PGDM Explained: Full Form, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus & Salary

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PGDM Explained: Full Form, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus & Salary

There are many courses that institutes offer, and each course has its advantages when we look at it from a career-opportunity point of view. One of the courses that are making waves across industries is PGDM or Post Graduate Diploma in Management, as it brings a lot of practical skills to the table that traditional graduate studies still need to fulfil.

It is essential for students to understand and analyse what a PGDM entails and the prospects that this course offers. This comprehensive article discusses the full form of PGDM, PGDM course duration, PGDM Eligibility, PGDM Salary, and more. Let’s get started.

What is PGDM?

PGDM, or Post Graduate Diploma in Management, is an approved course by the All India Council for Technical Education, Government of India. The PGDM program is designed to equip students with real-world technical skills, making them job-ready in today’s competitive market, where practical skills hold more value than theoretical knowledge.

The PGDM program is a one or two-year course focusing exclusively on training students in practical experiences and tools that help them get a headstart with a good-paying job. Small and big organisations prefer hiring PGDM graduates as these students are already equipped with a good set of skills.

The All India Council for Technical Education or the AICTE, HRD, Government of India are focusing on making students job-ready with the skills industries are demanding rather than having students graduate with mere theoretical knowledge.

After a study showed that only 45% of students in India are job-ready the wave of PGDM has significantly increased, showing students leaning towards learning relevant skills.

Future Scope of PGDM

As the name suggests, PGDM’s full form is the Post Graduate Diploma in Management, which revolves around creating second-to-none top-management students with relevant skill sets.

Many organisations and business houses prefer hiring PGDM graduates  as they have practical knowledge of the real-world and workings that can be advantageous for the employers in the long run.

PGDM salary is often higher than a graduate’s salary, as the PGDM course syllabus delves deep into the practical aspect of the respective industry and gives PGDM students a bright future with career prospects.

Apart from providing the best practical knowledge on various subjects, a PGDM diploma emphasises developing many soft skills crucial to navigating various industries around the world  for a successful career.  These soft skills give PGDM students an edge over other degree holders.

Among many disciplines, PGDM (Finance) is regarded as the best course as it offers various career options, each with unique advantages. A PGDM course’s duration is one or two years, whereas an MBA degree is a two-year course. Still, MBA finance or PGDM Finance is a lucrative option for anyone who wants to command a high PGDM salary.

PGDM Eligibility

Compared to other degrees, PGDM eligibility is straightforward and flexible for students with diverse backgrounds looking to make their way into the world of management. In this section of everything you need to know about pursuing PGDM, let us look at the general PGDM eligibility criteria –

• The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.

• The candidate to pass the PGDM eligibility criteria must have an average of 50% marks in all the subjects and, by extension, 50% marks throughout the six semesters.

We also advise our students to keep updating themselves with the present PGDM eligibility criteria, to prepare for entrance exams sincerely, and to keep refreshing the concepts they learned during their bachelor’s degree for a better chance of scoring high marks in these highly competitive exams!

A few exams that students can take to have better prospects  while choosing their colleges are –

• Common Admission Test (CAT)
• Management Aptitude Test ( MAT)
• Graduate Management Admission Test ( GMAT)
• Xavier Aptitude Test ( XAT) &
• All India Management Association – Common Admission Test ( AIMA – CAT)

Here are a few tips that can help students while going through the PGDM eligibility criteria process, which might involve entrance tests at times –

• Brush up on common topics
• Have all the documents ready ( Prepare a document checklist)
• Carry all the necessary documents and stationery while going through the admissions process.
• Stay Confident.

Students who are aspiring to pursue Distance PGDM program from MITSDE should –

• Fill out the application form for the PGDM course on our website.
• Ensure the PGDM criteria are met and then submit the form for a smooth start to their diploma studies.

PGDM Course Duration

The most common and lucrative PGDM Course duration lasts one year to two years, the same as an MBA degree program.

What makes a PGDM a versatile course is the number of variations it offers to a diverse range of individuals with different time availability. Here are a few types of PGDM programs based on the time availability of individuals –

• Full-Time  PGDM Course – The full-time PGDM program has the longest PGDM course duration of two years and is suitable for students who are not working and can dedicate all their time to studying.

• Executive PGDM Course – Also known as 1 year PGDM Course, Executive PGDM programs have the lowest PGDM course duration of one year and are mostly pursued by working professionals to enhance their leadership and management skills further. Companies generally sponsor executive programs to strengthen their company’s efficiency through their senior or up-and-coming employees!

MITSDE, as of now, caters to students who want to pursue a PGDM program but have less time to dedicate to their studies. Our two-year program makes studying during free time and weekends easy and effective, thanks to our regular tests and exams tailored for students preferring distance education!

PGDM Course Syllabus

The PGDM Course syllabus is one of the most effective course structures as it perfectly blends theoretical and practical skill development. While the program leans towards practical knowledge, it ensures that the students have sufficient theoretical knowledge to navigate various industries.

The PGDM course syllabus also provides students with holistic development through its soft skills, specialisation, and elective subjects, making students ready to face the challenges of their chosen industries confidently!

A few subjects that make the PGDM course syllabus sought after by students and employers are –

• Finance
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Operations Management and more.

