Postgraduate diploma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A postgraduate diploma is a qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. Countries which award postgraduate diplomas include Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. These are similar qualifications but developed independently of each other.
[edit] Australia and New Zealand
- See also: Education in Australia
Some Australian and New Zealand universities offer a postgraduate diploma (PostGradDip). Graduate diplomas are then used for additional studies at an undergraduate level or studies in a new field while the postgraduate diploma indicates graduate-level studies or advanced studies in an already familiar field. A bachelor's degree is typically required, although in some cases an advanced diploma is sufficient. People with extensive experience but without formal qualifications may be admitted, although usually the completion of a graduate certificate is required first.
[edit] England and Wales
- See also: Education in England
There are a number of postgraduate diplomas available in England and Wales. This could be a vocational course studied after an academic degree, such as the Legal Practice Course, the resulting diploma allows the student to become a trainee solicitor in a law firm. Alternatively, postgraduate diplomas allow a graduate student to study a new academic subject at degree level, but in a short space of time. For example, the law conversion course allows a postgraduate student to squeeze the important components of a three year undergraduate law degree, into only nine months. Postgraduate diplomas that last a year or longer are often considered equivalent to a master's degree. They are typically classified into Distinction, Merit, and Pass, similar to most Master's courses.
[edit] Republic of Ireland
- See also: Education in the Republic of Ireland
The postgraduate diploma (PGradDip) offered by University of Dublin, Trinity College is of a similar standing to the graduate diploma or higher diploma available in the Republic of Ireland in other colleges and universities. The award is the main postgraduate non-degree award of the college and is offered in a wide variety of disciplines across all faculties.
The postgraduate diploma (Dioplóma Iarchéime in Irish) has been awarded by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council since June 2005 in institutions associated with the council. This is purely a professional type course compared to the graduate diploma it replaced, and is offered in arts, business, engineering, and science initially.
