information needed to manage human resources in an organization. Human Resource Information Systems, Performance Management, Human Resource Planning, Training and Development, and Compensation Administration are the main subjects studied in this curriculum.

PGDM in Business Analytics

To give meaningful information from the data that has been gathered, processed, and analyzed, the PGDM in Business Analytics promises to train students and provide expertise in terms of business analytics processes, tools, and methodologies.

PGDM in Marketing

All aspects of marketing management, marketing research, etc. are covered in this specialization. The PGDM in Marketing teaches students how to use a variety of tactics and tools to raise the value or market worth of company products and services.

PGDM in Operations Management

This course aims to give students the skills they need to deliver high-quality services quickly and affordably. Professionals and students who want to study the various competencies connected to the efficient and effective functioning of the operations department pursue the PGDM in Operations Management.

PGDM in International Business

This two-year program offers more in-depth instruction in the subject of international business and its connected areas. Colleges like the Asian Business School and the Indian Institute of International Trade offer PGDM courses in international business.

Skills Required for PGDM

Just like every job requires certain skills, here is a list of skills that employers look for candidates with a degree in PGDM:

• Communication Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Cross-cultural competency
• Leadership Skills
• Teamwork

PGDM Eligibility

Candidates for admission must hold a bachelor's degree in any subject from a reputable university or institute with a minimum average score of 50%. However, to get admission to prestigious colleges like IIMs, a minimum of 60% or 6.5 CGPA on a scale of 10 is required at the graduation level. There is no set age limit for taking a postgraduate diploma in management.

PGDM Entrance Exams 2024

Check out the PGDM entrance exam dates conducted at national, state, and university level:

CAT

CAT stands for Common Admission Test.  It is a common entrance exam for admissions into IIMs and other reputable higher education universities in India.

XAT

XAT stands for Xavier Aptitude Test. XLRI, Jamshedpur administers this entrance exam to grant admission to MBA/PGDM courses in the university.

MAT

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level entrance exam for MBA/PGDM admissions. It is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA).

NMAT

NMAT refers to the National Management Admission Test. It is conducted by NMIMS University and other famous B-Schools in India for admissions into MBA and PGDM courses.

GMAT

GMAT is another entrance exam that is organized by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for admissions into MBA, PGDM, and other management degrees.

ATMA

ATMA stands for AIMS Test for Management Admissions. It is a national-level exam, which is conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) for admission into MBA, PGDM, MCA, and other courses.

CAT vs MAT

CAT and MAT are two of the top PGDM entrance exams. Nearly all Indian colleges accept these two PGDM entrance tests. The CAT and MAT exam formats are slightly different. IIMs only take CAT scores.

Given below is the distinction between CAT and MAT based on various parameters:

PGDM Admission Process

• The prerequisite for PGDM course admission is a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 50%.
• Accepted entrance exams for PGDM Admission include CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, SNAP, CMAT, ATMA
• Top universities including IIMs, IITs, FMS Delhi, and XLRI provide the professional 2-year degree program known as PGDM in the management stream.
• PGDM admission costs vary between 3-12 lakhs.
• Academicians advise applicants to select the best business school possible, even after achieving a 99% CAT score.

Top PGDM Colleges in India 

The graph below displays the top colleges for PGDM or postgraduate diploma in management courses in India:

PGDM Region-Wise Course Fees

This section emphasizes the city-wise top colleges to pursue a postgraduate diploma in management or PGDM courses. Students belonging to different cities can find their best pick of colleges as per their location.

PGDM Colleges in Mumbai

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Mumbai along with their course fees:

PGDM Colleges in Delhi

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Delhi along with their course fees:

PGDM Colleges in Bangalore

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Bangalore along with their course fees:

PGDM Colleges in Chennai

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Chennai along with their course fees:

PGDM Colleges in Pune

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Pune along with their course fees:

PGDM Colleges in Hyderabad

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Hyderabad along with their course fees:

PGDM Colleges in Kolkata

Here is a list of the top PGDM colleges in Kolkata along with their course fees:

PGDM College Rankings

This section provides the college rankings in India that offer PGDM courses:

Top PGDM Colleges as per India Today Ranking

The table below displays the top PGDM colleges as per India Today Rankings:

Top PGDM Colleges as per NIRF Ranking 2023

The table below displays the top PGDM colleges in India as per NIRF Rankings:

Top PGDM Colleges Accepting Entrance Exams

The table below shows the top PGDM colleges and the entrance exams that they accept to grant admissions into PGDM courses:

PGDM Abroad

As per PGDM eligibility criteria for abroad, students must have completed a bachelor's degree in business or a related discipline with at least a 50% aggregate score from an accredited university.

