In this post
What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide)
Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor degrees can be excellent ways to further your education and development – but how can you decide which qualification will best suit you? And what’s the difference between them all?
Certificate qualifications
Certificates are available in 4 levels – I, II, III and IV. Certificate I is the most basic and Certificate IV is the most advanced. The higher level the Certificate, the more in-depth the content and the longer the duration. There’s also a huge range of Government Funded Courses at Certificate and Diploma level.
Certificate I and Certificate II courses
Some courses will start with a Certificate I short course or a Certificate II and are considered to be entry-level courses; they usually don’t require pre-requisites (or prior knowledge or education).
Certificate I & II courses are ideal places to start if you’re new to studying (or haven’t taken on a course in a long time) or if you need a very basic introduction to a particular field. It’s a great place to begin to get a taste of what an industry has to offer and are very popular among people wishing to upskill to improve their employment opportunities.
A Certificate III is also a great starting point if you want to start a new career or develop skills in a specific area. To gain entry into a Certificate III course, you will usually need to have completed one of these:
Certificate III courses
- A Year 10 School Certificate (or equivalent)
- A Certificate II
- A certain level of work/vocational experience
These requirements will vary depending on the type of course/industry involved. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a popular method of gaining entry into a Certificate II if a course has been done before, with the possibility of credit being gained towards the course based on your previous qualifications. In some areas, such as Fitness, a Certificate III is considered to be the entry-level certificate and so no Certificate II exists or is required.
Diploma qualifications
If you’re asking yourself, ‘What’s the difference between a Diploma and a Bachelor Degree?’, you’re not alone. While a Bachelor Degree is a higher level qualification, a Diploma is very valuable to anyone wanting to get a better understanding of the industry, the skills needed in a career and the practices and responsibilities that are needed to be successful in whichever industry you’re looking to pursue a career in.
What’s the difference between a diploma and a degree?
A Diploma or Advanced Diploma is essentially one step up from Certificate IV and involves more in-depth studies and assessments. In some cases, you may need to complete a Certificate IV before you can take on a Diploma. In other cases, you may be able to gain direct entry into a Diploma course.
Diplomas will usually require you to apply your technical and theoretical knowledge in a range of contexts to equip you for work in the ‘real world.’ They usually take around 1-3 years to complete and can be perfect if you want a more focused and involved level of study. Many Diploma courses also have a work placement component, ensuring you have the ability to gain crucial experiences under industry professionals.
A Bachelor’s degree is one of the most popular degrees you can undertake and is most commonly offered through universities. They usually take 3-4 years of full-time study to complete.
Entry into a Bachelor’s degree can be competitive, depending on the field of study, and often requires a high school certificate or extensive work experience. When studying a Bachelor’s Degree, you will usually specialise in one area and work on increasing your education, knowledge and experience in that field.
Bachelor’s degrees are globally recognised and can be mandatory for many jobs in the workforce. Beyond the Bachelor level of study, there are also many further options open to you, including Honours Degrees, Graduate Certificates/Diplomas, Masters of Arts and PhDs/Doctorates.
So, which qualification is right for you?
Lots of factors should be considered in your decision. These key points may help:
Hours of study
It’s important to be realistic about how many hours of study you can take on each week. Can you commit to something like 15-20 hours of study or do you only have room for 2-4 hours?
If you’re short on time, keep in mind that it may be more beneficial to choose a course/qualification that doesn’t demand too many hours per week. Generally speaking, something like a Certificate can also be a little less pressure than a Bachelor’s degree.
Duration of study
Think about how long you want to take to complete your studies. Are you interested in a short 1-month course? Do you only want to study for a year? Or are you willing to commit to 3-6 years of study?
You’ll need to weigh up these questions in relation to your career goals and your desired job/s in future. In most cases, the more hours you put in per week, the faster you will finish the course (for example, a Bachelor of Arts usually takes 3 years of full-time study, but if you only want to study part-time, you’d be looking at a duration of 6 years).
Study method
While most courses in different qualifications are available online, it’s important you determine which is the best for you, especially in terms of your commitments; both work or personal.
Most Diploma and Bachelor Degrees can be lengthy in duration, with most being undertaken on campus. It’s essential you work out what’s the best for you, online or in class as well as assess the blended course options.
Passion!
Just how passionate are you about your chosen area of study? If you’re unsure if a certain field is right for you, it may be more beneficial to start with a short course or a Certificate qualification.
This is a good way to ‘test the waters’ and determine if you enjoy the subject and want to continue with further studies.
Future employment
Consider what job you want to take on in future and what basic qualifications you will need.For instance, if you want to become a Day Care Worker, you will need a Certificate III at a minimum. If you want to get into Human Resources, consider whether a Diploma might increase your chances of employment over a Certificate qualification.
Unsure what sort of career you’d like to go in to? Try out our Career Quiz and discover what you were made for! Whatever your chosen path of study, just remember that you only get out of it what you put in!
Start your search by qualification, study type or subject today!
