Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas
No matter what your career goals are, a diploma course can be a great stepping stone to help you get there. But what exactly is a diploma? How long does it take? And what's the difference between a diploma and a degree? We break down everything you need to know so you can find out if a diploma course is right for you.
Diplomas
Diploma courses develop broad and in-depth skills in professional, technical or creative fields. Skills taught include planning, development and management.
Online diplomas
Online diplomas offer great flexibility, affordability and efficiency while still giving you advanced knowledge and a nationally-recognised qualification.
Advanced diplomas
Students completing an advanced diploma will develop high-level practical and professional skills. With full-time courses typically taking two or three years, an advanced diploma is ideal for ambitious professionals wanting to fast-track their career.
Frequently asked questions
A diploma is a nationally-recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification. Different to traditional school or university study, VET courses give you practical skills and knowledge you can put into practice straight away, rather than assessing you based on grades. If you’re looking for a different style of learning, take a look at TAFE Queensland’s diploma courses.
The length of your diploma depends on whether you're studying full time, part time or online. Generally, most diploma courses take between one and two years to complete. Some could even be considered short courses, with accelerated study modes reducing their duration to as little as six months.
TAFE Queensland offers a wide range of online diplomas in popular study areas including business, community services, project management and information technology. Studying online allows you to study when and where you want. Create a study plan that works for you and your lifestyle.
You might have heard that TAFE courses like diplomas better prepare people for the workforce compared to degrees. That's because VET qualifications are taught using competency-based learning, while university degrees tend to focus on broad topics. VET courses are broken down into individual skills or competencies and students are assessed on each competency as they complete it, rather than being graded on their ability to perform well in an exam.
Completing a diploma is a common alternative pathway into university. Unlike uni, you don't have to meet strict academic criteria to enrol in a diploma course, but that doesn't mean your studies at TAFE aren't valued. In fact, most universities will consider your diploma as equivalent to the first year of study in a related bachelor degree.
There are two ways a diploma can help you get into university:
QTAC selection rank
Completing a diploma can help you improve your QTAC selection rank and allow you to meet your university entrance requirements. Your diploma qualification may also count as credit towards your chosen degree, saving you time and money.
Diploma-to-degree pathways
TAFE Queensland offers a number of diploma-to-degree pathways with Australia's leading universities. You'll get guaranteed entry into selected university degrees and complete two qualifications in the same time it usually takes to complete one.