If you want to get a taste of the full university experience but don’t want to commit to a full undergraduate degree qualification, then perhaps a Diploma of Higher Education is for you. Read on to find out more.

What is a Diploma of Higher Education?

A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a Level 5 qualification categorised as a university-based vocational course. It is very similar to a Higher National Diploma (HND), with both taking a practical approach to study, directly preparing students for a career.

They are generally recognised as diplomas that equal the first and second year of an undergraduate degree. A Diploma of Higher Education is a level up from a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) (similar to a Higher National Certificate). It’s equivalent to the first year at university.

How Long is a Diploma of Higher Education?

A DipHE is sometimes referred to as a ‘parallel route’ to an HND. This is because they both take two years of full-time study to complete. Part-time students can expect to complete their Diploma of Higher Education in three to four years.

Who Can Do a Diploma of Higher Education?

There are no set entry requirements for this Diploma as each provider sets their own. What you need to begin usually depends on what type of institution it is and what subject you are studying. Upon completing a DipHE, the institution awards you one of the following classifications: fail, pass, pass with merit or pass with distinction.

DipHE or HND?

It’s common for people to confuse the differences between a DipHE and an HND. We’ll clear things up so you can make an informed decision about which one works best for you.

Awarding of Diplomas

One of the main differences between a DipHE and an HND is in the awarding of diplomas. Diplomas of Higher Education are awarded to students who intended to complete a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree but ended up leaving after two years.

Suppose you choose to leave a bachelor’s degree course before you complete the final year. In that case, you might still be able to take away a Diploma of Higher Education. This ensures that two years of hard work at university doesn’t go to waste and can be validated by a respectable qualification.

Assessment

Another difference between a Diploma of Higher Education and a Higher National Diploma is the method of assessment, and therefore, at times, the practice of teaching.

While they both take a more practical approach to learning, an HND is assessed primarily through practical means. In other words, they mark you on presentations, portfolios, and any other practical demonstrations.

On the other hand, a Diploma of Higher Education assesses its students via traditional academic assessment, usually a combination of formal essays and exams.

Examples

If you are considering studying one of these Level 5 qualifications, these differences could help you decide which one you are more suited to.

For instance, some people might struggle with the long-form writing required in essays and exams on a DipHE. This is especially true for those studying more practical subjects that don’t utilise literacy skills as often. In this case, an HND might be a better option for you as you would be assessed through public speaking, presentations, etc.

However, for many introverts, presenting to a group or speaking in public is an extremely nerve-wracking task. In this situation, perhaps a DipHe would suit you better as it wouldn’t assess you in this way, but rather through traditional essays. Everyone is different, and these two routes will suit different people.

Why Choose a Diploma of Higher Education?

A DipHE is designed to prepare you for the challenges of the workplace. In comparison to a Bachelor’s degree, it is a quicker and more direct route into a career. The qualification and training expose you to real-life examples and case studies, so you feel confident putting your knowledge into practice.

There is a myriad of subjects to study at Diploma level, all with close links to specific career paths. Some examples of subjects include:

Once you’ve completed your Diploma, some people go on to do a final year at university in a related subject to turn their Diploma into a full Bachelor’s degree. This is slightly different from ‘topping up’ an HND as you don’t join a separate one-year course for people with Diplomas. Instead, you join up with a university cohort as they go into their final year.

Key Takeaways: Diploma of Higher Education

For more information on university education, head over to our page on Undergraduates. We’ve got dedicated pages for students and graduates on topics like University costs, What to do after your undergraduate degree, Postgraduate degrees and much, much more.

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