Advanced Diploma Courses

How long do Advanced Diplomas take to complete?

Advanced Diplomas can take one to two years to complete, depending on whether you wish to study part-time or full-time, and often relate to a specific study field or career. This makes them a practical alternative to a degree programme and a more in-depth course of study than a regular Diploma.

What types of Advanced Diplomas are there?

You can study an Advanced Diploma in a variety of subjects, most of which relate to a specific career. You can study different levels of the Advanced Diploma, all of which are equivalent to different qualifications. This means that you can choose the option that best suits your needs and existing knowledge. 

Advanced Diplomas can be studied either online or in-person at a university or college, or via a mixture of the two. Some of the most popular courses include:

• Level 3 & 4 AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting
• Level 5 CIPS Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply
• Level 7 CIPD Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Practice
• Level 7 CIPD Advanced Diploma in Learning and Development

The different levels of study you can undertake will depend on your current knowledge and experience. The level 3 Advanced Diploma is similar to an A-Level course in terms of its course depth; while level 7 Advanced Diplomas are more advanced, being primarily for professionals already established in their area of work and who wish to expand their knowledge and skills. 

Upon successful completion of your Advanced Diploma, you can then progress on to either the next level of the Diploma or go on to higher education and study either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (depending on the entry requirements).

Who should study for an Advanced Diploma?

Advanced Diplomas are a great middle-ground between a more general Diploma and a degree programme. Though taking less time (and having lower course fees) than a Bachelor’s degree, an Advanced Diploma still demonstrates to employers that you have taken the time to invest in a career-specific qualification and have a broad breadth of skills and knowledge. 

If you have a particular career in mind or want to increase your professional development, an Advanced Diploma could definitely be the right choice for you. Advanced Diplomas also consist of a certain amount of hours spent in work experience, engaging in practical learning and developing background knowledge. This also ensures that you have a good balance between vocational experience and theoretical knowledge – which is what employers are ultimately looking for. 

There is also often some flexibility in Advanced Diplomas when it comes to what area interests you the most, and you can explore that further in a final project or in your optional modules.