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Difference between Engineering Degree and Diploma
Engineering Degree and diplomas are the two different education qualifications that are recognized but provide different types and levels of recognition. Both an engineering degree as well a diploma equips a person with practical knowledge and a sense of applying the same in industry. Anyone who wishes to peruse engineering has to make a choice between a diploma and a degree. The following will facilitate in making an informed decision.
What is an Engineering Degree?
Degree courses are the long-duration courses, which can be pursued after passing the 12th standard from a certified board. An engineering degree is a 4 year-long degree that aims at providing students with a deep understanding of the major aspects of the specialization they have opted for as well as the electives. Electives are the additional subjects that students opt for apart from their main subject. The curriculum of a degree is planned in order to facilitate the overall understanding and learning of students. Degree holders are opened to an array of opportunities because they can either opt to work in their respective fields or peruse masters.
What is a diploma?
A diploma is generally a 1 or 2 year-long program wherein the focus is laid on improving the understanding of the students in a particular field or subject matter. In many diploma courses, the focus is shifted from theoretical understanding to more practicality; students are exposed to practical situations. Generally, a diploma can be pursued right after passing 10th standard but a diploma at the masters’ level can only be pursued after graduating.
Major differences between an Engineering degree and a diploma-
1. Duration- As mentioned above, a degree is a 4 years long program whereas a diploma is generally of 1 or 2 years.
2. Scope or Curriculum- The main aim of a degree is to ensure that the students have a complete understanding of the course as well as the related subjects. But in the case of a diploma, the student is trained in a particular field or about a particular subject only. Diploma courses are mainly professional or vocational in nature.
3. Career Prospects- A degree holder has a pool of opportunities since they have vast knowledge about the main subjects as well as the related ones. A diploma holder will be eligible for working in a specific field and moreover will not be given preference over a degree holder. A degree makes a person eligible for perusing higher studies or masters.
4. Level of difficulty- A degree not only focuses on a single area but has a holistic approach, therefore the difficulty is higher as compared to a diploma wherein the questions have a tendency to be repeated and are predictable. To a degree, students are trained to work in the practical world and therefore the level of difficulty is high.
5. Cost- the cost involved in pursuing a degree is higher as compared to a diploma. The costs also vary on the basis of university/college. The duration also plays a role in widening the cost difference between diploma and degree.
This dilemma is faced by almost everyone who has an inclination towards engineering, but making an informed decision is necessary. This decision is not a universal one but will vary from student to student because the expectations, skill-set as well as capabilities of each and every student are different. The above-mentioned points will smoothen the decision-making process.