Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum

Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum (with Comparison Chart) - Key Differences
Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum

Last updated on May 18, 2017 by Surbhi S
When it comes to education, the two concepts which pop up in our mind
which are commonly misconstrued are syllabus and curriculum. Syllabus
connotes the subjects as well as the topics covered in the course of study. On
the other hand, curriculum implies the chapters and academic content taught
in school or college. It alludes to the knowledge, skills and competencies
students should learn during study.
https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-syllabus-and-curriculum.html[15.02.2022 14:04:55]
The fundamental difference between syllabus and curriculum is that the

former is focused towards a particular subject. Unlike, the latter, which is
related to the all-round development of a student. Similarly, there are other
differences between these two, that are discussed in the article provided
below, take a read.
Content: Syllabus Vs Curriculum

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion
Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR
SYLLABUS CURRICULUM
COMPARISON
Meaning Syllabus is the document that Curriculum is the overall

contains all the portion of the content, taught in an
concepts covered in a subject. educational system or a
course.
Origin Syllabus is a Greek term. Curriculum is a Latin term.
Set for A subject A course
Nature Descriptive Prescriptive
Scope Narrow Wide
Set out by Exam board Government or the

administration of school,
college or institute.
Term For a fixed term, normally a Till the course lasts.

year.
Uniformity Varies from teacher to teacher. Same for all teachers.
Definition of Syllabus
The syllabus is defined as the documents that consist of topics or portion

covered in a particular subject. It is determined by the examination board and
created by the professors. The professors are responsible for the quality of
the course. It is made available to the students by the teachers, either in hard
copy or electronic form to bring their attention towards the subject and take
their study seriously.
A syllabus is considered as a guide to the in charge as well as to the

students. It helps the students to know about the subject in detail, why it is a
part of their course of study, what are the expectations from students,
consequences of failure, etc. It contains general rules, policies, instructions,
topics covered, assignments, projects, test dates, and so on.
Definition of Curriculum
The curriculum is defined as the guideline of the chapters and academic

content covered by an educational system while undergoing a particular
course or program.
In a theoretical sense, curriculum refers to what is offered by the school or

college. However, practically it has a wider scope which covers the
knowledge, attitude, behaviour, manner, performance and skills that are
imparted or inculcated in a student. It contains the teaching methods, lessons,
assignments, physical and mental exercises, activities, projects, study
material, tutorials, presentations, assessments, test series, learning
objectives, and so on.
The curriculum is well planned, guided and designed by the government or

the educational institution. It is aimed at both physical and mental
development of a student. It is the overall learning experience that a student
goes through during the particular course of study.
Key Differences Between Syllabus and Curriculum

The basic differences between syllabus and curriculum are explained in
the point given below:
1. The syllabus is described as the summary of the topics covered or

units to be taught in the particular subject. Curriculum refers to the
overall content, taught in an educational system or a course.
2. Syllabus varies from teacher to teacher while the curriculum is same

for all teachers.
3. The term syllabus is a Greek origin, whereas the term curriculum is a

Latin origin.
4. The curriculum has a wider scope than the syllabus.
5. The syllabus is provided to the students by the teachers so that they

can take an interest in the subject. On the other hand, normally the
curriculum is not made available to the students unless specifically
asked for.
6. Syllabus is descriptive in nature, but the curriculum is prescriptive.
7. Syllabus is set for a particular subject. Unlike curriculum, which

covers a particular course of study or a program.
8. Syllabus is prepared by teachers. Conversely, a curriculum is decided

by the government or the school or college administration.
9. The duration of a syllabus is for a year only, but curriculum lasts till
the completion of the course.
Conclusion
Curriculum and Syllabus are the terms of education, imparted to the students
by teachers. It means the knowledge, skills or qualifications that are passed
on from one generation to another. A subject syllabus is a unit of the
curriculum. The two terms differ in a sense that curriculum is a combination of
some factors which helps in the planning of an educational program, whereas
a syllabus covers the portion of what topics should be taught in a particular
subject.
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Comments
Jeanneton Adriano Gilbert says

May 30, 2016 at 4:51 am
Excellent and simple format for understanding
Reply
Mauryan says
September 23, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Excellent
Reply
Rajashree says
November 22, 2019 at 3:54 pm
Really good distinctions between the both.very helpful and informative.
Reply
BHAU GAWANDE says

July 18, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Excellent explanation, only cursory glance is sufficient to understand the

difference. Thanks
Reply
Aisha says
It is excellent.
Reply
linval says
articulate piece of writing .
Reply
tito big boss says

October 11, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Very good explanation. Personally I found it very rich and valuable piece of
information. Thank you for your collaboration.
Reply
Kasonta says
December 1, 2016 at 12:04 pm
This was helpful piece of information, very well summarized. Thanks
Reply
Surbhi S says
We really appreciate your views, it motivates us for doing better, Thanks
Reply
Rajkishore says
December 7, 2016 at 8:34 am
Really got a complete description of the subject here. Very impressive
Reply
SANJAY DDEWANGAN says

January 5, 2017 at 2:45 pm
A crystal clear explanation, given wide range of understanding and enhance

the idea of dealing the subjects. Thank you very much for improving my
knowledge on this confusion creating topic.
Reply
Shahid Mallick says

April 21, 2017 at 10:55 am
Simple and good explanation of syllabus and curriculum.
Reply
May says
July 13, 2017 at 8:10 pm
Thank you very much. These explanation of syllabus and curriculum are very
easy to understand.
Reply
Dr. Ali Abdulzahra Mahdi says

