The difference between undergraduate and graduate study is mainly about academic level. Undergraduate education usually includes associate and bachelor’s degrees, while graduate education usually begins after a bachelor’s degree and includes master’s and doctoral programs.
TL;DR
Usually the first stage of higher education, including associate and bachelor’s degrees.
A more advanced stage of study that usually begins after a bachelor’s degree.
Undergraduate: AA, AS, BA, BS. Graduate: MA, MS, MBA, PhD, EdD.
Undergraduate study builds the foundation. Graduate study goes deeper into specialization, advanced practice, or research.
Table of Contents
What is undergraduate study?
Undergraduate study is the first major stage of higher education. It usually comes after secondary school and includes the degrees students earn before entering graduate-level study.
In many systems, the two main undergraduate degrees are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree. These degrees help students build general academic foundations, subject knowledge, and basic professional preparation.
Simple idea: undergraduate study is the stage where students earn their first main college degree.
What is graduate study?
Graduate study is the more advanced stage of higher education that usually begins after a bachelor’s degree. It is typically more specialized, more focused, and more academically or professionally advanced than undergraduate study.
Common graduate degrees include the master’s degree and the doctorate. Depending on the field, graduate study may emphasize research, advanced theory, professional practice, or leadership-level expertise.
Undergraduate vs graduate: quick overview
| Feature | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Academic level | First main level of higher education | More advanced level after undergraduate study |
| Common degrees | Associate degree, bachelor’s degree | Master’s degree, doctorate, some professional degrees |
| Main focus | Broad learning, foundational knowledge, first academic credential | Specialization, advanced expertise, research or higher-level practice |
| Typical next step | Employment or graduate school | Advanced professional work, research, leadership, academia |
What degree types belong to each level?
At the undergraduate level, the main degrees are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree. At the graduate level, the most common degrees are the master’s degree and the doctorate.
This difference matters because students often assume that all college degrees belong to the same stage. In reality, degree names usually indicate where they fit in the academic ladder.
Undergraduate examples
AA, AS, AAS, BA, BS, BAS
Graduate examples
MA, MS, MBA, EdS, PhD, EdD, DBA
How do credits and years usually differ?
Undergraduate and graduate study differ in both length and academic depth. Undergraduate degrees are usually longer overall because they include the full foundation of college education. Graduate degrees build on that foundation and are usually more focused.
In many U.S.-style systems, associate degrees often require around 2 years of full-time study, bachelor’s degrees around 4 years, and master’s degrees often require another 1 to 2 years beyond the bachelor’s degree. Doctoral timelines vary more widely depending on the field and program design.
What are the usual entry requirements?
Undergraduate programs usually begin after secondary school or an equivalent prior qualification. Graduate programs usually require previous undergraduate study, most often a bachelor’s degree.
That is one of the clearest differences between the two levels: graduate study normally depends on completing an earlier university-level credential first.
Which level is more specialized?
Graduate study is usually more specialized than undergraduate study. Undergraduate programs often balance general education with major-specific coursework, while graduate programs usually move more directly into advanced subject depth.
This is why graduate students often work at a more focused level in research, advanced theory, leadership training, or professional specialization.
What comes after each level?
After undergraduate study, students often choose between employment and graduate school. After graduate study, students often move into higher-level professional roles, leadership, teaching, research, or advanced academic work.
That means undergraduate education usually provides the academic base, while graduate education often provides the deeper specialization built on top of it.
Final verdict
The easiest way to remember it is this: undergraduate means the first main level of higher education, and graduate means the more advanced level that usually comes after a bachelor’s degree.
Related degree guides
Undergraduate vs graduate FAQs
What is the main difference between undergraduate and graduate study?
Undergraduate study is the first main level of higher education, while graduate study is the more advanced level that usually comes after a bachelor’s degree.
Is a bachelor’s degree undergraduate or graduate?
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree.
Is a master’s degree undergraduate or graduate?
A master’s degree is a graduate degree.
What degrees count as undergraduate?
The main undergraduate degrees are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree.
What degrees count as graduate?
The most common graduate degrees are the master’s degree and the doctorate.
Does graduate study usually require a bachelor’s degree first?
In most systems, yes. Graduate study usually begins after completing a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent undergraduate qualification.
