Diploma Courses

Diploma courses which are also known as polytechnic courses are short-term courses that are of 1-3 year duration and can be pursued after completion of Classes 10 and 12 or even after graduation. Diploma courses emphasize training-based education. The admission to diploma courses is done either through entrance exams or direct admission. In order to be eligible for a diploma course at the graduation level candidates should complete their Class 10 with at least 35% marks in the qualifying exam and include compulsory subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Physical Science. Some of the popular entrance exams that help candidates to get admission in polytechnic courses all over India are AP POLYCET, TS POLYECT, Bihar DCECE, CG PPT, Delhi POLYCET, etc. 

Diploma courses help candidates to secure jobs in varied domains such as Mechanical Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Project Managers, Lab Assistants, Sales Representative, Event Manager, etc. Diploma courses can be pursued online, offline, as well as distant courses too. The top colleges that offer diploma courses to the candidates include CMC Vellore, IIHM Bangalore, National Institute of Fashion Technology, St. Xavier's college, MAMC, Delhi, etc. The diploma course fee ranges between Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000 annually.

A diploma is a short-term course, lasting 1 or 2 years, and is not necessarily given by a university. It could be conducted by an institute or polytechnic as well. The table below mentions the most significant highlights of Diploma Courses:

Students can enroll in Diploma Courses even after Class 10. There are diploma courses that require the candidate to be an HSC pass-out. Diploma courses at the masters level require the candidate to have a graduate degree.
Candidates wishing to pursue Diploma Courses after 10th standard can get into any field or branch they want with ease because of the great percentages scored by them. However, many students tend to choose a wrong branch for themselves. Needless to say, the decision of a student passing 12th standard is more mature than one passing 10th standard. Hence, it is a rational decision to pursue Diploma Courses after 12th.
It's absolutely fair to join Diploma Courses after 10th. Actually it is considered equivalent to 12th by almost all government and private sectors. Wherever 12th qualification is required, a diploma holder will always be eligible. Moreover, one can directly go for a good job after pursuing Diploma Courses.
For pursuing a Bachelor's degree, a student must have a high school diploma or something equivalent to it. So a high school diploma acts as a stepping-stone to a Bachelor's degree.

Students who want to start their career path after completing class 10th in the selected profile and enter the professional world, do not need to wait for very long. Diplomas are simple, condensed, and extremely informed courses that students can pursue after completing classes 10 and 12. They provide a lot of potential for the development of your career.  It is imperative for the following students to do Diploma Courses:

• Students interested in gaining vocational skills must pursue Diploma Courses since they focus more on practical training compared to theory which helps the individuals to gain hands-on experience.
• Working professionals can pursue a Diploma Course in a specific domain because It can help them to enhance their current package. Professional diplomas enable a person to earn a decent salary on successfully completing the course. 
• Students aspiring to enter the job market quickly after pursuing a program of shorter duration, i.e. 1-2 years, must opt for Diploma Courses.
• Diploma Courses are ideal for candidates who want to explore a variety of career options. For example, if a person is not sure if wants to enter the marketing industry or media industry, he can study for a diploma course and take classes in both areas to test himself and his interest in the field.
• Working individuals have the privilege to opt for part-time Diploma Courses. Diploma Courses are beneficial for them since they have fewer subjects to study compared to a degree course.

Students who are planning to pursue a diploma course want to know if they have a good scope in the field and will offer a prospective career or not. The answer is yes. There are several disciplines from which students can choose their professional path, some of which include data science, business, science, the arts, commerce, engineering, and technology. Candidates can check the benefits of studying diploma courses given below. 

Short duration - In comparison to degree programs, diploma courses are shorter and more focused. These courses usually last one to two years and prepare students to enter the work market rapidly. It aids in the understanding of current industrial technologies and trends.

Help in exploring career options - An individual can explore various other career options through diploma courses. For instance, if a person is unsure whether he is in the management or marketing industry, he must take up diploma courses and find his field of interest. 

Flexible - Diploma courses are more flexible in terms of course curriculum. It has fewer subjects, allowing students to carry on their part-time work or job simultaneously. Many diploma courses can also be done through online mode.

Less costly - A diploma course is a much less expensive and less time than a regular degree program. Students with limited financial resources can opt for diploma courses.