Very beneficial and accurate infomation
Reply
PHILIPUS FILIMON MANDUME says

January 31, 2018 at 8:40 pm
WELL DONE FOR THE GOOD EXPLANATION BETWEEN THE TWO

TERMS.
Reply
A Would Be Teacher says

February 11, 2018 at 3:06 pm
Very well written. Corrects and clears all the confusion my teacher created for
me (unfortunately)!
Reply
Luis Felipe says

March 15, 2018 at 5:01 am
Muchas gracias fue muy util. Thank you, all the info was really useful.
Reply
BANABIHARI ROY says

March 15, 2018 at 1:22 pm
VERY CLEAR DEFINITION
Reply
thandie says
March 22, 2018 at 4:09 am
how to cite this document and reference it in the reference section?
Reply
Surbhi S says
March 22, 2018 at 9:41 am
“Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum” Keydifferences.com By

Surbhi S. 22 Mar 2018 < https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-
syllabus-and-curriculum.html >
Reply
Farha Deeba says

Well explained, fully satisfied
Reply
Balkrishna Bokil says

March 31, 2019 at 5:44 pm
It will be beneficial to the readers if an example is provided of each concept

and discussed in detail. Thank you.
Reply
Isha Mahajan says

April 19, 2019 at 11:57 am
Nice explanation ….best notes for any examination
Reply
Edward Asante says

October 18, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Your article is very useful, thanks so much for a very simple and detailed
information.
Reply
Andrea says
October 22, 2019 at 1:54 am
Thank you very much! You have helped me a lot to clarify a confusion I had
with these two terms. Continue doing this kind of things…
Reply
Paul Williams says

November 2, 2019 at 3:43 am
Thank you for a clear explanation.
Reply
Muhammad Ameen Ghori says

November 17, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Thank you for a clear explanation.
Reply
Chris says
Yes, this is most appropriate.
Reply
Mohamed H Mackawee says

It is a very simple clarification for the syllabus and the curriculum vocabulary.
Reply
SAYIBU ABDUL-WAHID says

Self explanatory
Well done
Reply
Dr. Donna Madison-Bell says

January 10, 2021 at 4:56 am
Explained in a clear manner.
Reply
SIMON OTOO says

THANK U FOR THIS SUCCESSFUL EXPLANATION OF CURRICULUM

AND SYLLABUS IN SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT
Reply
OTOO NYARKOH BENEDICT says
February 16, 2021 at 12:16 am
I Like your page
Reply
Ebiachu Patrick says

March 16, 2021 at 6:13 pm
This is very true and comprehensive and summarised piece of work,i have
benefited and enjoyed studying and reading it.
Thank you
Reply
Arundhathi says
March 28, 2021 at 5:33 pm
Yes, it’s an Excellent and Simple explanation for understanding.
Reply
Sherin says
June 20, 2021 at 2:19 pm
well explained. good job.
Reply
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Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum (with Comparison Chart) - Key Differences

Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum

The fundamental difference between syllabus and curriculum is that the

Content: Syllabus Vs Curriculum

Meaning Syllabus is the document that Curriculum is the overall

Origin Syllabus is a Greek term. Curriculum is a Latin term.

Set for A subject A course

Nature Descriptive Prescriptive

Scope Narrow Wide

Set out by Exam board Government or the

Term For a fixed term, normally a Till the course lasts.

Uniformity Varies from teacher to teacher. Same for all teachers.

The syllabus is defined as the documents that consist of topics or portion

A syllabus is considered as a guide to the in charge as well as to the

The curriculum is defined as the guideline of the chapters and academic

In a theoretical sense, curriculum refers to what is offered by the school or

The curriculum is well planned, guided and designed by the government or

Key Differences Between Syllabus and Curriculum

1. The syllabus is described as the summary of the topics covered or

2. Syllabus varies from teacher to teacher while the curriculum is same

3. The term syllabus is a Greek origin, whereas the term curriculum is a

4. The curriculum has a wider scope than the syllabus.

5. The syllabus is provided to the students by the teachers so that they

6. Syllabus is descriptive in nature, but the curriculum is prescriptive.

7. Syllabus is set for a particular subject. Unlike curriculum, which

8. Syllabus is prepared by teachers. Conversely, a curriculum is decided

You Might Also Like:

Difference Between Formative Difference Between Degree and

Difference between CBSE and Difference Between Faculty and

Difference Between College and Difference Between Open

Jeanneton Adriano Gilbert says

Excellent and simple format for understanding

Really good distinctions between the both.very helpful and informative.

BHAU GAWANDE says

Excellent explanation, only cursory glance is sufficient to understand the

articulate piece of writing .

tito big boss says

This was helpful piece of information, very well summarized. Thanks

We really appreciate your views, it motivates us for doing better, Thanks

Really got a complete description of the subject here. Very impressive

SANJAY DDEWANGAN says

A crystal clear explanation, given wide range of understanding and enhance

Shahid Mallick says

Simple and good explanation of syllabus and curriculum.

Dr. Ali Abdulzahra Mahdi says

Very beneficial and accurate infomation

PHILIPUS FILIMON MANDUME says

WELL DONE FOR THE GOOD EXPLANATION BETWEEN THE TWO

A Would Be Teacher says

Luis Felipe says

BANABIHARI ROY says

VERY CLEAR DEFINITION

how to cite this document and reference it in the reference section?

“Difference Between Syllabus and Curriculum” Keydifferences.com By

Farha Deeba says

Well explained, fully satisfied

Balkrishna Bokil says

It will be beneficial to the readers if an example is provided of each concept

Isha Mahajan says

Nice explanation ….best notes for any examination

Edward Asante says

Paul Williams says

Thank you for a clear explanation.

Muhammad Ameen Ghori says