PGDM is a two-year postgraduate diploma in management offered by autonomous business schools in India that have been recognised by the AICTE. If the college is accredited by AIU, the value of a PGDM course is equivalent to that of an MBA. In terms of subjects and learning modules, PGDM is similar to MBA, as both of these postgraduate degrees focus on the study of business management.
PGDM course is a management course that is industry-oriented and focuses on the practical aspects of business management. The aim of the course is to impart business management-related training modules using rigorous and detailed case studies and seminars to prepare the students for a career in the industry.
If you are planning to pursue PGDM, the article covers all the details that you need regarding the course.
PGDM Course: Highlights
| Name of the Course | PGDM |
| Full form of the Course | Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management |
| Duration of the PGDM Course | Two years |
| PGDM Eligibility Criteria | Graduation from any stream |
| Process of Admission | Mostly through entrance exams (some colleges do offer direct admissions) |
| PGDM Course Fee | The approx fee can be between 3 lakhs to 12 lakhs |
| Top Colleges for PGDM Course | NMIMS, IIM Kolkata, SPJIMR |
| PGDM Salary | The average salary after completing PGDM can be between 4 to 10 lakhs per annum |
PGDM Course Details – Eligibility
The PGDM eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
- Any student can apply for PGDM after completing UG in any stream if they have 50% aggregate marks.
- Most of the top PGDM colleges, like the IIMs, require students who have scored at least 60% aggregate marks.
- Admission to the course is based on the entrance test scores. Only some private colleges give direct admission to students in the PGDM course.
- There is no specified age limit to pursue the course.
Entrance Exams for Admission to PGDM Course
Here are some of the top entrance exams that you can appear for if you are seeking admission to the PGDM course:
- CAT (Common Entrance Test)
- MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
- XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
- NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)
- TISSNET (Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test)
- SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
These are some of the top entrance exams that you can appear for. There are many other exams that you can also appear for, depending on your choice of college or university.
Why Should You Pursue PGDM?
PGDM is one of the most popular degrees today. But if you are still looking for reasons to pursue the degree, here are some of the top reasons to do so.
- Students from any stream can choose to pursue the degree. If you have the required percentage for admission to the course, you are eligible to apply.
- PGDM is an interdisciplinary programme. This means it is a fusion of knowledge from fields like economics, accountancy, management, etc. to prepare for diverse roles in the job market.
- There is a huge demand for managers in the job market. The PGDM course aims to bridge this gap by preparing students to take up managerial roles.
- PGDM offers several benefits, like a better pay scale, elevation in your job profile, and an overall CV enhancement.
Types of PGDM Courses
Due to an increase in the demand for people with PGDM courses, the modes of completing a PGDM course have also increased. You can pursue the course in the traditional mode, online mode, or through distance learning mode.
| Types of PGDM Course | Admission | Average PGDM Fees |
| Full-Time PGDM | Entrance Test based | ₹4- ₹24 lakhs per annum |
| Online PGDM | Mostly Merit Based | ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 |
| Distance PGDM | Entrance Test Based | ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 |
PGDM Course Content
The course content for PGDM might be different for different colleges, but there are some basic subjects that are included in the course curriculum. Here are the PGDM course details.
| Business Ethics & Communication | Finance and Accounting | Basics of Marketing |
| Management Information Systems | Statistics & Quantitative Techniques | Managerial Economics |
| Theory of Management | Organisational Behavior | IT Skills Lab |
| Production and Operations Management | Economics & Social Sciences | Business Law and Corporate Governance |
| International Business | Strategic Management | Research Methodology |
PGDM Course Details – Specialisations
When it comes to the PGDM specialisations, there are multiple specialisations available, depending on your area of interest. Some of the top specialisations include:
- PGDM Course in Finance
- PGDM Course in Business Analytics
- PGDM Course in Marketing
- PGDM Course in Operations Management
- PGDM Course in Human Resource Management
- PGDM Course in Supply Chain Management
Jobs After Completing the PGDM Course
After the completion of your PGDM course, you can get employment in various job profiles like
- Business Consultant
- HR Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Finance Manager
- PR Manager
- International Sales Manager
- Brand Manager
Top Recruiters After the PGDM Course
Some of the top recruiters for PGDM graduates are listed below.
- Deloitte
- ICICI Bank
- HDFC Bank
- KPMG
- PwC
- McKinsey and Company
These are some of the top recruiters that hire PGDM graduates for multiple job profiles. Depending on your specialisation and area of interest, you can choose the right profile for yourself.
Conclusion
With advancements in the business world, PGDM graduates are in huge demand. Organisations all over the world seek highly skilled management graduates for some of the top positions. If you pursue PGDM from one of the top universities or colleges in India or abroad, there are high chances of you having a rewarding career ahead. It is also essential to choose a specialisation that interests you so that you can make the most of your job profile.
If you are seeking help to get admission to PGDM in one of the top colleges in India, Sunstone is there to assist you. More than 50 campuses in India offer Sunstone’s benefits to students. Also, you will get the necessary placement support so that you can achieve your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is PGDM’s full form?
The full form of PGDM is Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. It is a two-year course in business management offered by autonomous institutes that are affiliated with AICTE.
- Which PGDM course is the best?
There are multiple PGDM specialisations that you can opt for, including Business Analytics, Finance, Operations Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, etc. The right choice of PGDM course depends on your skills and area of interest. You must evaluate your knowledge, understanding, skills, and interests to choose the right course for yourself.
- How to get admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)?
Admission to PGDM courses depends on the scores of the entrance exams conducted by different colleges and universities. If you have the required scores, you can proceed for admission to the college of your choice. Also, after passing the exams, most colleges have different rounds, like group discussions and personal interviews, that students need to appear for. Depending on the results of these rounds, you will get admission.