Relaxed admission standards - Degrees usually include severe entry standards, such as minimum age or a minimum grade level. As a result, if one does not meet their eligibility standards, their chances of admission reduce. Diploma programs are less dependent on these factors, giving students a better chance of being accepted into their desired degree.

Increased earnings - Diploma courses assist a person in improving his existing package. It helps students in gaining real-world practical skills and proficiency. As a result, professional diplomas allow a person to make a good living after completing the course.

Mentioned below are the top 10 Diploma Courses for students willing to obtain both academic knowledge and vocational skills:

• Engineering Diploma Courses

• Maritime Diploma Courses

• Diploma in Fire & Safety Technology

• Diploma in Animation & Multimedia

• Diploma in Hotel Management

• Diploma in Interior Design

• Computer & Programming Diploma Courses

• Nursing Diploma Courses

• Paramedical Diploma Courses

• Diploma in Health & Physical Fitness

There are endless diploma and postgraduate diploma courses available in various fields like management, design, science, engineering, law, arts, commerce, education, mass communication, Agriculture, pharmacy, computer applications, animations, digital marketing, tourism, etc.  which can be done after 10th, 12th or graduation (in case of pg diploma courses). Below we have provided a list of diploma courses in different fields:

Note – These are just some examples of diploma courses for reference. The actual number of fields and courses is beyond imagination.

The eligibility criteria for different Diploma Courses have been tabulated below:

Diploma courses can be broadly divided into three types. These are:

• Diploma courses after 10th
• Diploma courses after 12th 
• Diploma courses after graduation 

Some of these courses along with their duration are given below:

Diploma courses after 10th

Diploma courses after 12th 

Diploma courses after graduation

The primary differences between Diploma Courses and Degree Courses have been tabulated below:

Interested students can get admission in Diploma Courses in the following ways-

Direct Admission 

There are many good private colleges where candidates can get direct admission as per their 10th percentile. However, there are some private top colleges which can demand a very good percentage in the 10th such as 70 or above. It also depends on which branch the candidates are interested in for admission.

Admission through Entrance exam

For admission to the Government Colleges of almost all the states, it is mandatory for the candidates to write an entrance exam. Every state conducts different entrance exams in which the candidates have to qualify.

The list of Diploma Entrance Exams 2022 in India has been provided below:

• Chhattisgarh Pre-Polytechnic Test (CG PPT) for UG Courses

• Centurion University Entrance Examination (CUEE) for UG, PG Courses

• PGDBA for PG courses

• Indo Danish Tool Room, Jamshedpur Diploma in Tool & Die Making (IDTR DTDM) for UG, PG Courses

• CEPT Entrance Exam for UG, PG Courses

• CITD Entrance Exam for UG, PG Courses

• Delhi CET for UG Courses

• Udai Pratap College Entrance Exam for UG, PG Courses

• Pondicherry University Entrance Exam for PG Courses

• IERT Entrance Exam for UG, PG Courses

• GKCIET Entrance Exam for UG, PG Courses

• TS CPGET for PG Courses

• JEECUP for UG Courses

• AP POLYCET for UG Courses

• FTII JET for PG Courses

• CIPET JEE for PG Courses

• MP GNTST PNST for UG Courses

• Assam PAT for UG Courses

• VOCLET for UG Courses

• UBTER JEEP for UG Courses

There are more than 5000 colleges in India providing diploma courses in different areas of education. Some of the top diploma colleges in India are:

• Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai

• National Institute of Fashion Technology, Navi Mumbai

• Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore

• CMC Vellore, Vellore

• Asian College of Journalism, Chennai

• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

• IIHM Bangalore

• IIMC, Delhi

• St. Xaviers college, Mumbai

• Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai

• MAMC, Delhi

• Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bengaluru

• ILS Law College, Pune

• National Institute of Design, Vijayawada

• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune

Individuals must pursue an international Diploma Course for the following reasons:

• The average annual compensation for diploma graduates from distinguished foreign institutions is significantly higher than those graduating from Indian universities

• Becoming an international student can greatly broaden candidates’ study options. For example, the USA, UK and Australia all have extremely highly regarded higher education systems, and a huge percentage of the world’s highest ranking universities are in these few countries

• Students can build an international network of professionals. Studying abroad also helps candidates to learn new languages, appreciate other cultures, overcome challenges of living in another country and gain a greater understanding of the world

• An international diploma helps to impress the recruiters by proving the candidate’s ability to take on challenges and handle change. Hence, it increases one’s employability

Students choose some countries that are better suitable for diploma courses than others for the aim of taking them abroad. This is due to the high level of education and student-friendly environment provided by these countries. The United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland, frequently appear on this list. Other important considerations for students include the safety and expense of living in these areas.

