Graduate diploma

2025-07-17T00:34:11Z

2600:1700:2753:5080:EDDE:AE8:E877:E888: /* India */ cleaned up grammar while trying to maintain tone

{{Short description|Postgraduate qualification}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
A '''graduate diploma''' ('''GradD''', '''GDip''', '''GrDip''', '''GradDip''') is generally a qualification taken after completion of a [[undergraduate degree|first degree]], although the level of study varies in different countries from being at the same level as the final year of a [[bachelor's degree]] to being at a level between a [[master's degree]] and a [[doctorate]]. In some countries the graduate diploma and [[postgraduate diploma]] are synonymous, while in others (particularly where the graduate diploma is at undergraduate degree level) the postgraduate diploma is a higher qualification.

==Australia==
{{see also|Education in Australia}}

The graduate diploma is normally taken following a bachelor's degree, and some master's degree programs have graduate diploma as a nested (interim) award.<ref name="Master of Data Science- Alternative exits">{{cite web |title=Master of Data Science- Alternative exits |url=http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/courses/C6004.html |website=Monash University |publisher=Monash University}}</ref> The qualification is at level '''8''' of the [[Australian Qualifications Framework]], the same as an [[honours degree]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aqf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/AQF-2nd-Edition-January-2013.pdf|title=Australian Qualifications Framework 2nd edition|date=January 2013|page=16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910151628/http://www.aqf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/aqf-2nd-edition-january-2013.pdf|archive-date=2016-09-10}}</ref> This qualification is at the same level as the '''post graduate diploma''' qualifications awarded in New Zealand institutions and Australian graduate diplomas should not be confused with New Zealand graduate diplomas as they belong to two different qualification levels.<ref name="NZQA">{{cite web |title=Qualification types on the NZQF |url=https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/studying-in-new-zealand/understand-nz-quals/ |website=New Zealand Qualification Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AQF Level 8 criteria for the Graduate Diploma |url=https://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf-qualifications |website=AQF Qualifications}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/our-role-in-international-education/country-specific-recognition-arrangements/australia/executive-summary/|title=Enhancing Mobility – Referencing of the Australian and New Zealand Qualifications Frameworks|publisher=Australian Government Department of Education and Training and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority|date=7 February 2014|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

==Canada==
{{see also|Education in Canada}}

Graduate diplomas offered in Canada (French: ''[[Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées (Quebec)|Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hec.ca/en/programs/specialized-graduate-diplomas//|title=Specialized Graduate Diplomas (DESS)|publisher=[[HEC Montréal]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> are typically taken following a bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a master's degree. Depending on the institution, a graduate diploma in Canada may be at graduate level or bachelor's level.<ref name=SFU>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/administration/curriculum-planning/creating-new-programs/graduate-diploma-programs.html|title=Graduate Diploma Programs|publisher=*[[Simon Fraser University]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=Concordia>{{cite web|url=https://www.concordia.ca/academics/graduate/computer-science-diploma.html|title=Computer Science (GrDip)|publisher=[[Concordia University (Quebec)|Concordia University]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Similar courses at other Canadian institutions may be termed [[postgraduate diploma]]s at graduate level and [[Postbaccalaureate program|post-baccalaureate diploma]] at bachelor's level.

==Denmark==
In Denmark there are two forms of master's degree. The master's degree or candidatus is a FQ-EHEA second-cycle qualification worth 120 ECTS credits. These degrees are research-based and offered through universities (e.g. University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen Business School). The second form is the Graduate Diploma within the adult further education system, which is worth 60 ECTS credits and is taught part-time. The graduate diploma is normally taken following a bachelor's degree. Diplomas (in Danish: HD) are studied in business-related fields such as Business Administration and Innovation Management. Programs are normally split into Part 1 ([[graduate certificate]]) and Part 2 (graduate diploma), each being 60 ECTS Credits (one year of full-time-equivalent study).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdu.dk/en/efter_videreuddannelse/diplom/hd_fjern|title=Graduate Diploma in Business Administration|publisher=[[University of Southern Denmark]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.dk/en/executive-degrees/graduate-diploma-in-business-administration|title=Graduate Diploma in Business Administration|publisher=[[Copenhagen Business School]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.dk/en/executive-degrees/graduate-diploma-in-business-administration/graduate-diploma-hd-in-innovation-management|title=Graduate Diploma (HD) in Innovation Management|publisher=[[Copenhagen Business School]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

