Part-Time Diploma vs Part-Time Degree in Singapore: Which Should You Choose?

Introduction

At various points in your life, you might find yourself considering furthering your education. Making the choice between a diploma and a degree is something many Singaporeans revisit over time.

Each path has its benefits, but factors like your age, commitments, and career goals will determine which option fits you best. Working adults hoping to juggle an education alongside a myriad of responsibilities might find that a part-time diploma is a more practical approach for their lifestyle.

Temasek Polytechnic offers a wide selection of courses for you to choose from, whether that be a full time commitment, or Part-time Diploma and Post-Diploma courses. It’s important for you to consider your choices before paving a path.

Whether you’re just starting out, upgrading your current skills sets, or planning a mid-career switch, this article will provide insights to help you understand your options and choose the path that aligns with your goals.

What is a Diploma?

In Singapore, a diploma is a recognised tertiary qualification that typically requires less time to complete than a full-time degree. A full-time polytechnic diploma usually takes about 3 years to complete, while a part-time diploma may take 2.5 years, depending on the programme structure and pace of study.

Working adults can also consider post-diplomas which are shorter qualifications designed to deepen or broaden professional skills in specific fields. These typically take about one year to complete on a part-time basis.

With their shorter duration, diploma programmes focus on industry-relevant, practical learning, offering a more applied approach compared to the broader academic curriculum of a degree. This makes them a strong option for those looking to gain meaningful, job-ready skills without committing to a longer course of study.

There are different kinds of diploma programmes:

1. Full-time Diploma
   This type of diploma programme is ideal for learners who have the time to dedicate themselves solely to their studies. For this reason, it’s best suited for school leavers (typically after their O-Levels or N-Levels).
   
   A full-time Diploma at Temasek Polytechnic spans 3 years and combines modules, workshops, and hands-on projects. This approach equips learners with both a solid academic foundation and the practical skills needed to enter the workforce confidently.
    
2. Part-time Diploma
   Part-time diploma programmes allow learners to continue working or juggling other commitments while studying. Working adults aiming to further their education without putting their career on hold might prefer these.
   
   Part-time diplomas last up to 2.5 years while offering a lot more flexibility in terms of schedule and mode of study. Depending on the course, this is potentially paired with fewer general modules to allow part-time learners to be more efficient with their time. Temasek Polytechnic also offers 6-month skills-based modular courses that are stackable towards a diploma.
    
3. Post-Diplomas
   Those seeking to deepen their skills, while already possessing some qualifications, be it a diploma or degree, would be best suited to pursue a post-diploma.
    
   These programmes require a commitment of one year and allow learners to specialise their skills in a specific niche, and are available in flexible, part-time formats. Temasek Polytechnic offers Part-time Diploma and Post-Diploma courses in the digital, care, green, and advance manufacturing industries and more.

A diploma programme is generally more closely aligned with employers’ current needs while simultaneously allowing you to enter, or re-enter, the workforce in a shorter period of time.

What is a Degree?

A degree, typically a bachelor’s degree, is a higher academic qualification that, in Singapore, usually involves a longer duration of study. The average degree spans 3 to 4 years of full-time study, not taking into account double majors or additional courses. A part-time degree will typically take you even longer, spanning 3 to 5 years, though the timeline can be even longer depending on the programme in question and your learning pace.

While a diploma will give you the foundation required to understand your field of study, degrees offer a broader academic depth with additional modules and the opportunity to conduct a research study. This is part of the reason a degree will take you longer to complete.

It is also important to keep in mind that for certain professions, a degree is a requirement. In order to practice law, medicine, specialised research, or certain public service roles, you will have to possess a relevant degree.

The value of a degree shouldn’t be overlooked. They often open doors for more specialised roles or leadership positions, and provide a strong theoretical base. That said, degrees also require a larger investment of both time and money, which can mean reprioritising your commitments. While a part-time degree might be able to provide a better balance, you’re trading off the additional years it will take you to complete it.

Which Qualification Fits You Best at Different Stages of Life?

At different points in your life and career, there are different academic pathways that will serve you best. The table below might help you match up your goals and circumstances to either a degree or diploma programme.

Advantages of a Diploma

1. Duration
   Diplomas often allow you to graduate in a shorter time than a degree, enabling a faster transition into the workforce and a quicker reinvestment into your career.
    
2. Flexibility
   Learners can choose between full-time diplomas, part-time diplomas, post-diploma courses, and modular programmes, offering flexibility for different lifestyles and commitments. At Temasek Polytechnic, working adults may take up to twice the normal course duration to complete a part-time diploma.
   
   
3. Affordability
   Many diploma programmes are heavily subsidised by the Singapore government. Adult learners can also use SkillsFuture Credits to reduce course costs.
   
   
4. Industry Relevance
   Diploma programmes emphasise applied, job-relevant skills, while degrees may focus more on theoretical knowledge. Temasek Polytechnic curate courses in collaboration with industry partners, ensuring skills can be applied immediately in the workplace.
   
   
5. Return on Investment
   With lower costs, shorter completion time, and directly applicable skills, diplomas can deliver a faster return on investment. This makes staying relevant in your industry, pivoting to a new field, or upskilling much more achievable compared to pursuing a longer degree programme.
   
