From Diploma to Degree: Not Sure How? Any Tips?

Cervus on 27/08/2022 - 12:26

Hi guys,
I'm struggling to understand the Australian system, I'm originally from Italy and don't really understand the system here, when I search many things are given for granted and I really don't understand, hope you can help and clarify it for me! :D

Little background, I'm completing my diploma in mechanical engineering (technical) from a previous cert III as Fitter and Machinist, I got into a new internal role recently as Engineering coordinator/ draftsperson from Engine mechanic, a "promotion" in theory, but in reality I took around a 20-30k paycut, so I'm thinking how I could improve my earning capability in the future, as I'm feeling I'm letting my family down a bit, having to be more conscious about are spending/ savings.

I realise I digressed a bit, sorry, I'm Italian and I need to complain 😂 you should see my hands right now

That said, I don't know how to get to a degree, or how long it'll take as part time/ online study, or even the different "levels" of degrees, what would be the easiest way to get to the "lower" one?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for your help!

Education & Work

Comments

  • JIMB0 on 27/08/2022 - 13:23
    +3

    An advanced diploma (associates degree) will take one year full time to complete at Tafe. Then you can do a bachelor's degree at a Tafe/uni and be credited with the first year.

  • AndyC1 on 27/08/2022 - 14:45
    -3

    In Australia:
    - Degree's are from Universities.
    - Diploma's are normally from non University educational institutions. Some Universities do offer diploma's, but they are not degrees.

    Depending on the courses you have already done there is a possibility you may get some credit towards a higher diploma or degree, but it depends on the educational institution and the course you are wanting to do.

    The lowest University degree is a degree, then the next highest is a PHD also known as a masters degree. If you do a 4 year degree (not a three year that takes you 4) the degree can also be classified as Honours 1 or 2 and 2.2 depending on your overall grade when you finish, but you need at least a credit average to get Honours (65%). If you do a 3 year degree you can do an additional year for honours.

    University courses have to be completed within a certain time period for you to obtain the degree and you can do a degree part time or remote depending on the institution.

    The first thing you need to figure out is what you need to get to progress. Is it a Uni degree or a different diploma or something else. Once you know this then you then need to find where this course is offered and how it is offered. Then you can see what the requirements are for the course and see if you qualify to get into the course. Then one you get this far then apply and see how you go.

    • tallkid123 on 27/08/2022 - 23:48
      +1

      You wrote all that when you could've just posted a link to the AQF website. Ouch.

  • kerfuffle on 27/08/2022 - 14:49
    +19

    The lowest University degree is a degree, then the next highest is a PHD also known as a masters degree. If you do a 4 year degree (not a three year that takes you 4) the degree can also be classified as Honours 1 or 2 and 2.2 depending on your overall grade when you finish, but you need at least a credit average to get Honours (65%). If you do a 3 year degree you can do an additional year for honours.

    That's not right at all. The lowest degree is a Bachelor. Then you have your Masters (or Graduate Certificate, then Graduate Diploma, then Masters). THEN you have your PhD. If you do Bachelor Honours and do well, then you could skip the Masters and go straight to a PhD.

    Source: unlike you, I actually work for a university

    • Ghost47 on 27/08/2022 - 16:34
      +2

      Is knowing the AQF off by heart a prerequisite to getting a job at a uni?

      • kerfuffle on 27/08/2022 - 16:58
        +1

        Not sure if you're serious, but in case you are, no it isn't as you learn that on the job.

        • Ghost47 on 27/08/2022 - 17:58
          +1

          Thanks, I was in fact being serious.

    • Hybroid on 27/08/2022 - 16:44

      If you do Bachelor Honours and do well, then you could skip the Masters and go straight to a PhD.

      Is that the case in Australia?

      In the UK, if you choose to do say Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (instead of regular BSc), then that takes a year off doing an MEng (instead of MSc which takes 1.5-2 years).

      Generally you'll be enrolled into a BEng and MEng course together and provided meet a threshold transcript result in BEng, get automatically accepted to MEng.

      You still have to do a Masters to progress to PhD though.

      • ChrisLevo on 27/08/2022 - 16:59

        You can't skip a Masters degree and go direct to a PhD.

        I have a Masters so rather understand how it works :-)

        • Hybroid on 27/08/2022 - 17:01
          +2

          I do too and didn't think so either, but seems Kerfuffle might be correct actually.

          1. If you finish your honours year with an A grade honour, you may skip master degree to pursue a PhD. In this sense, an honours degree could weigh higher than a master degree.

          https://aaseducation.com.au/honours-degree-or-master-degree-…

        • kerfuffle on 27/08/2022 - 17:02
          +1

          Guess you didn't do Bachelor Honours or didn't do well enough in one to skip the Masters part

          • ChrisLevo on 27/08/2022 - 17:05
            +1

            @kerfuffle: Changed from technical career to a General MBA required by new employer, and managed a Distinction average.

            UniSA, FWIW.

      • kerfuffle on 27/08/2022 - 17:00
        +2

        Is that the case in Australia?

        I'd say so since my friend did a Bachelor Honours, then went straight to a PhD before (unfortunately) withdrawing from said PhD. They didn't go to the same uni as my link, but Griffith University also has the same pathway

        • Hybroid on 27/08/2022 - 17:06

          Ah yes, I saw a couple of other links that suggest the same. Don't think this is (widely) possible in the UK though so was news to me.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2022 - 15:11
    -1

    Dubito molto che tu sia un Italiano

    • Cervus on 27/08/2022 - 15:56

      E perché ne dubiti scusa? :D

      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2022 - 15:59

        For many & rather obvious reasons

        • Cervus on 27/08/2022 - 16:02

          Ok allora, convinto tu! :D

  • try2bhelpful on 27/08/2022 - 15:16
    +1

    It depends what you are trying to do. Things like Diplomas are generally more practical, e.g. tradespeople, and you would look at a TAFE. Degrees are more “higher learning” theoretical stuff. The engineers are generally “bigger picture” deliver of systems. That is usually Universities. Previously, engineers, in Australia typically meant people with degrees rather than diplomas. However, it is getting a bit blurred now days.

    My suggestion is work out what you want to do and do some Googling on what qualifications are required for the jobs you want to do. Then look at the courses required to get those qualifications. You need to look at job prospects, commitment and cost.

    Best of luck.

  • Cervus on 27/08/2022 - 16:01
    +1

    Thanks for the feedback guys, to clarify I do have a diploma (or I will in December at least :D) but that helped, I didn't even know about associates degree, which could be an interesting next step!

    I do have commitment issues, so knowing that I'll get something in a relatively short time, and then upgrade to the next level, is definetely enticing!

    • ChrisLevo on 27/08/2022 - 17:03
      +2

      Hi, Cervus.

      https://www.asqa.gov.au/about/vet-sector is an excellent start for you.

      A trip to TAFE will pay dividends.
      I was an Hourly Paid Instructor (not permanent staff) so got to see how it all works.
      The teaching staff left after the Conservative government tried to gut it are dedicated folks - they had to be!

      Good luck with what you decide to do.

  • brad1-8tsi on 27/08/2022 - 16:59
    +2

    I wouldn't worry too much about it.

    I did a motor mech apprenticeship and an Associate Diploma (Mech Eng) at TAFE. After I proved myself with my work I was paid the same as the degree qualified engineers.

    It probably depends on what field you travel down. I was in maintenance planning, asset management, contract coordination, scheduling and asset asset inspection & reporting.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join