Great Lakes Chennai PGDM: Two-Year Management Programme
The Great Lakes PGDM is a two-year full-time residential programme designed primarily for freshers and candidates with less than three years of work experience. It is AICTE approved and has been designed with inputs from academic and business advisory bodies.
PGDM is the more natural route for freshers and early-career candidates who want two years of management education, internships and campus experience. Great Lakes states that candidates with 2-3 years of experience may also be eligible for PGDM, but they are encouraged to consider the one-year PGPM as well.
Great Lakes PGDM Eligibility 2027-29
For the 2027-29 admission process, Great Lakes accepts candidates with a bachelor's degree and requires a valid management entrance score. The current official admission page also specifies the applicable CAT, XAT and GMAT test windows.
| Requirement | PGDM 2027-29 |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised institution |
| Academic requirement | Minimum 50% across Class 10, Class 12 and graduation |
| Work experience | Freshers and candidates with strictly less than 36 months |
| Accepted tests | CAT 2025/2026, XAT 2026/2027, GMAT taken on or after 1 Jan 2024 |
| Rank holders | College/university rank holders may receive additional weightage in selection |
Great Lakes also states that candidates may apply before their final test result is available in the applicable early cycle, subject to the programme's rules and subsequent submission of scores.
Great Lakes PGDM Admission Process
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Application | Complete the Great Lakes online application and submit academic, personal and test information. |
| Application screening | Shortlisting considers entrance scores, academics, profile and other relevant inputs. |
| AI-proctored assessment | Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete an AI/video assessment. |
| Personal Interview | The interview evaluates communication, business awareness, career goals, attitude, people skills and initiatives. |
| Final selection | The complete candidate profile is assessed before offers are released. |
What does Great Lakes evaluate?
- Academic consistency and ability to handle an intensive programme.
- CAT/XAT/GMAT performance and overall management aptitude.
- Communication, thought process and business awareness.
- Achievements, extracurricular participation and leadership indicators.
- Diversity of background and potential contribution to peer learning.
- Integrity and ethical values.
Great Lakes states that it does not admit students through management quota or any other reservation-based seat route and warns applicants against third parties offering such seats.
Great Lakes PGDM Fees 2026-28
The official 2026-28 fee page lists a total fee of ₹22.50 lakh for Indian students. The published total includes academic fees, residential accommodation, refundable caution deposit and alumni subscription.
| Fee component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee | ₹10.25 lakh |
| Programme fee | ₹5.78 lakh |
| Academic/programme subtotal | ₹16.03 lakh |
| Twin AC accommodation | ₹6.32 lakh |
| Refundable caution deposit | ₹10,000 |
| Alumni subscription | ₹5,000 |
| Total | ₹22.50 lakh |
What does the PGDM fee include?
- Tuition and academic/programme expenses.
- Case studies, textbooks, reading material and online resources.
- Twin-sharing AC accommodation; triple sharing may be allocated if required by availability, with the applicable difference refunded.
- Vegetarian meals are included; non-vegetarian meals are optional and extra.
- Campus facilities and student services associated with the residential programme.
Personal laptop expenses, travel and personal miscellaneous expenses are not included. Great Lakes also states that the refund policy follows AICTE norms.
Scholarships
Great Lakes currently lists 40 Merit and Diversity Scholarships worth ₹5 lakh each for incoming PGDM students, with at least 30% reserved for female candidates. The Dr. Bala V. Balachandran Merit Scholarship can offer a 100% tuition fee waiver to exceptional candidates.
Great Lakes PGDM Curriculum
The PGDM is designed to build business fundamentals while keeping the curriculum connected to emerging economies, technology and current industry requirements. The programme combines classroom learning, case-based pedagogy, industry interaction, internships and applied projects.
| Learning area | Student outcome |
|---|---|
| Management fundamentals | Build a foundation in finance, marketing, operations, strategy, economics and organisational behaviour. |
| Analytics & technology | Develop data-driven decision-making and understanding of technology-enabled businesses. |
| Industry exposure | Regular interaction with CXOs and industry practitioners; Great Lakes highlights 150+ CXO interactions annually. |
| Experiential learning | Case studies, projects, internship exposure and practical business problem solving. |
| Career preparation | Domain-focused learning and placement preparation aligned with consulting, finance, marketing, technology and operations roles. |
The exact elective structure and course list can change across cohorts, so students should use the latest official curriculum before finalising a specialisation.
Great Lakes PGDM Placements 2025
The official PGDM Class of 2025 placement report records an average CTC of ₹15 LPA and a highest CTC of ₹39.3 LPA. The report also records 63 PPOs and participation from more than 25 new recruiters.
| Placement area | Share / outcome |
|---|---|
| Finance roles | 33% of offers |
| Sales & Marketing | 32% of offers |
| Tech Consulting | 12% of offers |
| Operations | 11% of offers |
| BFSI/NBFC sector | 27% of offers |
| PPOs | 63 students |
Recruiters mentioned in the official report include Accenture, Deloitte, EY, Nestlé, Gartner, HCL, J.P. Morgan Chase, PwC, Wells Fargo, ITC, Godrej, MasterCard, Federal Bank and L&T Finance.
Read detailed placement comparison →Who Should Choose Great Lakes PGDM?
Strong fit
- Fresh graduates who want a full two-year management programme.
- Candidates with less than three years of work experience.
- Students targeting finance, consulting, marketing, technology, analytics or operations.
- Candidates who value internships, CXO interaction and practical learning.
Think carefully if
- You already have substantial work experience and prefer a one-year programme.
- You are uncomfortable with a residential programme and its overall cost.
- You are choosing the college only on the highest CTC.
- You specifically need a university-awarded MBA degree rather than a PGDM qualification.
Great Lakes PGDM FAQs
What is the Great Lakes Chennai PGDM fee?
The official 2026-28 fee for Indian students is ₹22.50 lakh, including academic/programme fees, twin AC accommodation, refundable caution deposit and alumni subscription.
Is Great Lakes PGDM good for freshers?
Yes. The two-year PGDM is specifically designed for freshers and candidates with less than three years of work experience.
Which exams are accepted for Great Lakes PGDM?
For the 2027-29 process, Great Lakes lists CAT 2025/2026, XAT 2026/2027 and GMAT scores taken on or after 1 January 2024.
Does Great Lakes PGDM require work experience?
No. Freshers can apply. Candidates with strictly less than 36 months of work experience are also eligible under the current admission rules.
What is the PGDM average package at Great Lakes?
The latest official completed PGDM placement report available is for the Class of 2025, with an average CTC of ₹15 LPA and highest CTC of ₹39.3 LPA.
Is Great Lakes PGDM equivalent to MBA?
Great Lakes states that its PGDM is an MBA-equivalent programme as validated by the Association of Indian Universities. Students should verify the exact equivalence requirement for their intended higher-study or employment use case.