Difference between Diploma & Degree in Canada
Indian students mainly pursue diploma courses in Canada to ease their pathway to getting permanent residency status in a shorter time and to develop the required skills for certain industries according to their career goals. Understanding the difference between diplomas & degrees in Canada will help students to make better decisions related to their careers.
- Difference between Diploma & Degree in Canada
- Comparison Between Diplomas and Degrees
- Types of Diplomas in Canada
- Job Roles with a Diploma in Canada
- Types of Degrees in Canada
- Eligibility Criteria for Pursuing Degree Courses in Canada
- Types of Degrees in Canada
- Job Roles with a Degree in Canada
- Work Permit Criteria for International Students in Canada
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Difference between Diploma & Degree in Canada
Countries like Canada provide extensive opportunities for international students to grow in their careers. Canada’s colleges offer practical as well as in-depth learning experiences. In the end, you will either get a degree or a diploma, depending upon the choice that you have made before entering college. For making relevant choices depending on suitability and flexibility, there are some critical differences between a diploma & degree in Canada.
Diploma certificates are awarded to students after completion of a specific course & passing the examination. In contrast, a degree is a credential a university/college grants upon completion of study at a particular level in a chosen stream.
Comparison Between Diplomas and Degrees
The table helps in providing a comparison between diplomas and degrees. Some key differences between diploma & degree are given below:
| Key Differences | Diploma | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A diploma in Canada is a vocational program designed to offer focused knowledge & skills. | A degree in Canada comes with a longer duration, between 1-4 years, depending on the level and course. |
| Duration | 1-2 years | Undergraduate: 3-4 years Graduate: 1-2 years Doctorate: 3-5 years |
| Eligibility | 10th Pass | 12th Pass |
| Admission | Half-yearly | Annually |
| Conducting Body | University/College/Private | University |
Types of Diplomas in Canada
Differences between diploma & degree programs vary in duration, fees & level of study. Diploma programs in Canada are equivalent to Indian diploma courses. Canadian diplomas can be pursued after completion of secondary education, the duration of which might vary between 1 and 2 years. These courses aim to strengthen the skills and practical knowledge required to enter the workforce. There are different types of Diplomas in Canada: undergraduate, advanced undergraduate, and graduate diplomas.
Undergraduate Diploma
Undergraduate diploma courses are generally designed for those students who want to seek a particular occupation. In Canada, a UG diploma is also called a Regular diploma.
Academic Qualification: High school diploma
Course Duration: 2 years
Advanced Undergraduate Diploma
Advanced diploma offers skill-based education that exposes students to industries and corporations required for career development.
Academic Qualification: High school diploma
Course Duration : 3 years
Graduate Diploma
A graduate diploma offers advantages over regular and advanced diplomas by adding more in-depth knowledge of industry-related subjects and classroom training.
Academic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Course Duration: 1 year
Job Roles with a Diploma in Canada
Depending upon the field of study, various career options are available for international students after earning a diploma in Canada. However, three career options are most demanding among students. Some of the career opportunities with a diploma program in Canada are listed below:
Healthcare
- Dental Assistants: A dental assistant is responsible for assisting or helping the dentist, taking dental X-rays, scheduling patient appointments & performing lab work. The average salary of a dental assistant in Canada is CAD 50,000-70,000 (INR 31-43 lakhs) annually.
- Pharmacy Assistants: They are responsible for administrative duties, handling, and labelling medicines. Some of their other responsibilities include inventory management & customer service. The average salary of a pharmacy assistant falls from CAD 42,000-60,000 (INR 26-37 lakhs) annually.
- Nursing Assistants: They are responsible for helping patients with daily activities, vital signs monitoring & ensuring patient safety. The average of a nursing assistant varies from CAD 40,000-49,000 (INR 25-30 lakhs) yearly.
- Healthcare Policy Analysts: They are responsible for assisting in policy-making, reviewing existing policies & making structural changes. The average salary of a healthcare analyst falls from CAD 68,000-80,000 (INR 42-49 lakhs) yearly.
