Diplomas

What is a diploma?

Ranging from 6 months to 2 years, diplomas focus on hands-on, industry-ready skills that you can apply in the workplace. Diplomas are a type of TAFE course. You can kick-start your career or continue your education with a Swinburne diploma.

What is the difference between a diploma and an advanced diploma?

The key difference between a diploma and an advanced diploma is the duration of study. While diplomas start from 6 weeks and up, advanced diplomas typically take between 6 months to 2 years, allowing for deeper study and more complex learning.

What is the difference between a diploma and a degree?

The differences between a TAFE diploma and a degree include the length of study, type of study and opportunities for further study.

• Length of study: diplomas take between 6 weeks and 2 years to complete, while degrees usually take 3 to 4 years. 

• Type of study: a degree, like a bachelor degree, covers varied technical and theoretical knowledge, while a diploma focuses more on technical skills.

• Further study: many diplomas offer a pathway into a bachelor degree. Meanwhile, bachelor degrees give you a foundation to enter a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree.

What is the difference between a diploma and graduate diploma?

While the names sound similar, a graduate diploma is a more advanced postgraduate qualification that opens the door to further postgraduate study. You need a bachelor degree or extensive, relevant work experience to study a graduate diploma.

On the other hand, TAFE diplomas and UniLink diplomas give you practical, job-focused training, and can provide a pathway into a bachelor degree.

What is a UniLink diploma?

UniLink diplomas, typically 8 months, are designed to help you pathway seamlessly into a degree with no additional time or cost. They replace your first year of a bachelor degree, connecting directly to the second year. 

A UniLink diploma might be right for you if you didn’t get the ATAR you were aiming for, or if you prefer a more supportive learning environment.