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Diploma



 
 
A diploma (from Greek
Greek language

Greek is an Indo-European languages native to the southern Balkan peninsula, the language of the Greek people. It forms an independent branch within Indo-European....
 d?p??µa diploma, meaning "folded paper") is a certificate
Certificate

A certificate is an official document affirming some fact. For example, a birth certificate or death certificate testifies to basic facts regarding a person's birth or death....
 or deed
Deed

A deed is a legal instrument used to grant a right. Deeds are part of the broader category of documents under seal. Deeds can be described as contract-like, as they require the mutual agreement of more than one person....
 issued by an educational institution, such as a university
University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education....
, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study, or confers an academic degree
Academic degree

A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of higher education, such as University, normally as the result of successfully completing a program of study....
. In countries such as the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
 and Australia
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
, the word diploma refers to a level of academic award.

In some countries, such as the UK and Australia, such a document is called a testimonium or testamur, Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 for "we testify" or "certify" (testari), and so called from the word with which the certificate begins.

In Ireland
Republic of Ireland

Ireland is an Island country in north-western Europe. The modern Sovereignty state occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland, which was partitioned by the British on 3 May 1921....
 it is generally called a parchment.

inally, diplomas were made of thin sheepskin
Sheepskin

Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep, sometimes also called lambskin or lambswool.Sheepskin may also refer to:* Parchment, a thin material made from calfskin, sheepskin or goatskin...
, as paper was difficult to create and also extremely delicate at that time.






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Encyclopedia


A diploma (from Greek
Greek language

Greek is an Indo-European languages native to the southern Balkan peninsula, the language of the Greek people. It forms an independent branch within Indo-European....
 d?p??µa diploma, meaning "folded paper") is a certificate
Certificate

A certificate is an official document affirming some fact. For example, a birth certificate or death certificate testifies to basic facts regarding a person's birth or death....
 or deed
Deed

A deed is a legal instrument used to grant a right. Deeds are part of the broader category of documents under seal. Deeds can be described as contract-like, as they require the mutual agreement of more than one person....
 issued by an educational institution, such as a university
University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education....
, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study, or confers an academic degree
Academic degree

A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of higher education, such as University, normally as the result of successfully completing a program of study....
. In countries such as the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
 and Australia
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
, the word diploma refers to a level of academic award.

In some countries, such as the UK and Australia, such a document is called a testimonium or testamur, Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 for "we testify" or "certify" (testari), and so called from the word with which the certificate begins.

In Ireland
Republic of Ireland

Ireland is an Island country in north-western Europe. The modern Sovereignty state occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland, which was partitioned by the British on 3 May 1921....
 it is generally called a parchment.

Diploma styles

Originally, diplomas were made of thin sheepskin
Sheepskin

Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep, sometimes also called lambskin or lambswool.Sheepskin may also refer to:* Parchment, a thin material made from calfskin, sheepskin or goatskin...
, as paper was difficult to create and also extremely delicate at that time. The entire diploma was written by hand due to the lack of printing presses. Soon, parchment
Parchment

Parchment is a thin material made from calfskin, sheepskin or Goatskin . Its most common use is as the pages of a book, codex or manuscript. It is distinct from leather in that parchment is not tanned, but stretched, scraped, and dried under tension, creating a stiff white, yellowish or translucent animal skin....
 was used for the diploma and at the turn of the 20th century, the diploma became bound in leather
Leather

Leather is a material created through the tanning of rawhides and skins of animals, primarily cattlehide. The tanning process converts the putrescible skin into a durable, long-lasting and versatile natural material for various uses....
.

Diplomas used to be printed on large paper, but it has become common to print diplomas on standard letter or A4 size paper.

Usage

  • In the U.S., the word diploma usually refers to the actual document received at the end of higher education. It also can refer to a specific academic award. An example would be in the field of Nursing where the Diploma in Nursing
    Diploma in Nursing

    A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level tertiary education nursing Academic degree.In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by hospital-based nursing schools....
     was offered by hospital based schools. In other parts of the world, diploma often refers to the actual education or is some indication of the amount of time spent in study.