Business Services
- Human Resource Assistant: The job of a human resource assistant includes record-keeping, candidate screening & ensuring employee engagement. The average salary of a human resource assistant varies from 48,000-60,000 (INR 30-37 lakhs) annually.
- Sales Executive: A sales executive is responsible for conducting research, developing & implementing sales strategies & building strong relationships with customers. The average salary of a sales executive falls from CAD 83,000-90,000 (INR 51-56 lakhs) annually.
- Financial Assistant: A financial assistant’s role involves managing financial records, budget monitoring & managing expenses of an organisation. A financial assistant earns an average salary of CAD 48,000-60,000 (INR 30-37 lakhs) annually.
Information Technology (IT)
- IT Support Technician: They are responsible for hardware and software installation, setting up & maintaining local area networks, & ensuring system updation. An IT technician earns an average salary of CAD 52,000-63,000 (INR 32-39 lakhs) annually.
- Network Administrator: A network administrator is responsible for setting up & maintaining networks in local areas, managing network protocols, & conducting security audits to identify network vulnerabilities. The average salary of a network administrator falls from CAD 50,000-80,000 (INR 30-49 lakhs) annually.
- Data Analysts: A data analyst is responsible for managing & identifying data errors, ensuring data accuracy, & consistency. The average salary of a data analyst is CAD 60,000-68,000 (INR 37-42 lakhs) yearly.
| Job Roles with a Diploma in Canada | Average Salary (per annum) |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | CAD 40,000-49,000 |
| Data Analyst | CAD 60,000-68,000 |
| Financial Assistant | CAD 48,000-60,000 |
| Sales Executive | CAD 83,000-90,000 |
| Healthcare Policy Analyst | CAD 68,000-80,000 |
Types of Degrees in Canada
Unlike diplomas, degree courses in Canada often provide a broad, in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. There are different types of degrees like bachelor’s, master’s & doctoral degrees. Full-time bachelor’s degree programs vary from 3-4 years, depending upon the field of study and university. Master’s and postdoctoral programs are 2 and 3-5 years, respectively.
There is a balance between theoretical and practical aspects of subject matters in undergraduate programs. In contrast, in post-graduate and postdoctoral studies, one must focus on research skills more as they involve the core study of certain subjects.
Eligibility Criteria for Pursuing Degree Courses in Canada
The difference between diploma & degree also distinguishes the eligibility criteria. Degree courses in Canada indeed depend upon the field of study and the types of colleges to which you are taking admission. However, the general eligibility requirements are discussed below.
Undergraduate Degree
- Completed Secondary Education
- Minimum GPA points vary from institute to institute
- Standardised Tests (for particular courses such as Law or Medicine)
- English Proficiency Tests such as TOEFL and IELTS
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
Postgraduate Degree
- Completed Undergraduate degree
- Academic performance in GPA may vary from university to university
- Standardised tests such as GMAT and GRE (if required).
- English Proficiency Tests such as TOEFL and IELTS.
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Work Experience (mandatory for some masters programs)
- Interview
Ph.D. Programs
- Completed postgraduate degree course
- Academic performance in GPA may vary from university to university
- English Proficiency Tests such as TOEFL and IELTS.
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Well-defined research work proposal
- Work Experience
- Interview
Types of Degrees in Canada
Undergraduate, graduate & doctorate are some types of degrees in Canada that vary based on outcomes, eligibility, fees & specialisation. Some of the key differences are listed below:
| Undergraduate Degree | Graduate Degree | PhD Degree | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Depth | General study of all relevant subjects chosen | Core study of selected subject field with a research-based approach | Research and Dissertation |
| Outcome | Bachelor’s degree | Master's degree | PhD degree |
| Specialisation | Foundational knowledge in the chosen subject field | Core and in-depth understanding of the selected subject | Contributing to research & development |
| Eligibility | Candidates must have completed their higher secondary education | Candidates must have completed their undergraduate degree | Candidates must have completed their graduate-level degree |
| Average Fee | CAD 30,000-36,000 | CAD 19,000-20,000 | CAD 7,000-15,000 |
| Duration | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-5 years |
| University | University of Toronto University of Waterloo University of Alberta McGill University Western University University of Ottawa | University of Toronto McGill University University of Waterloo University of Alberta The University of British Columbia University of Calgary | University of Toronto McGill University University of Waterloo University of Alberta York University |
Job Roles with a Degree in Canada
Here are some job roles or opportunities with a degree in Canada from different fields of study like healthcare, IT & business industry. This allows students to take on diversified roles and responsibilities.
