PGDM: Syllabus, Subjects, Course List, Specializations, and More

Management of an organization is a vast subject that needs people who are highly skilled. These skills help in dealing with the various internal and external forces that drive the business.

To help them ace this process, many pursue a postgraduate diploma in management. This is a comprehensive course that teaches all aspects of management.

There are various roles to play in a managerial position, and this requires specialization in each of these. In this blog, you will understand the various components of the program that go into making a powerful management executive.

Understanding PGDM

PGDM, or postgraduate diploma in management, is a 2-year program that helps aspiring managers and fresh graduates develop key skills necessary for managerial roles. The course prepares them to handle the various challenges in an organization. 

PGDM course gives candidates practical knowledge along with a theoretical understanding of the concepts of management. In an evolving business environment, it is essential that managers are dynamic and flexible to tackle the issues surrounding the business. 

Management involves people management, financial management, operations management, etc. PGDM program focuses on preparing managers for the future. With an industry-oriented curriculum, the course is of great help to executives who want to scale in their careers.

Check Out: Top PGDM Colleges In Bangalore

Core Subjects In PGDM

Typically, the PGDM program is spread over six semesters, wherein many critical subjects are taught to participants. Course structure may vary from college to college, but there are many subjects that are common for all.

These act as a foundation for the respective fields chosen and offer in-depth knowledge to the participants.

The core subjects are:

• Macro- and microeconomics
• Financial accounting
• Financial management
• Marketing management
• Human resource management
• Operations management
• Business law
• Marketing research
• Management accounting
• Business analytics
• Business ethics
• Operations research
• Statistics
• Organizational behavior
• Tax planning
• Corporate governance
• Entrepreneurship
• Information security
• Management information system
• Quantitative techniques

PGDM offers a range of subjects that offer balanced knowledge in all aspects of management. All these subjects are important to run a business effectively in a dynamic environment. 

Universities offer internships and projects for a better understanding of these subjects. Candidates can choose any of these subjects for specialization to pursue a career in their respective areas.

Elective Subjects And Specialization

Apart from the core subjects, colleges also offer many elective subjects that the candidates may choose based on their career. One or more electives may be chosen, and this differs from college to college.

Some of the elective courses available are:

• Marketing
• Finance
• Human resources
• Operations
• International business
• Information technology

Each of these specializations is dealt with in detail so that the candidates have a deeper understanding of the subjects. This helps them choose the right career path in their future. Electives can be chosen in the fourth semester in most colleges. 

Some of the lessons that may be covered under specific electives are given below:

Marketing

• Strategic marketing
• International marketing
• B2B marketing
• Rural marketing
• Digital marketing
• Retail marketing
• Marketing research
• Brand management
• Product management
• Product development
• Metrics
• Trends in marketing

Finance

• Corporate finance
• International finance
• Finance management
• Investment banking
• Risk analysis
• Corporate financial strategy
• Corporate valuation
• Trading
• Equity markets
• Project

Project Work and Internship

To carry on the managerial position effectively, candidates need practical experience. This will enhance the theoretical knowledge that they have gained through the program.

Project work and internships are ways through which students gain hands-on experience in real-world situations.

• Through an internship, you can work in a corporate office and get to experience practical working in an organization. It helps candidates acquire new skills by meeting and observing a lot of people on the job.
• Internships help broaden a person’s professional network. Many candidates secure a position in the same organization by displaying the skills and expertise they have learned as an intern.
• Projects are an integral part of the curriculum. Through this, candidates can project their level of knowledge and expertise to help them land a lucrative career in their chosen specialization. 
• Internships also let the candidates understand the real work environment and the challenges they will be exposed to on the floor.

Soft Skills And Personality Development

Learning soft skills is a pivotal part of management studies. Also known as people skills, these are classified as communication skills, time management, problem-solving skills, teamwork, interpersonal skills, leadership, creativity, adaptability, and ownership. 

Soft skills enhance the ability of a candidate as a leader and help bring the team together toward a common goal. It assists managers to lead without any stress. Every employee is different, and learning these soft skills enables managers to adapt to people easily and bring out the best in them.

To be an effective manager, interpersonal skills are highly essential. It is all about the leader’s communication style, body language, ability to bring people to agree on common grounds, etc. 

Most universities include soft skills and personality development as a part of the curriculum. Through this, they help develop managers who can navigate challenging circumstances and build relationships. 

Assessment And Evaluation

Colleges may follow different assessment and evaluation strategies before awarding the postgraduate diploma to students. The evaluation methodology is scientific, without any scope for bias. 

Assessment is done to analyze the level of knowledge and practical skills obtained by the participants. This is done in relation to the learning outcomes that were prescribed during the beginning of the program.

Assessment includes written exams, case study analysis, project report, paper presentation, assignment submissions, internships, etc. Grading systems are used to evaluate performance, and grades indicate the level of achievement of each candidate.

Feedback on evaluation is provided to students, and a certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the assessment as laid down by the colleges. 

PGDM Entrance Exam Syllabus

All reputed institutions admit students based on different entrance exams. Some of the popular entrance exams for PGDM are CAT, MAT, SNAP, GMAT, XAT, CMAT, etc. 

The general syllabus for the entrance exam is as follows:

Logical reasoning

This includes analyzing graphs, tables, and Venn diagrams to provide a solution.

Language skills

This covers aspects like sentence correction, comprehension passages, facts/inferences, vocabulary, idioms, and phrases.

Verbal reasoning

This includes identifying relationships or patterns with groups of words and sentences.

General knowledge

In this section, questions related to current affairs across the world are asked.

Business GK

This section includes questions on basic business general knowledge.

Quantitative ability

In this section, questions related to mathematical concepts like number systems, time and money, binomial theorem, permutations and combinations, probability, inequalities, geometry, etc., are asked.

Data interpretation

This section has questions on data interpretation through graphs, pie charts, etc.

Grammar

English grammar-related questions are included in this section.

Want to take admission without an entrance exam? Connect with team GCS Online.

Conclusion

PGDM is a beneficial program for new managers and fresh graduates. The course structure is crafted in such a way that participants in the program gain hands-on experience before the completion of the course.

There are various specializations available, and students should choose the one according to their career preferences.

GCS Online is a reputed educational consultant based out of Bangalore that has rich experience in assisting students get admission to top colleges. They counsel you on the various steps involved and procedural formalities to secure admission to PGDM in your dream college.