Difference Between MBA & PGDM

Table of Contents (TOC):

• Introduction
• What is an MBA?
• What is a PGDM?
• Key Differences Between MBA and PGDM
• Which is Better: MBA or PGDM?
• The Case for MBA
• The Case for PGDM
• Conclusion
• Bonus Points 

Introduction

If you are considering a Higher Education Qualification, you will have come across MBA (Master of Business Administration) and PGDM (Postgraduate Diploma). Many graduates and young professionals are stuck in the ‘MBA vs PGDM’ confusion, where they cannot decide which offering is right for them. 

This blog is an effort to dispel the MBA vs PGDM debate by exploring the differences between a PGDM and an MBA, the skillsets they focus on, and their ideal target audience. We also recommend affordable online MBA programs and PGDM courses for any professional looking to get started right away. 

What is an MBA?

While everyone has heard of the world-famous MBA degree, not everyone might be aware of the key concepts the degree explores. An MBA Program is a postgraduate-level course that focuses on equipping learners with the core competencies needed to thrive in leadership and management positions. 

• The typical MBA course includes Human Resources, Finance Management, Marketing, Leadership, and Operations. 
• With the role of management growing more specialised by the day, MBA programs now come with technical specializations. These range from Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology to Construction Management and Entrepreneurship. 
• An MBA program’s target audience is typically seasoned professionals with at least 5 years of work experience, or young professionals holding relevant bachelor’s degrees. 
• Online MBA programs are massively popular because they cater to the busy lifestyles of working professionals and offer considerable flexibility and control over their learning. 

The main benefit of an MBA program is the specialised skillset it can develop in learners. MBA degrees are often pursued by professionals who are interested in developing their own ventures, leading teams in existing companies, building strategies, and inserting a new product or service into the market. 

The program offers the key skills and knowledge needed to not only compete in the cutthroat business world but also reach the pinnacle of business innovation and strategy. 

What is a Postgraduate Diploma?

A Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is an academic qualification pursued after completing undergraduate education. While the depth of study is comparable to any MBA degree, PGDM programs vary quite significantly from Master programs. 

• By nature, the PGDM offers application-based knowledge that builds upon the academic foundation developed by a UG program. 
• The main USP of a PGDM is its comparatively shorter learning duration. While a Master’s level program can take anywhere from one to three years to complete, PGDM courses can usually be completed in less than a year.

It is important to differentiate the PGDM from a PGCM, or Postgraduate Certificate in Management. While both are reliable Postgraduate qualifications, a PGCM usually has fewer credits and even shorter learning durations than a PGDM.

When professionals aim for career advancement without the years-long commitment of a Master’s level program like MBA courses, they typically opt for a PGDM. Being a PG program, PGDMs are also often online and flexible, just like MBA programs. To fully settle the PGDM vs MBA debate, it is important to know the differences between PGDM and MBA. 

Key Differences Between MBA and PGDM

• Course Providers: While MBA programs are predominantly offered by Universities and Business Schools, you can find PGDMs offered by Professional Qualifications bodies like Cambridge International Qualifications, UK. 
• Time Commitment: As mentioned, an MBA can take from one to three years to complete, with some programs taking even longer,  while a PGDM can usually be completed in as little as a year – sometimes even three months! 
• Cost: Universities that are funded by the Government may offer more affordable MBA programs than the PGDM programs offered by autonomous bodies. UniAthena’s management-based PGDs, however, are more affordable than MBA programs. 
• Curriculum Focus: An MBA is primarily focused on academic and theoretical development, with an emphasis on building a knowledge base, while a PGDM is more industry oriented, with an emphasis on applicable and specialised knowledge.

It is important to note some key details here. Firstly, if you are wondering ‘MBA or PGDM, which has more value?’, the answer is neither. Employers typically do not differentiate between an MBA and a PGDM, as both are rigorous management courses that impart valuable skills and knowledge. So whether you opt for an MBA or a PGDM, both programs offer the same level of eligibility for managerial roles. 

Secondly, a PGDM can easily be considered a stepping stone to an MBA. Under the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Policy that most UK Universities have adopted, you can use the credits earned in a PGDM program to omit relevant modules in an MBA program, allowing you to earn your MBA faster than usual. 

MBA vs PGDM: Which is Better?  

