Post grad diploma vs. masters

Rcuomo

could someone explain what the difference is between a postgraduate diploma and a masters?

thanks....

pauln

I'll take a stab at it but I'm open to correction.
The way I see it a post-grad diploma is done in an area/field of study substantially different to that of your honours degree and allows you the option to change your direction of study and try something new.
A masters is more along the lines of specialising/studying further in the same or similar area as your Honours degree.

jd

I have just finished a post grad diploma. When (if) I submit a dissertation, and it is accepted, I'll get an M.Sc. So a Post Grad Diploma is mainly taught, you need research for a masters.

More here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_Diploma

irishguy

jd wrote:

I have just finished a post grad diploma. When (if) I submit a dissertation, and it is accepted, I'll get an M.Sc. So a Post Grad Diploma is mainly taught, you need research for a masters.

More here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_Diploma

You can do a taught masters also.
A Taught or research masters is normally done in the same area as your undergraduate qualification. A post grad diploma is normally done in a different area e.g. if you did business in college and then decided you wanted to go into IT you could do a post grad diploma in computing

jd

irishguy wrote:

You can do a taught masters also.
A Taught or research masters is normally done in the same area as your undergraduate qualification. A post grad diploma is normally done in a different area e.g. if you did business in college and then decided you wanted to go into IT you could do a post grad diploma in computing

In my case , they award the post grad dip for the taught element of the master..

MrJones

higher dip is like a quick fix ,where you can diversify from something else, do a year and then get a job in that area.
masters is either research or taught and is usually 2 years altho can be just 1 full year.

vector

good question

I've been looking at potential postgrads there are a few good looking ones

mostly in the category of
1 year (inherently taught) higher diploma

but there are a few in the category of
1 year taught masters

pricing (and lets be frank money matters) is similar, and in many cases the course it similar

the differences are that a masters looks better on a CV and the course tends to be harder (from asking people doing it)