With the emergence of corporate culture and entrepreneurship in India, many students choose management studies compared to other programmes. Many educational institutes have opened up the management department to support future entrepreneurs and managerial professionals. Although, students still have one primary dilemma to clear - which programme to choose between 1 Year PGDM Course and MBA and which one will help them move ahead in the corporate stairway? Choosing between these two courses can be challenging, especially for the students who do not have any professional experience in this field.
The students are unaware of the course structure's difference, which leads to more confusion regarding which course one should opt for, and why. Here you can go through the article to understand the difference between the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGDM) and MBA courses.
Is One Year PGDM different from MBA?
Although both the courses are about management, there is a fine line that distinguishes the two courses mentioned above. First, the 1 Year PGDM Course concentrates on the technical aspects, providing exposure to real-life business situations, whereas MBA is more theoretical. Second, any institute can upgrade the PGDM programme curriculum more frequently to incorporate the new changes and business management trends. Third, in case you wish to pursue higher education abroad, then a one-year Post-Graduate Program in Management (PGDM) is considered a diploma. At the same time, a university-affiliated MBA is counted as a degree, giving you a better position.
Course Curriculum of PGDM and MBA
As we know, management is a productive sector. Having the same curriculum year by year can set the students back. Due to most universities' firm positions, the syllabus of MBA does not change as per industry demands. Whereas, PGDM courses, because of their autonomous nature, institutes are susceptible to the industry's changing requirements. The course curriculum of PGDM changes to ensure students are up to date with ongoing industry trends. One year PGDM courses are much more proficient in being industry-ready.
If you assess the values, one-year PGDM and MBA will generate the same results. If you are considering Indian entrepreneurship and management abilities, both the courses hold the same value with pros and cons in both the curriculums. Therefore, if you have a business in mind, you can either go for institutes where MBA degrees are available or opt for those educational institutes that analyse your focus area for you. However, keep in mind that an MBA is more academic-oriented and would help you further your education in the management sector. On the other hand, Post Graduate Program in Management is more focused on improving your employability value. It thus can help those who want to pursue business or management in corporate sectors better.
Both MBA and PGDM courses have more or less equal value in career prospects in India and overseas. Having a PG diploma management instead of a degree is undoubtedly not considered to be a drawback. However, it is your university's reputation and, more importantly, your professional capabilities that genuinely matter. If you are aspiring for management areas, you should focus on a one-year PGDM to sharpen your skills, whereas those looking to further their academic background should opt for MBA courses.