==India==
In India the graduate diploma, comes one level before a [[master's degree]]–level qualification which are usually 3/4-year specialized programs. Certain institutes provide master's level programs with an increased number of lower credit courses for two years. At times, for transnational equivalency, these degrees are referred to as graduate diplomas. Advanced diplomas provided are equivalent to a [[Postbaccalaureate program|post-baccalaureate diploma]]; these are equivalent to a one to three-year course.

==Ireland==
{{see also|Education in the Republic of Ireland#Further education}}

In Ireland, the graduate diploma or post-graduate diploma is a level 9 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which is the same level as a masters degree. The [[higher diploma]] is an award at level 8, the same level as an [[honours degree|honours]] bachelor's degree. These programmes generally consist of one year of full-time study and are usually taken after, and/or in a different subject from, an earlier bachelor's degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nfq.qqi.ie/|title=Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)|publisher=Quality and Qualifications Ireland|access-date=1 September 2016|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122203443/https://nfq.qqi.ie/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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:
* A reorientation type qualification to [[reskilling|reskill]] a graduate with new specialised skills, for instance the ''HDipStats - Higher Diploma in Statistics'' is aimed at offering additional skills in [[statistics]]. See also [[Higher Diploma]].
* 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 Diploma]].

The graduate diploma (GradDip) is offered by [[University College Dublin]], the [[Technological University Dublin]], [[Dublin City University]], [[Higher Education and Training Awards Council|HETAC]], the [[University of Limerick]], and the [[Atlantic Technological University]]. The [[Higher diploma#Ireland|higher diploma]] (HDip) is offered by [[Higher Education and Training Awards Council|HETAC]], [[National University of Ireland|NUI]] institutions, and [[Trinity College, Dublin]].

==Malaysia==
The graduate diploma forms part of the [[lifelong learning|lifelong education]] pathway on the [[Malaysian Qualifications Framework]]. They are qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree but with half of the credit value.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adteckulim.gov.my/adtec/index.php/ms/mqa-info/28-malaysian-qualification-framework-mqfenglish-version/file|title=Malaysian Qualifications Framework|publisher=[[Malaysian Qualifications Agency]]|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

==New Zealand==
{{see also|Education in New Zealand}}

In New Zealand, a graduate diploma is an advanced undergraduate qualification normally completed after a bachelor's degree or done at the same time as the bachelors study, and can be used as a bridging qualification to prove a student's ability to undertake postgraduate studies for a completely different field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/studying-in-new-zealand/understand-nz-quals/graduate-diploma/|title=Graduate Diploma|publisher=[[New Zealand Qualifications Authority]]|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> A graduate diploma (e.g., Graduate Diploma in Education etc.) is different from a [[postgraduate diploma]], which is a course of study at [[postgraduate]] level (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology etc.). In universities and learning institutes, a graduate diploma is commonly studied by students who have already graduated in a different field and allows them to pursue a new profession. It mainly involves undertaking courses in an accelerated undergraduate level (e.g., normally a mixture of second and third year courses from the bachelor's degree) in order for the student to attain the requirements equivalent to a student who studied towards an undergraduate degree.

