Diploma vs Degree! Which one are you choosing?

We often choose a profession when we're young, but what we don't look at is the journey or the career path that will lead us to our chosen profession. One of the major decisions we make is to choose if we want to pursue a diploma or a specific degree. The diploma vs degree is a debate that has been going on for the longest time. However, both programs have their own strengths. In this blog, we will take a look at all aspects of diploma vs degree and which one is suitable for you. Let's dive in!

Diploma vs Degree Debate

The diploma vs degree debate has been going on for several years. Each of these has its own pros and cons, along with the various courses and job opportunities students can benefit from. Both programs offer several courses you can choose from, along with a platter of excellent job opportunities. Are degree programs better than a diploma program, or is it the other way around? Let's see what these two programs offer and how you can benefit from them.

What is a Diploma?

 A diploma is a certificate that is awarded by a university or an educational institution that acts as proof that the respective student has successfully completed the program by excelling and completing the courses and assignments during the course. The duration of a diploma program is usually between 1-2 years and has minimal eligibility criteria. You can apply for a diploma programme if you have passed your high school examination. A diploma program usually focuses more on a specific industry or field and design courses accordingly.

What is a Degree?

An academic degree is a qualification that is awarded to students who successfully complete a course of an academic program in higher education at a college or university. These degrees are offered at several levels, but the most common type of degrees awarded by educational institutions are undergraduate degree and postgraduate degree. The most common undergraduate degree is a bachelor's degree; however, some colleges and universities also offer associate degrees and foundation degrees, which are also a part of undergraduate degrees. Postgraduate degrees are usually master's degrees and doctorate. 

Benefits of Diploma 

Now that we have an idea of what a diploma is, let's dig deeper into what are the benefits of a diploma. 

• The eligibility criteria for the diploma are a little less confined as compared to other courses. This increases your chances of getting enrolled in your favourite university for a course you want.
• You can explore other career options while pursuing a diploma, as you are allowed to take other part-time courses simultaneously. 
• Another one of the many benefits of a diploma is that you have to invest less time as the duration of the courses is shorter.
• Even if the duration of the diploma is short as compared to other courses, you have theoretical and practical knowledge of the specific industry you are learning about.
• The curriculum of diploma courses is designed in a way that the student is exposed to real-life skills that enable her to work better in case of remote work or fieldwork.

Benefits of a Degree

Considering that many students opt for a degree program after high school brings in an aspect that the Degree program has a lot of advantages. There are several universities that allow you to pursue a dual degree program, so you can take up two courses simultaneously. Let's take a look at some benefits of a degree and how it is beneficial for you.

• Adding your degree to your resume can increase your chances of earning higher salaries.
• The curriculum of degrees is designed in a way that you get hands-on knowledge and polish your skills which highlights your resume in a bunch of other resumes
• The curriculum of a degree program usually includes basic knowledge and conducts examinations to strengthen the base of skills like critical thinking and analysis, which are useful in the future.
• If you earn a degree program, you can explore more career and networking opportunities.
• Additionally, if you complete a degree program, you are exposed to some amazing desirable options which are beyond entry-level, and you can explore more marketable job opportunities.

Popular Courses in Diploma Programs

Diploma programs have a vast range of courses you can choose from. You can either opt for a graduate diploma that is taken at a bachelor's level or a postgraduate diploma which is equivalent to a master's degree. We have listed down the most popular courses in Diploma programs.

1. Diploma in Engineering

2. Diploma in Accounting

3. Diploma in Event Management

4. Diploma in Computer Programming

5. Diploma in Graphic Design

6. Diploma in Hotel Management

7. Diploma in Fashion Designing

8. Diploma in Animation and multimedia

9. Diploma in Nursing

10. Diploma in Web Designing

Popular Courses in Degree Programs

Even though there are only two main types of degrees in the degree program, you can still choose from a number of different specialisations according to your liking and interests. Here are ten tips on how to get a first-class degree. You can take a look at the ten most popular courses offered in degree programs listed below.

1. Bachelor of Technology

2. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)

3. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

4. Bachelor of Commerce (B.com) 

5. Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)

6. Art and Design Foundation Course

7. Masters of Business Administration

8. Masters in Commerce

9. Master of Arts

10. Masters in Social Work

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Diploma vs Degree: What should you choose?

Pros and cons are like two sides of a coin. Both programs offer fantastic opportunities and education. Let's see a quick overview of how they are different from each other so you can make a wise choice. A diploma is awarded by universities and educational institutions, whereas a degree is awarded by a university. The duration of diploma courses is relatively shorter as compared to a degree program. Additionally, the tuition cost of a diploma is lesser than degree courses. After your graduation, you can directly apply for a job; however, after completing your diploma, it will take you a long time to get a job. This is because in a degree program, your career opportunities are flexible, but on the other hand, the stream of work is specific in a diploma program. However, we hope you have an idea of what these programs cater to and choose which one will suit you better! We hope you find your perfect academic program. Learn how to crack and get a first class degree. Happy Learning!

If you are planning for degree make sure you check our blog on double degree which might help you get a better job in future.