Most organisations establish minimum education requirements that you must satisfy in order to apply for and obtain a job with them. However, there are a variety of types of education options to consider pursuing after you complete your secondary education. Understanding your options and how they relate to your career goals may help you make the best choice for you. In this article, we define what a polytechnic course is, compare polytechnic courses versus B.Tech programmes, list common polytechnic subjects, discuss the requirements for polytechnic courses, offer some benefits of polytechnic courses and explain some common polytechnic courses in detail.
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What Is A Polytechnic Course?
A polytechnic course is a progressive learning experience that allows students to participate in a diploma or vocational course based on technical education. These courses provide a viable alternative to degree programmes, and students may pursue them after completing their secondary education. Polytechnic courses focus on developing skills and practical experience rather than theoretical knowledge. Upon completion, students receive a diploma that typically qualifies them to apply for jobs in their desired field.A polytechnic course may also provide students with an entry point for their education after completing 10th or 12th. While these programmes provide students with the necessary training and experience to apply for jobs, they may choose to further their students to improve their skills. Most polytechnic courses allow students to enrol in or defer to Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) programmes easily after completion. This allows students to learn more about their chosen subject, which may provide them with more career opportunities.
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Polytechnic vs. B.Tech
Polytechnic and B.Tech courses may both be successful in helping you prepare for a career. However, a polytechnic course provides you with a diploma, whereas a B.Tech course provides you with a degree. B.Tech courses generally have more expensive fee structures than polytechnic courses, and they often require four years to complete compared to the three years that polytechnic courses require. However, it is possible to earn both of these qualifications, and earning a polytechnic diploma may help you earn a B.Tech degree more easily.
Polytechnic Course Subject Areas
Government-owned and privately owned polytechnic schools provide a variety of course options. In general, the courses may provide students with a diploma in a technical area, such as engineering, or a diploma in a non-technical domain, such as the arts and sciences. Many schools continue to provide more polytechnic course options to pursue.Some specific examples of potential polytechnic course subject areas include:
- Aeronautical engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Agricultural engineering
- Agricultural information technology
- Animation arts
- Art and craft
- Automobile engineering
- Biotechnology engineering
- Business management
- Ceramic engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer science and engineering
- Dairy technology and engineering
- EC engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Electronics and communication
- Electronics engineering
- Electronics and telecommunication engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Fashion design
- Fashion engineering
- Food processing and technology
- Genetic engineering
- IC engineering
- Infrastructure engineering
- Instrumentation and control engineering
- Interior design and decoration
- IT engineering
- Journalism
- Library and information sciences
- Mechanical engineering
- Media and communications
- Metallurgy engineering
- Mining engineering
- Motorsport engineering
- Petroleum engineering
- Pharmacy
- Plastics engineering
- Power engineering
- Production engineering
- Textile design
- Textile engineering
Regardless of the subject you choose, most polytechnic courses provide intensive training and teaching about the field. This helps prepare you to pursue a career upon completion or complete additional training to earn a degree in addition to your diploma. Some polytechnic courses may provide you with enough training that a degree may be unnecessary, such as with earning a fashion diploma. However, the exact opportunities available may vary by companies and their requirements.
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Polytechnic Course Requirements
Exact requirements for polytechnic courses may vary for each college you want to attend or the course you plan to pursue. However, most polytechnic courses require you to complete 10th standard to obtain a secondary school leaving certificate (SSLC). While in school, it is important to focus on succeeding in science, maths and English courses. Most states also require you to pass an entrance exam that includes all subjects.It may be possible to pursue a polytechnic course after completing 12th. Colleges may determine your admission into diploma programmes based on your marks in 12th and other merit-based concerns. They may also require you to complete an entrance exam.
Benefits Of Polytechnic Courses
Here are some benefits of choosing a polytechnic course:
- Affordability: Exact costs for polytechnic courses and degree programmes may vary for each college and area of study. However, polytechnic courses are generally a more affordable option with fewer fees associated with them.
- Career opportunities: Completing a polytechnic course provides you with a formal qualification. This may give you access to more career opportunities, and it may qualify you to pursue a variety of intermediate level jobs or jobs available with the government.
- Degree eligibility: Most polytechnic courses help prepare you to earn additional qualifications in the future. After completing your diploma course, you may be able to complete the lateral entry test (LET) for admission into a B.E. or B.Tech program.
- Flexibility: Earning a diploma from a polytechnic course allows you to learn about a specific career area. However, it may also help you effectively switch into a different field when pursuing an additional degree if your career aspirations change.
- Skill development: Polytechnic courses focus on technical education, often helping you develop your skills through practical learning opportunities. This may help better prepare you for your career upon diploma completion because you have some vocational work experience.
- Time requirement: Pursuing a polytechnic course may provide you with a more efficient path for your career. Most polytechnic courses require two to three years to complete and include practical work experience, but degree programmes may require four years to complete and include only theoretical experiences.
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6 Examples Of Polytechnic Courses
Each polytechnic course focuses on specific topics related to the field of study. As such, each polytechnic course may prepare you for a certain type of job or area of further study. Some examples of polytechnic courses with their focus areas and related courses to consider include are:
1. Diploma in Chemical Engineering
The course to earn a Diploma in Chemical Engineering focuses on concepts related to chemical technology, manufacturing chemicals, the process principles in chemical engineering and various chemical plants. This course typically requires three years to finish. Completing this course may prepare you to pursue a B.Tech Chemical Engineering course.
2. Diploma in Civil Engineering
The academic program to earn a Diploma in Civil Engineering typically focuses on concepts related to the planning and construction of physical structures, such as bridges, buildings and dams. This also includes courses related to the specific materials used and how strong they are. This academic program typically requires three years to complete. Finishing this course may allow you to pursue lateral entry into regular B.Tech Civil Engineering.
3. Diploma in Computer Science Engineering
The course to earn a Diploma in Computer Science Engineering discusses concepts related to computer programming, hardware and software. This course generally requires three years to complete. Earning a Diploma in Computer Science Engineering may qualify you to pursue a B.Tech Computer Science Engineering course.
4. Diploma in Electrical Engineering
The academic program to earn a Diploma in Electrical Engineering focuses on concepts such as electric circuits, the generation and transmission of electricity and transformers. This academic program typically requires three years to finish. Completing this academic program may provide you with lateral entry to pursue B.E. or B.Tech Electrical Engineering or B.Tech Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Similarly, many electrical engineers pursue specialised master’s degrees.
5. Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering
The course to earn a Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering discusses concepts related to communication systems, electromagnetic waves and networking. This course typically requires three years to complete. Earning a Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering may qualify you to pursue a B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering course.
6. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
The academic program to earn a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering focuses on topics like engineering graphics, physics, the theory of machine, thermodynamics and the working of the machine. This academic program generally requires three years to finish. Upon completing this academic program, you may qualify for lateral entry to pursue B.E. Mechanical Engineering or B.Tech Mechanical Engineering.
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