Diplomas focus more on developing a student’s practical skills and making them industry-ready, whereas a bachelor’s degree is more comprehensive and focuses more on theoretical academic knowledge.
A diploma may be awarded by an institute, a polytechnic, or even a university. A university can only award a bachelor’s degree.
Key Takeaways
- A diploma is a certificate that confirms the completion of a course of study, at the undergraduate level and takes 1-2 years to complete.
- On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate degree that provides in-depth knowledge in a specific field of study.
- Diplomas focus on vocational or technical skills, while bachelor’s degrees provide a broader and more theoretical education.
Diploma vs Bachelor
The difference between a Diploma and a Bachelor’s lies in the duration of each course. A diploma takes 1 to 2 years, whereas a bachelor’s degree takes 3 to 4.
Diplomas may not be internationally recognized and are not by themselves enough to propel your professional career forward.
A bachelor’s degree is internationally recognized and can help one pursue higher education or get a job.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Diploma | Bachelor |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | A diploma course takes 1 to 2 years to complete and is awarded by an institute, a polytechnic or even a university. | A Bachelor’s degree takes 3 to 4 years to complete and is awarded by colleges and universities. |
| Nature of the course | They focus more on developing a student’s practical skills and making them industry ready. These courses first impart basic theoretical knowledge about the subject in focus and then conduct extensive practical training required in the industry. Their subjects belong to more specific fields of study. | A Bachelor’s degree covers a broader range of subjects and fields to dive deep into. Being a more comprehensive degree, it focuses more on theoretical academic knowledge. |
| Requirements | Entry requirements for a diploma are lower than those for a degree. To be admitted into a diploma course, one must pass the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC)/tenth standard/equivalent examination. | A student must pass the 12th standard to enrol in a bachelor’s degree program. |
| Awarding institution | A diploma may be awarded by an institute, a polytechnic, or even a university. | Only a university can confer a bachelor’s degree. |
| Impact on career | Diplomas may not be recognized internationally. One can enrol for a degree or look for jobs after completing a diploma. To pursue a higher degree after only a diploma, one must pursue a course for at least 1 or 2 more years. | After completing a bachelor’s degree, one can either move on to higher education to better their skills or look for a job. A degree awarded by an officially accredited institution is recognized internationally. |
What is Diploma?
A diploma is a certificate awarded to a student by an educational institution, polytechnic or even a university upon completing a particular course.
This course takes 1 to 2 years to complete. A diploma mainly equips students with industry-ready skills based on basic theoretical knowledge.
One can enrol for a diploma course if one has passed the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC)/tenth standard/equivalent examination.
Diplomas may not be recognized internationally.
One can enrol for a degree or look for jobs after completing a diploma. To pursue a higher degree after only a diploma, one must pursue a course for at least 1 or 2 more years.
A diploma is awarded for very specific subjects like Film and Video production or even Aeronautical Engineering.
For instance, a diploma in computer science involves subjects centred on programming languages and computer hardware only.
What is a Bachelor?
A bachelor’s degree (from Modern Latin baccalaureate) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to four years.
A Bachelor’s degree covers a broader range of subjects and fields to dive deep into. Being a more comprehensive degree, it focuses more on theoretical academic knowledge.
To pursue a bachelor’s degree, one must pass the 12th standard.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, one can either move on to higher education to better their skills or look for a job. A degree awarded by an officially accredited institution is recognized internationally.
Main Differences Between Diploma and Bachelor
- A diploma course takes 1 to 2 years, whereas a bachelor’s degree takes 3 to 4 years.
- A diploma may be awarded by an institute, a polytechnic or even a university. Colleges and universities award a bachelor’s degree.
- A diploma focuses on making students ready for the job industry. Being a more comprehensive degree, a bachelor’s degree focuses more on theoretical academic knowledge.
- A diploma has lower entry requirements. To be admitted into a diploma course, one must pass the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC)/tenth standard/equivalent examination. For a bachelor’s degree, one must have passed the 12th standard.
- Diplomas may not be internationally recognized and are insufficient to build a prosperous career. A bachelor’s degree is internationally recognized and can be used to get a job or further higher education.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
A very common misconception has been clarified in a concise and clear way. Great article!
Absolutely, this was an enlightening read.
This article was very precise. The point-by-point comparison was beneficial for understanding the contrasts between the two qualifications.
This was an enlightening read. I now have better insight on which qualification might be better suited for my career goals.
An interesting aspect to add would have been the comparison of the typical course fees for each qualification. Nonetheless, solid content.
The maneuvering between practical and theoretical emphasis in the different qualifications was well explained.
This was really informative! I now have a clear understanding of the difference and purpose of each type of educational course.
I wish this article had gone further into the implications of the time difference in obtaining these qualifications.
This was a very detailed evaluation of the differences in these qualifications. Kudos to the author!
This article didn’t cover the social aspects of obtaining a diploma or a degree. It would have been more comprehensive if it had.
I think it is important to highlight that not having a Bachelor’s degree can seriously hinder one’s career opportunities.