Mechanical Engineering is known to be tough, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s worth it. In terms of a career path, mechanical engineering ticks a lot of boxes: it comes with high pay, status, gives you an opportunity to change the world and it sets you up for success in your professional career.
There are two main engineering qualifications — degrees and diplomas. Any engineering qualification is mathematics-intensive and has a considerable practical component as compared to other degrees. These qualifications equip you with a skill set that makes you valuable in a wide variety of fields, like business and finance, and not just in engineering. If you are toying with the idea of pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, you might want to consider which of these qualifications is best suited for you.
Basic differences between Degree and a Diploma Course:
A degree course is usually a 3 to 4-year long course conferred by a UGC-recognized university, after the completion of a course. An institute cannot confer a degree. On the other hand, the diploma is a short-term course, lasting 1 or 2 years, and is not necessarily given by a university. It could be conducted by an institute or polytechnic as well whereas, only a university can confer a degree.
To pursue higher education, a degree from only a UGC approved university is accepted. An institute, a polytechnic or even a university can offer a diploma course. There is no need for the institute or the university to be UGC or AICTE approved.
Typically, there is one subject that you major in a degree course, called the specialization while other subjects are called electives whereas a diploma is a specific academic award usually awarded for professional/vocational courses.
Degree programs give more in-depth knowledge and potentially start you at a higher level. Diploma programs provide education within your given field and get you into the workforce sooner.
Out of all the branches of engineering, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering is the most popular. In the current job scenario, many companies are struggling to get manpower who would work on the shop floors. There is a huge opportunity for a diploma in mechanical engineering students as blue collar employees.
What is Diploma in Mechanical Engineering?
In Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, students receive an in-depth learning in mechanical engineering at a professional level. Some topics that may be covered include project management, drafting, CAD, engineering management and engineering design. Analytical and mathematical skills are an important aspect of this program and students additionally get hands-on experience with technology and materials used in the field.
Scope of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in India
The government of India is providing huge employment opportunities to the candidates who have successfully completed Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. With the emphasis of the Indian Government on Skill India program, many jobs have been created for skilled workers in the field of engineering.
The Diploma holders in engineering are employed as Junior Engineers and Assistant Engineers in any Public and Private organizations.Diploma in Mechanical Engineering offers wide scope to the students to complete their education early after 10th class and enter into job career. With less expenditure on education, one can earn more than INR 2 Lacs per annum in any industry at the beginning of their career.
Factors to signify the differences between Mechanical Engineering degree and Mechanical Engineering diploma:
Affiliation– Degree in Mechanical Engineering is provided by a UGC recognized university. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering can be provided by both, an AICTE or non AICTE approved institute.
Eligibility– Four-year B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering requires 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as subjects. For Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, the criteria is a successful qualification of class X, with a minimum aggregate score of 55 or successful qualification of class XII with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as main subjects, and a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
Curriculum– The course content of the diploma and B.Tech programs is very similar, but the level of a syllabus is higher in the latter. However, diploma students may have an advantage, since they are likely to already have solid knowledge of the fundamentals of the course over regular B.Tech. students who directly enter after their twelfth grade.
Degree in mechanical engineering is often much more theoretical and academic, while a diploma course usually focuses on teaching students practical applications.
For example- an engineer with a degree will be better suited to a project management position at an automotive manufacturer, taking on the responsibility of assigning tasks, analyzing production data, writing reports, and overseeing manufacturing processes.
The engineer with a diploma, on the other hand, will be the person who actually does the technical work. This will include things like calibrating machinery, testing processes, doing quality control, and maintaining machinery.
Duration of Course – Diploma in mechanical engineering is for 3 years. Some places mandate 1 year of industrial training after completion of 3 years of course. After ITI, you have to do it for 2 years.
Degree course in Mechanical Engineering is for 4 years.
Course Fee Structure– For diploma course, the fee various from INR 10,000 to INR 5 Lacs. Degree in mechanical engineering can cost anywhere between INR 4 Lacs to INR 10 Lacs.
Employability– Career opportunities for B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering have been immense since its inception. Mechanical Engineering jobs are easily available in both private and public sectors for degree holders. In fact, the public sector is the most preferred sector. Average salary varies between INR 3 Lacs to INR 12 Lacs depending on the college.
Diploma holders in Mechanical Engineering can have various career opportunities in public/private sector firms. Madras Fertilizers Limited often recruits these candidates to the position of Technical Assistant. Selected candidates are offered with 2-year training, and during this period they are offered with the stipend of INR 8500 per month. Mechanical Engineering diploma holder with a minimum of 50% marks can work as ‘Craftman’ in BPCL
There is a huge demand for skilled workers who can do field jobs hence, students with the diploma in engineering are in demand in the technical field. But they don’t pay well, therefore if you are aiming at a career progression in future, you will have to go for a degree course.
Colleges that offer the three-year diploma in Mechanical Engineering:
- Lovely Professional University
- Rameshwaram Institute of Technology and Management
- Chandigarh University
- RaiUnivesity
- Sri Ramswaroop Memorial University
- Amity University
- Galgotia University
- GD Goenka University
- VeermataJijabaiInstitue
- Ganga Group of Institutions
We hope we were able to help you arrive at a decision. With open evaluation and consideration, you are sure to make the right decision about your career path. Good Luck!!
