PGP Course

Highlights, Eligibility, Specializations, Top Colleges, Career Prospects, Recruiters, Comparison to MBA and PGDM

Updated on 4th June 2024 | 7:00 PM | #PGP

The Post Graduate Program (PGP) is a two-year management course which is similar to MBA, and is the most demanded program amongst youth. It is offered by leading B-schools such as IIMs, IITs, ISB, XLRI, MDI, and others, with an annual fee ranging from ₹15 to ₹25 lakhs. Admission to these programs demands candidates to appear for CAT, XAT, GMAT, and other entrance exams.

In this course duration, students learn about various management aspects including finance, marketing, HR, operations, etc and get the opportunity to specialize in specific areas. After completion, PGP graduates are well-positioned to secure valuable positions in many fields, such as consulting, finance, IT, FMCG, healthcare, and manufacturing. They are mainly hired by top MNCs, banks, consulting firms, e-commerce ventures, and startups.

Learn More about MBA

Key Highlights of Post Graduation Program (PGP)

A PGP is generally a diploma or certificate that confirms your completion of a specialized subject offered by top B-schools nowadays. This may or may not include a mandatory internship experience during the course duration.

Here's a table summarizing the highlights of a PGP course:

Aspect

Details

Course Name

Post Graduate Program (PGP)

Duration

2 years (4 to 6 semesters)

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree; Entrance exam (CAT, XAT, GMAT); Work experience may be required

Top Colleges

IIMs, ISB, XLRI, MDI, SPJIMR, FMS, SIBM, etc.

Admission Process

Entrance exam score; Group Discussion (GD); Personal Interview (PI); Academic records

Job Opportunities

Consulting, Finance, IT/ITES, FMCG, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Startups

Average Fees

₹10 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs

Curriculum

Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, Specializations in various areas

Top Recruiters

Amazon, TCS, Microsoft, HDFC Bank, Delloite


Who Should Pursue a Post-Graduation Program (PGP)?

PGP course equips graduates with the skills necessary for senior-level roles in both public and private sectors. It provides you with a comprehensive understanding of managerial opportunities and real-time industry challenges, allowing individuals to survive in a dynamic business world outside of college premises.


Eligibility Criteria for Admissions to Post Graduation Program (PGP)

It is very essential to verify the eligibility for the specific program you want to apply for so as to have a fair idea of whether or not you are eligible to opt for the same.

The eligibility criteria for Post Graduate Program (PGP) courses in India require candidates to have the following:


Specializations in Post Graduation Program (PGP)

PGP offer different specializations to cater to different career interests and industry demands. Some common specializations available in PGP courses include:


Post-Graduation Programs Offered by Various IIMs

There are numerous IIMs that offer PGP along with a regular MBA, providing a more industry-specific experience for individuals. This option is ideal for someone who has decided to pursue a career in a particular industry.

Here's a table outlining some of the top programs offered by IIMs, along with their approximate fees for the entire course:

IIM

Specialization

PGP Course Fees (Approximate)

IIM Ahmedabad

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)

INR 20lakhs

IIM Bangalore

Post- Graduate Program in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM)

INR 23 lakhs

IIM Calcutta

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)

INR 13.50 lakhs

IIM Lucknow

Post Graduate Program in Agri-business Management (PGP- ABM)

INR 23 lakhs

IIM Indore

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)

INR 20.23 lakhs

IIM Kozhikode

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)

INR 20 lakhs

IIM Tiruchirappalli

Post Graduate Program in Business Management (PGPBM)

INR 11.80 lakhs

IIM Ranchi

Executive PGPM

INR 12.60 lakhs

IIM Rohtak

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)

INR 19.77 Lakhs

IIM Trichy

Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

INR 20.5 lakhs (for the 2023-2025 batch)

IIM Udaipur

Udaipur, Rajasthan

INR 17.6 lakhs (for the 2023-2025 batch)

IIM Raipur

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)

INR 13 lakhs

IIM Visakhapatnam

PGPEx

INR 10.80 lakhs


List of Top B-schools Offering PGP Apart from IIMs

College selection is the most important part of the entire b-school journey. A good college can prove to be beneficial in aligning with your career prospects and personal growth, leading the way to your future success.

