What Is the Difference Between a Degree Course and A Diploma Course?
A degree is generally referred to as a certification conferred to a student by the college or university on completing a certain level of the course undertaken.
On the other hand, a diploma is a certification given to a student by a particular institution or university after completing classes in a particular field.
While this is the basic difference between the two, let us now compare the two.
The concentration is more on theory with an overall holistic approach. In some cases, admission to diploma courses is done biannually. The concentration is more on the hands-on learning experience and industry-specific skills.
| Degree Course | Diploma course |
| Awarded on completion of a particular course | Awarded on completion of classes in a particular field |
| Course duration usually 3 years or more | Course duration usually 1 to 2 years |
| Minimum educational requirement 10+2 | Minimum educational requirement 10th grade |
| Admission to degree courses are usually done annually | In some cases admission to diploma courses are done biannually |
| The concentration is more on theory with an overall holistic approach | The concentration is more on the hands on learning experience and industry specific skills |
Which Is Better- a Degree Course or a Diploma Course?
This question solely depends on your career goals. Carefully plan your goals and targets, then ensure that you make the right move. In short, there can be no universally accepted “better” option.
Having the college experience of a three or four-year degree course may be an asset on one hand but if you are looking to make a quick entry into the job scene with a more practical experience then a diploma course would be advisable.
Therefore, the answer to this question may vary from individual to individual depending on various factors.
When Is the Best Time to Seek Career Guidance?
Ideally, seeking career guidance just after your tenth grade is advisable.
It is after 10th grade, that you have to select subjects and courses. Therefore, seeking career advice before electing subjects is a good option.
It is also the right time to take online personality and career tests to determine your interests. Based on all these findings, you can make the right choice for a flourishing career.
I have already taken up a course, but now I find that I am inclined to a different course. Is it advisable to change degrees in the middle of the course?
Success lies in completion. Success is being able to complete what we set out to do.
However, having said that, we are all entitled to pursue our passions and make a living out of our talents and interests. Weigh the pros and cons before deciding to jump between courses. You may want to consider the time already spent and the time it will take to start and complete a fresh course.
After all the considerations, if you truly feel that you will be better off pursuing a different course, then do follow your instincts.
What Can I, as A Parent, Do if My Child Is Academically Weak? how Can I Help Motivate My Child to Study?
Creating the perfect atmosphere at home is the best way to motivate a child. Also, believe it or not, promoting healthy food habits, sleep schedules and daily routines directly motivates a child to perform better.
More particularly, you, as a parent, must identify the reason for this academic shortcoming in your child. It may be due to several reasons.
It may be because he/ she does not like the subject or some particular distraction or any other reason. The first step is to identify the problem.
Once the problematic area is identified it becomes easier to help your child. It is advisable to not pressurise the child for marks. Make learning an enjoyable experience.
My child keeps changing his/her mind now and then. How can I help him/her to decide on a particular course?
It is natural to have a wavering mind at this age. Your child is in the age group of 15 to 18. This is a very impressionable age. Children at this age usually succumb to peer pressure and societal norms.
The best way to steer your child is to have him/her take a look at this guide. This guide is especially meant to direct students to the right career path of their choice. It is also a good idea to take up online personality tests to determine interests and inherent knowledge.
I Would Like My Child to Join Our Family Business. However, I Would Like Him/her to Have a Basic Degree. What Degree or Course Do You Suggest He/ She Should Pursue?
There is no particular degree or course that strictly adheres to family-type businesses. However, allowing the child to pursue a degree of his/ her choice is a good idea.
When your child is given the freedom to study his/her interest, it automatically makes the child smart and sharp. These are the qualities that are finally required to take any business or career forward.
I Am Weak in Math. Are My Career Options Closed?
Not at all. Math is not the end-all of all careers and job prospects. There are many options available even if you do not take up math in the 11th and 12th. Refer to this guide for more details. All these options are no lesser than the career options with math.
How Do I Choose My Stream After 10th Grade?
