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Sri Chanakya Institution of Hotel Management & CT is Visakhapatnam's premier hospitality education institute offering industry-aligned degree & diploma programs with 100% placement support.
Choosing the right hotel management course can be confusing, especially when you come across different options such as BHM, DHM and PGDHM.
Although all three courses are related to the hospitality industry, they are designed for students at different stages of their education and can lead to different career paths.
Before choosing a course, it is important to understand what each program offers, who can apply, how long it takes, and what kind of career path it can support. This guide explains the differences between BHM, DHM and PGDHM to help students make a more informed decision.
BHM stands for Bachelor of Hotel Management.
It is an undergraduate degree program designed for students who want to build a broader academic and practical foundation in hotel and hospitality management.
A BHM program generally covers areas such as:
At Sri Chanakya, BHM is offered as a 3-year undergraduate degree course. Students can develop both theoretical knowledge and practical hospitality skills as part of their education.
BHM can be considered by students who have completed 10+2 / Intermediate or an equivalent qualification and want to pursue an undergraduate degree in hotel management.
It can be a suitable option for students who want to build their hospitality career through a degree-level program.
DHM stands for Diploma in Hotel Management.
A diploma can provide students with focused training in important areas of hotel operations.
At Sri Chanakya, the DHM program is a 1.5-year diploma course, with eligibility listed as 10th pass or 10+2. The program focuses on practical areas including food production, front office management, housekeeping operations and guest relations.
DHM may be considered by students who want a shorter, career-focused route into the hospitality sector.
It can be particularly relevant for students who want to develop practical hotel-management skills without starting with a three-year undergraduate degree.
PGDHM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management.
It is a postgraduate-level program designed for students who already have a graduation-level educational background and want to develop specialised knowledge in hospitality management.
The program can cover areas related to:
Sri Chanakya lists its PGDHM as a 1.5-year postgraduate diploma program with career opportunities across hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise lines, travel and tourism agencies, catering companies and hospitality businesses.
Here is a quick side-by-side comparison to help you analyze how these three hospitality management courses differ across key parameters:
| Factor | BHM | DHM | PGDHM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course type | Undergraduate degree | Diploma | Postgraduate diploma |
| Duration at Sri Chanakya | 3 years | 1.5 years | 1.5 years |
| Suitable stage | After 10+2 | After 10th / 10+2 | After graduation |
| Main focus | Degree + hospitality management | Practical hotel operations | Advanced hospitality management |
| Suitable for | Students seeking a degree | Students seeking a shorter course | Graduates seeking specialised hospitality education |
| Career direction | Hotel and hospitality management | Entry-level hotel operations | Supervisory and managerial career paths |
Note: The exact eligibility, duration and curriculum should always be confirmed with the institution before admission.
If you have completed 12th and want to pursue a full undergraduate degree in hospitality, BHM is one option to consider.
If you are looking for a shorter diploma-oriented route and meet the eligibility requirements, DHM may be another option.
The choice should depend on your:
There is no single course that is right for every student.
The biggest difference is the level and structure of the program.
BHM is an undergraduate degree program.
It provides a broader combination of academic learning, hospitality operations and management education.
DHM is a diploma program.
It can provide a more focused and shorter pathway into hotel management and hospitality operations.
If you are deciding between the two after 12th, consider whether you want to pursue a degree-level program or a shorter diploma route.
PGDHM is different from BHM and DHM because it is a postgraduate-level program.
It may be relevant for graduates who want to specialise in hotel and hospitality management after completing their previous degree.
The program can provide exposure to areas such as hotel and resort management, food and beverage management, event planning and other hospitality-related operations.
Whatever course you choose, hotel management is an industry where practical knowledge is important.
Students need opportunities to understand how hospitality operations work in real situations.
Training can include areas such as:
Sri Chanakya's training facilities include basic, advanced and quantitative training kitchens, bakery facilities, housekeeping training areas, and a training restaurant and bar.
This type of practical exposure can help students understand the connection between classroom learning and actual hospitality operations.
Hotel management education can open pathways across several hospitality-related sectors. Depending on their qualification, skills and experience, students can explore opportunities in areas such as:
Students can work in departments such as:
Hospitality skills can also be applied in restaurants, cafés, catering operations and food-service businesses.
Hospitality professionals can also explore opportunities related to aviation and cruise hospitality.
Students interested in organising and managing events can explore event planning and related hospitality roles.
Hospitality education can also provide a foundation for careers connected with travel and tourism businesses.
The exact job role and career progression depend on the individual's qualification, skills, experience and employer.
A certificate or degree is only one part of building a hospitality career.
Students should also develop skills such as:
Hospitality is a people-focused industry, so the ability to communicate professionally and work effectively with different types of people can be valuable.
Before applying for a course, ask yourself these questions:
Your educational qualification will determine which courses you can apply for.
Think about your long-term educational and career plans before choosing between a degree and diploma.
Compare the duration of different courses and decide which fits your plans.
You may be more interested in:
Check the training facilities, practical sessions, industry exposure and learning environment before making a decision.
Look at the institution's placement support, industry connections, internships and career guidance. Sri Chanakya states that its placement cell provides placement assistance and focuses on industry training and preparation for hospitality careers.
Students sometimes choose a course simply because it sounds attractive.
Instead, look at the complete picture:
Eligibility → Course Duration → Curriculum → Practical Training → Industry Exposure → Career Support → Your Career Goal
This approach can help you make a more informed decision.
BHM, DHM and PGDHM are not simply different names for the same course.
They serve students at different educational stages and can provide different academic and career pathways.
BHM can be considered by students looking for an undergraduate hotel management degree.
DHM can be considered by students looking for a shorter diploma-oriented route into hospitality.
PGDHM can be considered by graduates who want postgraduate-level hospitality education.
Before making your decision, compare the eligibility, duration, curriculum, practical training, career support and your own long-term goals.
The right course is not necessarily the one with the most attractive name. It is the one that fits your current qualification, interests and career plans.
— Sri Chanakya Institution of Hotel Management & CT, Visakhapatnam
