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Diploma or Degree- Pros and Cons

In Australia, a wide variety of courses are available for International students. The two most popular ones are degrees & diplomas. Each of these courses whether degrees & diplomas have its advantages & disadvantages. Thus, making a difficult decision for students to choose between Diploma Courses in Australia or Degree Courses in Australia. In this blog post, let’s take a look at Diploma or Degree – Which is Better in Australia? Read on to discover everything you need to know about Diploma or Degree Courses in Australia.

Why Study in Australia?

Popular destination among Indian students
Internationally accredited qualifications
Implementation of rights for International students
Cultural diversity
Financial assistance from Australian government
Home to many nobel laureates
High quality of life
Post study work opportunities

Diploma or Degree Courses in Australia

Diploma Courses in Australia- This is a course that trains you in specialized skills and knowledge. It is designed for further learning and/or skills. Diploma Courses in Australia are of shorter duration than degrees in Australia. Generally, the Diploma courses take around six months to two years to complete. They are more practical-oriented in nature offering a more specialized education in a particular field.
- Course Duration – Between one and two years.
Eligibility Criteria – It all depends on what sort of diploma you wish to undertake. For some universities Diploma Courses in Australia, you may require an undergraduate bachelor’s degree, while for some you may require your Year 12 HSC.

Types of Diplomas available in Australia

Vocational education and training (VET) diplomas: These vocational qualifications provide training on specific job roles. These courses basically train students in the skills and knowledge they will require to enter the workforce in a particular field.
Higher education diplomas: Higher education diplomas provide a more specialized education in a particular field to International students. These are used as a pathway into higher education since these diplomas award credit points to gain towards a degree.

Advantages of Diplomas in Australia

One of the main advantages of Diplomas in Australia is that they are generally more affordable in Tuition fees compared to Degree courses in Australia. This makes the Diplomas course a more popular choice for students who are looking for a more affordable option to train in the skills and knowledge they will require to enter the workforce.

Another major advantage of diplomas is that they are often more practical-oriented in nature. This means that students can get exposure to practical training in their chosen field and learn the skills that employers are actively searching for.

Disadvantages of Diplomas in Australia

One of the Major disadvantages of diplomas is that they are not given as much value & respect as compared to degrees in Australia. While some employers may give value to practical experience and specialized knowledge, others may see a diploma as a less valuable qualification than a degree.

Degree Courses in Australia

Degree courses in Australia provide a specialized education in a particular field of study. They are mainly of 4 years duration. There are three main types of degrees available in Australia:

Bachelor’s degrees: These are also called undergraduate degrees. It offers a vast choice of subjects and offers a strong foundation to students in their chosen specialization. This course duration is of three to four years.
Master’s degrees: A student should possess a bachelor’s degree to pursue a Master’s degree. The course takes one to two years to complete. The Postgraduate degree provides more specialized training in a particular field.
Doctoral degrees: This degree is at the highest level of academic degrees. For this degree to achieve, a student has to undertake significant research in their chosen field. It takes three to four years to complete. Students have to submit the thesis.

Advantages of Degrees in Australia

Degrees in Australia are considered as a highly respected qualification for an International student. This degree is considered necessary for many professional careers. It also improves your employment prospects and income potential. Another advantage of degrees in Australia is that they offer a vast variety of courses and a well-rounded education. This provides a boon to students who are not sure about their career path. Thus, getting an opportunity to explore different subjects and find their passion.

Disadvantages of Degrees in Australia

One of the major disadvantages of Degrees in Australia is that they can prove to be pretty expensive in Australia. The Cost of a degree may vary from university to university, but generally it is much higher than the cost of a diploma. Another major disadvantage is that the degree courses in Australia can take a long time to complete. Four years of study can prove to be financially draining for a student. This can prove to be a drawback for students who are eager to enter the workforce.

Bachelor’s Degree- This is also known as the standard university degree. It is a basically university-level qualification, which you will often require to enter a lot of specific professions and fields. This is also considered a higher qualification when compared with an Associate’s Degree. A student can move on to postgraduate study from this.
- Course Duration:– Usually lasts between three to four years. However, some courses may take longer duration. For example, some sort of combined double degrees such as a combined law degree can last for five years or more.
Eligibility Criteria: Class 12 or equivalent, Certificate III, or Certificate IV

Conclusion

As you can conclude, there are a lot of factors to consider between choosing Diploma Courses in Australia or Degree Courses in Australia. When it comes to choosing your career choice, figure out what are your career goals and what qualifications will you need to achieve. Hope you’ve liked this blog post about Degrees or Diplomas in Australia – Which one is Better? Please like and share our post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Diploma better than a Degree in Australia?

It is difficult to establish whether a diploma is better than a degree in Australia since it all depends on the individual’s career goals and aspirations. A degree is at a higher level of education than a diploma, and generally it provides more career advancement and higher salaries opportunities for International students.

However, students who prefer a more vocational, practical approach to learning would like to go for a Diploma course. Also these courses make graduates preferable to employers since it is more industry-focused. Ultimately, the choice between a diploma and a degree in Australia depends on an individual’s chosen career path and which qualification he wants to pursue.

Can I stay in Australia after my diploma?

Whether you can stay in Australia after completing your diploma will depend on the number of conditions such as your status of visa, what are your future plans, and the diploma program you have finished or not?

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) may allow you to stay in Australia for a fixed period of time after completing your diploma program. You can stay in Australia and work full-time for a period of up to 18 months through this student visa. This will help you to gain practical work experience in your field of study.

However, to be eligible for this student visa, you have to fulfill certain requirements such as having an eligible qualification, satisfying English language requirements, and applying within a certain duration after completing your studies.

Is a diploma better than a degree?

Whether a diploma is better than a degree depends on the personal and career goals an individual wants to pursue? Generally, a degree is given a higher level of value than a diploma, also it offers more career advancement and higher salaries options.

In general, if a student is more interested in a more specialized and practical education to gain quick entry into the workforce, he should go for a Diploma program. However, if they are interested in achieving higher-level positions in their field, they should go for a degree program.