diploms

Diploms are terms used to refer to diplomas, academic certificates, or the plural form of the word Diplom in some languages. A diploma is an official document issued by an educational institution to certify that a person has completed a program of study and met specified requirements. In many contexts the diploma is a credential distinct from a university degree, while in others it may be used more broadly to indicate a post-secondary qualification.

In German-speaking regions the word Diplom historically referred to a university degree earned after a structured program, with common titles such as Diplom-Ingenieur or Diplom-Kaufmann. With the Bologna Process and the shift to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, many curricula were redesigned, and the use of the Diplom has declined in newer programs. Nevertheless, some universities and fields still award a Diplom for established programs or in technical or traditional disciplines. Austria and parts of Eastern Europe retain the Diplom as an official higher-education credential in certain areas.

Diplomas typically include the recipient’s name, the program title, the awarding date, and the signatures or seals of the issuing institution; transcripts or diploma supplements may accompany them. They are used for employment, professional registration, visa or immigration purposes, and admission to further study. In English-language contexts the word diploma can also denote a shorter or more vocational credential, while in other languages the term may align with an undergraduate or graduate degree.

See also Diploma, Degree, Certification.