Graduate Diploma
Encyclopedia
A Graduate Diploma is generally a postgraduate qualification, although some graduate diplomas involve the study of undergraduate level courses (see Postgraduate diploma
). The diploma is normally taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree without having received Honours with the Bachelor's Degree.
More recently, post-graduate diplomas have become more popular, as they allow graduate-level specialization studies to be completed in half the time of a masters, while still being transferable into a masters degree in the same topic. All of this at half the price of a masters degree—usually between $10,000 and $15,000 for the graduate diploma, as opposed to $20,000 or more for a masters degree. In addition, these diplomas allow one to try specializations such as accounting, without committing the time and money to a full masters degree in the same specialization. Alternatively, it is possible to complete a graduate diploma, start working in the field, and have the company pay for additional courses to attain a masters degree in the same topic later-on (on a part-time basis for instance), there-by saving money and time.
Some schools in Canada that have graduate level studies leading to a graduate diploma are:
, which is a course of study at postgraduate level (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology etc.).
However, such courses may be referred to as either a Graduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Diploma
. Different institutions offering exactly the same course appear inconsistent in which name they use. Perhaps an indication is given by the following example. In 2003, The College of Law
renamed the official title for its law conversion course from Postgraduate Diploma in Law, to Graduate Diploma in Law. The reasons given were that although the law conversion course is studied postgraduately, the contents of the course are only undergraduate in nature, albeit condensed in time.
The Graduateship (GCGI) Diploma is awarded by the City and Guilds of London Institute.
For information on 2008 GDL pass rates and the number of students awarded distinctions and commendations by the various providers see QED LAW
is a postgraduate award taken after a Bachelor's degree
. Usually of one years study, sometimes two years, full time study. A wide variety of courses are offered, it is also possible to progress to a Master's degree
.
The diploma is generally in two forms:
The Graduate Diploma (GradDip) is offered by DIT
, DCU
, HETAC
and UL
. The Higher Diploma (HDip) is offered by HETAC
, NUI
institutions, Trinity College, Dublin
offers only the Higher Diploma in Education.
. It is usually awarded by a University
or a Graduate school
. It usually takes 2 terms of study to complete and has a wide variety of courses on offer. It is also possible for graduate diploma holders to progress to a Master's degree
on an accelerated pathway compared to first embarking on a 3 or 4-year degree program. To ensure that the Graduate Diploma qualification is recognised, they must be registered with the Ministry of Education (Singapore)
.
The Graduate diploma is generally a professional conversion qualification to reskill a graduate with new specialised skills, for instance the GDipPsy - Graduate Diploma in Psychology is aimed at offering specialised skills in Psychology
. See also Postgraduate Diploma
. Occasionally, matured candidates without a bachelor degree may be accepted into the Graduate Diploma programs based on his/her work experience, these applications are subjected to the respective academic committee review.
Graduate Diploma (GradDip)are awarded by several institutions in Singapore including the National University of Singapore
, Nanyang Technological University
, Chartered Institute of Marketing
, Aventis School of Management
and University of Adelaide
.
The Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology offered by Nanyang Technological University(ICIS)is the most attractive graduate diploma in Singapore.
The graduate diploma programme in Information-Communication Technology (G Dip ICT) is designed to meet the formal training needs of graduate professionals in the face of rapid technological changes and increasing demand for manpower skilled in information communication technologies. It provides graduates with the essential foundations, technical knowledge, and practical skills in computer communications, software technology and web applications. Graduate professionals who wish to enhance their professional skill base and those planning to join the Infocomm industry will benefit from the programme and gain the necessary technical skills and acumen for adapting to technological changes and meeting challenging demands in the Infocomm industry.
Postgraduate diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...
). The diploma is normally taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree without having received Honours with the Bachelor's Degree.
More recently, post-graduate diplomas have become more popular, as they allow graduate-level specialization studies to be completed in half the time of a masters, while still being transferable into a masters degree in the same topic. All of this at half the price of a masters degree—usually between $10,000 and $15,000 for the graduate diploma, as opposed to $20,000 or more for a masters degree. In addition, these diplomas allow one to try specializations such as accounting, without committing the time and money to a full masters degree in the same specialization. Alternatively, it is possible to complete a graduate diploma, start working in the field, and have the company pay for additional courses to attain a masters degree in the same topic later-on (on a part-time basis for instance), there-by saving money and time.
Canada
(Post-) graduate diplomas offered in Canada are typical of those offered in Australia, England, Wales, and Ireland. The diploma is taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree and the ability to transfer credits into it. It is important to make the distinction between a post-graduate diploma, which is equivalent to doing half of a masters degree, and an undergraduate diploma, which is similar in credit-requirements to an associate degree.Some schools in Canada that have graduate level studies leading to a graduate diploma are:
- UBCUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
Sauder School of Business: DAP Graduate Diploma in Accounting, SMESMESME may stand for:*Small and medium enterprises, a synonym for Small and Medium-sized Business *Subject matter expert, a work role description...
Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing, Diploma in Endodontics, Diploma in Periodontics - SFUSimon Fraser UniversitySimon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
Segal Graduate School of Business: GDBA Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Graduate diploma in quantitative methods in fisheries management, Graduate diploma in education, Graduate diploma in global health, Graduate diploma in urban studies. - Concordia UniversityConcordia UniversityConcordia University is a comprehensive Canadian public university located in Montreal, Quebec, one of the two universities in the city where English is the primary language of instruction...
