The best diploma courses can help accelerate your career path, sometimes even more so than a degree. Whether you are looking to build specific professional competencies or just up-skill yourself, a diploma in the right course can shape your future.
The best diploma courses can help accelerate your career path, sometimes even more so than a degree. Whether you are looking to build specific professional competencies or just up-skill yourself, a diploma in the right course can shape your future.
So, in this article, we’ll be looking at
A diploma is a short-term course, typically a year or two in duration offered by a technical training institute, a college or a university. A diploma course is structured in such a way that it trains a student in the professional competencies required to thrive in a particular field.
A diploma curriculum, typically, is light on theoretical knowledge but guarantees extensive practical knowledge, customised to fit the industry that you are seeking employment in. The goal of any diploma program is, on completion, to create numerous career options. In essence, they are professional courses developed in tandem with the industry requirements.
For many, a diploma also serves as an alternative to graduation, for a diploma has more flexible entry requirements. You can choose diploma courses after 10th and begin your professional career right there. You can also decide to pursue some of the best diploma courses after 12th and find quicker access to join the workforce.
You can also get diplomas during or after your degree for skill development. There are also pg diploma courses that you can enrol for after a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, or as a working professional to update your skill sets or create a niche specialization.
So, how exactly is it different from a degree?
A degree is 3-4 years long and is conferred only by a recognised university. In contrast, a diploma is shorter and can be awarded by any institution, college, or university. A degree course delves in-depth into the theories of the discipline, along with allied subjects.
A diploma is far more specific, developing particular skill sets. A diploma gives professional or vocational training that lets you jump into the job market. While a degree may let you start higher up in the workforce, a diploma allows you to start sooner and work your way up.
The bottom line is that either of these courses will allow you to take big steps forward in your professional life. The decision almost solely rests on what kind of learning you are looking for and how you apply yourself.
There might have been a time, especially in India, wherein a degree was considered far superior to a diploma course. It also created the impression that students who are unable to get into degree programs were meant for diplomas. This is a biased view.
From a global higher education standpoint, taking into account the changing landscapes of work, vocational training or a diploma is valued just as much as a degree. Industries are looking for people with niche specializations and practical knowledge who can jump into the foray and get things going.
If you are looking at the types of diploma courses, there is no one specific answer. You can categorise them based on
Here, you can look at three main categories – on-campus/ contact programme, online classes or a hybrid model.
You can enter a diploma programme at different points in your professional career
This is a particularly important category to consider if you are looking at doing your diploma abroad.
If you choose to study in India, there are a number of options to choose from. Here are some of the best subjects, if you want a diploma after 10th.
| Science Diploma Courses list after 10th | Arts Diploma Courses list after 10th | Business Diploma Courses list after 10th |
| Engineering IT Web/ UI/ UX Design Computer Science Automobiles |
Fashion Design Hospitality Graphic Design Languages Animation |
Social Media Marketing and Management Event Management Banking Insurance |
However, if you are choosing to study abroad, your options are far more limited if you are applying for diploma courses after 10th. You can only apply to some of the best diploma courses after 12th grade in countries like UK, Canada, or Australia.
It is because these programmes are intensive and require a certain amount of prior knowledge and mental maturity to keep up with the course. You can also explore some popular courses in the UK after grade 12.
In most countries, you can look at diplomas at three levels of study.
You can apply to these diploma courses after 12th. The duration is typically 1 – 2 years and is typically considered to be an equivalent of the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
You can apply to these courses also after your 12th. However, the course can get more intensive and typically takes 2-3 years to complete. It is equivalent to an associate degree and the second year of your bachelor’s degree.
Also called postgraduate diplomas, these are courses you can apply to on completion of your bachelor’s degree or a college/ advanced diploma. Some of these courses might also require you to show adequate work experience to apply. You should be prepared for master’s level learning in this course.
Choosing the right course for you is at the core of your professional career. Let us say you have decided to pursue a diploma. How do you choose the right course? What are the parameters to look for? Have you considered the course, the institution and the specialization? With multiple variables in play, it can become a mind-boggling decision, but here are some criteria that can help you decide.
1. Market Demand and Scalability: A diploma directly translates to a work opportunity. So it is better to do some market research and figure out if the skills or vocations that you will be learning will remain in demand, at least into the near future. Look into what your industry is lacking and try to fill in those gaps. If not, ensure the skills you learn in your diploma course are scalable and transferable. That way, you are armed with skill sets that will put you in demand across industries.
2. Learning Style: The way in which you absorb information also plays a crucial role in choosing the right diploma. If you thrive on theory, then a conventional degree might be a better fit for you. If you are an experiential learner, then you choose diploma courses that also include on-the-job training or apprenticeships. That way, you simultaneously learn and apply what you have learned. They also count as valuable experience when you are applying for jobs after your diploma.
