Diplom

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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. Bachelor's degrees, called Bakkalaureus, originally existed in Germany, but were abolished up until 1820 as part of educational reforms at this time. The Magister degree, originally a graduate degree, became the new first degree after five years of study. In 1899 a second first degree, the Diplom, was introduced when the Technische Hochschulen received university status.

1 Germany / Austria
2 Greece
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] 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) - taking three to four years (but also include obligatory semesters in companies where the student does not study, but work) or at a Universität (University) - in this case the degree is mentioned as Diplom or alternatively as Diplom (Univ.) - taking in most cases around five years (without semesters in companies). 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 (up to a Masters degree).

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

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

Note: For the Diplom (FH) a student has to spend one to two obligatory semesters during his studies in a company where he/she does not study. These semesters are included in the table. The study time is therefore one to two semesters shorter (that is why it is considered equivalent to the Bachelor). Usually a Diplom (FH) student has to have excellent grades and has to do some additional studies (up to a whole Masters degree) to enter a doctorate program. For the Diplom (University) those semesters are not included in the table and a student can enter a doctoral program directly (if the student meets the admission requirements).

[edit] 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] .