Postgraduates

Postgraduates are students who undertake study after earning an undergraduate degree. The term covers a range of programs, including taught master’s degrees, research master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and postgraduate certificates or diplomas. Postgraduate study is typically more specialized and may emphasize independent research, professional practice, or advanced coursework depending on the field and country.

Common postgraduate degrees include master’s degrees such as MA, MSc, or MBA; research master’s degrees such as MPhil; doctoral degrees such as PhD or professional doctorates; and shorter postgraduate certificates or diplomas. Programs vary in structure, with some focusing on coursework, others on research, and some blending both.

Admissions usually require an undergraduate degree and may require subject prerequisites, letters of reference, and evidence of language proficiency. Typical durations are one to two years for many master’s programs and three to five years for PhDs, with variations by country and discipline. A thesis or dissertation is often essential for research degrees.

Funding for postgraduate study comes from a mix of scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, government grants, and employer sponsorship. Tuition costs and stipends vary widely by country, institution, and program. Some students work part-time or pursue online or part-time options.

Outcomes include professional advancement, preparation for doctoral study, or entry into research and academia. Postgraduates may pursue careers in industry, government, education, or nonprofit sectors, and international students often contribute to a diverse academic community.

In some education systems, "postgraduate" is used broadly to describe study after a bachelor’s degree, while in others the term has regional connotations.