Browse What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide) Results
Featured Provider
When you study at Swinburne Open Education, you know your learning is in the best hands, with the education experience and prestige of our strategic partnership with Swinburne, and the commercial backing of one of the largest private education groups in APAC, UP Education. Together, we have built a world-class, online native learning platform, to help you reach your career goals – anywhere, anytime.
Certificate in Zoology & Animal Science
Take your animal knowledge beyond everyday pets! This online exotic zoology course opens the door to a captivating world where your passion for wild animals can be realised. Upon completing this online Animal Health and Science course, you will gain a...
Certificate in Social Media Essentials
Master Social Media. This popular course bundle combines 4 social media courses. Save money and fast-track your skill development. Learn everything about social media strategy, Facebook marketing, Instagram and LinkedIn. After you’ve completed this cou...
Certificate in Photography
Are you ready to take your photography skills to the next level? Imagine picking any DSLR camera and capturing breathtaking, attention-grabbing photos. With our Photography Course Bundle, you’ll gain the expertise to create images that truly stand out....
Certificate in Personal Training and Nutrition
Get work-fit! Are you considering pursuing a career in fitness, personal training or nutrition? We’ve created one of the best value course bundles in the market to help you realise your potential in this exciting industry. All lessons are designed by l...
Certificate in Personal Training
Learn how to become a Personal Trainer! Be your own boss and carve out your fitness enterprise with this Personal Training Micro-Credential. Help people reach their personal health and fitness goals and thrive as a Personal Trainer. This course will gi...
Certificate in Nutrition and Business
Start your journey with some brain food! Are you passionate about Nutrition? Do you believe in a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating? This course has been designed for starting a business or career in Nutrition coaching and for personal trainers looki...
ACCA Qualified Pathway
Advance your career and become a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)! This Program is your gateway to a successful career in accounting and finance. Unique to The Career Academy, this Program is designed for ambitious in...
IT Career Starter Pathway
Why choose the IT Career Starter Pathway? Our IT Career Starter Pathway helps you to learn the critical skills that employers need to launch your career in IT. The pathway features two courses that provide certifications for multiple job roles and toge...
Accredited PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner 6th Edition Course
PRINCE2® (an acronym for PRojects INaControlled Environment series 2) is a de facto process-based method for effective project management. The PRINCE2® method is in the public domain, and offers non-proprietorial best practice guidance on project manag...
Cisco CCNA and CCNP
This course bundle is ideal for anyone looking to establish their Cisco networking career. It consists of one Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, and two Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) certifications. Although there...
IT Support Technician Certification Bundle
This course is aimed at anyone looking to gain entry into the IT field as an IT Support Technician. Support Technicians are the backbone of any IT department. They ensure the smooth running of the IT within a company or organisation and offer guidance...
IT Technician for Beginners
If you’ve ever considered working as an IT Technician, but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute beginners to IT who want to start a career as an IT...
Accredited PRINCE2® 7 Foundation & Practitioner
PRINCE2® (an acronym for PRojects INaControlled Environment series 2) is a de facto process-based method for effective project management. The PRINCE2® method is in the public domain, and offers non-proprietorial best practice guidance on project manag...
Certified Cisco Networking for Beginners (With Simulators)
If you’ve ever considered working as a Cisco Networking Engineer or specialist, but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute beginners to IT who want t...
Certified Cisco Networking for Beginners
If you’ve ever considered working as a Cisco Networking Engineer or specialist, but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute beginners to IT who want t...
Cyber Security for Beginners (With Simulators)
If you’ve ever considered working within the cyber security industry, but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this course might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute beginners to IT who want to s...
Cyber Security for Beginners
If you’ve ever considered working within the cyber security industry, but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this cyber security for beginners course might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute...
AI for Beginners – Microsoft AI Engineer Certification
If you’ve ever considered working within the AI industry, but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this course might be what you’re looking for. This course is aimed at absolute beginners to AI who want to start a career in Ar...
Psychology & Mental Health Bundle
Step up your learning journey with The Career Academy Australia’s insightful Psychology and Counselling & Mental Health Bundle. Discover stress, its impact on your body, and practical management techniques. Understand how different environments sha...
Certificate in Xero
Quickly Learn Xero Software At Beginner Level! There is no time like the present to start planning for a bright future. Take a Xero course to enhance your business management skills, streamline your own company accounts, or enhance your current skill t...
Online courses also available
Latest Articles
How to Apply for Work Placement: Tips & Resources
Congratulations! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey where you will practise and develop t...
11 Hobbies That Can Make You Money: Use Your Passion for Profit
Hobbies often get a bad rap. They’re seen as just a way to kill time, a mindless escape from t...
Is The Job You Hate Killing You? Why You Need to Make a Change
Do you hate your job? Studies show that staying in a job you hate has negative health effects and ev...
Want to read more?
What Is a Graduate Certificate? And How Can It Level-Up Your Career?
A graduate certificate are a great way to reach your career goals faster and elevate your skillset —...
How to Create the Ultimate Study Space in Your Home
Creating your own study space is a confusing process for most people. Luckily for you, we have compi...
Be a Disruptor: How to Bring Your Business Idea to Life
Take your career to the next level and bring your business idea to life. Find out what skills you ne...