Difference between diploma and degree UK

Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by Oluwajuwon Alvina

Choosing which course to study (and where to study it) can be difficult enough on its own, but when you add in the jargon of academic qualification terms like Diploma, Degree, Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), or Higher National Diploma (HND), you’d be forgiven for trying to decipher what these terms mean and which level of study is best for you.

Read on to know the difference between diploma and certificate, level 6 diploma vs degree, degree vs diploma Canada, diploma vs degree salary, what is a diploma equivalent to, HND vs degree, what is an advanced diploma. You can find more information about the differences between diploma and degree UK on Collegelearners.

Difference between diploma and degree UK

The degree is a four-year course, while the diploma is a two-year course. Admissions to a degree program are made yearly, while to a diploma course it can be done either yearly or half-yearly.

There are several key differences between the two. The most common misunderstanding is that you hypothetically graduate with a degree, when in fact you are awarded a diploma for completing it.

What is the difference between diploma and degree UK? For prospective students who want to apply for a program of study in any university or college, it is crucial you know the differences between diploma and degree. Need not worry as this article provides the required information you need to know about the differences between diploma and degree.

diploma or Degree which is better

Nothing is practically wrong with enrolling for HND or being an HND holder. I would like to distinguish between HND Holders and BSc. Degree Holders. Both of them have advantages than the other. But I have a more marketable preference for HND Holders.

A Higher National Diploma (HND) is an academic higher education qualification of the United Kingdom. Qualification of the same title is also offered in Argentina, India, Malta, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and some other countries with British ties. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities at an advanced level; it is considered equivalent to a foundation degree or the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.

A degree course generally carries more value than a corresponding diploma course, and also provides more in-depth knowledge on a particular subject. It opens up a higher number of opportunities than a diploma course.

The learning experience of a diploma is more technical, and the demand for a diploma is higher compared to a degree. … Although some might say that degrees earn more than diplomas, but nobody can get a highly paid job with a degree course only. To get a better-paid job, one must complete a Master’s Degree.

Read on to know the difference between diploma and degree, degree, diploma vs degree salary, what is a diploma equivalent to, HND vs degree, what is an advanced diploma.

what is the difference between diploma and degree

A degree is a credential granted by a college or university upon satisfactory completion of study at a specific level in a chosen stream. A diploma is a certificate awarded by an educational institution to a student for completing a specific course and passing the examination.

The real difference between a bachelor degree and a diploma is the type of institution from which it is awarded. In the UK, a diploma is awarded from further education colleges, while a degree is awarded from universities. But each qualification will be level-based according to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

A Diploma is a qualification of high school, college or university level which is awarded upon completion of an accredited program. A Diploma differs from a Degree in length; the latter educationally means to complete a one or two year’s full-time study on a separate research track. More clearly explained: – A graduate student receives his degree at the end of his studies of three, four of even five years and receives a diploma. — A short qualification which is completed within one or two years and gives access to work involving less responsibility and prestige than that of a higher position. Between these two definitions there is no sharp boundary.

A Diploma used to be considered more of an academic award, whereas a Degree is generally considered superior. However, this is not always the case. The differences between a Diploma and Degree are listed below:

What is an HND?

HND stands for Higher National Diploma. An HND is an undergraduate vocational qualification and is equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree; an HND usually lasts two years when studied full-time. HNDs are work-related qualifications; they are designed to give students the academic knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the workplace.

What is a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate qualification usually studied for at a university or college; most bachelor’s degrees in England take three years to complete. They are designed to provide students with general skills within a subject area that can be applied across a range of sectors.