3. Duration and Cost: This is the most practical part of your decision making is the duration and cost conducive to you? Do you have the time and the financial flexibility to pursue a two or three-year diploma in an institution of your choosing? What alternatives? Will you be pursuing this diploma while continuing to work or devote yourself to a full-time course? These are questions you will have to consider before choosing your course.
4. Institutions that offer: The first check is which institutions offer diplomas in the subjects that you are looking for. Sour through their website and go through their course list. Are they within the country or will you have to travel? Secondly, since a diploma can be offered by any institution, it does not have as many checks and balances as a degree course or enrolling in a university. So, the onus is upon you to ensure you apply to an accredited one.
5. Personal Interests: It is always better to choose a course that is allied with your personal interests and the dreams you have for your future. It is your interests and involvement that make learning fun. It is also what pushes you to excel. Sure, seek advice and follow the research. But, ultimately, the final, most important component, integral to your decision-making is your interest.
With these selection criteria in mind, you can dive into your research and choose the diploma that is best suited for you. Or, you can always take the help of experts in the field of higher education.
For instance, at TC Global, we have aptitude tests that will help you figure out what field or course might be best suited for you. We help you through the process all the way to enrolment and immigration procedures if you are applying abroad. While it might seem like a long process, let us not forget that it is vital in shaping your career.
We have now landed on the million dollar question. Which is the best diploma for the future?
We have not one, but three answers for you.
Digital marketing, also called online marketing, is essentially using any form of digital communication to increase brand visibility and eventually translate it to more consumers. With the Internet constantly evolving, the nature of digital marketing will also constantly adapt to the latest developments. The metaverse, for instance, will require a whole new plethora of digital marketing requirements. It means that industry demand will be on the rise for at least the next decade or so.
The skills that you will learn in a digital marketing program are also scalable across industries. It is hard to think of any organisation, in the public or private sector, who does not have a digital presence. You also have numerous specializations to choose from: Data Analysis, SEO, Content Management, Consumer Behaviour patterns and so on. It is all of these that has led us to believe that a diploma in digital marketing would be one of the best for the future.
We live in a data driven world. With evolving technology and global economics, more and more organisations are turning towards data sciences to make informed and efficient business decisions.
Data science is like an umbrella term. It includes some super-specialised branches including data mining, data analytics, machine learning and other related disciplines. It is an interdisciplinary field that brings together maths, statistics, technology and specific domain knowledge to transform large amounts of data into an information goldmine.
If you are at the beginning of this line and are unsure where to begin, a course in programming languages such as R or Python is an excellent place to begin your career in data sciences.
According to a research published by the professional recruitment services firm Michael Page, the rise of data science needs will create roughly 11.5 million job openings by 2026. Across industries and organisations ranging from healthcare to retail fashion, you can look at job profiles such as data engineers, analysts, machine learning engineers, data architects and administrators. Financial services, IT, healthcare, retail, e-commerce and media and entertainment are the industries hiring the most data scientists right now. HR is another field that is turning to data science to choose the right candidates for an organisation.
Some of the top universities in the world for data science include MIT, University of California Berkeley, University of Oxford, University of Toronto, University of Washington, National University of Singapore and many more. In India, the IITs, Amity University Noida, Jain University Bangalore, and National Institute of Technology Warangal are some of the top choices for data science programmes.
A good user experience (UX) design can set you apart in a world of rapidly growing interfaces. UX Design is where you create the ultimate design that is both beautiful and functional as a person interacts with a system, through a website, an app or a desktop software.
A good UX design anticipates customers’ needs, provides positive experiences and keeps them loyal to a brand. In addition to a sense of aesthetics, you are looking at a field that combines the findings of data sciences, behavioural sciences and the latest tech to provide the best possible experience for the user.
As one of the most in-demand tech jobs in the world, your skills as a UX designer can find you a spot in any industry you choose. It is hard to imagine an industry that does not have an online presence, and therefore, the need for UX designers is on the rise. While several top universities offer a range of 6 months to two-year diploma courses in UX design, such as Purdue, Parsons School of Design, HEC Montreal, Pratt Institute or the MIT Media Lab, you can also choose from any number of online certificate courses such as Google UX Design, CareerFoundry Certificate course, Springboard or Designlab to get started on your UX learning journey.
While these three are the top contenders, as stated earlier, there are many fields and great options across industries. So, in the next section, we will be looking at some of the best subjects according to the industry standards of 2024.
