Information about Diplom

Diplom (from Greek Δίπλωμα diploma) is an academic degree in some European countries including Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Estonia, Croatia, Serbia and Greece. It can be compared to Bachelor's and Master's degrees in other countries.

With the implementation of the Bologna process, the Diplom is increasingly being replaced by a system that awards Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Germany / Austria

The Diplom may be obtained either at a University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) - in this case, the degree is described as Diplom (FH) (240 - 280 ECTS) - taking three to four and a half years or at a Universität (University) - in this case the degree is mentioned as Diplom or alternatively as Diplom (Univ.) (240 - 300 ECTS) - taking in most cases around five years. These years are called "regular study time" (Regelstudienzeit) and may be exceeded (which is usually the case).

The Diplom is the first academic degree many post-secondary students receive, since there has traditionally been no actual equivalent to the Bachelor's degree in the German/Austrian educational system. A student typically completes the initial period of study (called the Vordiplom) in two years.

To complete the requirements for a Diplom, one must pass the examinations for the Hauptstudium (main study period) that follow the Vordiplom, complete one or sometimes more than one Studienarbeit (study research project), and write a Diplomarbeit (diploma thesis). The curriculum at a University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) is, in contrast to a University, more application-oriented.

The Diplom is a prerequisite for preparing a doctorate (Doktorarbeit). It is usually accepted as admission into doctorate programs in other countries having an educational agreement with Germany. A Fachhochschule graduate is admitted to a German doctoral degree course only if he/she does some additional studies at the Universität.

The following chart illustrates a comparison when the old degree (Diplom) and the new European degrees (Bachelor/Master) are obtained.

1st year	2nd year	3rd year	4th year	5th year	6th year	7th year	8th year
Vordiplom		Diplom (FH)		Doctorate
Vordiplom		Diplom (University)			Doctorate
Bachelors (Bologna only)[1]			Masters		Doctorate

Note: Table is without semester(s) in companies / other countries.

Greece

In Greece, a Diploma is a 5-year (10-semester) degree, formatted similarly to the German Diplom, awarded to students of the Greek Polytechnic schools, such as the National Technical University of Athens.

While every institution has its own individual approaches, the curriculum usually consists of general knowledge and essential background subjects in the first five semesters. After the end of the fifth semester the student selects his academic area of interest and pursues a set of specialised courses for the next four semesters. The last semester is devoted to the preparation of a thesis on the student's chosen area of interest, which will be presented in a three-member panel.

Diplomas are considered equivalent to Masters (only in Greece) and allow the holder to sit in the Technical Chamber of Greece exams without any prerequisite. It also allows the engineer to be considered for Doctorate studies, without any additional classes being taken, although only a very high mark can guarantee a place.

Grades range between 0 and 10, 5 being the passing mark. A grade in the diploma between 5 and 6.99 is "Good" (Καλώς), a grade between 7.00 and 8.99 is "Very Good" (Λίαν Καλώς) and a grade of 9 and over is "Excellent" (Άριστα) [1] .

See also

• Magister

References

External links

• Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (German Academic Exchange Service)
• National Technical University of Athens, School of Electrical and Computer Engineers