The Top 5 Reasons to take a Diploma Course Instead of a full-Time Course
This blog is specially curated for those students who recently completed their 12th standard or are in their last year of high school. You all have a single question in mind that is whether to take a diploma course or a full-time degree course. Which one is better for your future, right? So, stay tuned because, in this blog, we will be discussing the top 5 reasons to take a diploma course instead of a full-time (degree) course. So, let’s get started!!
Table of Contents
What is a Diploma course?
A diploma course is a short-term course that spans the period of 6-12 months or in some cases up to 1-3 years. Diploma courses are offered by various government-approved institutes and universities in multiple streams. The main purpose of diploma courses is to offer a more practical and professional perspective on the topic that helps the learner gain employment-oriented skills.
Graduate Diploma courses and Post graduate diploma courses are the two major types of diploma courses. If we explain them, Graduate diploma courses are for the undergraduate level that can be pursued after the 10th and 12th. Postgraduate diploma courses are for the post-graduate level which means they can be pursued after the bachelor’s degree. These 1-year diploma courses after graduation are primarily focused on building particular professional skills.
Must check – Best diploma course for science, commerce, and art students.
Eligibility required for the diploma courses
Keep in mind that the minimum percentages aggregate is different for each institution. So, before applying for the diploma course check the institution’s official website.
- Diploma in Engineering: must complete the 10th grade with science/mathematics from a recognized board.
- Diploma in computer and IT/Data science: must complete their 10+2 with science/mathematics/vocational subject or 10th grade + 2 years in ITI with 50% aggregate.
- Diploma in Fashion/management/interior design/Healthcare/Law: must complete their 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.
Also check: What is a Diploma Course?
Top 5 reasons to take a diploma course instead of a full-time course
Choosing a diploma course over a full-time course is an important decision that will be taken by the student weighing all the necessary factors that will affect their future career prospects. In this constantly changing competitive job market vocational education will help you more in attaining your career goals than a full-time degree. These are the top 5 reasons to take a diploma course instead of a full-time course:
1.Rapid employment
Most university degrees focused on theory-based knowledge that may or may guarantee you the career you want. A diploma gives you an excellent opportunity to gain skills and you can put those skills into practice while studying. When you become qualified, you will be confident enough to apply the knowledge and capabilities you gained during the diploma course to the job interview and get a job rapidly without any hassle. Diploma courses are particularly designed in such a way that they are highly-practice oriented and directly apply to your professional life.
2.Increase your hiring chances
There is a shortage of vocational workers in many sectors. Diploma courses are primarily focused on career and job. A diploma course helps to build the relevant skills required for your future job. Diploma courses are specially curated by keeping the main focus on the industries. Diploma courses cover all the major and latest topics that are used in the job.
A diploma can set you apart from the other candidates who are looking for jobs because you have more practical skills than all these candidates. Thus, you are more valued by HR and you have higher chances of getting hired.
3.Less-time consuming
Diploma courses are concise and generally cover 1-2 years. You can pursue a part-time diploma easily while doing a job. A full-time university degree requires a minimum of 3-4 years of your life with full-time study while a diploma course can be done in just 1-2 years. There are so many diploma courses out there that can be completed in less than a year. This is because diploma courses are practical and your actual time spent on completing and learning the assignments is much less than the full-time degree course. A diploma course gives you the benefits to enter the workforce early and reap its benefits.
4.Cost-effective
Diploma courses are more affordable than full-time degree courses. So, one can easily pursue a diploma course even if the person has a weak financial background. A diploma course teaches you all the professional skills, so you can start earning a decent salary after the completion of your diploma course. Diploma courses can upskill your current role and increase your chance of getting a promotion or your current salary package.
Diploma course fees are usually half or one-third of the whole full-time degree fees. Even government offers so many wavers schemes to students who decided to pursue a diploma course.
5.Flexible learning
Diploma courses can be started at any time of the year, unlike full-time degree courses. A diploma course doesn’t particularly follow the higher education calendar. Diploma courses are less hectic than full-time degree courses. The cut-off for the diploma courses is relatively lower than the cut-off for the full-time degree course. Even diploma courses have fewer syllabi and easy exam patterns in comparison to degree courses.
Diploma course certification can be taken online as well, so you can do a part-time job along with completing your diploma course. The diploma course is an accessible and fast choice because of its time and flexibility factor.
Top Indian colleges for diploma courses
| College Name | Annual fees (average) |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | Rs. 4.7k – 13k |
| Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Rs. 15k – 1.25 Lakhs |
| SRM University Chennai | Rs. 5k to Rs. 90k |
| LPU Jalandhar | Rs. 1.12 Lakhs – 3 Lakhs |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Madras | Rs. 55k |
| Banaras Hindu University | Rs. 1.7k – 3 Lakhs |
| IGNOU, New Delhi | Rs. 3k – 60k |
| Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi | Rs. 10k – 2.5 Lakhs |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi | Rs. 14k – 85k |
The career scope after completing the Diploma course in India
Public sector organizations and government often post advertisements for job roles such as technicians, junior engineers, assistant engineers, etc. Demand for diploma holders in engineering branches such as civil, electronics, mechanical and electrical is exceptionally high.
If you aren’t interested in government and PSU jobs, you still can explore the multiple job opportunities in sales and marketing, travel and tourism, office administration, hotel management, business management, advertising, etc. you can also opt for courses in these trending topics such as business analytics, cloud computing, data science, big data, etc. and can grab a dream job opportunity as a business analyst, cloud computing engineer, data scientist, and data analyst.
Major recruiters for diploma students in India
- Airport Authority of India
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
- Coal India Limited
- NTPC Limited
- Municipal Councils
- Indian Railways
- Universities
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
- Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
- GAIL (India) Limited
- State Government Hospitals
- Municipal Councils
- Defence Services
Conclusion
A professional diploma course helps you in upgrading your existing skills and knowledge. A diploma course makes you familiar with the current industry trends. You can upscale your resume with the extra skills you gain through the diploma course. A diploma course provides you with all the specific skills that are necessary for a practical working environment.
FAQs
1. Is a Diploma course certificate equivalent to a degree certificate?
 No, a Diploma course certificate is not equivalent to a degree certificate.
2.Does the Diploma course hold more value in the long run?
The diploma course is a must for improving your skills and molding yourself for the current work culture where practical knowledge is given more importance. So, a Diploma course holds more value in long run.
3. Can we do a diploma course along with the degree course?
 Yes, you can easily do a diploma course and a degree course simultaneously. It will be a good choice when you do your diploma course in a similar major to your degree course. It will help you to gain more knowledge about your specific subject deeply and practically.
4. Can I get a Job immediately after the completion of the Diploma course?
Yes, you can get a Job after the completion of the Diploma course. With the help of diploma courses, you get trained in specific sets of skills that make you more suitable for the working environment. Diploma courses increase your recruitment chances from a regular degree holder with fewer skills.
