What is the Diploma?

The diploma is a certification issued by the educational institute that testifies that the candidate has completed the particular course. Some undergraduate qualifications which are equivalent to two-thirds of an honors degree are called a Diploma in higher education.

The focus mainly is on a professional career or academic study in a particular course or curriculum, which helps in excelling both professional as well as technical skills. Having an equivalent Diploma in Higher Education tells us that you’re capable of an extended university-level study.

What Is the Difference Between a Certificate, Diploma, and Degree?

Award Type	Certificate	Graduate Certificate	Diploma	Degree (associate, bachelor's master's, and doctorate)
Institutions	Vocational and technical schools; community colleges	2- and 4-year institutions	Vocational and technical schools; community colleges; hospitals	2- and 4-year institutions
Completion Time	About 1 year	About 1 year	About 1 year	2 years, 4 years , 2 years , 4-6 years
Career Goals	Technical and vocational fields; professional skill enhancement	professional skill enhancement and specialization	Technical and vocational fields	Professional fields requiring undergraduate or graduate degrees

Each of the diploma, certification as well as degrees differ in the time that they take to earn, including the minimum credits that are required in general to pass the graduation. Each of these academia is relevant for a niche career goal as well as a career.

Concerning Australia, Diploma and certification programs are equivalent to what we call “associate’s degree program” here. But they take lesser time as compared to other general education programs. While a degree in diploma focuses on a well-rounded education, certification focuses on niche development. Many universities, for example, focuses on students taking up English, Philosophy, Mathematics, History, Maths, and Science as part of their curriculum.

Certificate Programs

In certificate, a particular subject with a series of courses is the prime area that the student needs to take up and complete. Often the students take up or earn the certificate to be able to move one step ahead in their professional career leading up to Diploma degree. Also, in some technical courses, a certification is a must to excel in later parts of the professional career.

Apart from this, there are also certain graduation certificates, which can be taken alongside a graduate degree program. In some cases, the students get the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of electives which may make him/her more desirable to a potential employer.

Diploma Programs

Like the certificates, Diplomas are also courses which are often awarded through technical schools or community schooling. For example, for a person who is eyeing a career in nursing, the substitute to bachelors or associate degree is a diploma in nursing. However, a diploma program is only offered in the area of expertise, like the diploma in nursing can be awarded to an aspirant in hospitals offering these specialty programs along with training.

Degree Programs

Many levels award academic degree, which includes associate’s which is a two-year program, bachelor’s which is mostly a four-year program, or a master’s which is a two year and beyond bachelors degree program. The most rewarding thing about a degree is that it opens all possible doors to the aspirant in terms of career or any postgraduate and doctorate course/certification ahead.

What is the Australian Equivalent to Diploma?

Australian Qualifications Framework recognizes three varieties of Diploma

• A qualification given by vocational education and training (VET) sector called diploma, is typically completed in 12-18 months of full-time study. On being accepted for credit as a part of the bachelor’s degree, it is usually regarded as an equivalent to the first year of the course.

• an “Advanced Diploma” is an equivalent to what Australian academia calls an “Associate Degree.”

• a “Graduate Diploma” which can be undertaken post the completion of a bachelor’s degree.  

Different Diploma Courses in Australia

Diploma in Business

A Diploma in Business Management as a course/degree is emerging as one of the most lucrative options for students who wish to join the corporate or public sector in a managerial post. It is mostly a year-long course in many reputed universities of Australia.

The activities included in Business Management include running an organization, either public or private, and also focusing on various other aspects that are required in a managerial post like leading, controlling, organizing, monitoring and planning. Hence, a Diploma in Business Management can be considered a short-term course that focuses on essential aspects of management.

The focus remains on imparting skills related to the general functioning of any business and giving an outline to the various management disciplines to the students. Opportunities like finance, marketing, consulting, human resource development with a corporate organization or government firms.