John Molson School of Business: Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. - Schulich School of BusinessSchulich School of BusinessThe Schulich School of Business is York University's business school located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is an internationally-ranked business school. Schulich offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration, finance, public administration and international business as...
(York UniversityYork UniversityYork University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
): Graduate Diplomas are offered concurrently with MBA programs including Arts & Media Administration, Nonprofit Management, Real Estate & Public Infrastructure Management, and Health Care Management.
Australia
Postgraduate diplomas offered in Australia are typical of those offered in England, Wales, and Ireland. The diploma is normally taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree without having received Honours with the Bachelor's Degree.New Zealand
In New Zealand, a graduate diploma is normally completed after a Bachelors degree or done at the same time of the Bachelors study, and may be used to prove the student's ability to undertake postgraduate studies. A graduate diploma (e.g., Graduate Diploma in Education etc.) is different to a postgraduate diplomaPostgraduate diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...
, which is a course of study at postgraduate level (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology etc.).
England and Wales
On a similar note, postgraduate students can study various Graduate Diploma in England and Wales. For example, the law conversion course.However, such courses may be referred to as either a Graduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...
. Different institutions offering exactly the same course appear inconsistent in which name they use. Perhaps an indication is given by the following example. In 2003, The College of Law
The College of Law
The College of Law of England and Wales is a private educational institution in England and a registered charity which provides legal education for students and professionals.-20th century:...
renamed the official title for its law conversion course from Postgraduate Diploma in Law, to Graduate Diploma in Law. The reasons given were that although the law conversion course is studied postgraduately, the contents of the course are only undergraduate in nature, albeit condensed in time.
The Graduateship (GCGI) Diploma is awarded by the City and Guilds of London Institute.
For information on 2008 GDL pass rates and the number of students awarded distinctions and commendations by the various providers see QED LAW
Ireland, Republic of
The Graduate Diploma or Higher Diploma in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
is a postgraduate award taken after a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
. Usually of one years study, sometimes two years, full time study. A wide variety of courses are offered, it is also possible to progress to a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
.
The diploma is generally in two forms:
- A reorientation type qualification to reskill a graduate with new specialised skills, for instance the HDipStats - Higher Diploma in Statistics is aimed at offering additional skills in statisticsStatisticsStatistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
. See also Higher DiplomaHigher diplomaA higher diploma is an academic award in Libya, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and Oman. In Libya the award is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology, in Hong Kong it is below the standard of the bachelor's degree, in Ireland it is above the standard of the bachelor's...
.
- A professional type qualification which is necessary to enter a profession, for instance the HDipEd - Higher Diploma in Education allows a person to register and practice teaching. See also Postgraduate DiplomaPostgraduate diplomaA postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...
.
The Graduate Diploma (GradDip) is offered by DIT
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
, DCU
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
, HETAC
Higher Education and Training Awards Council
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards , grants higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system...
and UL
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
. The Higher Diploma (HDip) is offered by HETAC
Higher Education and Training Awards Council
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards , grants higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system...
, NUI
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
institutions, Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
offers only the Higher Diploma in Education.
Singapore
The Graduate Diploma is a postgraduate academic qualification taken after a Bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
. It is usually awarded by a University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
or a Graduate school
Graduate school
A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...
. It usually takes 2 terms of study to complete and has a wide variety of courses on offer. It is also possible for graduate diploma holders to progress to a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
on an accelerated pathway compared to first embarking on a 3 or 4-year degree program. To ensure that the Graduate Diploma qualification is recognised, they must be registered with the Ministry of Education (Singapore)
Ministry of Education (Singapore)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore.-Statutory boards:...
.
The Graduate diploma is generally a professional conversion qualification to reskill a graduate with new specialised skills, for instance the GDipPsy - Graduate Diploma in Psychology is aimed at offering specialised skills in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. See also Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...
. Occasionally, matured candidates without a bachelor degree may be accepted into the Graduate Diploma programs based on his/her work experience, these applications are subjected to the respective academic committee review.
Graduate Diploma (GradDip)are awarded by several institutions in Singapore including the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
, Chartered Institute of Marketing
Chartered Institute of Marketing
The Chartered Institute of Marketing claims to be the world's largest organisation of professional marketers. It is based in UK with over 40,000 members worldwide. It's headquarters are in Cookham near Maidenhead, CIM offers professional development to marketing practitioners across the world...
, Aventis School of Management
Aventis School of Management
Aventis School of Management is an international graduate business school. Aventis School of Management campus is based in Singapore offers a strong focus on leadership and general management skills. Aventis School of Management is one of the five business schools in Singapore that is registered...
and University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
.
The Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology offered by Nanyang Technological University(ICIS)is the most attractive graduate diploma in Singapore.
The graduate diploma programme in Information-Communication Technology (G Dip ICT) is designed to meet the formal training needs of graduate professionals in the face of rapid technological changes and increasing demand for manpower skilled in information communication technologies. It provides graduates with the essential foundations, technical knowledge, and practical skills in computer communications, software technology and web applications. Graduate professionals who wish to enhance their professional skill base and those planning to join the Infocomm industry will benefit from the programme and gain the necessary technical skills and acumen for adapting to technological changes and meeting challenging demands in the Infocomm industry.