  • In some countries, such as Australia
    Australia

    Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
    , Pakistan
    Pakistan

    Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia and borders Central Asia and the Middle East. It has a 1,046 kilometre coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south, and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and People's Republic of China in th...
     and India
    India

    India, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and outlying territories by total area country by geographical area, the List of countries by population country, and the most populous liberal democracy in the world....
     a diploma is a specific academic award of lower rank than a bachelor degree (and in some areas an Advanced Diploma falls in between as well).


  • In India
    India

    India, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and outlying territories by total area country by geographical area, the List of countries by population country, and the most populous liberal democracy in the world....
     a diploma is a specific academic award usually awarded in professional/vocational courses e.g. Engineering, Pharmacy, Designing, etc. In such cases, a diploma is lower in rank than a specific Bachelor's degree
    Bachelor's degree

    A bachelor's degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years....
     of that discipline but equivalent to general degree in that discipline e.g. Diploma in Engineering
    Diploma in Engineering

    The Diploma of Engineering Studies aims to provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in English; a sound knowledge of basic engineering, scientific, computing and mathematical techniques; a knowledge of, and ability to apply, basic problem solving techniques; and basic knowledge and skills in one of the following fields: ci...
     of Electronics Engineering is lower than Bachelor of Technology
    Bachelor of Technology

    Bachelor of Technology is an undergraduate academic degree conferred after completion of a three or four year program of studies at an accredited university or accredited university-level institution....
     in Electronics Engineering but is equivalent to Bachelor of Science
    Bachelor of Science

    A Bachelor of Science is an bachelor's degree academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years ....
     in Electronics
    Electronics

    Electronics refers to the flow of charge through nonmetal electrical conductor , whereas electrical refers to the flow of charge through metal electrical conductor....
    . Also Diploma are little bit specific in nature e.g. Diploma in Engineering
    Diploma in Engineering

    The Diploma of Engineering Studies aims to provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in English; a sound knowledge of basic engineering, scientific, computing and mathematical techniques; a knowledge of, and ability to apply, basic problem solving techniques; and basic knowledge and skills in one of the following fields: ci...
     of Electronics Engineering may be in Advanced Communication Systems (ACS) or Integrated Circuits (IC) or Industrial Electronics (IE).


  • In Pakistan
    Pakistan

    Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia and borders Central Asia and the Middle East. It has a 1,046 kilometre coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south, and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and People's Republic of China in th...
     a Diploma is a specific academic award usually awarded in professional/vocational courses e.g. Engineering, Nursing, Fashion, etc. In such cases, a diploma is lower in rank than a specific Bachelor's degree
    Bachelor's degree

    A bachelor's degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years....
     of that discipline. As diploma studies started on vocational route of study after school for 3 years, the Bachelor of Technology
    Bachelor of Technology

    Bachelor of Technology is an undergraduate academic degree conferred after completion of a three or four year program of studies at an accredited university or accredited university-level institution....
     is the logical degree for diploma graduates if they want to complete the Bachelor. Also Diploma are little bit specific in nature e.g. Diploma in Engineering
    Diploma in Engineering

    The Diploma of Engineering Studies aims to provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in English; a sound knowledge of basic engineering, scientific, computing and mathematical techniques; a knowledge of, and ability to apply, basic problem solving techniques; and basic knowledge and skills in one of the following fields: ci...
     of Electronics Engineering or Industrial Electronics, Civil Engineering
    Civil engineering

    Civil engineering is a Professional Engineer discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works such as bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings....
    . graduates of Diplomas work as associates to Engineers and often called as Associate Engineers. Few Postgraduate Diploma
    Postgraduate diploma

    A postgraduate diploma is a qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. Countries which award postgraduate diplomas include Australia, Canada, Chile, England and Wales, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia and Sri Lanka....
     or PGD are ranked higher than the Bachelor
    Bachelor

    A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been marriage .The term is sometimes restricted to men who do not have and are not actively seeking a spouse or other personal partner....
     degree as they are completed after graduation. These are normally a year courses after a university degree.


