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The diploma edge

Making a choice between a degree course or a faster and more job-oriented diploma course has become all the more difficult in view of the job scarcity in the market.

The diploma edge


Gauri Chhabra

Making a choice between a degree course or a faster and more job-oriented diploma course has become all the more difficult in view of the job scarcity in the market. Both degree and diploma are recognitions conferred to a person on the successful completion of an educational course. Degree and diplomas are words that are often used to describe accreditation by school, university of college. A diploma is a certificate that is issued by an institution, such as a university, college, or high school that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course. It also refers to the certification that is earned by completing professional/vocational courses such as Diploma in Electronics Engineering. 

An academic degree or simply a degree is often associated with award a person in recognition that the recipient has completed a particular course. Degrees that are commonly awarded are  bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. 

There are some degree courses which have their own diploma opponents such as BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) is an undergraduate degree course while DBA (Diploma in Business Administration) is the diploma, MBA (Masters in Business Administration) is the post graduate degree course while PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) is a post graduate diploma course and BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) is also a undergraduate degree course while DCA (Diploma in Computer Applications) is a diploma course.

Over the past few years diplomas have drawn in a lot of attention from students and educationists alike. Let us understand the reasons for the same and also take  a look at some of the diplomas that pay off well.

Rooting for the diploma

Course curriculum is more ‘hands on’: The course curriculum in most diploma programs is up-to-date and at par with the industrial standards. Hence, you are not just taught  theoretical subjects but are also given practical hands-on training in your core area of study. Hence the courses in diploma subjects teach you what is relevant to the career industry.

Makes you job ready: Diploma is small area of start-up in any professional course. Many university degrees will focus on theory-based knowledge whereas vocational education gives you the opportunity to understand the skills you need while allowing you to put these skills into practice. This will enable you to jump straight into the workforce with all the necessary knowledge and capabilities. 

Companies hire Just in Time (JIT) : Diploma programmes are beneficial to students coming from any industry. Today, industries do not want to spend time in training students and getting them equipped with the talents and the skills essential for their job. Most organisations expect employees to start performing on the first day of their job itself. Hence the advent of diploma programmes which equip students with these necessary skills required to meet the job requirements in a particular industry. Also, there are many professions that really do not require a student to do a degree course. A diploma programme is enough to get these students a job. Examples of such courses are fashion designing, interior decoration, jewelry designing, travel and tourism, Radio jockeying, food and nutrition, photography, merchandising etc.

Less time consuming: University degrees require a minimum three years of full-time study, while diplomas need only two years at the most. Most diplomas can be completed within a year. The amount of time you spend in schooling will be lessened, allowing you to enter the workforce and reap the benefits sooner. Another benefit of the programme is that you can save on the cost because diploma programs are not as expensive as degree programmes.

In tune with the skill crunch: There is currently a shortage of vocational workers; the skill shortage in India ensures what you learn from earning a diploma is valuable to the employers. Furthermore, within six months of finishing their training, the amount of vocational education and training graduates that were able to find work after their studies exceeded the amount of jobs found by bachelor degree graduates.

Flexible and self paced: Diplomas are offered in different study modes like distance learning, part time, full time etc, it is not just students but working professionals and housewives as well that can take up these courses. 

Diplomas after Class XII

Diploma in Computer Applications

A diploma in computer application or DCA is open to students who have completed Class XII and are interested in computer programming and related fields. A two-year, full-time programme, it includes practical modules such as introduction to computers, principles of programming, programming language, database, word processing and spreadsheet, system analysis and design, project management, Unix operating system etc. Computer applications professionals design and develop software and computer applications, help implement and test software, and write instruction booklets for potential users of the software. Three possible careers in computer applications include computer programmer, software developer and computer systems analyst.

Institute watch

  • Delhi University, New Delhi.
  • St. Xaviers College, Mumbai
  • Gujarat Technical University, Ahmedabad

Diploma in Home Science 

Home Science may be defined as the study required to develop home or family life within a changing society by taking the help of scientific knowledge and methods.

The subjects involved in making Home Science a wonderful learning tool for better-living are PCB, hygiene, rural development, community living, art, food, clothing, textiles and home management etc. The duration varies from institute to institute (1-3 years). 

Institute watch

  • Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad.
  • Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat, offering Diploma in Home Science
  • Indira Gandhi Polytechnic for Women, New Delhi, offering Diploma in Home Science

Diploma in Information Technology

If you have a science background, you can opt for computer management or hardware systems in their career options. They can go for computer applications, .Net, CCNA, CCNE, software, hardware and networking, system administration, internet security, ethical hacking, embedded systems, IT, computer programming, users of various computer language programming like java, MySQL etc. 

Institute watch 

  • Amity Directorate of Distance and Online Education, Amity University, Noida, offering Diploma in Information Technology 
  • Government Polytechnic, Bandra East, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Information Technology 
  • Swami Vivekanand Group of Institutes, Chandigarh, offering Diploma in   Information Technology

Diploma in Fashion Design

Fashion designing is one of the most lucrative, appealing, glamorous and exciting career option. If you have a penchant for creativity, style and originality, a career in fashion designing is the one tailor made for you. 

Institute watch

  • Pearl Academy, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Fashion Designing
  • Asian Academy of Film & Television, Noida, offering Diploma in Fashion Designing 
  • International Institute of Fashion Designing, Bangalore, offering Diploma in Fashion Designing

Diploma in journalism

Today journalism as a career stands not only for a prestigious profession but also for a challenging career option. The core purpose of journalism is to inform, educate and enlighten the masses on various issues revolving them.

Institute watch 

  • Pearl Academy, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Journalism
  • MET Institute of Mass Media, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Multimedia Journalism
  • Amity University, Noida.

Diploma in Business Administration

Business Administration has become prominent with the rapid growth of industrialisation which made the industries think of a scientific approach towards business. As a result, a large number of business schools have come up rapidly all over the world, and a diploma in Business Administration has become the norm. 

Institute watch

  • All India Institute of Management Studies, Chennai, offering Diploma in Business Administration 
  • Education Institute of Management and Engineering Studies, New Delhi, offering Diploma in Business Administration
  • National Institute of Management, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Business Administration

Diploma in Engineering

There are so many branches available in engineering; it is difficult to choose the best one. Almost every branch in the engineering course has got good scope in the specified or related field. Only thing needed for fetching good opportunity is excellent academics and skills in the particular branch.

Institute watch 

  • Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, offering Diploma in Engineering
  • DPG Institute of Technology and Management, Gurgaon, offering Diploma in Engineering
  • Rayat Bahra University, Mohali, offering Diploma in Engineering

Diploma in Agriculture

As the name suggests, this diploma course focuses on the discipline of agriculture. It deals with the various forms of technology (machinery, chemicals, seeds etc) that helps us improve agricultural productivity.

Institute watch 

  • Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, offering one-year Diploma in Agricultural Journalism.
  • Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur , offering Diploma in Agriculture 
  • The Gandhigram Rural Institute, Tamilnadu, offering Diploma in Agriculture 
  • Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, offering Diploma in Agriculture 

Diploma in Financial Accounting

A course designed for students looking to make a career in the field of accountancy and taxation.  A Diploma in Financial Accounting enables students to work in the public and the private sectors, auditing, management, accounting, taxation, and business.

Institute watch 

  • Indian School of Business Management & Administration, Visakhapatnam, offering Advance Diploma in Banking, Finance & Insurance 
  • Indian School of Business and Finance, New Delhi, offering Diploma in Finance
  • Times and Trends Academy, Pune, offering Diploma in Accounting and Finance

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