A diploma (from Greek Î´Î¯ÏÎ»ÏÂµÎ±. diplÅma, dÃ­plÅma meaning folded) paper is a certificate or deed issued by an educational, institution such as a college or, university that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic. degreeostgraduate Diploma award is higher than the bachelor's degree. What the US calls a diploma, is simply called a degree certificate in the UK; however the details are printed in plain English, not in Latin. There is BTEC Extended Diploma also after which one gets progression to a Degree (University).