Healthcare
- Doctors: Doctors are responsible for treatments, diagnosing diseases & improving the health & well-being of their patients. The average salary of a doctor falls from CAD 100,000-118,000 (INR 62-73 lakhs) yearly.
- Pharmacists: They are responsible for verifying prescriptions, giving detailed instructions to patients about the prescribed drugs, & regulating inventory management. The average salary of a pharmacist falls from CAD 96,000-107,000 (INR 59-66 lakhs) annually.
Information Technology (IT)
- Software Developer: They are responsible for software designing & algorithm development. They also overlook software maintenance, & ensure its optimisation. The average salary of a software developer falls from CAD 83,000-117,000 (INR 51-72 lakhs) annually.
- Cyber Security Analyst: A cyber security analyst is responsible for monitoring the organisation’s network, vulnerability management & development of new security policy. The average salary of a cyber security analyst falls from CAD 81,000-109,000 (INR 50-67 lakhs) yearly.
Business
- Accountant: An account is responsible for financial recording, assisting in budget preparations, and analysing costs associated with production, operation & other business activities. The average salary of an accountant falls from CAD 60,000-65,000 (INR 37-40 lakhs) annually.
- Human Resource Manager: A human resource manager is responsible for maintaining employer-employee relationships, training employees & boosting the overall growth of an organisation. The average salary of a human resource manager falls from CAD 99,000-107,000 (INR 61-67 lakhs) annually.
Work Permit Criteria for International Students in Canada
To get a work permit in Canada, an international student must fulfil the following criteria:
- They must attain a minimum age of 18 years
- An international student must study a full-time course for at least 8 months.
- They must fulfil the necessary visa requirements as per the origin country
- An international student should not be involved in any criminal cases.
- Students should be healthy. They might be needed to present their medical proof
- Students should submit their proof of funds to support their stay.
- Students should apply for work permit renewal within a stipulated time frame after its expiry.
After having work experience in Canada, one can apply for a permanent residency. The process of applying for PR in Canada differs from state to state. However, there are some important pathways through which an international student can apply for PR.
- Canadian Experience Class (Express entry system)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Experience Program
- Quebec Skilled Worker
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
Conclusion
There are many differences between diploma & degree. A degree program provides more specialisation to students than diplomas as it involves gaining detailed and structural knowledge not only in the classroom but also in the field, which creates various job opportunities and specialisations. Known for their expertise, Canadian universities provide diverse career options after study through their diploma and degree programs.
FAQs
What is the benefit of a diploma course in Canada?
Diploma courses in Canada are designed specifically for those who want to join the workforce at an entry-level. Additionally, it provides the benefit of permanent resident status to migrant students.
How can I convert my diploma into a degree in Canada?
To convert your diploma to a degree in Canada, consider applying to a university for a degree program that recognises your previous diploma and offers a pathway for advanced standing or credit transfer.
Can I take a degree course in Canada after earning my diploma?
If you have completed your three-year diploma after Grade 12, you can apply for your Bachelor’s degree at any Canadian college or university. Some institutions may transfer diploma credits, depending upon varying criteria.
What are the key differences between a diploma & degree?
The level of study, course outcome & specialisation are key differences between diplomas & degrees in Canada.
Is a 3 years diploma program equivalent to a degree?
No, a three-year diploma is not equivalent to a degree. Diploma programs are certificates that are testimonials, proving a student is trained in a specific skill or course. In contrast, degree programs are awarded after completion of a particular level in a chosen stream/field.
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