Diploma Vs Degree: What are the Differences and Which is Better
by ago 37 views0
The decision making for selecting the higher education program after High School education is a crucial process for the students. The confusion about the Diploma vs Degree and the importance of selecting the right course significantly influences the career trajectory of the students. Therefore, students need to make the right decision for their further academic studies. Degree courses provide comprehensive knowledge of the chosen stream to the students. Nonetheless, students who opt for Diploma programs gain specific practical & technical knowledge of the chosen field.
Both Diploma & Degree have their own benefits, and open paths to distinct career options for the students. So, which one of these is truly a better choice for the future aspirants? Lets dive into this blog to understand the contrast & advantages of Diploma vs Degree and how students can make the right choice for securing a better future.
Contents
What is a Diploma?
A Diploma is a Certificate program offered by educational Institutions, indicating that a student has gained a certain level of knowledge and hands-on skills in a specific area of study, especially in the Vocational & Technical fields. Students generally pursue this program for upskilling their knowledge, exploring career options rapidly, and affordability.
The Diploma courses are mainly of four types namely, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma, and Postgraduate (PG) Diploma.
- A Diploma is generally pursued by students after 10th / 12th The Diploma duration ranges from 6 months to 2 years. Some of the popular choices among the students are Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM), Diploma in Civil Engineering, and more.
- An Advanced Diploma is a post-Diploma qualification that equips the students with in-depth knowledge & the necessary skills required for better career options. Programs such as Advanced Diploma in Marketing Management, Vocational Education, etc. are some of the prominent options.
- A Post-Baccalaureate Diploma is a course that can be pursued after completion of the UG Degree for in-depth knowledge of the specified field. Pharm.D (Post-Baccalaureate) is one of the examples of the same.
- A Postgraduate (PG) Diploma is a short-term course pursued by the students after Undergraduation in order to gain career-oriented skills and knowledge of the respective discipline. Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology (PG DIT), and various others are a few examples of such PG Diploma programs.
What is a Degree?
A Degree course is an official academic qualification that students gain from Universities after completion of their studies in a particular discipline. In a Degree course, students are fostered with knowledge in a comprehensive curriculum, and attain expertise in a particular field of study. The Degree courses are offered at three levels: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctorate.
- An Undergraduate (UG) / Bachelors Degree courses are generally of 3 to 4 years. Students can pursue their higher education in some popular UG Degree programs such as B.E / B.Tech, B.Com, B.Sc, B.A, BBA, etc.
- A Postgraduate / Masters Degree is a 2-year course pursued after a Undergraduation to gain higher-level knowledge in a specific field. A few sought after PG Degree programs graduates are MBA, M.Tech, M.Sc, and many others.
- A Doctorate Degree is the highest level of academic qualification that students can attain; it mostly spans for a period of 3 to 6 years.
Key Differences Between Diploma vs Degree Courses
Before enrolling for a particular program, students must understand the key difference between Diploma and Degree which are tabulated in a table given below:
| Category | Diploma | Degree |
| Minimum Eligibility Criteria | Completed 10th / 12th Standard | Passed 10+2 / Diploma |
| Duration | 6 Months – 2 Years | 2 – 6 Years
*Duration depends on the level of Degree. |
| Fees | Less | Comparatively high |
| Offered By | Vocational Institutions / Training Centres / Colleges / Institutes / Universities | Colleges / Institutes / Universities approved by UGC / AICTE or both |
| Career Scope | Finite growth in career without advanced qualifications | Wide array of job opportunities & growth |
| Payout / Salary / Package | Entry-level salary | Higher packages with higher chances of increment |
Also Check: Top 1 Year Diploma Courses After 12th: Science, Commerce & Arts
Advantages of Diploma and Degree
Despite multiple Degree and Diploma differences, both of these offer several benefits to the students. Lets comprehend the advantages of Diploma vs Degree separately:
Advantages of Diploma Programs
- Affordable Education & Shorter Time Span: Diploma programs provide hands-on training and skills to the students in a shorter span of time at an affordable fee structure.
- Enhancement of the Skills: Through Diploma programs students are equipped with advanced skills in specific fields. This increases their confidence and assists them in creating a successful career.
- Practical Exposure: Students gain experiential learning that are relevant to the current industrial trends during their course of Diploma program.
Advantages of Degree Courses
- Comprehensive Education: Degree courses provide an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical concepts in specified areas to the students, covering all the concerning aspects and topics.
- Job Opportunities & Salary: After completing the Degree course, students can explore ample career options in varied fields at higher entry-level packages.
- Personal Growth: One of the biggest advantages of pursuing the Degree course is that it contributes to personal development of the student. It provides an opportunity to the students to hone their lifelong skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, networking, etc.
Disadvantages of Diploma and Degree
By now, future aspirants must have had an overview about the benefits of both academic pursuits. However, they might wonder what are the disadvantages of Diploma vs Degree?
A few disadvantages regarding Diploma vs Degree are discussed below separately:
Disadvantages of Diploma Programs
- Limited academic exposure
- Narrowed career opportunities
- Lower salary or payout
Disadvantages of Degree Courses
- Long term commitment
- High financial burden
- Limited work experience
- Chances of attaining outdated knowledge in the rapidly growing fields
How to Decide Between Diploma vs Degree?
Having clear thoughts about Degree vs Diploma & making the right choice between the two is very important for the students, as it determines the employment opportunities they are going to get in the future.
Students must keep below-mentioned points in mind while making the desired choice between Diploma vs Degree:
- Comprehend the Career Goals & Salary: Primarily, students must decide between Diploma vs Degree according to the career goals. A Degree course is a better option for the students who want to have varied job opportunities in the long On the other hand, if a student wants immediate employment, a Diploma could be a perfect choice.
- Consider the Duration: The choice between Diploma vs Degree is also based on their duration of completion. If a student wants to invest 3 to 4 years in studies, a Degree program can be a better However, if students want to acquire a certificate within 6 to 24 months, they should choose a Diploma course.
- Analyse the Personal Learning Style: A Diploma course is best for the students who want to gain practical & active learning experience while a Degree is best for the students who wish to have a thorough & advanced knowledge of the chosen field of study like Law, Engineering, Medical, and more.
Common Queries: Diploma vs Degree
Some frequently asked questions about Diploma vs Degree are listed below:
Q.1 Between Diploma vs Degree, which one is a better choice?
Both Degree and Diploma have distinct benefits, therefore choosing the best among these depends on the students’ personal preference & career goals.
Q.2 Does Diploma have a higher value than Degree?
Based on the comparison of their level of study, a Degree is considered to have higher value than Diploma.
Q.3 What is the level of Diploma in India?
In India, Diploma is a vocational / technical qualification that is generally pursued after Class 10th / 12th and falls between a High School and Bachelors Degree.
Q.4 Between Diploma vs Degree, which course offers higher paying jobs?
Considering Diploma vs Degree salary, students pursuing Degree courses have chances of securing higher salary packages as compared to the Diploma holders.
Q.5 Can a student pursue Diploma and Degree courses together?
If students are studying in a full-time Degree course, then they can pursue a Diploma program simultaneously through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or Online mode.
Also Check: Career Guidance for Students After 12th- How to Choose the Right Path
Wrap Up!
Both Diploma and Degree provide valuable education to the students but are very different from each other. The major differences between Degree and Diploma include duration, fee structure, learning style, job opportunities, and payout. A Degree program is crucial to acquire advanced education and speciality, while a Diploma course allows students to acquire hands-on training and quicker employment opportunities.
Nonetheless, the better choice between Diploma vs Degree is completely based on the students’ personal preference, budget, and future goals.