The top diploma courses list for 2024 is as follows
| S.No | Fields (Specializations in these larger subject areas) |
Course Duration | Cost (average per year cost of colleges outside India) |
| 1 | PG Diploma in Management | 8 months – 2 years | 20 – 50 lakhs |
| 2 | Diploma in Engineering | 3 years | 20 – 30 lakhs |
| 3 | Diploma in Graphic Design | 1 year | 20 – 40 lakhs |
| 4 | Diploma in Hotel Management | 2 – 3 years | 19 – 30 lakhs |
| 5 | Diploma in Fashion Designing | 6 months – 2 years | 20 – 30 lakhs |
| 6 | Diploma in Animation and Multimedia | 1 – 3 years | 15 – 40 lakhs |
| 7 | Diploma in Nursing | 3 years | 13 – 20 lakhs |
| 8 | Diploma in Event Management | 1 year | 18 – 25 lakhs |
| 9 | Diploma in Information Technology | 1 – 2 years | 25 – 40 lakhs |
| 10 | Diploma in Digital Marketing | 6 months – 2 years | 14 – 35 lakhs |
Disclaimer: These are ballpark figures, based on average fees of colleges in the U.S.A, Canada, Europe and Australia. The cost of pursuing a diploma in India from Indian institutions is significantly lower.
PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. It is done after your undergraduate degree course. This popular diploma course gives you an insight into some of the more practical aspects of management principles and business administration.
Just like the specializations in other management courses and MBA programs, a PGDM diploma will also allow you to choose specializations such as Human Resources, Marketing, Organisational Behaviour and so on. There are also niche specializations such as Public Health Management, Aviation Management, Sustainability, etc.
PGDM is the diploma equivalent of an MBA degree. If done from a reputed institution, you are boosting your resume and creating a niche. Diploma courses are usually dynamic, based on current industry and market conditions.
Even during the course, you dive deep into real-world problem-solving and business management. All this will help as you respond to changing trends in the industry and contribute more to the organisation.
A PG diploma in management is also one of the best subjects for diversifying your skill sets. You might have a B.Sc or a B.Tech degree. By adding business management to your scientific background, you create better opportunities for you to be hired and rise in ranks in technology-based organisations.
Also, check out the best management courses in Canada
A PGDM course can last anywhere from 8 months to two years depending on the institution. If the course involves an external practical component like an internship, then the duration might be longer.
Aspiring candidates must have completed their bachelor’s degrees from registered universities with high marks. A candidate can apply to a Management course, having specialised in any field. Most reputed Diplomas in Management have an entrance exam such as the CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
If you are interested in a postgraduate diploma, then you must read this: PG Diploma Courses in Canada: In Depth Guide for International Students
Also called polytechnic, engineering diploma courses are probably some of the most sought-after courses. You can find diploma courses in all core branches of engineering such as civil engineering, software engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, marine engineering, chemical engineering, and so on.
A diploma in engineering helps students gain practical and skill-oriented knowledge. They are application-oriented and allow students to quickly transition into the workforce.
With a diploma in engineering, you can find job opportunities earlier than compared to a traditional engineering degree. At the end of the day, nothing compared to real-life work experience. It opens up careers abroad, especially in countries looking for skilled labourers.
If you get interested in the principles of engineering and want to pursue a B.E or a B.Tech, then your diploma will act as a backdoor entry wherein you can join a B.E/ B.Tech course in the second year. A diploma in engineering can be applied for as soon as you complete your tenth standard. You can also apply to these courses after completing your 12th science.
Typically, a diploma in engineering is for three years. In India, you can apply after the tenth and then join a B.E/ B.Tech program in the second year on completion of your diploma.
In India, it is one of the diploma courses after 10th. The eligibility criteria is Standard 10 with good marks from any board. If you are applying abroad, then you must take into account SAT, English language proficiency skills and so on.
While your designs can be built on your pre-existing aesthetics, a diploma in graphic design will help you finesse the artist in you and help you translate that into profitable employment.
In today’s industry, it is common to see graphic designers self-employed and often in demand by large organisations to help them create unique content. A diploma in graphic design will help you harness those skills. You can focus on typography, photography, art, layout or designs for specific media.
With the amount of digital content that each organisation is creating, graphic designers are in high demand. Web Designer, Logo Designer, Multimedia Designer, Art Director, Layout Artist, Product Designer, Photo Editor, and many such job profiles are always in demand, across industries.
Graphic designing is also a crucial skill when it comes to interior design. Having the technical skills can make your presentations on interior design more life-like and accessible.
We live in a time where social media presence and digital marketing have overtaken all other forms of advertising. Striking and thought-provoking designs are now integral to creating brand recognition. You can even consider combining your graphic design diploma with other specializations and creating your own brand so that recruiters come after you.
Typically, 1 year
Eligibility Criteria: 10 + 2 years of schooling from a recognised board with good marks. Your application essay and interview will also play a major role in the selection process.
The hospitality industry has been booming since the world opened up after the pandemic. In an industry that will never go out of demand, a diploma in hotel management will give you the opportunity to rise above in the food chain industry. There are also options to study bachelor’s in Hotel Management, should you wish to do so.