Benefits of an HND

• HND’s take two years to complete when studied full-time
• HND’s tend to be cheaper than bachelor’s degrees – around £6,000
• HND courses are created alongside industry experts and employers
• HNDs are structured around gaining and developing the practical skills needed in particular sectors, making gaining employment the end goal of the qualification
• You can top-up an HND to a full degree with just one extra year of study
• HND’s tend to be exam-free; they are assessed through assignments, projects and practical tasks
• Entry requirements for HNDs tend to be lower than those required for degrees
• HND courses have intakes throughout the year (January, May and September, for example)

Benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree

• Bachelor’s degrees allow students to develop critical and theoretical understanding of a subject
• Four-year bachelor’s degrees give you the opportunity to do a sandwich course – a year in industry or abroad
• Full degrees allow students to develop their analytical, intellectual and essay/dissertation writing skills
• There are a vast range of bachelor’s degree subjects to choose from which can help you prepare for a particular career or equip you with the skills needed for a wide range of roles
• After a bachelor’s degree, graduates can go into employment or use their qualification to go on and study for a masters or PhD
• University graduate’s employment rates are higher than those of non-graduates
• With a degree, you can combine two topics – you could study French with business, for example

Cons of an HND

• HNDs are only equivalent to the first two years of a full degree
• Accreditation tends to be focused on continuous coursework rather than an end of year examination
• HNDs are described as being role-specific in comparison to full degrees where the learning is more generic
• If you study for an HND, you may not get the same atmosphere and social life as you would at university
• There are a number of assignment grades you can get with an HND such as pass or distinction

Cons of a Bachelor’s Degree

• The cost of a bachelor’s degree is significantly more than an HND – typically £9,000 per year vs £6,000
• There are several degree classifications you can gain from a bachelor’s degree – you could graduate with a 1^st or a 3^rd, for example
• Bachelor’s degrees typically take three years to complete unlike HNDs which usually take two
• Intakes for full degrees tend to be in September or January/February only

A comparison of terminology

In order to compare the levels of study and expectations required between a Diploma and Degree course, the below table gives an indication of the type of terminology you would expect to see.  The table should give a clear indication as to how assignments are written, how Tutors/assessors will critique your work and how the output of student work should continually develop to reflect the requirements of higher levels of study.

As noted above, embarking on further or higher education is a decision that should be considered carefully, and be considered from the approach of whether you, as a student, feel confident and capable of achieving the standards required.  There are no expectations that a student should be fully equipped to be able to meet the standards required immediately from the very outset of a course; the skills, knowledge and understanding of the subject will be developed throughout the course with the support of Tutors, but it is always good to have an idea of what the expectations are from the outset, so you, as the student, know what you need to achieve.

We hope this blog has helped in the understanding of the difference between Diploma and Degree level study, and assisted in the decision as to which level of study is best for you. 

Conclusion

Perhaps we’re a little bias here at HND Insider, but we believe the benefits of studying an HND can overshadow those of completing a bachelor’s degree. HNDs are great if you know the route you want your career to take for example, but if you’re adamant you want a full degree on your CV, it’s worth considering the fact that you can study an HND and top it up to a full degree for significantly less money than a three-year university degree.

Difference Between Diploma And Degree UK

Offered by an autonomous institution, college, or university, a Degree course is generally completed within 3 to 4 years. Whereas in the case of a Diploma, these programs are usually provided by colleges and take a maximum of 2 years to complete. 

If we were to lay down the specifics of differences between the Diploma Vs Degree while trying to determine diploma or B.Sc which is the best, they would be as follows:

diploma vs degree salary

A brief, two-year degree program can mean a huge difference in your earnings over a just a few years of work. Associate’s degrees provide a targeted level of career training on a subject, offering a focused education designed to prepare you to enter the workforce.

According to the BLS, workers with an associate’s degree earn an average $6,950 more every year than those with only a high school diploma. That’s $34,750 after five years and $69,500 after ten. Long after the degree pays for itself, workers still enjoy higher earnings.

The average associate’s degree costs about $2,544 a year, as reported by The College Board, but the boost in salary potential makes it worth the expense. With the average earnings workers see after upgrading from a high school diploma, you could potentially pay for a two-year associate’s degree within a year of work.

difference between degree and diploma and certificate

One of the biggest differences between a degree, certificate, and Diploma is the time it takes to earn them. A degree comes in many forms and takes the longest to complete. It can be an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or even a doctorate. A degree can take anywhere from two to four years or longer.

Certificate programs often take months instead of years, and some can even be obtained in conjunction with a degree program. Diploma programs offer a more in-depth curriculum than a certificate, but they are more like a certificate than a degree.