Now we come to the billion-dollar question: In MBA vs PGDM, which is better? The answer is: whichever works for you. Objectively, they are valued equally by employers, so the deciding factor is your preferences. 

The Case for MBA

If you wish to build an academic foundation for your managerial skills, then an MBA is ideal. If you have a fairly flexible work schedule and you are planning to target management roles a few years from now, an MBA will also fit your needs. If you are leaning towards an MBA, UniAthena’s MBA Programs are a great option to explore. They offer the prestige, quality and affordability of a European Education with flexible online learning options. 

1. Master in Business Administration

• Benefits: This MBA is delivered 100% Online, with a choice between FastTrack (15 Months) and Flexible (9-24 Months) Learning Plans. Learners will also get Personal Tutor Support and can opt for a PGD in Business Administration from CIQ, UK, and a Certified Manager Certification from CMI, UK. 
• Topics Covered: Learners will gain a deeper and more practical understanding of Global Marketing Management, Global HR Management, Operations & Project Management, Sustainability in Business, Strategic Management, Analytics, Supply Chain & Logistics Management, and Business Research. 
• Awarding Body: The MBA is offered by Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy. 

2. MBA in General Management (FastTrack)

• Benefits: This MBA is delivered 100% Online under the  FastTrack (12 Month) Learning Plan. Learners will also get Personal Tutor Support and can opt for a PGD in Organisational Leadership from CIQ, UK, and Certified Manager Certification from CMI, UK. 
• Topics Covered: Learners will gain an in-depth understanding of Sustainability in Business, Human Resource Management, International Marketing Management, Strategic Management and Leadership, Strategic Supply Chain & Logistics Management and Business Finance. 
• Awarding Body: This MBA is offered by the Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy. 

3. MBA - Marketing Management 

• Benefits: This MBA is delivered 100% Online, with a choice between FastTrack (14 Months) and Flexible (9-24 Months) Learning Plans. Learners will also get Personal Tutor Support and can opt for a PGD in Marketing Management from CIQ, UK, and a Certified Digital Marketing Professional Programme from CMI, UK. 
• Topics Covered: This course arms Learners with key applicable insights into Strategic HR & Leadership, International Marketing Management, Business Leadership Finance, Strategic Project Management & Implementation, Consumer Behaviour, Digital Marketing, with Sustainability in Business and Business Ethics as electives. 
• Awarding Body: This MBA is offered by the Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy. 

The Case for PGDM

Conversely, if you wish to develop industry-standard know-how, then a PGDM is the way to go. A PGDM offers applicable skills that can elevate your performance and improve your career trajectory faster than an MBA. So if time is of the essence, a PGDM could be for you. 

We recommend exploring UniAthena’s PGD Programs, offered by prestigious Professional Bodies and delivered in a convenient, flexible and affordable format – all without compromising on academic rigor and quality. 

1. Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management

• Benefits: This 16-ECTS Postgraduate Diploma is delivered 100% Online with Flexible Learning Duration (3-6 Months) and Personal Tutor Support. 
• Topics Covered: This course offers key insights into Engineering Management for Business Leaders, including management methods and operations insights. The course also explores HR & Leadership practices for organizational success. 
• Awarding Body: This PGD is offered by Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy. 

2. Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Management

• Benefits: This 16-ECTS Postgraduate Diploma is delivered 100% Online with Flexible Learning Duration (3-6 Months) and Personal Tutor Support. 
• Topics Covered: This PG program begins with an introduction to Building Services Engineering Management before exploring Environment Health & Safety Management in detail. 
• Awarding Body: This PGD is offered by Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy. 

When making your choice on the MBA vs PGDM options, do consider your financial standing and which program will fall within your budget. You can also look into university accreditation, accepted qualifications, faculty support, and other deciding factors before applying. 

Conclusion

In this blog, we attempted to settle the MBA vs PGDM choice by exploring the difference between PGDM and MBA. We listed the key benefits of each program, the audiences they cater to, which has more value and which is right for you. 

We also offered our recommendations for MBA and PGD Programs that are flexible, budget-friendly and offered by reputed institutions and universities. It is important to consider the pros and cons of all options before settling on the right program for you. 

Bonus Points:

• MBA Specializations like Global MBA or Master of International Business Administration offer a more global perspective on the art of business management. 
• Is PGDM equivalent to an MBA? They vary academically, but their professional standing is more or less the same.