This course focuses on the entirety of a hotel administration, including accounts, advertising, housekeeping, front office, food and beverage management, catering, and upkeep. You can specialise in any or more of them. Students who complete their diploma in hotel management often find opportunities to work abroad and explore different cultures and work standards. You could, of course, also choose to pursue an undergrad or a master’s in hotel management if you want to go beyond the diploma.
2 – 3 years
Eligibility criteria: 10 + 2 years of schooling. Application to colleges abroad will also include application essays, IELTS/ TOEFL and entrance exams if required by the organisation.
The goal of this course is to develop your creative, business, and technical skills to be applied in the fashion industry. Fashion is not only about design. It includes business management, sustainability, marketing, brand creation and awareness, finance, and so on. A diploma in fashion management will give you a chance to experience the industry as a whole and specialise in that aspect that catches your interest.
A course in fashion design can be a fulfilling one if this is your area of interest. After completing your diploma in fashion design course, you can consider roles such as Fashion designer, illustrator, stylist, coordinator, consultant, merchandiser, buyer, Textile designer, Personal shopper, journalist/blogger, Fashion in mass communication, and so on.
Courses can last anywhere from 6 months to 24 months, depending on the college and the curriculum.
Eligibility criteria: 10 + 2 years of schooling. Application to colleges abroad will also include application essays, IELTS/ TOEFL and entrance exams, if required by the organisation.
If you think that the entertainment industry is your calling, then you must consider a diploma in Animation and Multimedia. With this, you get into the heart of the industry and learn how to create animations and multimedia. With the globalised nature of the field, it will also be easy for you to find opportunities abroad.
You can find opportunities in production houses, gaming solutions, metaverse, and VR-related organisations. Creating 3d animations is a whole new ball game. You can take up portfolios such as animator, rigging artist, game designer, lighting artist, and so on, working in the confluence of creativity and technology.
1 – 3 years, depending on the college
The minimum eligibility criteria is 10 + 2. For colleges abroad, you will have to put together a portfolio of designs done so far.
One of the most challenging diploma courses, a diploma in nursing is considered equivalent to a degree in nursing. With specializations in different fields of medicine, you can find yourself as a healthcare professional at the end of the course.
This course trains you in all the skill sets required to be a nurse in the healthcare industry. In fact, nurses trained in India are in demand across the world. So you can work your way up in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
If not nursing specifically, you can consider diplomas in lab technologies such as dialysis technique, radiology, diagnostic sampling and become part of the paramedical force.
Best institutions to take the course
Studying nursing in the UK is also a great option – you could explore some courses there if you are interested.
3 years. The course can be shorter if you are looking at a super specialization such as nursing in behavioural therapy, nursing in geriatrics, and so on.
Admission process
10 + 2 years of schooling is needed in India. In cases of colleges abroad, the eligibility criteria change with each institution.
The event management industry is one of the fastest-growing ones in the post-pandemic world. Organisations no longer have the time or the resources to put together events themselves. It is often outsourced to event management experts. That is where you come in with a diploma in event management.
As a career path, event planning and management is so dynamic that it keeps you on your toes. With a combination of logistics, business management, creativity and communication skills, you can find roles in the hospitality sector, advertising, mass communication, public relations firms, and large corporations. You can also be self-employed and style your business to suit your needs.
1 year
Admission is by merit. 10 + 2 years of school is the basic requirement to apply for a diploma in event management.
Information Technology in itself is a vast sector. A diploma in IT can emphasise on Mainframe development, Solutions Architecture, Computer Programming, Systems Development, IT Engineering, Computer Application, and so on. You can also consider a specialised diploma in Computer Science.
A diploma in what the industry demands today, such as cybersecurity, software development, Data Sciences, and Cloud Computing will ensure that you are absorbed into the workforce almost immediately.
1 – 2 years
Like any application abroad, your statement of purpose, SAT score (for some colleges), and TOEFL/ IELTS scores are needed to apply.
How can we list it as one of the best courses and delve into it in detail? Digital Marketing has changed the face of mass communication as we know it. It requires a specialised set of technical skills that include data analytics, graphic and web design, consumer behavioural studies, content creation, and search engine optimisation to name a few.
You will never be short of any career opportunities as digital marketing has pervaded all industries.
6 months – 2 years
10 + 2 years of schooling with some basic technical skills is what is needed in India. In cases of top colleges abroad, the eligibility criteria change with each institution.
Note: This best diploma courses list is by no means exhaustive. They represent the more popular choices in 2024. While it is important to research the relevance of your course in today’s world, personal passions should also play a significant role in your choice of courses.
The amount of research that goes into choosing the best diploma courses after 12th or 10th can be boggling. It does become easier to take the help of higher education consultants to choose the right diploma for you.
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