3 answers
Deepti
Student
Dehradun
1
Question
Updated
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Phd after PGDM online? Possible ? If yes ? How to proceed ?
can we do phd with the help of Post graduate diploma in management PGDM online course in India or Abroad ? I would like to know all the options open for me academically after finishing my PGDM online course.
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3 answers
Laxman methree
7
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Laxman’s Answer
Can you do PhD after PGDM (online)?
In India: Only if your PGDM is from a recognized institute (AIU/UGC says “equal to MBA”). If not, you cannot go straight to PhD—you’ll first need a Master’s degree.
Abroad: Some universities may accept PGDM + work experience, but most will still ask for a Master’s degree.
📌 Your options after PGDM online:
If PGDM = MBA equivalent → You can apply for PhD (India: via UGC-NET/entrance; Abroad: with research proposal).
If PGDM is not MBA equivalent → Do an MBA or Master’s first, then go for PhD.
Or choose other paths like MPhil, MSc, or professional certifications (CFA, PMP, etc.) if not fixed on PhD.
✨ Simple Advice:
First, check if your PGDM is officially recognized as MBA equivalent.
If yes → Apply for PhD.
If no → Do an MBA/Master’s, then go for PhD.
In India: Only if your PGDM is from a recognized institute (AIU/UGC says “equal to MBA”). If not, you cannot go straight to PhD—you’ll first need a Master’s degree.
Abroad: Some universities may accept PGDM + work experience, but most will still ask for a Master’s degree.
📌 Your options after PGDM online:
If PGDM = MBA equivalent → You can apply for PhD (India: via UGC-NET/entrance; Abroad: with research proposal).
If PGDM is not MBA equivalent → Do an MBA or Master’s first, then go for PhD.
Or choose other paths like MPhil, MSc, or professional certifications (CFA, PMP, etc.) if not fixed on PhD.
✨ Simple Advice:
First, check if your PGDM is officially recognized as MBA equivalent.
If yes → Apply for PhD.
If no → Do an MBA/Master’s, then go for PhD.
Karthick Natarajan
Postdoctoral Researcher at NYU Langone Health
32
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Karthick’s Answer
Yes, it's difficult but not impossible.
The Main Challenge: A PGDM is a professional degree, while a PhD is a research degree. Most PGDMs don't include a research thesis, which is important for PhD programs. Also, online formats might not be preferred by top universities.
How to Proceed: You need to fill the research gap.
- Show Research Skills: Work as a research assistant, co-author a paper, or write a detailed research proposal for your application.
- Validate Your PGDM: Make sure it has AIU (Association of Indian Universities) recognition to be seen as equal to a Master's degree, which is important for PhD applications in India.
- Do Well in Entrance Exams: Get high scores on the GMAT/GRE for studying abroad or UGC-NET/JRF for India.
- Get Research-Focused Recommendations: Your recommendation letters should highlight your research potential, not just your management skills.
Other Academic Options After PGDM
Your PGDM can lead to other paths:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): This is a direct path to a doctorate. A DBA focuses on applying research to business problems. Your PGDM and work experience are good preparation for a DBA, available at many universities in India and abroad.
- A Second, Specialized Master's Degree: Consider a specialized Master's like an MSc in Business Analytics or Finance to gain deeper expertise. This can also help you transition to a PhD program if it includes a research thesis.
- Top-up MBA: Some universities, especially in the UK, offer "top-up" programs where your PGDM lets you complete an MBA faster, often in just one additional semester.
The Main Challenge: A PGDM is a professional degree, while a PhD is a research degree. Most PGDMs don't include a research thesis, which is important for PhD programs. Also, online formats might not be preferred by top universities.
How to Proceed: You need to fill the research gap.
- Show Research Skills: Work as a research assistant, co-author a paper, or write a detailed research proposal for your application.
- Validate Your PGDM: Make sure it has AIU (Association of Indian Universities) recognition to be seen as equal to a Master's degree, which is important for PhD applications in India.