Some of the top diploma colleges abroad are:

• Humber College, Canada

• Centennial College, Canada

• Victoria University, Australia

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

• Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore

• University of Oxford, UK

• East Los Angeles College, USA

Different states have set different eligibility standards for admission to Diploma Courses that have been mentioned below:

Diploma Courses Admission in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh conducts UPJEE exam for admission to Polytechnic. Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic is responsible for conducting the Delhi Common entrance test. Top Diploma Universities in Uttar Pradesh include BHU Varanasi, AMU Aligarh, KGMU Lucknow, CSJMU Kanpur, among others.

Diploma Courses Admission in Andhra Pradesh

The Board of technical education and training, Hyderabad conducts the Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test in May. Top Diploma Universities in Andhra Pradesh include SVEC Tirupati, Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology, GIET Rajahmundry, among others.

Diploma Courses Admission in Gujarat

Gujarat common entrance test (GUJCET) is conducted for admission to diploma courses. Admission Committee for Professional Diploma Courses (ACPDC) is responsible for regulating the admission of candidates to the professional diploma courses. Candidates are admitted on the basis of marks secured in qualifying exam or certificate courses.

Admission to diploma courses will be conducted through three channels:

1. SSC
2. TEB
3. ITI

Diploma Courses Admission in Karnataka

The Karnataka Polytechnic Admission Test determines a candidate’s eligibility to study Polytechnic in Karnataka. To become eligible for studying diploma courses in Karnataka, the aspirant should either have passed the Karnataka Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) or an equivalent examination with at least 35 per cent marks. The applicant should have studied in Karnataka from grade 1 for a minimum of 5 years from SSLC or PUC board.

Diploma Courses Admission in Punjab

Admission to diploma courses in Punjab is done through the Punjab Joint Entrance Test (JET).

Diploma Course Fees for different specialisations have been mentioned below:

Diploma In Civil Engineering Course Fees 

Diploma in Dental Mechanics Course Fees

The subjects offered in various specialisations under Diploma Courses are listed below: 

• Communication skills: An individual must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to convince others.

• A flair for sales: When an individual works as a business owner, he/she is required to sell their ideas, views, and business expansion plan to concerned people. 

• Teamwork: Possessing teamwork skills is mandatory to excel as a manager because while working for greater interests, it is important that all have to cast their differences aside and work together to achieve good results. 

• Leadership skills: Candidates must be equipped with strong leadership skills. Individuals with great leadership skills empower teams to achieve their full potential, make decisions, and strategize well to help organisations thrive. 

• Managing Finance: Finance will be utilized for carrying out a lot of business operations and also will be used for a lot of strategies for business promotion and expansion. For an advanced diploma in business, managing finance should be a cakewalk as it will be helpful in a lot of tasks in their day-to-day life.

The subjects offered in various specialisations under Diploma Courses are listed below:

Diploma in engineering is one of the highest paying diploma programmes in India. Job opportunities are available in government as well as the private sector.

The Government of India is providing huge employment opportunities to the candidates who have successfully completed Diploma. The diploma course is designed in such a way that students are capable of performing engineering tasks.

The best diploma programs that provide a significant boost to an individual’s career include:

• Post Graduate Diploma in Software Engineering
• Diploma in Food and Beverage Services Management
• Diploma in Human Resource Management
• Diploma in Graphic Designing
• Diploma in Fashion Designing
• Diploma in Digital Content Marketing
• Diploma in psychology

Some of the eminent organisations that hire graduates in diploma courses are:

• L&T
• JCB
• TCS
• Wipro
• Unitech
• Bajaj Auto
• TATA Power
• Mahindra & Mahindra
• Adani Power Corporation

The job profiles after pursuing diploma courses and the average annual salaries have been tabulated below:

The different Diploma Courses Career Options that are available have been listed below: