Diploma vs Degree: Differences, Benefits, and Career Opportunities

What is a Diploma?

Let’s begin with what is diploma course first. A diploma is an educational qualification that shows a student has completed a course in a focused subject or discipline. These courses are generally shorter than a degree program and can be completed within 6 months to 2 years.

Since a diploma degree is more focused on a single field and discipline, it provides more specialised training and knowledge, and is comparatively less expensive than degree programs. Some common examples of college diploma include:

• Diploma in Business Management
• Diploma in Graphic Design
• Diploma in Engineering Technology
• Diploma in Healthcare Assistance

Lastly, if you are wondering, “Is a diploma a degree?” then no, this is not a degree. These are certificates for completing a specific course of study.

Types of Diplomas

There are three types of diplomas or diploma degree that students can get. These include:

1. Undergraduate Diplomas: These types of diplomas are generally done after completing high school, and they provide career and subject-specific learning. Students usually take these as a way to a full-time bachelor’s degree.
2. Postgraduate Diplomas: These are usually taken by students who have already completed their bachelor’s degree and are looking to gain higher knowledge in their field. Some popular PG college diplomaare: Postgraduate Diploma in Business, Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), and Human Resource Management.
3. Vocational and Professional Diplomas: These types of diplomas are career-focused, and they provide practical skills and knowledge of a specific industry or trade. Some popular ones include: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Note: You can also explore these options in detail using our course finder tool.

Benefits of Pursuing a Diploma

Now that you understand what is a diploma, let’s take a look at its benefits and why you should take it. This will help you to better your understanding of a diploma vs degree. Take a look:

1. Shorter Duration: Since diplomas are specialised programs, they can be completed in less time (6 months to 2 years) as compared to degree programs. This makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to commit to a course for a longer duration.
2. Cost-Effective: The biggest advantage of diplomas is that they are comparatively cheaper than degree programs. This helps students avoid hefty student loans and get their return on investment much quicker as compared to a degree course.
3. Career-Specific Skills: Rather than providing students with broader industry knowledge, diploma programs focus on providing training and skill that are specific to a field. For example, coding, graphics, and UI/UX, rather than basic computer science or business theory.
4. Early Career Growth: Getting a diploma degree can also help in building a career that is highly rewarding, especially if you specialise in in-demand fields. And as you gain experience, your earning power can also increase further.
5. Early Job Entry: Lastly, due to their shorter duration, the best diploma courses after graduation also lead to early entry to the workforce and can help you gain a competitive edge.

What is a Degree?

Now, what is degree? To put it in the simplest definition, these are the academic qualifications that are awarded by a university after completing 3-4 years of education in a specific subject area. For example, a Bachelor’s in Science, a Master’s in Engineering, or a Doctorate in Psychology.

Besides being longer in duration, the main difference between a degree vs diploma, is that degree courses put more emphasis on research, theory, and broader knowledge of the subject.

So, if you are still wondering if a diploma is degree or not, then no, they are not. Degrees provide a wide range of career prospects that are not limited like those in a diploma.

Types of Degrees

Now that you understand what is degree, let’s understand its types. There are four main types of degrees that students can choose from:

1. Associate's Degree: This is an undergraduate degree which is usually for two years. It acts as a stepping stone for a full-time bachelor’s degree. A common example of an Associate degree is: Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.).
2. Bachelor's Degree: The bachelor’s degree is a 3-4 year course that is offered by colleges and universities and is usually done after completing high school education. Some popular bachelor’s degree includes: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.).
3. Master's Degree: This is a postgraduate academic program that lasts for 1-2 years. It provides in-depth education and specialisation in a particular field or course of study. For example, Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).
4. Doctoral Degree: A doctoral program is the highest academic degree in any field. This usually focuses on doing original research and scholarly development, and can last from 3 months to up to 10 years. For example, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.).

Benefits of Pursuing a Degree

Let’s take a look at the benefits of taking degree courses after 12th to better understand the difference between diploma and degree and which is better for you.

1. Higher Earning Potential: There has been increased data from countries like the UK and the US, which shows that degree holders earn higher than non-degree holders. Moreover, this earning gap also increases as people go for higher qualifications like a master’s degree.
2. Better Job Opportunities: Since degree courses are not limited to a particular field, they open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in fields like medicine, law, and engineering. As per a 2023 study, it was found that 97% of business leaders believe that graduates reach managerial positions faster.
3. Easy Career Change: A major distinction between a diploma vs degree is that getting a degree can help in a career change or industry switch. Degree programs can help in providing foundational knowledge and credentials to transition successfully.
4. Development of transferable skills: Degree programs give more than just subject-specific knowledge. These help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
5. Access to a professional network: University degrees also provide a great number of opportunities to meet and build connections with industry experts. These connections can then later lead to better job roles, higher salaries, and professional collaborations.

Key Differences Between Diploma and Degree

The main difference between diploma vs degree lies in different factors like their duration, fees, scope of study, and much more.

How to Choose Between a Diploma and a Degree

The best way to choose between a diploma vs degree is to consider a wide range of factors. You can consider diploma vs degree salary, your career goals, and learning style.

Choose a Diploma if you want to:

• Enter the job market much quickly and want to start building your experience in the real world.
• Gain skills which are directly relevant to the industry you want to work in.
• Spend less on tuition and living costs because a diploma is generally shorter and more affordable as compared to a degree
• Study a technical or vocational field. These include design, nursing, hospitality, information technology, or skilled trades.

Choose a Degree if you want to:

• Explore your subject in depth and focus on theory, research, and critical thinking.
• Qualify for professional or managerial roles which require higher education.
• Earn higher salaries in the long term because degrees provide broader and better career growth.
• Keep your options open for postgraduate study or diverse career paths later on.

Conclusion

Summing up, in today’s job market, skills, networking, and experience are just as important as any educational qualification title. So choosing between a diploma vs degree ultimately depends on what your future goals are. Diplomas are fast and more affordable programs that can help you get a jobs early. A degree, on the other hand, is a long-term investment, but it can open more doors to better and higher-paying job roles.

Are you planning to do either a degree or a diploma abroad? Check out our scholarship finder tool or connect with our Study Abroad Consultants and get assistance whenever you need it!

FAQ’s:

1. Which Diploma Is Equal to a Degree?

A diploma is a short and specialised program and is not equal to any degree, as degree courses generally take 3-4 years to complete. Diploma programs, on the other hand, can be completed in 6 months to 2 years, and they are more focused on skill-based qualifications.

2. Can I Get a Job with Just a Diploma?

Having a Diploma can help extremely in landing jobs in fields where vocational training or experience is more needed than a university degree. These include fields like electrician, plumber, police officer, accounts assistant, and many more

3. What Kind of Students Should Choose a Diploma?

Students who have a clear understanding of their career path and want hands-on and practical training should choose a Diploma. This will offer a faster and more affordable route to their chosen profession.

4. Can I Switch from A Diploma to A Degree Program?

It is extremely easy to switch from a Diploma to a degree program. Many of the universities around the world offer several pathways and programs (For example, bridging programs) to diploma holders to make the transition smoother for students.

5. Are Diplomas Only for Technical Courses?

Diplomas are shorter and more specialised programs which are available for a wide range of courses and not just for technical ones.