A member asked what a friend with a 2-year Advance Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management from India should apply for in Canada — a postgraduate program or a bachelor's degree.
- Members leaned toward recommending a bachelor's degree over a PG program, despite the choice ultimately being personal.
- The tradeoff is cost and duration — a bachelor's typically runs about 4 years, which is a bigger financial commitment than a PG diploma/certificate.
- Visa approval chances were cited as a factor favoring bachelor's programs for this kind of profile, suggesting officers may view a full bachelor's as a more coherent academic progression from a diploma than jumping straight to a PG program.
Takeaway: if budget allows, a bachelor's degree may offer a smoother visa path than a PG program when coming from a 2-year diploma — but weigh that against the significantly higher cost and longer duration.