Difference Between Graduate and Undergraduate
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Used interchangeably, graduate and undergraduate degrees still vary with each other significantly. One is for students straight out of college and the other is for students who hold an undergraduate degree. There are various ways of addressing undergraduate vs graduate degrees which is elaborated in this article.
Each country abroad has a distinct way of labelling graduate and undergraduate programs. They vary in their scope, duration, course load and employment opportunities after graduation. Check out the article to understand the difference between graduate and undergraduate degrees.
What Does Undergraduate Degree Mean?
An undergraduate degree means a degree level which can be taken up by those students who have passed out of high school. Also, those who hold an associate degree or diploma are eligible to apply for an undergraduate-level degree. Thus, this is the very first step towards gaining higher education. Applicants who wish to get a master’s degree will also have to first get an undergraduate degree.
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Also Read: Graduation Day in Universities Abroad
What Does Graduate Degree Mean?
A graduate degree means a postgraduate-level degree which is obtained upon clearing the exams for an undergraduate degree program. A graduate degree is the next step towards specializing in a particular subject of choice. Thus, those who wish to pursue a master’s degree must hold an undergraduate degree.
Difference Between Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees
Let us look at the following table to understand in brief about undergraduate vs graduate degrees:
| Factors |
Undergraduate Degree |
Postgraduate Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Duration |
3-4 years |
1-2 years |
| Modes |
Full-time | Part-time |
Full-time | Part-time |
| Also referred to as |
Graduate degree |
Postgraduate degree / master’s degree |
| Course Structure |
Mix of foundation courses, credit courses and major |
Specialization in the subject + research / dissertation |
| Flexibility |
If a dual degree then yes, the overall duration reduces |
|
| Admission Requirements |
High school / diploma |
Undergraduate degree / UG Diploma |
| Types of Courses |
BA, BSc, BBA, BCA, B.Com / BS |
MA, MSc, MBA, MCA, M.Com / MS |
Apart from the above table, people interested can also check out the following in detail about undergraduate degree vs graduate degree.
Undergraduate Degree vs Graduate Degree: Programs
The programs offered across undergraduate degrees are very different from graduate degree programs. These programs vary based on the previous study level certificate obtained.
- If the applicant holds a high school certificate, then he/she can apply for an undergraduate program like BSc, BBA, BCA and others.
- On the other hand, those holding an undergraduate degree can apply for a postgraduate program like - MBA, MS, MCA, etc.
- The tuition for undergraduate programs is always higher than that of graduate programs. This is because undergraduate program duration is usually higher than that of graduate programs.
- Undergraduate programs usually are offered to students to cover a broad course and understand its aspects of function, study and related areas.
- Only at the postgraduate level, can applicants specialize in their areas of interest and go further either into research or submit dissertations or research papers.
Thus, grad vs undergrad programs are very different from each other in terms of nature, conduct and duration. Graduate students vs undergraduates will have different level of understanding also based on the choice of level of course.
Undergraduate Degree vs Graduate Degree: Admission Requirements
Based on the admission requirements, the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees vary with each other. Check out in detail below for admission requirements difference for undergraduate vs graduate:
| Parameters |
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Criteria |
High school scores |
Bachelor’s scores |
| Standardized Tests |
||
| Score Requirements |
CGPA / Percentage |
GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 point scale (use GPA calculator for free) |
| Course Selection |
Based on interest |
Based on bachelor’s degree subject or a related degree |
| Additional Requirements |
LORs, essays, transcripts, and FAFSA (optional) |
In the majority of the cases, the requirements vary, but in some areas of the admission requirements, the criteria may be similar. Thus, check all criteria before applying for admission. Applicants must note that irrespective of the degree program that is undergraduate or graduate, English language proficiency tests are equally important like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo
Undergraduate Degree vs Graduate Degree: Research Opportunities
There are minimum research opportunities for undergraduate students, on the contrary, those in a graduate degree course can find good research opportunities. Usually, students who take up a master’s course either submit a research paper which is like a dissertation at the end of the course or end up doing a PhD. thus, the scope for research is always higher for postgraduates because they are anyways exposed to research and have a deeper understanding of the subject that they have taken up.
Undergraduate Degree vs Graduate Degree: Employment Prospects
Any day employment prospects if compared for undergraduate degree vs graduate degree holders, are higher for a postgraduate. The higher the degree level of the applicant, the higher the scope for employment prospects. This is also because those who specialize in a certain field always have an upper hand in terms of handling things and salary. Hence, based on research by WSJ, those with a master’s in Maths, Science or Tech field can bag better salaries in comparison to those with a PhD degree.
Thus, in this comparison of undergraduate vs graduate, it can be noted that they differ in all possible aspects. If you are looking for admissions, you can sign up at Shiksha Study Abroad. Or you can write to us in the comments below.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
Q: Â What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: Â How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?
International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:
English language test | Minimum Score required UG | Minimum Score required PG |
|---|---|---|
6 or above | 6 or above | |
59 or above | 58 or above | |
105 or above | 120 or above |
Q: Â What is the ranking of NTU UK in terms of employability?
According to Uni Compare rankings 2024, NTU has been placed at #1 in the UK for employability. In addition to this, as per the details available on the web, some of the top companies where NTU UK alumni work are Deloitte, Microsoft, Tesco, Turner & Townsend, The Access Group, etc. Some of the industries where the alumni work are Operations, Business Development, Arts and Design, Sales, Marketing, IT, Engineering, Finance, Media & Communication, etc.
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The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.