a "Diploma" from the London School of Economics

Dumb question but LSE offers a "Diploma" in various subjects through distance learning. All require a bachelors degree for admission and then you can actually get it with various levels (distinction, etc.).

In the US, a "Diploma" is not really a degree and when granted, usually just means you enrolled in something where you probably weren't even graded.

Does the "Diploma" mean something in UK academic circles? I know it is not a Masters degree but I notice that Oxford sometimes offers a "Diploma" also? A quick google search seems to indicate that other academics will note when they have earned a "Diploma" from LSE.

Hoping someone can shed some light on this. Thanks.

 

I would opine that anything awarded by the LSE (London School of Economics, University of London), diploma or degree, is well worth having in its own right, so is the person who earned it.

Transnational perceptions of awards are another problem.

I would further opine that if the audience to which you address such awards do not realise their worth, then, frankly, it is not an appropriate audience in which to parade it, or possibly to be attend.

If such an audience is a social group of little consequence and you are tempted to impress them by refering to what they do not understand, or cannot from ignorance appreciate, you should review your social life, and perhaps, your sense of self-worth.

Awards, like ideas, should be sought for their own value and not for adornment.

 

what is a "Diploma"

Prof. Kennedy,

Completely agree with your views but have practical reasons for asking. First, we simply do not have the "Diploma" qualification/degree/whatever in the US so I simply don't know what it means.

Second, if one wants to use this qualification as a stepping stone to further graduate work, it is a fair question to ask how it "ranks" in the educational heirarchy, at least in the UK.

As an example, Harvard Business School has many courses that are "open enrollment" that anyone can sign up for, attend and get some type of certificate of completion. Their is no grading. Completion of this type of class/program is of no help in getting into anywhere for further study. Completion of a masters program at Harvard however can help you get into a good Ph.D program.

 

I take your point now that you have clarified it.

Postgraduate Diplomas in the UK are for graded work. Sometimes they are used as supplementary awards after a Bachelor degree programme, e.g., Diploma in Public Administration; Diploma in Teaching; Diploma in Social Work.

Also, they are used as intermediate qualifications which are part of a Masters Degree programme but for some reason the student terminates before completing the full programme. At EBS we have both a PG Certificate (3 MBA subjects) and PG Diploma (six MBA subjects). Some Schools use the PG Certificate and PG Diploma as en route qualifications to a Masters, e.g., Henley. They feature strongly in language classes.

Other uses are in extra-curricular and extension courses. They are examined,e.g., the University of Edinburgh has them available in scores of class offered to the general public. I think those offered for attendance and 'completion' are not regarded as valid certificates for postgraduate work, if there is no examination.

US Universities do accept British Bachelor and Masters degrees for admission to doctoral work, including for credit transfers into doctoral programmes where the subjects are compatible. Like everything in academe it will be decided case by case.

My point remains: LSE awards are of high standard in the UK. Otherwise use them for their inherent value, not adornment, think of some alternative in the US.