PGPM Course: Full Form, Eligibility, Fees, Admission, Duration

Sakshi Chaudhary

PGPM or Post Graduate Program in Management is a professional master's degree program for graduate students who wish to further their knowledge and excel in acquiring new skills in the management sector. The course syllabus covers core areas of management studies such as Financial Accounting, Operations, Managerial Economics, etc. along with a comprehensive understanding of marketing, finance, operations, and HR. 

The PGPM eligibility is based on the candidates' working experience and the entrance exam required to qualify for the course. Some of the entrance exams include CAT, XAT, and MAT to name a few. Along with this, they are required to have a minimum of 50% in their bachelor’s degree. Candidates after graduating from the course can work in diverse fields such as R&D Manager, Research Analyst, Market Analyst, etc.

What is PGPM Course?

The PGPM full form is Post Graduate Program in Management. This course is of a professional nature and has a syllabus structure that is almost identical to that of an MBA and PGDM. The PGPM course duration is 1 - 2 years, although it depends on the university’s course structure. The average PGPM course fees range between INR 2 - 20 LPA.

Apart from this, candidates also need to perform capstone projects, summer internships, and training that develop and hone their skills for career advancement. The average salary for a PGPM graduate ranges between INR 6.1 to 23.7 LPA.

PGPM Eligibility Criteria

PGPM eligibility is based on certain criteria that candidates must fulfill to enroll in the course. Albeit, these criteria may vary based on the colleges or universities' admission structure. Given below is the list of eligibility criteria for PGPM:

• The candidate requires a minimum of two to three years of work experience to be eligible for the PGPM course.
• Candidates of the unreserved category must secure a minimum of 50% of the total aggregate marks in their bachelor's degree.
• Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PWD categories must have a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in their Bachelor's degree. 
• A prerequisite for enrollment in the PGPM course is passing an entrance exam, such as the CAT, XAT, MAT, GMAT, etc. 
• There is no upper age limit for pursuing a PGPM.

Why Choose a PGPM Course?

Candidates who want to improve their management abilities join the PGPM professional program. There are a number of benefits to taking the course, which are listed in the list below.

• Candidates who complete PGPM can expect a hike in their salary from 30% to 60% of their existing salary. 
• The value of India's Management sector in 2018 alone stood at INR 113.32 trillion dollars.
• The BPM sector in India has witnessed a double-digit growth of 14% in FY 22 at $44 billion.
• It is predicted that the management sector is expected to grow with a CAGR of 17% between 2022 - 2027.

PGPM Admission 2023

The CAT, XAT, and MAT are just a few entrance exams determining who gets into PGPM in 2023. After passing the entrance tests, students can apply for the program online or on the admissions campus.

The following step-by-step list can be used to summarise the standard admissions procedure for PGPM course utilized by colleges and institutions:

• Step 1: The applicant must pass the entrance exam in order to fulfill the requirements of the university.
• Step 2: Candidates can register either online or offline, depending on their preference.
• Step 3: Universities publish their cut-off marks following the admissions entrance tests.
• Step 4: Candidates who have qualified will be invited to take part in the GD and PI rounds when the merit list is published.
• Step 5: Students must submit the relevant paperwork, a manager-recommended letter of recommendation, proof of work experience, and the PGPM course fees. 

Top PGPM Entrance Exams

The PGPM course requires candidates to qualify for entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, and GMAT, after which they will be eligible for applying to the course. These are conducted at national, state, and institutional levels based on the candidate’s selection. In the following list are some of the major entrance exams for PGPM.

National-Level PGPM Entrance Exam

AICTE-approved national-level entrance tests must be taken to enroll in one of India's top business schools to pursue a PGPM. The PGPM entry exams that are frequently taken include the following: 

Top PGPM Colleges in India with Fees

The PGPM course fees range between INR 2-20 LPA for the candidates who earned their admission through merit. The management quota is not available PGPM course. The PGPM fees can differ depending on the academics, college amenities, and affiliation program. 

The table below represents the fee breakdown for top PGPM colleges. 

Top IIMs for PGPM Course

The table below contains a thorough list of the best PGPM colleges in India that are government-affiliated, as well as their respective course fees:

Top Non-IIMs Colleges in India for PGPM course

PGPM is one of the most in-demand courses in the country, with many top universities providing the course. Since the nature of the course is professional, candidates are admitted on two bases: work experience and entrance exam. Once they qualify for both criteria, admission is granted to the candidate to pursue the course desired colleges. 

Below is a table featuring the top private colleges in India offering PGPM and their average fees.

Types of PGPM Courses

The demand for a PGPM has increased, resulting in several paths for finishing the program based on a student's background, ambitions, and qualifications. Here are the specifics for each sort of PGPM course.

