MBA vs PGDM: Why MBA Degree Is Better Than AICTE PGDM?

MBA vs PGDM is an ongoing debate, but what is the difference between MBA and PGDM and which is a better program between the two remains a big question for aspiring management students.

Students aspiring to get into Top Business School are searching for the best pathway to achieve their goals. As the entrance season advances, the dilemma for the management aspirants continues – MBA vs PGDM and which Business School to opt for?

EurAsian Times analyses the difference between the two programs and analyses why an MBA Degree could have more advantages than a PGDM Program.

The confusion to select a PGDM or MBA course reaches the peak when the students start visiting the colleges for counselling and GD/PI sessions. All business schools boast about their Excellent Placements Record, Faculty from the IIM’s and IIT’s, International Exposure, etc leaving the management aspirant in a total state of confusion.

What adds to the confusion level are the Education Consultants who further confuse the students for their petty monetary gains. At some point in time, students get so frustrated that they stop taking all the calls for admissions. EurAsian Times crisply attempts to explain the difference between MBA and PGDM.

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MBA vs PGDM: What’s the Difference?

Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is a degree course provided by the University or colleges recognized by the Universities which are approved by University Grants Commission (UGC), and sometimes also by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is also a Masters’s degree program, offered by the autonomous institute or colleges, that have received their approvals from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Some of the top business schools like IIM’s and ISB’s offer PGDM / PGPM program (and strangely they are not approved by the AICTE) as they do not have collaboration with any University. But these B-Schools have an outstanding placement record and great international reputation and do not bother about AICTE approvals. Neither do the organizations show any concern or preference.

Colleges offering the MBA program follow the academic syllabus provided by Universities (which usually cannot be easily modified or changed) while PGDM syllabus is flexible and institutes like IMT, MDI, XLRI, IIFT, SP Jain, NMIMS have the flexibility to modify their course within the AICTE approved parameters giving them a tremendous advantage.

Which Program is Better – MBA or PGDM?

MBA vs PGDM is an unending debate and honestly, a lot depends on which University or College a student is getting (based on entrance exam score like CAT / XAT / MAT etc) rather than the program itself i.e. MBA or PGDM. The PGDM program claims to follow a more practical approach to studies, compared to the MBA (which is not always true).

MBA from top institutions like FMS, IIT, DTU are equally acceptable and sought after in the market. The major difference between MBA and PGDM is that MBA course fee is usually less than the PGDM program, as PGDM comes with a variety of industrial trips, international exposure programs, besides being a revenue generation model for the institutions. (A PGDM Program at the IIM’s could cost up to 28 Lacs, whereas MBA from FMS-Delhi University would only cost about 2 Lacs).

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Corporates recognize talent from both the programs and are more interested in better brands and students, and don’t really care about MBA or PGDM. Students have an apprehension that after PGDM, they would not be able to pursue higher studies like PhD but if a PGDM is AIU approved, students will be eligible for PhD programs as well.

However, be assured that having a PGDM Degree instead of MBA degree will not make any difference to your corporate career in India, as at the end, it is the student who matters!.

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The students need to be very clear about their choice of the PGDM or MBA program and institute they are opting for. Students must evaluate the brand of business school, as a business school with higher brand value will provide a good learning environment and a large network of alumni.

MBA vs PGDM: Which is Finally Better?

Both the programs i.e. MBA and PGDM are good and very similar. What matters most is the business school you are getting, based on your score. Which Business School would you choose – MBA from FMS-Delhi University or PGDM from IIM-Lucknow?

Better ROI: If I had to make a choice, I would certainly choose FMS-DU as the fee is drastically less than IIM-Lucknow and return on investment is much much faster. However, there is a dearth of top-notch Universities providing MBA Programs, and students have no option but to opt for expensive PGDM programs.

Government Jobs in India: Besides the corporate sector, many government organizations still, unfortunately, do not recognize the PGDM Diploma and Government Jobs is one area where MBA Degree holders will have an edge over others.

International Jobs: If you ever opt for immigration or overseas opportunities, chances are your PGDM will either not be recognized or valued as high as an MBA Degree. Even the IIM’s have been striving to provide MBA programs rather than Diplomas and once that happens, the PGDM programs will lose the sheen and colleges would lose massive business.

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