IIM Lucknow (Noida Campus) PGPX Working Executives: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. PGPWE classes are held on alternate weekends from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon at the Noida Campus. This means you attend classes every other weekend, allowing you to continue working during weekdays. The program spans 7 terms over 2 years, with each term typically lasting 8-10 weeks. Most working professionals successfully manage both their jobs and studies by planning their work schedules around the weekend classes. However, you should discuss this with your employer beforehand to ensure flexibility during exam periods and project submissions.

Ans. PGPWE is a part-time program designed for working professionals with a minimum of 3 years of work experience, while PGP is a full-time program for fresh graduates or those with limited work experience. PGPWE costs INR 11.15 lakhs compared to PGP's higher fees, and the curriculum is tailored to address challenges faced by working managers. PGPWE students bring diverse industry experience to classroom discussions, enriching peer learning. However, PGP offers more intensive learning, better placement outcomes, and higher average salary increases. The choice depends on your career stage and ability to commit full-time to studies.

Ans. The PGPWE Entrance Exam is designed to assess basic quantitative, verbal, and reasoning skills relevant to management education. It is generally considered less difficult than CAT but requires adequate preparation. The exam is conducted at the Noida Campus in December. However, you can also submit valid scores from CAT, GMAT, GRE, or GATE (taken in 2024 or 2025) instead of taking the PGPWE exam. Cutoff scores vary based on the number of applicants and their performance. IIM Lucknow does not publish exact cutoff scores, but typically scores above 60-70 percentile in the entrance exam are competitive for admission.

Ans. No, the minimum work experience requirement of 3 years full-time post-graduation work experience as on March 31, 2026 is strictly enforced. The program is specifically designed for mid-level professionals, and this requirement ensures that the cohort has sufficient experience to contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions and case studies. If you have less than 3 years of experience, you should wait until you meet the requirement or consider other MBA programs designed for early-career professionals.

Ans. The international module is a mandatory component of the PGPWE curriculum, typically conducted during Term 5 (the second year). It includes a two-week international immersion experience where students visit a foreign business school or participate in international business case studies. The module is designed to provide global business exposure and networking opportunities with international business leaders. The cost of the international module is included in the total fees of INR 11.15 lakhs. All admitted students must participate in this module as it is a core part of the curriculum.

Ans. PGPWE has a placement rate of 85-90%, with most placements occurring through campus recruitment drives and alumni networks. However, placement dynamics differ from full-time programs because many PGPWE students are already employed and seek internal promotions or role changes within their current organizations. Companies actively recruit PGPWE graduates for senior management positions, particularly in Finance, IT, Consulting, and Operations sectors. The average salary increase post-MBA is 30-50%, which is lower than full-time programs but significant considering students continue working during the program. Many graduates transition to new industries or functions, leveraging their IIM degree for career advancement.