  • In Ireland
    Ireland

    Ireland is the List of islands by area in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islet....
     a National Diploma
    National Diploma

    The National Diploma is a three year Legal term#Ab initio specialised higher education qualification in a technology discipline offered by an Institutes of Technology in Ireland or other Higher Education and Training Awards Council designated institution in Republic of Ireland....
     was awarded before 2004. It was at the same level as the ordinary Bachelor's degree and below the honours Bachelor's degree
    Bachelor's degree

    A bachelor's degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years....
    , whilst the Higher Diploma
    Higher diploma

    A higher diploma is an academic award in Hong Kong and Republic of Ireland. In Hong Kong the award is below the standard of the bachelor's degree, in Ireland it is above the standard of the bachelor's degree....
     is taken after the bachelor degree.


  • In Germany
    Education in Germany

    Responsibility for German education system lies primarily with the Bundesl?nder while the federal government only has a minor role. Optional kindergarten education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which school attendance is Compulsory education for twelve years....
    , Ukraine
    Education in Ukraine

    This article is about education in Ukraine....
    , Serbia
    Education in Serbia

    Education in Serbia is regulated by the Ministry of Education ....
     and other countries that adopted the German
    Germany

    Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
     academic education system, diploma (in German
    German language

    German is a West Germanic languages, thus related to and classified alongside English language and Dutch language. It is one of the world's world language and the most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union....
     Diplom
    Diplom

    Diplom is an academic degree in some European countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Estonia, Croatia, Serbia, Education in Ukraine, Belarus, Greece and Hungary....
    ) is the standard academic degree, comparable with the Bachelor's and Master's degree
    Master's degree

    A master's degree provides a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of profession. Within the area studied, graduates possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theory and applied topics; high order skills in analysis, Critical thinking and/or professional application; and the ability to problem solving a...
     in one.


  • In Hong Kong
    Hong Kong

    Hong Kong , officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located in Southern China in East Asia, bordering the province of Guangdong to the north and facing the South China Sea to the east, west and south....
    , higher diploma
    Higher diploma

    A higher diploma is an academic award in Hong Kong and Republic of Ireland. In Hong Kong the award is below the standard of the bachelor's degree, in Ireland it is above the standard of the bachelor's degree....
     and associate degree are below the standard of the honours bachelor's degree
    Bachelor's degree

    A bachelor's degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years....
    . Certificate
    Certificate

    A certificate is an official document affirming some fact. For example, a birth certificate or death certificate testifies to basic facts regarding a person's birth or death....
     (not to be confused with postgraduate certificate
    Postgraduate certificate

    A postgraduate certificate is generally a postgraduate education qualification designed to provide students with specialized knowledge that is less extensive than a postgraduate diploma or Master's degree....
    ) and diploma are below the standard of higher diploma and associate degree. Postgraduate Certificate
    Postgraduate certificate

    A postgraduate certificate is generally a postgraduate education qualification designed to provide students with specialized knowledge that is less extensive than a postgraduate diploma or Master's degree....
    s and Postgraduate Diploma
    Postgraduate diploma

    A postgraduate diploma is a qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. Countries which award postgraduate diplomas include Australia, Canada, Chile, England and Wales, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia and Sri Lanka....
    s are taken after the bachelor degree, and are more vocational oriented than a master's degree.


  • In Ontario
    Ontario

    Ontario is a Provinces and territories of Canada located in the Central Canada part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest, after Quebec, in total area....
    , Canada
    Canada

    Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
    , diplomas are awarded by colleges of applied arts and technology whereas bachelor degrees are awarded by universities. In Canada
    Canada

    Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
    , depending on the provincial legislation, there may be a subtle difference between a college and a university.


