A Graduate Diploma is generally a postgraduate qualification.The diploma is normally taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree without having received Honours with the Bachelor's Degree.

More recently, post-graduate diplomas have become more popular, as they allow graduate-level specialization studies to be completed in half the time of a masters, while still being transferable into a masters degree in the same topic. All of this at half the price of a masters degree--usually between $10,000 and $15,000 for the graduate diploma, as opposed to $20,000 or more for a masters degree. In addition, these degrees allow one to try specializations such as accounting, without committing the time and money to a full masters degree in the same specialization. Alternatively, it is possible to complete a graduate diploma, start working in the field, and have the company pay for additional courses to attain a masters degree in the same topic later-on (on a part-time basis for instance), there-by saving money and time.

Contents 1 Canada 2 Australia 3 England and Wales 4 Ireland, Republic of 5 Singapore

[edit] Canada

(Post-) graduate diplomas offered in Canada are typical of those offered in Australia, England, Wales, and Ireland. The diploma is taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree and the ability to transfer credits into it. It is important to make the distinction between a post-graduate diploma, which is equivalent to doing half of a masters degree, and an undergraduate diploma, which is similar in credit-requirements to an associate degree.

Some schools in Canada that have graduate level studies leading to a graduate diploma are:
-UBC Sauder School of Business: DAP Graduate Diploma in Accounting, SME Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing, MCD Diploma in Endodontics, Diploma in Periodontics
-SFU Segal Graduate School of Business: GDBA Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Graduate diploma in quantitative methods in fisheries management, Graduate diploma in education, Graduate diploma in global health, Graduate diploma in urban studies.
-Concordia John Molson School of Business: Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

[edit] Australia

Postgraduate diplomas offered in Australia are typical of those offered in England, Wales, and Ireland. The diploma is normally taken following a Bachelor's degree and a successful award allows progression to a Masters Degree without having received Honours with the Bachelor's Degree.

[edit] England and Wales

On a similar note, postgraduate students can study various Graduate Diploma in England and Wales. For example, the law conversion course.

However, such courses may be referred to as either a Graduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Diploma. Different institutions offering exactly the same course appear inconsistent in which name they use. Perhaps an indication is given by the following example. In 2003, The College of Law renamed the official title for its law conversion course from Postgraduate Diploma in Law, to Graduate Diploma in Law. The reasons given were that although the law conversion course is studied postgraduately, the contents of the course are only undergraduate in nature, albeit condensed in time.

The Graduateship (GCGI),awarded by the City & Guilds of London Institute, is the perfect award for middle managers, as it is comparable to a United Kingdom (UK) honours degree.A Graduateship candidate would have at least five years of managerial experience and will be able to prove specific managerial competencies.

For information on 2008 GDL pass rates and the number of students awarded distinctions and commendations by the various providers see QED LAW

[edit] Ireland, Republic of

The Graduate Diploma or Higher Diploma in Ireland is a postgraduate award taken after a Bachelor's degree. Usually of one years study, sometimes two years, full time study. A wide variety of courses are offered, it is also possible to progress to a Master's degree.

The diploma is generally in two forms:

A reorientation type qualification to reskill a graduate with new specialised skills, for instance the HDipStats - Higher Diploma in Statistics is aimed at offering additional skills in statistics. See also Higher Diploma.

A professional type qualification which is necessary to enter a profession, for instance the HDipEd - Higher Diploma in Education allows a person to register and practice teaching. See also Postgraduate Diploma.

The Graduate Diploma (GradDip) is offered by DIT, DCU, HETAC and UL. The Higher Diploma (HDip) is offered by HETAC, NUI institutions, Trinity College Dublin offers only the Higher Diploma in Education.

[edit] Singapore

The Graduate Diploma is a postgraduate academic qualification taken after a Bachelor's degree. It is usually awarded by a University or a Graduate school. It usually takes 2 terms of study to complete, a wide variety of courses are offered. It is also possible for graduate diploma holders to progress to a Master's degree. To ensure that the Graduate Diploma qualification is recognised, they must be registered with the Ministry of Education (Singapore).

The Graduate diploma is generally a professional conversion qualification to reskill a graduate with new specialised skills, for instance the GDipPsy - Graduate Diploma in Psychology is aimed at offering specialised skills in Psychology. See also Postgraduate Diploma. Occassionally, matured candidates without a bachelor degree may be accepted into the Graduate Diploma programs based on his/her work experience, these applications are subjected to the repsective academic committe review.

Graduate Diploma (GradDip)are awarded by several institutions in Singapore including the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Aventis School of Management and University of Adelaide. The Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology offered by Nanyang Technological University(ICIS)is the most attractive graduate diploma in Singapore.

The graduate diploma programme in Information-Communication Technology (G Dip ICT) is designed to meet the formal training needs of graduate professionals in the face of rapid technological changes and increasing demand for manpower skilled in information communication technologies. It provides graduates with the essential foundations, technical knowledge, and practical skills in computer communications, software technology and web applications. Graduate professionals who wish to enhance their professional skill base and those planning to join the Infocomm industry will benefit from the programme and gain the necessary technical skills and acumen for adapting to technological changes and meeting challenging demands in the Infocomm industry.