Level of study
The biggest difference between undergraduate and postgraduate is the level of study.
An undergraduate degree is a Level 6 qualification. This is normally your first degree. This could be a foundation or bachelors degree.
A postgraduate qualification is undertaken after your first degree. It is a Level 7 qualification, which is a more advanced level of study. This can help you stand out in a competitive industry. It may even be a requirement to join an industry body or gain chartered status.
There are various types of postgraduate qualification, including:
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Master's degree
- Doctorate
Length of study
An undergraduate degree will usually take three years or more to complete. Some courses like medicine or architecture can take up to seven years.
Most postgraduate qualifications are shorter and more intense. Master’s degrees normally only take one year. However, doctorates can take around three to four years, or longer if you study part-time.
Focus of study
An undergraduate degree will normally cover a broad range of topics. This is to give you a good overall understanding of the subject. It may be your first time studying a subject, so covering lots of topics will allow you to find out what you’re interested in. Some modules may be compulsory, while others are optional. This will allow you to cater your degree to suit your interests.
A postgraduate degree will have a more narrow focus. You’ll go into greater detail about a specific area to advance your understanding. You may even conduct your own research. This will make you an expert in a specialist area.
For example, Psychology BSc (Hons) might cover social psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology. Whereas you can take a master’s degree specifically in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology or the Psychology of Child Development.
Method of study
There’s a big jump between college and university, and there’s a big jump again between undergraduate and postgraduate study.
At undergraduate level, you will attend a lot of lectures, seminars and workshops. Your tutor will set the reading which you need to complete each week. They will also set tasks in your seminar, which will help you engage with material and provide structure to your learning. You will also receive guidance around assignments.
At postgraduate level, you will be expected to do a lot more independent studying. There will still be lectures and seminars, but you will determine how you spend the rest of your time. You will choose what to read and critically engage with the content. You may also undertake your own research, whether that’s in archives, a laboratory or via online surveys. You might even propose your own topic of study.
Cost
Another important difference between undergraduate and postgraduate study is the cost. Undergraduate degree fees are set by the government. Full-time study currently costs £9,250 per year. Some online universities may charge less than this.
However, postgraduate fees are set by the university themselves. That means they can vary substantially from university to university, and course to course. To find out more, visit our fees page.
Where next?
We hope this has helped you understand the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate study. Undergraduate study is normally longer, covers more topics and has set fees. Postgraduate study is shorter, more focused and requires more independent study. Check out more of our study guides below.
