Both degree and diploma are recognitions conferred to a person on the successful completion of an educational course. However, there are a lot of differences between the two and neither can be used in place of the other.
What is a degree?
What is a degree?
The duration of a degree course is usually 3 to 4 years and the emphasis is on academics. For example, B.Com (H) is a 3-year degree course that deals with subjects like accountancy, economics and business studies; B.Tech is a 4-year degree course that teaches subjects like physics, chemistry and maths, and includes the subject one plans to major in, an MBBS is a 5 and half year long degree that teaches the general aspects of medicine.
Who can confer a degree?
Only a university can confer a degree. To pursue higher education, only a degree from a UGC approved university is accepted. AICTE approved private institutes are affiliated to UGC approved universities. In case a person graduates from an AICTE approved private institute affiliated to a UGC approved university, he still gets the degree of the university.
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed in a way that it provides an overview of many subjects, other than the one the student may be interested in. For example, in an engineering degree course for Computer Science, the first year focuses on subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mechanics, and Engineering Drawing apart from languages like C and COBOL; subsequent years have subjects like Digital Electronics and Analog Electronics. Typically, there is one subject that you major in, called the specialization whereas other subjects are called electives.
Scope
After a degree course, you can go for higher education to better your skills or look for a job in your field.
What is a Diploma?
What is a Diploma?
A diploma course is a short term course (usually 1 to 2 years in duration) that focuses on training a person in a particular field.
Who can confer a diploma?
An institute, a polytechnic or even a university can offer a diploma course. There is no need for the institute or the university to be UGC or AICTE approved.
Curriculum
The course is designed in a way such that the person gets basic theoretical knowledge about the course, apart from the extensive practical training needed in the job industry. For this purpose, a lot of diploma courses have on-the-job training and apprenticeship and focus more on practical exams. For example, a diploma in Computers involves subjects centred on programming languages and computer hardware only.
Scope
After a diploma, you can either enroll in a bachelor degree course or look for jobs. after you complete your diploma course, you will be directly given admission to second year.
Eligibility
A person can enroll for a diploma course even after class 10. There are diploma courses that require the candidate to be an HSC pass-out. Diploma courses at the masters level require the candidate to have a graduate degree.
Degree Vs. Diploma
| Degree | Diploma |
|---|---|
| A degree course is usually a 3 to 4 year long course conferred by a UGC recognized university, after the completion of a course. An institute cannot confer a degree. | A diploma is a short term course, lasting 1 or 2 years, and is not necessarily given by a university, but by an institute or a polytechnic as well. |
| Only a university can confer a degree. To pursue higher education, a degree from only a UGC approved university is accepted. | An institute, a polytechnic or even a university can offer a diploma course. There is no need for the institute or the university to be UGC or AICTE approved. |
| Typically, there is one subject that you major in, called the specialization whereas other subjects are called electives. | A diploma is a specific academic award usually awarded in professional/vocational courses. |
| According to industry professionals, a degree holder is preferred over a diploma holder in the same field. | The relative importance of a diploma, when compared to a degree course is less. |
| Degree programs give more in-depth knowledge and potentially start you at a higher level. | Diploma programs provide education within your given field and get you into the work force sooner. |
