Graduate vs. Postgraduate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 21, 2024
Graduate studies typically refer to programs pursued after completing a bachelor's degree, while postgraduate education includes master's and doctoral studies.
Difference Between Graduate and Postgraduate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Graduate education often serves as the first level of advanced study following the completion of a bachelor's degree. On the other hand, postgraduate education typically refers to the academic work done after the completion of a master’s degree, particularly leading to a doctoral degree (Ph.D.).
Both graduate and postgraduate studies require a significant commitment to research and study, but the scope and objectives differ. Graduate education often focuses on advanced understanding and application of knowledge in a field, whereas postgraduate studies aim at creating new knowledge through original research.
The distinction between graduate and postgraduate studies can vary by country. In some places, "graduate" studies include both master's and doctoral levels, while in others, "postgraduate" refers to any study beyond a bachelor's degree. Regardless of the nomenclature, the progression typically moves from a more structured learning environment to one that is increasingly focused on independent research and contribution to the discipline.
Comparison Chart
Level of Study
Follows a bachelor’s degree
Follows a master’s degree (often includes PhD)
Focus
Gaining advanced knowledge in a field
Conducting original research
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Outcome
Master’s degree (sometimes doctoral)
Doctoral degree (PhD)
Type of Work
Coursework, research, thesis (for some programs)
Dissertation based on original research
Career Preparation
Professional advancement, entry into PhD programs
Academic, research-oriented careers, specialization
Compare with Definitions
Graduate
A student who has completed a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing further education.
She enrolled as a graduate student in psychology.
Postgraduate
A student engaged in study after earning a master’s degree.
As a postgraduate, her research focuses on renewable energy.
Graduate
Relating to the education of students who have completed a bachelor’s degree.
The graduate program in history is quite rigorous.
Postgraduate
Pertaining to studies or research after a master’s degree.
He's attending a postgraduate seminar on quantum physics.
Graduate
Pertaining to studies after a bachelor’s degree.
He is taking graduate courses in engineering.
Postgraduate
A level of academic study or research undertaken after a master’s degree.
He published his findings as part of his postgraduate thesis.
Graduate
Someone who has received a degree from an institution of higher learning.
He became a graduate of the University last year.
Postgraduate
Specifically related to the pursuit of a doctoral degree.
She is a postgraduate aiming for her PhD in linguistics.
Graduate
A degree awarded after completing a bachelor’s degree.
She earned her graduate degree in microbiology.
Postgraduate
Involving advanced academic or professional work after a master’s degree.
The postgraduate program in medical science is competitive.
Graduate
A person who has successfully completed a course of study or training, especially a person who has been awarded an undergraduate or first academic degree.
Postgraduate
Of, relating to, or pursuing advanced study after graduation from high school or college.
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or measuring glass, used especially by chemists and pharmacists.
Postgraduate
One who is engaged in postgraduate study.
Graduate
Successfully complete an academic degree, course of training, or (in North America) high school
He graduated from Glasgow University in 1990
He graduated in the summer with a 2:2 degree
Postgraduate
A person continuing to study in a field after having successfully completed a degree course.
Graduate
Arrange in a series or according to a scale
The stones were graduated in height from the lowest near the entrance to the tallest opposite
Postgraduate
Of studies which take place after having successfully completed a degree course.
Graduate
Change (something, typically colour or shade) gradually or step by step
The colour is graduated from the middle of the frame to the top
Postgraduate
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the studies pursued after graduation, esp., after receiving the bachelor's degree at a college; graduate.
Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
Postgraduate
A student who continues studies after graduation
Graduate
To change gradually or by degrees
"The most weighty of all the arguments against treating the races of man as distinct species, is that they graduate into each other" (Charles Darwin).
Postgraduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
Graduate an income tax.
Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
Graduate a thermometer.
Graduate
One who has received an academic degree or diploma.
Graduate
A graduated container, such as a cylinder or beaker.
Graduate
Possessing an academic degree or diploma.
Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
Graduate courses.
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
If the government wants graduates to stay in the country they should offer more incentives.
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
Graduate
Graduated, arranged by degrees
Graduate
Holding an academic degree
Graduate
Relating to an academic degree
Graduate
To be recognized by a school or university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
The man graduated in 1967.
Trisha graduated from college.
Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
Graduate
(transitive) To certify (a student) as having earned a degree
Indiana University graduated the student.
The college graduated him as soon as he was no longer eligible to play under NCAA rules.
Graduate
(transitive) To mark (something) with degrees; to divide into regular steps or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
Sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of.
To graduate the heat of an oven
Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Graduate
To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
Graduate
(Japanese entertainment) Of an idol: to exit a group; or of a virtual YouTuber, to leave a management agency; usually accompanied with "graduation ceremony" send-offs, increased focus on the leaving member, and the like.
Graduate
To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Graduate
To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.
Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
Graduate
To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
Graduate
To take a degree in a college or university; to become a graduate; to receive a diploma.
He graduated at Oxford.
He was brought to their bar and asked where he had graduated.
Graduate
One who has received an academical or professional degree; one who has completed the prescribed course of study in any school or institution of learning.
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
Graduate
A measuring instrument for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts
Graduate
Receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
Graduate
Confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
Graduate
Make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Calibrate an instrument
Graduate a cylinder
Graduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
Common Curiosities
What does postgraduate mean?
Postgraduate refers to studies or research undertaken after completing a master’s degree, usually leading to a PhD.
What is a graduate degree?
A graduate degree is an advanced level of college education, typically a master's, following a bachelor's degree.
Can you go straight to a postgraduate program?
Generally, you need to complete a graduate (master’s) program before enrolling in a postgraduate (doctoral) program.
How long is a postgraduate program?
Postgraduate (PhD) programs typically last 3 to 7 years, varying by field and research requirements.
How long does graduate school last?
Graduate school can last from 1 to 3 years for a master's degree, depending on the field and program structure.
Are postgraduate studies worth it?
They can be, depending on your career goals, field of interest, and the necessity of advanced research or academic credentials.
Is MBA a graduate or postgraduate degree?
An MBA is considered a graduate degree, as it follows a bachelor’s degree and typically does not require a master’s degree for admission.
What can you do with a graduate degree?
A graduate degree can lead to advanced professional positions, academic careers, or further study at the doctoral level.
What’s the difference in coursework between graduate and postgraduate studies?
Graduate coursework often involves a mix of classes and research, while postgraduate focuses more on original research.
What are the requirements for graduate studies?
Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and often standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
What’s the benefit of postgraduate education?
Benefits include deepening expertise, contributing to research, and enhancing career prospects in academia or specialized fields.
What is the difference between postgraduate and PhD?
Postgraduate refers to any academic work after a master’s, including PhDs, which are the highest level of postgraduate studies.
Do postgraduates get paid?
Some postgraduate positions, like those in PhD programs, offer stipends for research and teaching assignments.
Can you switch fields between graduate and postgraduate studies?
Yes, though it may require taking additional courses to meet prerequisites or demonstrate competency in the new field.
Is it harder to get into graduate or postgraduate programs?
Admission competitiveness varies widely by field and institution, but postgraduate programs often have more stringent criteria due to the focus on research.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
