PGDM Subjects, Syllabus, and Course List: The Complete Guide

PGDM or Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a 2-year-long Diploma Programme that is designed to provide students with hands-on marketing knowledge. The diploma is provided by AICTE-recognised business schools and is considered equivalent to an MBA degree if the institution is accredited by AIU.

PGDM is the perfect choice for students who want to pursue a career in management. The course has a curriculum similar to that of an MBA degree as both the courses deal with management at a post-graduate level. Students and professionals often opt for a PGDM course because the syllabus is extremely industry-oriented and aligned with the market trends. There are various well-paying job opportunities after PGDM in different sectors like Marketing, Finance, Sales, and HR.

The eligibility criteria for the 2-year course is a graduation degree. Although colleges usually prefer students who have completed their graduation in management, graduates from any stream can apply for PGDM. The students are admitted on the basis of entrance examinations like CAT, MAT, and XAT. If you are planning to apply for a PGDM, this article will let you know all the necessary details.

Different types of PGDM courses

There are different types of PGDM courses available that cater to the diverse needs of students pursuing management studies. A few of these include the following:

Full-Time PGDM

A full-time PGDM course is one of the popular options among management students in India. It is a 2-year course which offers in-depth knowledge about the norms and standards of the market and industry. The fees for a full-time PGDM course range from INR 4-24 LPA depending on the college. 

The admissions are conducted based on national level or university level entrance exams like the CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, and SNAP. A full-time PGDM offers specializations in fields like Marketing, Finance, and HR. The eligibility criteria for a full-time PGDM course is 50% marks in bachelor for PGDM colleges in India and a minimum of 60% marks in the graduation for the IIMs.

Online PGDM

Online PGDM courses have a shorter duration and can be very versatile. They offer detailed knowledge of various key industry trends and norms that are significantly useful for the students. They offer a lucrative upskilling opportunity with a wide range of specialized knowledge on the multi-faceted subjects of management to move up the ladder of career hierarchy. 

The online PGDM courses have several perks like comparatively less fees and no travel or commutation time. It offers students to acquire a deep and expansive knowledge of marketing by learning at their own pace. The syllabus includes various topics that are not covered in traditional management courses.

Distance PGDM

Distance PGDM courses are planned distance education programmes which are very conducive for students who want to pursue a degree in management without leaving their job. There are a lot of reputed colleges that offer distance PGDM courses which allow students to work and study at the same time. 

The educational expenses are comparatively lower and the process saves a lot of time while allowing students to learn at their own pace. However, applicants for a distance PGDM degree must also learn whether the credits for the course are recognized and is at par with the industry standards. 

Subjects, Syllabus, and Course List

The PGDM curriculum is divided into 4 semesters. The subject list comprises both core and elective subjects. The PGDM course list is similar for all business schools across India. There are 11 core PDGM course subjects and 35 elective subjects. A detailed list of the subjects in the PGDM syllabus is tabulated in a semester-wise manner, below.

PGDM Syllabus
Semester - 1	Semester - 2
Organisational Behaviour - I	Financial Management - I
Managerial Accounting and Control - I	Macroeconomics
Business Communication	Managerial Accounting and Control – II
Managerial Economics (Microeconomics)	Marketing Management – I
Quantitative Techniques – I	Quantitative Techniques – II
Operations Management – I	Organisational Behaviour- II
Semester - 3	Semester - 4
Financial Management – II	Strategic Management
Human Resource Management	Business Environment (Indian and World Economy)
Management Information System	Elective Subject - I
Marketing Management – II	Elective Subject - II
Research Methodology	Industry Projects
Operations Management - II

PGDM Subjects Lists

The table below contains the list of core subjects and the elective specialisation subjects students study when they plan to pursue a PGDM degree:

Type of Specialization	Subjects
Core Subjects	Management Process & Organizational Behavior Decision Sciences Managerial Economics Accounting for Management Information Technology Management Business Communication Management of Technology, Innovation, and Change Financial Management Marketing Management
Elective Subjects	Economics International Economics  Export-Import Management & Strategies International Trade  Advanced Econometric Analysis  Business Forecasting

The following table contains the list of the subjects pursued under various specialisations during a recognised PGDM degree:

Specialisations / Electives	Subjects
Economics	International Economics  Export-Import Management & Strategies International Trade  Advanced Econometric Analysis  Business Forecasting
Finance	Security Analysis and Portfolio Management International Finance  Risk & Insurance Management Merchant Banking & Financial Services  Corporate Valuation, Merger & Acquisition Micro-Finance  Taxation & Tax Planning Advance Equity Research Derivatives & Equity Research Retail Banking Bank Performance Analysis Project Appraisal and Financing  Financial Engineering  Treasury Management  Fixed Income Markets Business Analysis and Valuation  Management Control Systems Strategic Financial Management
Human Resource Management	Organisation Development and Change Building and Leading Effective Teams Strategic HRM and International Perspective Managerial Excellence  Negotiations Management
Marketing Management	Consumer Behaviour Product and Brand Management Services Marketing B2B Marketing  Sales and Distribution Management New Product Development  International Marketing Advertising and Sales Promotions Managing Marketing Communication Retail Management  Customer Relationship Management  Rural Marketing Internet Marketing Advance Marketing Research
Information Systems	Business Process Re-engineering Enterprise Resource Planning Business Module for e-commerce Management Software Development  Data Warehousing & Data Mining Knowledge Management  Decision Support System
Operations Management	Project Management Services Operations Supply Chain Management Advanced Operations Research Quantitative Models for Logistics and Transportation Management Advanced Data Analysis
Strategic Initiatives	Merger, Acquisition and Corporate Restructuring Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Finance  Business Valuation Competetive Strategy
General Management	IPR Law And Management  International Business International Trade and Commerce

A few of these courses and subjects may vary depending on the institution you choose to pursue your PDGM degree from. 

To Conclude

You will find career opportunities and jobs in a myriad of fields once you have completed your PDGM course. After successful completion, you can work as a manager, accountant, business analyst, business advisor, business development officer, project manager, et al. This is one of the best courses to take up when you want to accelerate your career into the mainstream business industries. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many subjects are there in PGDM?

There are 11 core subjects and 35 elective subjects in the PGDM syllabus. However, this may vary depending on the institution you’re pursuing this course from and the faculty available there

Which is the best PGDM course?

There are several PGDM courses available in India. However, the PGDM courses offered by the IIMs are often considered to be the most prestigious PGDM course offered by an Indian institute. You can choose any specialization based on your interest, abilities and career preferences.

What is the syllabus of PGDM?

The PGDM syllabus offers a wide range of subjects on topics like Managerial Economics, Accounting for Management, Business Communication, Information Technology Management, Marketing Management and more. We have provided an expansive list of core and elective subjects covered in the PGDM syllabus. Please check that out to know more about the PGDM syllabus.