Graduate Certificate Vs Diploma In Canada

The Graduate Certificate Vs Diploma In Canada has been a hot topic in the education of students all over the globe. Graduates and post-graduates from two or four year universities are often confused when deciding on the right degree path. There´s quite a bit of concern on whether they should seek a one year certificate or a two-year diploma credential, or go for four year bachelor degree.

Right here on Collegelearners, you can rest assured to obtain all the relevant information you need on graduate certificate vs pg diploma in Canada, advanced diploma vs graduate certificate in Canada, post graduate diploma vs masters degree in Canada, amongst others. Be sure to visit our catalog for more information on related topics.

Read on to know the latest information about 2 year graduate certificate programs in Canada, graduate certificate programs in Canada for international students, Ontario graduate certificate, graduate diploma vs postgraduate diploma, what is a graduate certificate. You can find more information about the differences between a graduate diploma vs diploma on Collegelearners.

Graduate Certificate Vs Diploma In Canada

As a prospective student, you have to be aware of the difference between a graduate certificate vs master’s degree in Canada. This article will help you understand the difference and know which one is more suited for your post-secondary program of study.

A diploma and graduate diploma are both post-secondary education programs. A diploma is usually a two-year program that trains students in practical skills and competencies needed to enter a job market. A graduate diploma is a one-year program that helps students improve their career prospects or change careers entirely by adding skills and expertise to their existing qualifications. Students who don’t meet the minimum criteria for enrolling into a master’s degree may opt for a graduate diploma program.

Still wondering about the differences between graduate certificate vs master’s degree in Canada? Let’s break it down further!

The main difference between a Graduate Diploma vs Diploma is that the former is an advanced course of study whereas the latter is an introductory course of study. Diploma programs are designed to prepare students with practical skills in order to enter into a specific employment field, while Graduate Diplomas are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge in order to boost their career prospects or switch careers entirely.

At first glance, the key difference between a graduate certificate, graduate diploma and a master’s degree is the duration. Usually, a graduate certificate is six months of full-time study, a graduate diploma one year, and a master’s degree one to two years.

Diplomas are primarily offered by Universities. They usually require a minimum of two years of study that has been approved by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. Certificate Programs are often offered by Colleges and technical institutes. The programs tend to be shorter and more intensive.

2 Year Graduate Certificate Programs In Canada

Surviving in this competitive world is an ordeal by itself and if you want to make a career in the field of your choice, then you better assimilate the right gear. Of the most obvious options for skill and knowledge enhancement is a Master’s programme with an appropriate specialisation. Then, there is a rather underrated option called the Post Graduate Diploma, more so, a two-year Post Graduate Diploma.

I am not belittling the value of Masters in any way here. What I am trying to say is that PGD too has its own advantages for students who wish to earn more than a degree but also practical skills and training before they can enter their chosen career path. I have listed seven reasons why you should go for PGD:

1. PGD is Not Masters
2. Employers Are Hiring from These Courses
3. Higher Pay Scales Await You
4. You Get Specialised Skills
5. It Is More Economical Than Masters
6. It Is A Better Option for Career Changers
7. More Opportunities for Entrepreneurship

I hear you! You say most PGDs are year-long programmes; so how is this 2-year course going to be different? While some universities in some countries offer 6, 12, and 18-month Diploma courses, most North American universities offer 1 and 2-year Diploma courses. The main difference between a 1-year and a 2-year Diploma (apart from the duration of course!) lies in the curriculum and course structure.

Postgraduate Certificate

Now, you may wonder – if a PGD is going to be a 2-year long course and yet not as celebrated as a Master’s degree, then why go for a PGD in the first place? Let us draw a little comparison between an MS and a PGD.

1. The skills and knowledge enhancement in a PGD is comparable to a Master’s, however, the incurred costs would just be a fraction of it
2. In addition to the cost, even the number of study credits required for a Diploma is lesser: while an MS requires 180 credits, a PGD requires only 120
3. The diploma courses are more practically oriented than an MS which involves extensive theoretical learning to do
4. The Postgraduate Diploma programmes offer several internship opportunities which are called co-op programs and provide considerable industrial exposure
5. PG Diplomas also come with part-time work options wherein you can work from 20 to 40 hours a week during your vacations which will help you ease off your financial burden
6. You may follow up a Postgraduate Diploma with an MS or MBA, however, a PGD is not sufficient qualification for a PhD

What is the difference between Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Canada?