==Singapore ==
{{see also|Education in Singapore}}

A Graduate Diploma offered by Singapore's [[Autonomous university#Singapore|autonomous universities]] is a postgraduate qualification that generally requires a [[Bachelor's degree]] for entry. It is designed to provide specialised knowledge and skills in a specific field of study, often to enhance professional expertise or prepare for further academic pursuits. Typically, these programs last for about one year of full-time study or up to 18 months part-time. For example, [[National University of Singapore|NUS]] offers Graduate Diplomas in areas like Public Health,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Public Health (GDPH) - Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health |url=https://sph.nus.edu.sg/education/gdph/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health}}</ref> Systems Analysis,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis |url=https://www.iss.nus.edu.sg/graduate-programmes/programme/detail/graduate-diploma-in-systems-analysis |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=NUS-ISS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis{{!}}NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE{{!}}www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg |url=https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2015502856 |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=MySkillsFuture}}</ref> Maritime Law & Arbitration,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law & Arbitration - NUS Law Academy |url=https://law.nus.edu.sg/nuslawacademy/certificate-programmes/graduate-diploma/gdmla/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=NUS Law Academy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law & Arbitration{{!}}NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE{{!}}www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg |url=https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2024046136 |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=MySkillsFuture}}</ref> Medicine fields,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma - Division of Graduate Medical Studies |url=https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/dgms/graduate-diploma/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=NUS Division of Graduate Medical Studies}}</ref> and Arts & Social Sciences fields.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programmes Available – NUS Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences |url=https://fass.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/graduate/coursework-programmes/programmes-available/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=NUS Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences}}</ref> [[Nanyang Technological University|NTU]] offers Graduate Diploma in fields like Sports Medicine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine {{!}} NTU Singapore |url=https://www.ntu.edu.sg/education/graduate-programme/graduate-diploma-in-sports-medicine-2 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=NTU Singapore |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine{{!}}Nanyang Technological University{{!}}www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg |url=https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2017505324 |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=MySkillsFuture}}</ref> [[Singapore University of Social Sciences|SUSS]] offers a range of Graduate Diplomas, including in fields like Management,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Graduate Diploma in Management {{!}} SUSS |url=https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/graduate-diploma-in-management-gdmgt?fbrefresh=638546587959226716 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=SUSS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Management{{!}}SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES{{!}}www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg |url=https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2019508999 |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=MySkillsFuture}}</ref> Analytics and Visualisation,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Graduate Diploma in Analytics and Visualisation (GDAV) {{!}} SUSS |url=https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/graduate-diploma-in-analytics-and-visualisation?fbrefresh=638546588836851007 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=SUSS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Diploma in Analytics and Visualisation{{!}}SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES{{!}}www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg |url=https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2021005222 |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=MySkillsFuture}}</ref> among others,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Degree & University Courses {{!}} Part-time & Full-time Programmes {{!}} SUSS |url=https://www.suss.edu.sg/programme-finder?page=1&area=all&schools=all&t=Programmes&types=gdd-mas-phd&sort=date&keyword4ProgrammeCourse=graduate%20diploma |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=SUSS}}</ref> with 30 academic credit units from these diplomas often being stackable towards a relevant SUSS [[Master's degree]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Certificate Programmes - CET Courses {{!}} SUSS |url=https://www.suss.edu.sg/courses/types/graduate-certificates |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=SUSS}}</ref>

A WSQ Graduate Diploma is a high-level qualification under the Singapore's [[Workforce Skills Qualifications]] (WSQ) system, a national framework for training, developing, assessing, and certifying workforce skills and competencies. These diplomas are typically offered through bite-sized training modules, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace. Upon completing each module, participants receive a Statement of Attainment (SOA). Accumulating the relevant SOAs leads to the achievement of a WSQ Graduate Diploma.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Workforce Skills Qualifications |url=https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/wsq |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=SkillsFuture SG |language=en}}</ref> As WSQ Graduate Diplomas are not postgraduate qualifications offered by Singapore's [[Autonomous university|autonomous universities]], they do not include academic units that can be stackable towards a [[Master's degree]].

Graduate Diplomas are also offered at various academic levels by Singapore's [[Committee for Private Education|private education institutes]] (PEI),<ref>{{Cite web |title=TPGateway {{!}} PEI Listing |url=https://www.tpgateway.gov.sg/resources/information-for-private-education-institutions-(peis)/pei-listing#courses |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=PEI Listing}}</ref> and these diplomas are generally awarded by the PEI or overseas universities. Graduate Diplomas awarded by overseas universities follow their countries' education system.