Online PGPM Course

Candidates can enroll in the online program for the PGPM course. The pedagogy is structured with online classes, E-learning materials, projects, peer-to-peer learning, etc. Some key points regarding the online PGPM course are given below: 

• The course duration for the online PGPM course is 2-3 years.
• The online PGPM course fees range between INR 10-24 LPA. 
• Candidates need to appear for entrance exams such CAT, MAT, and XAT for admission to online PGPM course
• Candidates can pursue the course from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Tiruchirappalli. 

Executive PGPM Course

The Executive PGPM is a professional course for candidates who wish to advance in their careers. The following list highlights the course in detail:

• Candidates for the course require a minimum of 3 years of work experience along with a bachelor's degree.
• The candidate needs to qualify for the entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
• Premier colleges IISWBM and Great Lakes Institute of Management offers the course with fees ranging from INR 2 - 5 LPA. 

PGPM Cutoff 

Getting into the best business schools depends on obtaining high cut-off scores in PGPM entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and others. These cut-off scores are likely to vary each year, depending on the demand and the quality of students' performance. Based on the previous year's data, here are the expected cut-off scores for popular PGPM entrance exams in 2023.

PGPM CAT Cutoff for IIM

IIMs are one of India's top business schools, and the CAT is one of the most essential entrance exams. Every year, in November, the exam is held. After completing the 2023 CAT test across India, individual colleges will issue the CAT cut-off 2023. The following is a list of the CAT cut-offs of different categories for IIMs in 2022:

PGPM MAT Cutoff for IIM

Another alternate exam for admission to IIM is MAT. Individual colleges will release the MAT cut-off 2023 after the 2023 MAT test is completed across India. The following are the MAT cut-offs for several categories for IIMs in 2022:

Also, Check: NIRF Management Ranking 2023

PGPM Specializations

PGPM course is available in several specializations such as finance, marketing, operations, and Human resource management. Some of the colleges provide specializations as a form of elective subjects that students are required to choose at the start of 4th semester. The following is a brief information about PGPM specializations. 

PGPM Syllabus and Subjects

The PGPM course has a similar course structure to MBA. In the first year or first sem candidates are introduced to core concepts related to management such as accounting, finance, operations, and managerial economics. 

The second year or second semester include projects, internship, and electives offered in the course. The course structure may vary depending on the university.  The table below highlights the PGPM course syllabus and subjects in detail:

Read More: Detailed PGPM Syllabus

PGPM vs MBA

The PGPM is a professional program for candidates who are willing to upgrade their skills and acquire industry-relevant knowledge on management studies whereas MBA provides theoretical and practical learning of business administration with an in-depth understanding of individual management field.  
The table below highlights the course comparison between the PGPM and MBA.

Read More: PGPM vs PGDM

Courses After PGPM

Although PGPM is a professional course for graduates who have already garnered considerable work experience, they may further hone their skills with additional courses. Listed below are some of the courses candidates can pursue after completing PGPM.

• PhD 
• EMBA
• IBM Project Management Certification Course
• Advanced Management Program for Corporate Leaders
• NUS Business School Future Leaders Programme

PGPM Salary in India

Due to the professional nature of the course, candidates are exposed to many aspects of growth in the industry. Since the candidates already have good years of working experience, they can expect a hike from their last drawn salary. On average, they can expect a base salary of INR 6.1 to 23.7 LPA. 

In the following table, given below, are some of the roles offered to PGPM graduates and their salaries:

[Source: Payscale]

Read More: PGPM Salary in India

Career Options After Post Graduate Program in Management Course

A plethora of job opportunities awaits PGPM candidates. The candidates can also decide to enter their previous work field after graduating from the course. The following table given below highlights the career options available for PGPM course candidates along with descriptions, hiring companies, and salary structure.

[Source: Payscale]

Top Recruiters for PGPM

PGPM graduates possess valuable work experience and skills acquired during the course, making them eligible for senior management positions and various career opportunities.

Companies often prefer hiring PGPM graduates, offering them attractive salary hikes and benefits. Refer to the table below for a list of PGPM recruiters and the job roles they offer, along with their average salaries.

[Source: Payscale]

Skills to Excel as the Best PGPM Graduate

Graduates of the PGPM program are given practical abilities that help them succeed in their jobs. These abilities distinguish these graduates as knowledgeable and skilled professionals in their fields:

• Product Management:  Candidates of the PGPM should have proper knowledge about the product life cycle, product placement, strategies, and pricing.
• Business Acumen: Sharp acumen is required for management abilities to maximize profits and build operations.
• Research and Development Analysis: This is a crucial ability for increasing revenues, comprehending customer trends and patterns, and doing analysis.
• Networking: Building relationships is a key aspect of management as this will bring forth brand awareness, investors, and consumers.

Top Management Entrance Exams

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