  • The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
    IB Diploma Programme

    The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an educational programme examined in one of three languages and is a leading university entrance course....
     is a pre-university qualification normally taken by students in the final two years of high school
    High school

    High school is the name used in some parts of the world to describe an institution which provides all or part of secondary education. The term originated in Scotland and spread to the New World countries as the high prestige that the Scottish educational system had at the time led several countries to employ Scottish educators to develop the...
    .


  • In the UK, diploma can refer to several different types of academic qualification. The Diploma of Higher Education
    Diploma of Higher Education

    A Diploma of Higher Education is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. It is awarded after two years to three years' full-time study at a university or other higher education institution....
     is a higher education award below the standard of a bachelor's degree. The term can also refer to a Postgraduate Diploma
    Postgraduate diploma

    A postgraduate diploma is a qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. Countries which award postgraduate diplomas include Australia, Canada, Chile, England and Wales, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia and Sri Lanka....
     or to the new 14–19 Diploma
    14–19 Diploma

    The 14?19 Diploma is a qualification in England, launching in September 2008 in certain areas of the country. Its development was announced in the 14?19 Education and Skills White Paper of March 2005....
     to be introduced in England
    England

    native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
     in September 2008. Postgraduate Diploma
    Postgraduate diploma

    A postgraduate diploma is a qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. Countries which award postgraduate diplomas include Australia, Canada, Chile, England and Wales, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia and Sri Lanka....
     award is higher than the Bachelor's degree.


  • In Greece
    Greece

    Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , is a country in southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkans. It has borders with Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the north, and Turkey to the east....
    , diplomas can be awarded by various educational institutes as a proof of a certain educational level. Diploma in engineering is a high award provided by Greek technical universities after the successful completion of a 5-year programme and is equivalent to Bristish bachelor and master of engineering.


See also

  • Bachelor Degree
  • Bologna process
    Bologna process

    The purpose of the Bologna process is to create the European higher education area by making academic degree standards and quality assurance standards more comparable and compatible throughout Europe, in particular under the Lisbon Recognition Convention....
  • Certificate
    Certificate

    A certificate is an official document affirming some fact. For example, a birth certificate or death certificate testifies to basic facts regarding a person's birth or death....
  • Diploma de Estudios Avanzados
  • Diploma mill
    Diploma mill

    A diploma mill is an organization that awards academic degrees and diplomas with substandard or no academic study and without recognition by educational accreditation....
  • Diploma of Biblical Studies
    Diploma of Biblical Studies

    The Diploma of Biblical Studies is a one-year course in biblical studies, theology, history and pastor studies offered by a variety of Christian Bible Colleges....
  • Diploma of Education
    Diploma of Education

    The Diploma of Education, often abbreviated to DipEd or GradDipEd, is a postgraduate qualification offered in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth of Nations countries including Australia....
  • Diploma of Imperial College
    Diploma of Imperial College

    The Diploma of the Imperial College is an academic certificate awarded by Imperial College London to its postgraduate students upon graduation....
  • Diploma of Journalism
    Diploma of Journalism

    A Diploma of Journalism is an Academic degree in journalism issued by a university or college.The diploma is generally issued after one year of study....
  • Diploma in Computer Science
    Diploma in Computer Science

    Originally known as the "Diploma in Numerical Analysis and Automatic Computing", the Diploma in Computer Science was a conversion course in Computer Science offered by the University of Cambridge....
  • Diploma in Engineering
    Diploma in Engineering

    The Diploma of Engineering Studies aims to provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in English; a sound knowledge of basic engineering, scientific, computing and mathematical techniques; a knowledge of, and ability to apply, basic problem solving techniques; and basic knowledge and skills in one of the following fields: ci...
  • High school diploma
    High school diploma

    A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government employment and higher education....
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Education
    Postgraduate Diploma in Education

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Education , also known as a Graduate Diploma of Education is a one-year courses in several places like Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, for existing bachelor's degree holders leading to become a qualified teacher....
  • Professional Graduate Diploma in Education
    Professional Graduate Diploma in Education

    The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education is a one-year course in Scotland for undergraduate degree holders that allows them to train to be a teacher....