US

UK

Australia

Canada

PGDM Jobs and Salary

The graph below compares the average salary for various PGDM jobs:

PGDM Top Recruiters

Here is a list of the top recruiting companies that hire postgraduate diploma holders in management:

• TCS
• Capgemini
• Accenture
• Deloitte
• EY (Ernst & Young)
• Cognizant
• Wipro Technologies Ltd.
• HCL Technologies Ltd.
• Infosys Limited

PGDM Placements: Company-wise

Given below are the salary packages offered by different companies that participate in the placement drive across top PGDM colleges in India:

PGDM Placements: College-wise

The best placement opportunities are available to students in universities around the nation through the PGDM program. The average income of the best PGDM colleges in the nation is shown below:

How to Choose the Right PGDM Course?

Here are a few factors to consider while choosing the right PGDM course:

Rankings and Accreditations

 AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS, and NBA accreditations awarded by national as well as international bodies can be used to gauge the quality in the management domain. Rankings by private and public bodies such as NIRF rankings, Outlook India, and Business Today can also be used to consider top B-schools.

Curriculum and Faculty

Both curriculum and faculty play an important role in making a PGDM course significant. An up-to-date curriculum including modern-day topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and business analytics fosters an industry-aligned program. Research-oriented faculty have a better value proposition to students in terms of techniques and relevance.

Alumni and Peer Group

Investigating the alumni and peer groups about their current job profiles and diverse backgrounds can say a lot about the PGDM course program.

Live Projects and Summer Internships

Another determining factor involves the focus on experiential learning through live projects and summer internships. In these programs, students get to work under industry experts and acquire first-hand experience with real-time industry problems.

Student Exchange Program

Student exchange programs and student immersion activities can add significant value to your learning curve. Global exposure, interaction with diverse cultured people, and understanding of their behavior a considered factors for choosing a PGDM course.

Placement Reports

Past placement records are one of the most crucial aspects when choosing a PGDM course program. While most students only look at the lowest, average, and highest salaries offered, it is advisable to look at the recruiting companies that visit the campus. Analyze your goals in alignment with the placement records and companies to make an informed PGDM course choice.  

What Can a PGDM Graduate Do?

The PGDM opens up opportunities for a successful management career. However, there are other employment alternatives outside of working for corporations. Graduates of the PGDM course have a range of choices, which are listed below:

• Higher Studies: After finishing the PGDM course, students may continue their education by enrolling in a doctoral program. These programs are offered in a variety of specialist subjects, including management studies, business administration, business management, human resource management, etc.
• Teaching: Graduates who want to impart their knowledge and skills to younger pupils might work as teachers at educational and research institutions.
• Jobs: Depending on the specialization they choose, PGDM degree applicants can follow several professional pathways, including Operations Manager, Project Manager, HR Manager, and Operations Consultant.

Why PGDM Can Be a Promising Career Choice?

PGDM is one of the most sought-after management courses for a wide array of reasons. The training is thorough and offers useful management strategies along with standards that are focused on the business world. Graduates in business administration or management are not the only ones who can take the course.

Anyone interested in PGDM can enroll in the program as long as they meet the requirements and pass the relevant entrance exams. Here are some explanations as to why a PGDM can lead to a lucrative career:

• High Pay: The position is a strong one in the economy since it offers freshmen a decent starting salary and has a lot of senior or experienced grads.
• Exposure: A management degree allows you to observe the real-world business environment through internships, business meetings, and industrial workshops. Before putting the essential business into practice, it is advantageous to have practical knowledge of it.
• Opportunities: One of the most crucial factors that employers take into account when hiring is the management degree. A management degree would also be a wise alternative for people looking to advance in their careers.