Students often find themselves torn between a diploma or degree program.
When it comes to higher education, students often find themselves torn between a diploma or a degree program. Both offer unique sets of benefits. For those wanting a more practical qualification, a diploma may be the right choice for you.
At Swinburne, our diploma programs are designed to equip you with the skills you need to get the employment you want. Swinburne’s diploma is also a pathway for higher education. This will further cement your skills in the job market. 
Here are some reasons why a diploma is as valuable as any other qualification.
You’ll be job ready faster!
The most significant advantage of a diploma program is the shorter duration of study. Swinburne’s diploma programs can be completed within 2.5 years while a degree is generally 3 years of full-time study.
For example, the digital media design diploma gives students the practical skills they need to enter the workforce. Or students may choose to continue their studies.
You’ll have more opportunities to be hired
Compared to those without a diploma qualification, that is. A report by the National Skills Commission, Australia showed an increase in demand for those with a diploma qualification, especially those with technical and practical skills.
Diploma programs emphasize practical learning experiences and close collaboration with industry. This enhances your employability by making you job ready with the right industry-relevant skills. Employers too have come to value the practical skills that diploma graduates get during their studies.
You’ll take significantly less time to complete
Almost all of Swinburne Sarawak’s diplomas need only 2.5 years to complete. Because most diplomas are practical, you spend less time learning and completing assignments. For example, students who join our mid-year intake this September will not have to wait for the new year to enrol.
You can save more
Undergraduate degrees can cost upwards of RM15,000 in tuition fees alone. A diploma may cost less than half of that price. This makes a diploma program a cost-effective choice especially when money is a concern.
You’ll have less rigid pre-requisites
You can pursue a diploma program if you did not meet the entry requirements for a degree. Swinburne Sarawak requires a least 3 credits in your Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia to be eligible for a diploma program. You are however advised to research the different prerequisites of a Swinburne diploma beforehand.
This is because a program like Accountancy would need you to attain a Credit in Mathematics.
Choosing between a diploma and a degree can be difficult as both options have their own merits. To find out which Swinburne diploma gives you a more practical way to earn a qualification and enter the workforce sooner, browse our diploma programs or chat with one of our education counsellors.