==United Kingdom ==
{{see also| Education in the United Kingdom}}

In the UK, a graduate diploma is a short course, with a value of 80–120 [[Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme|UK credits]] (equivalent to 40–60 [[ECTS credits]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/academic-credit-framework.pdf|title=Higher education credit framework for England|date=August 2008|publisher=Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education|access-date=9 March 2019|page=12|quote=There are, in particular, two main variants in the concept of the graduate diploma both of which are consistent with the expectations of the FHEQ. One is typically a year long and comprises 120 credits; the other relates to programmes of shorter duration and for which 80 credits is typically the minimum.|archive-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210044350/https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/academic-credit-framework.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> that is normally studied by students who have already graduated in another field. Graduate diplomas are distinguished from [[Graduate certificate#UK|graduate certificates]] by having a longer period of study, equivalent to two thirds of an academic year or more.<ref>{{citation|last=Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|title=The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies|date=October 2015|page=36|quote="Graduate diplomas and certificates are at the same level (6 on the FHEQ/SCQF level 10 on the FQHEIS) but are differentiated from each other by volume of study and learning outcomes. The title 'certificate' normally signifies learning outcomes which would imply study equivalent to at least one-third of a full-time academic year, and the title 'diploma' normally signifies study equivalent to at least two-thirds of a full-time academic year at the relevant level (and/or, where credit is awarded, the volume of credit specified by the relevant credit framework)."|access-date=2016-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> Until the 1990s, the British conservatoires of music offered three year undergraduate courses to some of their students, leading the award of the Graduate Diploma, e.g. [[GRSM]], [[GTCL]], equivalent to a university first degree in music. When a number of conservatoires became affiliated to or constituent colleges of universities, the graduate diplomas were gradually replaced by the award of the BMus degree to all successful students.

A graduate diploma should not be confused with a [[postgraduate diploma]], which is a [[master's degree]]-level qualification in the UK. Historically, this has not always been the case, with postgraduate diploma and graduate diploma used interchangeably, but the [[Quality Assurance Agency]] now makes a clear distinction between these titles.<ref>{{citation|last=Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|title=The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies|date=October 2015|page=35|quote="titles with the stem 'graduate' (for example, 'graduate diploma') are used for qualifications from programmes of study that typically require graduate entry, or its equivalent, and have learning outcomes that match relevant parts of the descriptor for a qualification at level 6 on the FHEQ or SCQF levels 9 or 10 on the FQHEIS"|access-date=2016-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some institutions have renamed courses as a result, e.g. [[University of Law|The College of Law]] renamed the official title for its [[law conversion course]] from ''Postgraduate Diploma in Law'' to ''Graduate Diploma in Law'' as, although the law conversion course is studied postgraduately, the contents of the course are only [[undergraduate]] in nature.

In 2018, the [[Royal College of Art]] launched a new Graduate Diploma in Art and Design programme aimed at preparing graduate students for its master's degree programmes in Art and Design.<ref>{{cite web|last1=RCA|title=The Royal College of Art Announces Graduate Diploma in Art & Design|url=https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/royal-college-art-announces-graduate-diploma-art-design/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035256/https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/royal-college-art-announces-graduate-diploma-art-design/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2018|website=RCA|access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref>

==United States==
In the US, graduate diplomas are "Intermediate Graduate Qualifications" involving study beyond master's level but not reaching [[Doctorate|doctoral]] level. They are generally found in professional, rather than academic, fields. Other qualifications at this level include advanced graduate certificates, specialist certificates and [[specialist degree]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/grad.doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509162848/http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/grad.doc|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 May 2008|title=Structure of the U.S. Education System: Intermediate Graduate Qualifications|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Education]]|date=February 2008|access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Graduate certificate]]
* [[Certificate of Advanced Study]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Academic degrees}}

[[Category:Education in Australia]]
[[Category:Education in England]]
[[Category:Education in Singapore]]
[[Category:Education in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Qualifications]]

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Graduate diploma