Diplom (from Greek Διπλοµα diploma) is an academic degree in Germany and other German-language countries. The degree title Diplom (FH) is comparable to a British honours degree and Diplom (Uni) is comparable to a Bachelor's and a Master's degree (in one). It may be obtained either at a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences) - in such a case, the degree is described as Diplom (FH) - taking three to four years, or at a Hochschule or Universität (University) - in this case the degree is mentioned as Diplom or alternatively as Diplom (Uni) - taking in most cases around five years. These five years are called "regular study time" (Regelstudienzeit) and may be exceeded (and usually are).

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 educational system. A student typically completes the initial period of study (called the Vordiplom) in two years. This Vordiplom can be compared to an Anglo-American Bachelor's degree, because mostly 13 years of school education are required in order to be admitted to a German higher education institution.

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 Fachhochschule is, in contrast to a University, more application-oriented.

As the Bologna process agenda is implemented, it is expected that the Diplom will increasingly be replaced by Master's degrees, awarded for studies following the respective Bachelor's degrees.

The Diplom is a prerequisite for preparing a doctorate (Doktorarbeit). A Fachhochschule graduate is admitted to a German doctoral degree course only if he/she graduated with a very good GPA.

Academic degrees | Education in Germany

Diplom | Diplom