Colleges providing the course :

• Central Queensland University
• The University of Adelaide
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Charles Darwin University
• University of Technology, Sydney

1. Central Queensland University

Tuition Fees in Central Queensland University: Rs. 20.65 Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

Scores required are just average scores and may be different for different universities and courses.

IELTS : 5.5-9

TOEFL: 46-90

PTE: 75

2. The University of Adelaide

Tuition Fees in The University of Adelaide: Rs. 24.95 Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

IELTS : 5.5-9

TOEFL : 46-90

PTE : 75

Similarly, on average, the tuition fees for the first year may be in the range of Rs. 20-20 Lacs and hence students are asked to apply for a merit-cum-means scholarship and look for part-time jobs that would require a student visa.

Diploma in Commercial Cookery

This Diploma of Hospitality Management/Commercial Cookery as in locally called here in Australia is suitable for those students who have already completed their Certification level III and IV and who wish to move further ahead in increasing their skills and knowledge in hospitality operations.

After the completion of the course, students will be able to operate independently any responsibility bestowed upon them about operational business decisions or roles requiring responsible decision making. The above course provides a way to work as a professional cook in reputed restaurants like hotels, clubs, cafes and coffee shops.

Colleges providing the course :

• Charles Darwin University
• Holmes Institute
• Cambridge International College
• Western Institute
• South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE

1. Charles Darwin University

Tuition Fees at Charles Darwin University: Rs. 11.32  Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

IELTS : 5.5-9

TOEFL: 46-90

PTE: 75

2. Holmes Institute

Tuition Fees in Holmes Institute: Rs. 12.34  Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

Similarly, on average, the tuition fees for the first year may be in the range of Rs. 10-14 Lacs and hence students are asked to apply for a merit-cum-means scholarship and look for part-time jobs which would require a students visa.

Diploma in Accounting

The Diploma in Accounting and Finance is mostly a year-long certification course which requires a student to have completed a 10+2 or equivalent qualification with Mathematics being a compulsory subject.

A candidate does not need to qualify any common entrance examination to be eligible for the diploma; he has to fulfill the basic eligibility criterion for the course. However, different universities also have their entrance exams and hence may choose candidates according to the score they get in the exam. This course provides students with knowledge and skill to get employed in accounting roles like payroll officer and account clerk.

Colleges providing the course :

• Swinburne University of Technology
• Charles Darwin University
• Chisholm Institute
• Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong
• Kangan Institute

1. Swinburne University of Technology

Tuition Fees in the Swinburne University of Technology: Rs. 9.52  Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

IELTS : 5.5-9

TOEFL: 46-90

PTE: 75

2. Charles Darwin University

Tuition Fees at Charles Darwin University: Rs. 11.34  Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

IELTS : 5.5-9

TOEFL : 46-90

PTE : 75

Diploma in Information Technology

Information technology (IT) is talked about the applications based on computer technology, that can help store, retrieve, transmit, and share data. The information to be processed can be about any business of any market-specific area. It can also be called a subset of information and communication technology.

The most common terms used for IT is generally in terms of computer and computer networks, and it may also encompass other sources. Other information distribution devices and applications such as television and telephones are also grouped into Information Technology. Many industries like computer hardware, software, internet, electronics, semiconductors, e-commerce, telecom equipment are closely related industries.

The ones pursuing this course have to study subjects like database systems, ICT project management, programming and computer networks.

Colleges providing the course :

• Charles Sturt University Study
• The University of Adelaide
• Victoria University
• Swinburne University of Technology
• University of Canberra
• Sydney Institute of TAFE
• South West Institute TAFE
• Canberra Institute of Technology
• Monash College
• South Regional TAFE

1. Charles Sturt University Study

Tuition Fees in Charles Sturt University Study: Rs. 15.20  Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

2. Monash College

Tuition Fees Monash College: Rs. 9.36  Lacs for the first year is the average amount.

The average score required for different universities listed above :

IELTS: 5.5-9
TOEFL: 46-90
PTE: 75

Check Out:

• Colleges In Australia
• Colleges In South-Australia
• Colleges In Western-Australia
• Colleges In Australian-Capital-Territory

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