Graduate and Post Graduate programs are called the higher education program. Both these focus on developing the skills needed for students to scale up for academic and career success. However, Post Graduation is even more focused on specialising in a specific field.
Definition:
Graduate Course
This refers to having completed an Undergraduate course. Generally called a Bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate course
This refers to a course taken after completing a Bachelor’s degree or a course taken after graduation. It is generally called a Master’s degree.
Eligibility:
Graduate Course
- Should be at least 18 years old
- Minimum 65% in 12th grade is required for Humanities
- Minimum 70-80% in 12th grade is required for Commerce and Science
- Some Bachelor’s degrees require at least 2 A levels at grade E or above
Postgraduate Course
- You need a 2:1 bachelor’s degree if you wish to apply to the best universities. This means you’ll usually need a 2:1 (upper second-class) at the bachelor’s level or equivalent if you wish to apply for a Master’s course at the best British universities.
- 2:1 is equivalent to getting a 3.0 to 3.5 GPA score or earning 60% or above in your total degree marks. 2:1 is the second-best degree you can earn in the UK.
- If your first degree was not taught in English and if English is not your first language, you can either prove that English is your first language or that you are from an English-speaking country or take one of the many English certifications available, the most popular ones that are considered by universities are IELTS and TOEFL.
- British universities will ask for 6.5 points in IELTS or 92 points in TOEFL.
Qualifications:
Graduate Course
Bachelor’s degrees like BA, BSc, BE, BBA, MBBS, etc.,
Postgraduate Course
- Master’s degrees like MA, MSc, ME, MBA, MD, MS, etc.,
- Postgraduate Diploma degrees like PGDip or PGCert
- Postgraduate research courses like MPhil, PhD
Duration:
Graduate Course
The timeline aligns with the course selected in Under Graduation, which ranges from 3 to 5 years
For example, a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science, or Commerce will be for 3 years, Engineering for 4 years, and Medicine for 5 years.
Postgraduate Course
- Most of the Master’s degree are with the course duration of 1- 2 years
- Postgraduate Diplomas/Certificate course with a duration of 6 months – 1 year
Cost:
Graduate Course
Tuition fees in the UK vary based on your home country. The charges for home students are as follows,
- English Universities – up to a maximum of £9,250 per year
- Welsh Universities – up to a maximum of £9,000 per year
- Northern Irish Universities – up to a maximum of £4,710 per year and up to a maximum of £9,250 per year for students from anywhere else in the UK
- Scottish Universities – No charges for home students and up to a maximum of £9,250 per year for students from anywhere else in the UK
International students will pay significantly more to study in the UK, they pay between £10,000 and £26,000 annually on average. However, the cost goes up to £67,892 for Medical Degrees.
Postgraduate Course
There is no upper limit for post-graduation courses as that depends on the University.
- The courses and charges vary for home students and overseas students. It generally tends to be more expensive than the undergraduate courses. On average, it will be £10,000 – £20,000 per year for home students and more for International Students
- PhD is generally funded through Scholarships or Government Grants.
Learning Approach:
Graduate Course
- These are introductory and foundational courses
- It will be guided with structured classes and syllabus
- Class size will be large with many lecturers for various subjects.
- The time to commit to attaining success is moderate with breaks in between the terms
- Academic support is constantly provided which includes access to lecturers, career guidance and peer-to-peer mentoring.
Postgraduate Course
- These are advanced and specialised courses
- Minimum or no guidance is required. In most cases, it will be self-paced
- Class size will be small with specialised subject lectures
- The time to commit to attaining success is more and requires intense focus and a year-round learning schedule. Expected to have a faster pace to manage the time and responsibility effectively
- Advanced writing, research, and analytical skills are needed
Career Scope:
Graduate Course
- You can get into an entry-level Job, or a practitioner or an intern in companies and other organisations
- Earning potential is less compared to having a post-graduation degree in hand
Postgraduate Course
- You can get access to specialist or senior positions or even top positions with a PhD degree.
- Earning potential is high
Difference Between Graduate & Postgraduate
Conclusion
Graduate courses and postgraduate courses for UK students differ significantly in terms of duration, course structure, and cost for home students and overseas students. However, it’s all based on the student’s aspirations and their academic interests to equip themselves accordingly with the relevant courses.
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