At such a young age it may be tough to make such an important decision. However, depending on your interest, there are three categories of streams
Science
This stream has the below categories such as:
PCMC – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science
PCMB – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology
PCBH – Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Home Science
PCME – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronics
With the advancements in career choices, more colleges are now offering a number of various other science stream options to students.
Commerce
This stream has many categories. Different colleges and institutions will have different subjects to offer along with the three main subjects-
- Economics
- Business studies
- Accountancy
The choice of the subject along with the above three subjects may vary from college to college. Some of the subjects are
- Statistics
- History
- Political Science
- Geography
- Computer Science
Arts
This stream consists of subjects under humanities and that is why the Arts stream is sometimes interchangeably called humanities. Some of the subjects are
- History
- Political Science
- Geography
- Psychology
- Sociology
What Percentage Should I Achieve to Get Into a Good College?
Many colleges and universities have cut-off marks for different streams. Apart from this cut-off, many professional colleges have their entrance examinations and interviews that finally decide your admission into the desired course.
However, do not be slothful and inert when it comes to working hard for good grades. At this stage of your education, every mark matters.
Many Say What We Study in College Has No Relevance to What We Do in Our Jobs. Is This True?
No. This is not true. What you study in college is a stepping stone to what you will be experiencing in your job. A solid educational background not only gives you theoretical knowledge but also gives you the confidence to face a career and prosper.
Though at times you may feel that a particular topic or subject is irrelevant to your course, it must be noted that every subject in a course is carefully examined and researched upon by educational scholars and eminent academic intellects.
So, however irrelevant a topic may seem to you, you must be ready to absorb the knowledge you gain from it because at some point in your career you will find it relevant.
How Do I Choose the Right University?
Choosing a university is a tough decision and usually involves the entire family. To make the process of choosing a university easier, keep the following guidelines in mind.
- Make sure you shortlist only the universities that offer your choice of subject combinations.
- Make a thorough online search about the university. Online searches reveal a lot of information on the university. You can get unbiased feedback from student blogs and press releases.
- Ensure you find out about co-curricular activities offered by the university. Make sure the college offers one of your hobbies or interests. It may be sports or art and culture or even a literary club.
- Check for college rankings
- If you are an out of city student, make sure you enquire about appropriate accommodation and food facilities, inside the university campus or outside.
How Can I Maximise My Prospects of Getting My Dream Job?
Once you have a career goal in mind, remember there are many others that share the same goal and there will be hundreds of candidates applying for your dream job. So, what can you do to stand out from the crowd?
For one, adding certain skills to your educational degree will be beneficial. There are several add-on, short-duration degree and diploma courses that can make your resume look colourful.
For example, building communication skills, tally courses, high level technical courses, management courses, and other such courses can be an advantage for you when it comes to powering up over the other hundred candidates.
What Are Scholarships and How Can I Apply for One?
Scholarships are financial aids designed to help deserving students pursue a degree or a course. It can be in the form of fee payment, or part fee payment, tuition fee or payment for books, or any other such act towards completion of a degree or course.
A scholarship can be awarded by the college or university, the Government, Non-Governmental Organisations, companies, or even a private individual.
Different scholarships have different criteria to be earned. The information about the scholarships, regarding how to apply, who can apply, and various other criteria are usually detailed out in the prospectus or information booklet of the scholarships.
You May Also Like Scholarship to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Does the College Reputation Matter? Will It Affect Career Prospects?
Pursuing a degree or course from a renowned college or university may be slightly more advantageous when compared to a degree from an unknown college.
Having said this, it is up to each individual to make a mark irrespective of which college you graduate from.
Some recruiters hire candidates based on skill rather than on academic qualifications. This skill is achieved with practical and hands-on experience you gain from your college.
Therefore, your personal experience and knowledge along with your communication skills will outweigh the name or reputation of the college you graduate from.
You May Also Like 8 Reasons Why Government Jobs Are the Best!
