Graduate vs. Postgraduate: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on October 20, 2023
A graduate has completed a degree program, while a postgraduate pursues studies beyond a bachelor's degree.
Difference Between Graduate and Postgraduate
Graduate and postgraduate are terms commonly used in the context of higher education. A graduate is someone who has successfully completed a course of study, most often referring to individuals who have finished an undergraduate program, such as a bachelor's degree. Graduation, in this sense, denotes the conclusion of one academic chapter and the attainment of a specific qualification. For instance, after four years in most American universities, students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.
Muazma Batool
Oct 18, 2023
Conversely, postgraduate refers to any academic endeavor pursued after completing a bachelor's degree. It encompasses advanced studies and includes master's programs, doctoral programs (like Ph.D.), and even post-doctoral research. These studies dive deeper into specialization, aiming to provide a profound understanding of a particular field. In essence, when students decide to further their knowledge after attaining a bachelor's degree, they step into postgraduate terrain.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
It's essential to note that while all postgraduates are graduates, not all graduates are postgraduates. Upon completing a bachelor's degree, many choose to enter the professional world, making them graduates without the extended tag of postgraduate. Others might dive straight into postgraduate programs to further hone their expertise or delve into research.
Muazma Batool
Oct 18, 2023
To give a broader cultural perspective, in some parts of the world, like the UK, "graduate studies" sometimes refer to postgraduate work. This can lead to confusion for international students or when comparing international academic credentials. However, the essence remains: postgraduate always indicates studies or research pursued after the completion of an undergraduate degree.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Graduate vs. Postgraduate Comparison Chart
Graduate vs. Postgraduate Definitions
◉Graduate
Someone who has successfully completed a degree course.
Jane is a graduate of Harvard University.
Jonathan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Postgraduate
A student pursuing advanced studies after a bachelor's degree.
He's a postgraduate at MIT.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
◉Graduate
To receive a degree from an educational institution.
He will graduate next spring.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Relating to studies undertaken after a bachelor's degree.
She is taking postgraduate courses in psychology.
William
Sep 14, 2023
◉Graduate
To mark with degrees or other divisions.
The thermometer is graduated in degrees Celsius.
William
Sep 14, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Beyond what is ordinary or routine.
Her research was of a postgraduate level.
Elijah
Sep 14, 2023
◉Graduate
A holder of a first degree from a university.
As a graduate, she can apply for various jobs.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Advanced, specialized instruction or research.
The seminar was for postgraduate engineers.
Nolan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Concerning education beyond a first degree.
The university offers postgraduate scholarships.
Nolan
Sep 14, 2023
◉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).
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May 03, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Of, relating to, or pursuing advanced study after graduation from high school or college.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Postgraduate
A person continuing to study in a field after having successfully completed a degree course.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
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May 03, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Of studies which take place after having successfully completed a degree course.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
graduate an income tax.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Postgraduate
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the studies pursued after graduation, esp., after receiving the bachelor's degree at a college; graduate.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
graduate a thermometer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Postgraduate
of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
graduate courses
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
graduate courses.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
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May 03, 2023
◉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
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
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May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
calibrate an instrument
graduate a cylinder
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
graduate courses
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Graduate
To move up or advance, especially in school.
The students will graduate to the next grade level.
Jonathan
Sep 14, 2023
Graduate vs. Postgraduate Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone be called a graduate after a master's degree?
Yes, someone with a master's degree is also a graduate, having graduated from a program.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Is every postgraduate course research-based?
No, postgraduate studies can be coursework, research, or a mix of both.
Muazma Batool
Oct 18, 2023
Do all graduates pursue postgraduate studies?
No, many graduates choose to work or pursue other endeavors after their degree.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Which is more valuable, work experience, or postgraduate studies?
It depends on the field and the specific role. Some professions value experience more, while others emphasize advanced degrees.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Can someone pursue postgraduate studies in a different field than their bachelor's degree?
Yes, though some programs might require foundational courses.
Nolan
Oct 18, 2023
How long does a typical postgraduate program last?
It varies, from one-year master's programs to multiple-year doctoral studies.
Henry
Oct 18, 2023
Does postgraduate refer only to academic studies?
Primarily yes, but it can also refer to any advanced study or specialization after initial training.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Is a postgraduate degree necessary for success?
While beneficial for some fields and roles, success is subjective and doesn't solely rely on postgraduate education.
Muazma Batool
Oct 18, 2023
Do postgraduate studies guarantee a better job?
Not necessarily, but they can offer advanced skills and expertise which might be preferred for some positions.
Jonathan
Oct 18, 2023
Are postgraduate degrees more challenging than graduate ones?
Typically, postgraduate programs are more specialized and might be considered more challenging due to depth.
Muazma Batool
Oct 18, 2023
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