Undergraduate vs Postgraduate
Undergraduate and Postgraduate are two terms that differ in their characteristics and qualifications. An undergraduate is someone who recently finished high school and is pursuing an undergraduate course in a college or university. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an undergraduate is a university student who has not yet obtained a first degree. Conversely, a postgraduate is an individual who has completed their first degree in a subject and is pursuing another course after that degree, which can be a diploma or another degree.
Key Takeaways
- An undergraduate is a student who has not yet obtained a first degree, while a postgraduate is a student who has completed their first degree and is pursuing another course.
- Undergraduates receive close guidance from lecturers, while postgraduates have more independent study environments.
- A minimum of three years is required to complete an undergraduate degree, while postgraduate study periods vary depending on the course selected (e.g., two years for a degree, one year for a diploma).
Who is an Undergraduate?
An undergraduate is someone entering a college or university for the first time. They must study several allied or related subjects during their course of study and complete a minimum of three years to graduate. To register for a research degree in their chosen subject, an undergraduate must first complete their first degree, as research degrees are only available to postgraduates. Undergraduates learn the basics of their chosen subject during their studies and must complete their first graduate degree to gain employment and build their careers. Close guidance is provided by lecturers for undergraduate degrees, which often have higher fees than postgraduate degrees.
Who is a Postgraduate?
A postgraduate has already experienced entering a college or university and does not need to study allied subjects during their course of study. Instead, they focus solely on their major subject. A postgraduate must study for two years to complete their postgraduate degree in their chosen subject. However, for a postgraduate diploma, the course time can be just 12 months or one year. Postgraduate degrees can be Master’s degrees or research degrees, both of which require the student to have already completed their first degree and meet the qualifications of the university offering the degree. Postgraduates have a deeper understanding of their chosen subject, having already completed their first degree. They can directly apply for jobs and build their careers. Postgraduate degrees involve minimal teacher supervision and are more like self-study, though help from lecturers is available if needed. Fees for postgraduate degrees are usually lower than those for undergraduate degrees.
What is the difference between Undergraduate and Postgraduate?
- An undergraduate is a university student who has not yet obtained a first degree, while a postgraduate has completed their first degree and is pursuing another course afterward.
- Undergraduates receive close guidance from lecturers, whereas postgraduates experience more independent study environments.
- Undergraduate degrees require a minimum of three years to complete, while postgraduate study periods depend on the selected course (e.g., two years for a degree and one year for a diploma).
- Research degrees can only be pursued by postgraduates.
