A degree course is usually of 3 to 4 years duration and offered by an autonomous university or institution. It is a credential that is granted by a university or college after the candidate completes studies in a chosen course at a specific level. On the other hand, diploma courses are a maximum of two years duration and are generally offered by colleges. It is essentially a certificate that an educational institution grants students once they complete a specific course and clears the test. Typically, the learning curve is more intense for a degree course than in a diploma course, which has a more holistic approach.