Here's a table listing some of the leading B-schools in India offering Post Graduate Programs (PGP) apart from IIMs, along with their approximate fees:

College

Location

PGP Course Fees (Approximate)

Indian School of Business (ISB)

PGPM Family Business

INR 38-40 lakhs

Welingkar Mumbai - Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Mangament

PGP Entrepreneurship Management

INR 7 lakhs

SOIL Gurgaon - SOIL Institute of Management, Gurgaon

PGPM

INR 15.33 lakhs

SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)

PGPM

INR 23..5 lakhs

IBS Gurgaon - IBS Business School, Gurgaon

PGPM

INR 9.09 lakhs

Management Development Institute (MDI)

PGPM

INR 23.36 lakhs

IBS Kolkata - IBS Business School, Kolkata

PGPM

INR 9.09 lakhs

IIEBM Pune - Indus Business School, Pune

PGP Enterprise Resource Planning

INR 3.75 lakhs

Great Lakes Institute of Management

PGPM

INR 16.90 akhs

Institute of International Trade, Kolkata

PGPM

INR 2 lakhs


Career Prospects After the Completion of Post-Graduation Program (PGP)

Graduates from PGP programs can pursue diverse job roles across industries. Some of the common employment opportunities include:

Job Role

Description

Management Consultant

Gives advice to businesses on how to improve in areas like operations, money, advertising, and running the organization.

Financial Analyst/Manager

Works in banks, investment firms, or companies, studying numbers and managing finances.

Marketing Manager

Creates and carries out plans to sell products or services, using skills in advertising.

Human Resources Manager

Takes care of hiring, training, managing people, and making companies better places to work.

Business Development Manager

Finds new business chances and builds connections with clients, helping companies grow.

Operations Manager

Oversees production processes, supply chain management, and quality control and makes sure everything runs well every day.

Entrepreneur/Startup Founder

Starts new businesses or helps improve them, using skills and knowing about a certain area.

Data Analyst/Manager

Studies data and makes smart choices using it, helping companies understand what’s happening.

Product Manager

Manages product development and launch, making them better or inventing new ones based on what people need


Top Career Opportunities for PGP Graduates

The private sector is a key recruiting ground for PGPM graduates. Some prominent areas include:


PGP vs. PGDM vs. MBA

The most frequent question that arises in any freshers mind is that what is the difference between PGP, PGDM and General MBA. Here's a comparison of PGP (Post Graduate Program), PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management), and MBA (Master of Business Administration) :

Aspect

PGP

PGDM

MBA

Meaning

Post Graduate Program

Post Graduate Diploma in Management

Master of Business Administration

Degree/Diploma

Postgraduate Degree

Postgraduate Diploma

Postgraduate Degree

Accreditation

Offered by IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) and other top business schools

Offered by autonomous institutions, universities, and private colleges

Offered by universities and colleges

Duration

Typically 1 to 2 years

1 to 2 years

2 years (full-time)

Focus

Academic rigor and research-oriented

Industry-focused and practical approach

Holistic business education

Curriculum

Often tailored to industry trends and research-driven

Designed to be dynamic and relevant to current business practices

Comprehensive business education

Admission Criteria

Highly competitive, based on academic record, entrance exams, and interview

Entrance exams, academic record, GD/PI (Group Discussion/Personal Interview)

Entrance exams, academic record, GD/PI

Specializations

Offers specialized streams based on business areas such as finance, marketing, operations, etc.

Specializations available in various business domains

Specializations in traditional business areas and emerging sectors

Career Opportunities

Excellent opportunities in top companies globally, especially in consulting, finance, and leadership roles

Strong industry connections leading to job placements in diverse sectors

Opportunities in various sectors depending on the specialization and college reputation

Average Fees

Higher fees compared to PGDM and MBA

Varies depending on the institution

Varies widely based on the institute

Recognition

Highly reputed, especially programs offered by IIMs

Well-recognized in the industry

Well-known and widely accepted globally

FAQS

PGP courses last for 1 to 2 years, depending on whether it's full-time or part-time.

Yes, you can study PGP courses online as many colleges offer online PGP courses.

Both PGP and MBA teach about differnt aspects of business, but PGP is more focused and specialized than MBA.

PGP is a degree program, you get a Master's degree after the completion of the program.

IIMs offer PGP courses similar to MBA programs.

Suggested Readings

Top MBA Entrance Exams MBA Programs Guide MBA Specialization List of Top B-Schools