   
6. Growth Potential
   A diploma can serve as the first step in lifelong learning, opening doors to immediate career entry and future academic or professional development opportunities.

Advantages of a Degree

1. Theoretical foundation
   Degree programmes typically go more in-depth into the theoretical side of a subject. This can involve modules more focused on building your skills in critical thinking and research methodologies. Certain fields benefit more from this approach, such as research and development, policy making, and academia.
   
   
2. Academic recognition
   Certain professions require a degree as a prerequisite, such as law, medicine and certain professional certifications. Additionally, if you plan to work overseas, many employers or regulatory bodies recognise a degree as a key qualification.
   
   
3. Starting salary and salary growth
   In certain fields, graduates with degrees are able to start with higher salaries at an entry level position. Degrees may also support long-term salary growth, particularly in sectors like finance, engineering, technology, and professional services.
   
   
4. Post-graduate studies
   A degree is generally required to pursue postgraduate studies, such as a Master’s or Doctorate at local universities or overseas institutions.

Pursuing a degree typically requires more time, higher tuition costs, and a heavier workload than a diploma, and may offer less flexibility for working adults. For many adult learners, this path may not be the most feasible option.

Key Considerations

It can be overwhelming to sort through all the options available to you when trying to make a decision. Keeping the following factors in mind can help you evaluate whether a diploma or degree is the right fit for your goals:

1. Time Available
   Consider how much time you can realistically commit to studying. If you prefer a shorter, more flexible arrangement that will allow you to keep working and earning while you study, a diploma may be a better fit, especially a part-time or modular programme.
   
   
2. Funding
   There’s more to funding your studies than just tuition fees. Beyond the course itself, which can be heavily subsidised depending on the institution and your age, living costs and potential loss of income while studying should also factor into your choice. Those with family or financial responsibilities might benefit from shorter, subsidised pathways like diplomas, which can be a more sustainable investment in their future.
   
   
3. Lifestyle
   For the majority of adult learners, flexibility is crucial. If you’re balancing a job, caregiving duties, or other commitments that crop up with age, these are all factors that should be considered. Degree programmes typically require a larger time commitment, including group work, extended deadlines, and research projects, compared to diplomas.
   
   
4. Work Experience
   Consider where you are in your career journey. If you have several years of experience, you can likely identify the skills gaps you want to address. In these cases, a diploma is an efficient way to fill those gaps. However, if you’re at the beginning of your career, pursuing a degree may provide a broader academic foundation for long-term development.
   
   
5. Career Goals
   Your path forward depends upon where you want to go. If your goal is to pivot into a new field quickly, stay up-to-date in a fast-paced industry, or to upgrade specific skillsets, a diploma can help you achieve this faster. If your target profession requires a degree as a minimum qualification, or if you plan to pursue postgraduate studies, a degree may be necessary.
   
   
6. Industry Requirements
   It’s also important to consider the existing expectations of the industry you want to enter or progress in. Certain sectors require degrees as a minimum qualification for advancement. Others, especially rapidly evolving fields such as the tech and digital sectors, generally prioritise applied skills over academic credentials, making diplomas a more attractive option.

Why Choose Temasek Polytechnic for Your Part-Time Diploma

If you’ve found yourself more inclined towards a part-time diploma programme over the course of this article, be it for financial or flexibility reasons, Temasek Polytechnic is ready to guide you through the next steps.

1. Wide variety of part-time and post-diploma courses
   Temasek Polytechnic offers a wide variety of courses tailored to adult learners. Under the Part-time Diploma and Post-Dipoloma courses which include stackable, skills-based modular courses, nearly anyone would be able to find a course that suits their schedule.
   
   
2. Flexible study duration
   Alongside modular courses, Temasek Polytechnic allows working adults up to twice the normal course duration to complete their diploma, helping learners balance work, family, and study commitments. This flexibility ensures you can progress at a pace that works for you.
   
   
3. Strong subsidy and funding support
   SkillsFuture Credits, government subsidies, mid-career training allowances, and more, all help to reduce the cost of upskilling. Singapore citizens can enjoy up to 90% of their fees subsidised, reducing out-of-pocket cost significantly.
   
   
4. Practical, industry aligned curriculum
   Courses at Temasek Polytechnic are designed in partnership with industry professionals, providing a practical curriculum with immediate relevance to employers and the working world.

Conclusion: Part-Time Diploma or Part-Time Degree?

Choosing between a part-time diploma and a part-time degree can be a complicated process with multiple factors to consider. While it’s certain that both have their merits, there isn’t a simple, one-size-fits-all programme. Each individual seeking further education needs to consider their own circumstances, commitments, and career goals.

While degrees carry more academic depth and prestige, part-time diplomas offer speed, practicality, affordability, and industry relevance that is arguably more important to adults balancing multiple responsibilities.

For mid-career professionals, Temasek Polytechnic’s diploma programmes offer a practical and flexible path. Whether full-time, part-time, or post-diploma, Temasek Polytechnic’s courses are designed to help you gain skills on your own terms.

Take the next step today. Explore Temasek Polytechnic’s Part-time Diploma and Post-Diploma courses. It’s never too late to learn more and stay future-ready.