To make things simple for you, there is frankly NO difference. While some College in Canada call it Graduate Diploma, most Colleges in Canada call is Graduate Certificate

Indian students can study graduate certificate or graduate diploma in Canada after their Bachelors in India. These courses in Canada are equivalent to the Post Graduate Diploma in India. Thus, many students refer to these programs as Post Graduate Diploma in Canada.

Most Graduate Certificate programs can be completed in eight months (two semesters) to 1 year. Few Graduate Certificate programs are for 2 years as well.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programs in Canada are intensive, highly focused programs designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to enter a particular job market. These programs cover a broad range of employment areas. Eg. Graduate certificate course in Marketing can be of one year duration and will provide you the necessary skills to make a career in to Marketing

These post graduate diploma in Canada can lead you to become eligible to study a Masters in Canada. Many students in India study a 3 years Bachelors which is not enough to study a Masters in Canada. So many Indian students opt to study a PG Diploma in Canada (in stead of studying MCom Part 1 or any such Masters) and then continue on to their Masters. If you plan to study in Canada, please contact us. We help you throughout the application process.

IS Graduate Certificate Worth It In Canada

There are numerous reasons to choose Canada as your destination for higher studies. Globally recognised and revered degrees, greater employability of the degree holder, momentous augmentation of the knowledge and skills in the area of specialization, cold climate but warm and friendly people, safe environment, higher standards of living, attractive stay back options, etc.; the list is long.

However, if you ask why a postgraduate diploma in Canada, then to the above list we can also add that the PGDs from Canadian Universities help the students lay a broader platform for extensive studies while providing internship opportunities on par with a Master’s programme, but at a relatively low cost. To add on, the internship and industrial exposure offered with these courses will add on to your professional experience which is highly valued when it comes to the job markets. A recent survey shows that the average salary of a postgraduate diploma holder is around CAD54K.

List of popular 2-year Post Graduate Diplomas and the Canadian universities that offer them:

No.	Programme Name	University
1	Marketing Management	University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg
2	Resort Experience Management	Thompson Rivers Universities, Kamloops
3	Financial Management	University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg
4	Tourism Experience Management	Thompson Rivers Universities, Kamloops
5	Tourism Destination Development	Thompson Rivers Universities, Kamloops
6	Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Tourism	Thompson Rivers Universities, Kamloops
7	Adventure Studies	Thompson Rivers Universities, Kamloops
8	Managing Festivals and Events	Thompson Rivers Universities, Kamloops
9	Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology – Automation and Robotics (Fast–Track)	Centennial College, Toronto
10	Business Administration	Simon Fraser University, Online
11	Clinical Behavioural Sciences	McMaster University, Hamilton
12	Computer System Technology – Networking	Centennial College, Toronto
13	Energy Systems Engineering Technology	Centennial College, Toronto
14	Biotechnology – Advanced (Fast Track)	Centennial College

Then there are other popular courses such as:

1. Graduate Certificate in Global Business Management
2. Advanced Diploma in Architectural Technology
3. Post Diploma in Information Technology
4. Post Diploma in Tourism Management
5. Diploma in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician

Some other colleges that offer 2-year Postgraduate Diplomas:

1. North Island College, British Columbia
2. College of New Caledonia, British Columbia
3. Fleming College, Ontario
4. Humber College, Ontario
5. Lambton College, Ontario
6. Fanshawe College, Ontario
7. Lawrence College, Ontario

Eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Diploma in Canada:

1. A relevant undergraduate degree with an aggregate of at least 60%.
2. For Postgraduate Diplomas in Project Management, Business Administration, and other such courses, a minimum of 2 years of work experience is required.
3. English language proficiency is also required and you must have a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS. For Nursing Diplomas, one needs a minimum score of 7 on IELTS.

Hi, I am Suvam. I am an international student from India. I have been in Canada for the last 3 years and absolutely loved this country.

In the last three years, I have experienced a lot of things like studying in one of the top-ranked universities in the world, traveling in some of the best places in Canada, and most importantly, making friends with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

I have felt at home here since day 1 (and it’s not just because I love winters). Canadians are one of the nicest people out there. People will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable or help you when in need.

Studying here has also helped me grow professionally. I am currently working on my co-op at one of the top companies in my industry and looking forward to taking that experience back to my home country and pursuing my dream job.

My advice to students would be to pick an institution that will give you a great foundation for your future career goals and not just focus on how many times it’s ranked globally. Once you have chosen your university, get involved with activities outside your classroom. This will help you build networks which are very important for your career growth.

I am glad that I decided