MITSDE provides an array of specialisations within the PGDM programs where students can gain more detailed and in-depth knowledge on their desired subject and become niche experts while having a general understanding of other subjects!

A few specialisations that MITSDE offers other than the core PGDM course syllabus are –

• Project Management
• Operations Management
• Material Management
• Marketing Management
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Information Technology
• Human Resource Management
• Banking & Financial Services
• Construction & Project Management and
• Finance Management

What Is The Difference Between Specialisation and Elective Subjects?

The PGDM course syllabus offers a diverse range of subjects, giving students a niche to focus on and thereby build a career in their desired industry. These niche subjects are called specialisations and are taught by expert faculty members with industry experience in the same field!

The syllabus also offers elective subjects that contain specific aspects of a specialised subject that further niche the interest and knowledge of the students, making them experts in that particular field.

PGDM Course Fees

The PGDM course fees vary from college to college and depend on various factors like –

• Campus
• Technology Leverage
• Faculty Members and
• Study materials, to name a few.

India’s average PGDM course fee is between INR 1,00,000/- to 1,50,000/- for a two-year PGDM program.

MITSDE is one of the premier educational institutions in the country and is known for its ability to leverage technology to give the best possible education to students in every corner of the country. The PGDM course syllabus is tailored by expert faculty members who are industry experts in their respective fields and have decades of experience. MITSDE charges INR 90,000/- as their PGDM course fees, thereby bridging the gap between quality education and cost-effective fee structure!

Career Opportunities Post-PGDM

Pursuing a PGDM program is one of the best things to do for a graduate looking to enhance their skills in their areas of interest to become industry experts and draw a lucrative salary package that is significantly more than a bachelor’s graduate.

Recent trends have shown that PGDM certificate holders have a better chance of getting employed, which is as high as an MBA graduate. 

Post Graduate Diploma in Management is an appealing extension to organisations looking to hire skilled personnel with leadership skills. A few career options after pursuing a PGDM program are –

• Finance Consultant
• Human Resource Management
• Data Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Project Manager
• Logistics Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Banker
• Brand Manager and more!

PGDM Average Salary

The average PGDM salary is around INR 4-6 LPA for freshers. The salary increases as the individual gains experience in the industry with a career trajectory that stops at the topmost position!

Getting a PGDM certificate from top colleges like MITSDE increases the chances of getting top-paying jobs, thanks to the student’s holistic development and enhanced industry knowledge with relevant industry knowledge!

PGDM vs MBA

The fundamental difference between a PGDM and an MBA is the flexibility that the PGDM offers.

A PGDM course duration can either be one or two years. The PGDM course syllabus involves gaining deep, relevant, practical knowledge of niche industries. PGDM is recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education and offers a diploma and not a degree.

MBA is a two-year degree recognised by the University Commissions Grant. MBA deals with a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge, with more emphasis on the theoretical concepts of the subject. PGDM course fee is more cost-effective than an MBA program, another significant difference between the two!

PGDM vs PGP

As opposed to PGDM Course Syllabus, a PGP program only deals with niche subjects and does not delve into core subjects.

A PGP is for experienced professionals looking to expand on their niche with a certificate of completion, while a PGDM program is a diploma for individuals with limited work experience! 

Why Should You Opt for a PGDM Course?

Here are a few reasons why you should opt for a PGDM course –

• Relevant industry knowledge
• Enhanced practical skill application
• Tailored syllabus to help you become experts in your desired domain.
• Flexible options include full-time, part-time, and executive programs.
• Additional diploma to help your career trajectory and
• Cost-effective course fee.

MITSDE offers the best PGDM program with an amazing course structure that is industry-relevant. The cost-effective fee structure ensures that newly working individuals can enhance their career prospects while gaining knowledge in relevant subjects.

Our placement program also reassures our students about job opportunities while studying, making us the best college to pursue a PGDM course from your home without compromising on the quality of education!

FAQs

1. Can PGDM graduates pursue higher studies (like a PhD)?

Yes, PGDM graduates can pursue higher studies, like completing a PhD or starting/resuming their careers with a new set of relevant skills.

2. Is a PGDM better than an MBA?

Both PGDM and MBA are excellent courses, and both programs have advantages. While PGDM focuses on practical skills, MBA focuses on theoretical skills with a tinge of practical skills. So, students equally seek these two courses in the same light.

3. Is PGDM a good career option?

Completing a PGDM program is an excellent choice for better career options. A PGDM salary is generally higher than that of a bachelor’s degree holder.

4. Is a PGDM degree or diploma

The PGDM course lasts one or two years and is a diploma. 

5. Can I do PGDM after B.com?

PGDM eligibility dictates that any graduate can pursue a PGDM program. So you can pursue PGDM after B.Com.

6. Is there a one-year PGDM course?

Yes, a few of the PGDM courses’ duration is one year and is popular among working professionals.

7. Can I get a job after PGDM?

Yes, you can get a job after PGDM. You can land excellent jobs with a bright future; the average PGDM salary is between 3.8 and 8 LPA.

8. Which specialisation is good in PGDM?

Most parts of the PGDM course syllabus remain the same, irrespective of the specialisations. A few specialisations that are excellent options are –

• Project Management
• Operations Management
• Material Management
• Marketing Management
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Information Technology
• Human Resource Management
• Banking & Financial Services
• Construction & Project Management and
• Finance Management