- Do Well in Entrance Exams: Get high scores on the GMAT/GRE for studying abroad or UGC-NET/JRF for India.
- Get Research-Focused Recommendations: Your recommendation letters should highlight your research potential, not just your management skills.
Other Academic Options After PGDM
Your PGDM can lead to other paths:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): This is a direct path to a doctorate. A DBA focuses on applying research to business problems. Your PGDM and work experience are good preparation for a DBA, available at many universities in India and abroad.
- A Second, Specialized Master's Degree: Consider a specialized Master's like an MSc in Business Analytics or Finance to gain deeper expertise. This can also help you transition to a PhD program if it includes a research thesis.
- Top-up MBA: Some universities, especially in the UK, offer "top-up" programs where your PGDM lets you complete an MBA faster, often in just one additional semester.
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Deepti !
This is a good question but intricate so I understand why you came here to inquire. Naturally any PhD Program is going to have specific requirements and qualifications in order to apply for their PhD Program. You'll have to contact each of the various Universities, in India and abroad, to see what each individual one requires and if an online Masters fulfills the requirements.
Your Post Graduate Diploma in Management is indeed equivalent to a Masters Degree, so the next step is usually proceeding to a Doctorate Degree. The focus of what you'll need to know is the fact that your Masters was online and if any university in India will accept an online program to proceed for a PhD at their particular university. There are no online PhD programs in your country as online PhD programs are not approved by the University Grants Commission in India. What you'd have to find out would be if an online Masters qualifies you to take a PhD in person. Also, an online Master's Degree from an Indian institution would not qualify a student to enroll in a PhD program within India, and the PhD itself cannot be pursued online.
Your first step in finding out exact details and answers for this would be to make a list of all the universities in India that offer an on-site, in person PhD Program for Management. You will then need to e-mail or phone each one and get the information about needing or not needing an in person Master Degree. The universities are the only ones that can give you this information. Once you have your answers, you'll know which universities you can or cannot apply to. You'll have to do the same for Universities outside of India, too, as you've inquired here about universities that are abroad. It is a super lot of information that would not possibly fit on this page, so you'll have to do first hand exploring about this.
You also may want to find out if an online Masters is recognized by employers for work in India. So, the ONLINE PDGM may not have helped with going on to the next level, but you must contact the universities to see what they say because maybe some guidelines have changed. You'll never know until you contact them directly. Do this as soon as possible so that you can rearrange your plans if you have to.
Wishing you all the best !
This is a good question but intricate so I understand why you came here to inquire. Naturally any PhD Program is going to have specific requirements and qualifications in order to apply for their PhD Program. You'll have to contact each of the various Universities, in India and abroad, to see what each individual one requires and if an online Masters fulfills the requirements.
Your Post Graduate Diploma in Management is indeed equivalent to a Masters Degree, so the next step is usually proceeding to a Doctorate Degree. The focus of what you'll need to know is the fact that your Masters was online and if any university in India will accept an online program to proceed for a PhD at their particular university. There are no online PhD programs in your country as online PhD programs are not approved by the University Grants Commission in India. What you'd have to find out would be if an online Masters qualifies you to take a PhD in person. Also, an online Master's Degree from an Indian institution would not qualify a student to enroll in a PhD program within India, and the PhD itself cannot be pursued online.
Your first step in finding out exact details and answers for this would be to make a list of all the universities in India that offer an on-site, in person PhD Program for Management. You will then need to e-mail or phone each one and get the information about needing or not needing an in person Master Degree. The universities are the only ones that can give you this information. Once you have your answers, you'll know which universities you can or cannot apply to. You'll have to do the same for Universities outside of India, too, as you've inquired here about universities that are abroad. It is a super lot of information that would not possibly fit on this page, so you'll have to do first hand exploring about this.
You also may want to find out if an online Masters is recognized by employers for work in India. So, the ONLINE PDGM may not have helped with going on to the next level, but you must contact the universities to see what they say because maybe some guidelines have changed. You'll never know until you contact them directly. Do this as soon as possible so that you can rearrange your plans if you have to.
Wishing you all the best !