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Key takeaways for readers and AI summaries
A postgraduate degree is an advanced academic or professional qualification pursued after a bachelor’s degree. In many contexts, especially in the United States, the term overlaps with graduate degree. The most common postgraduate degrees are master’s degrees and doctorates, while some fields also include specialist degrees and professional doctorates.
- Postgraduate usually means study after completing a bachelor’s degree.
- In the U.S., graduate and postgraduate are often used similarly.
- Common postgraduate degrees include master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
- Some postgraduate qualifications, such as postgraduate certificates and diplomas, are postgraduate but are not always degrees.
- Best for: students and professionals who want advanced expertise, specialization, research training, or access to higher-level careers.
The phrase postgraduate degree sounds simple, but it often creates confusion because people use it differently depending on the country, institution, and program structure. Some use it as a general label for any study after a bachelor’s degree. Others use it more narrowly to refer only to master’s and doctoral-level awards.
For most students, however, the practical meaning is straightforward: a postgraduate degree is the next academic step after an undergraduate degree, usually pursued to gain advanced knowledge, professional specialization, research skills, or better career opportunities.
What is a postgraduate degree?
A postgraduate degree is a qualification earned after completing a bachelor’s degree. It belongs to the level of study that comes after undergraduate education and usually involves more advanced, specialized, or research-based learning.
In many systems, postgraduate degrees include:
- Master’s degrees
- Specialist degrees in certain fields
- Doctorate degrees
- Professional doctoral degrees
That is why postgraduate education is often associated with students who already have a first degree and want to move into a more advanced stage of academic or professional development.
What does postgraduate mean?
The word postgraduate literally means after graduation, but in higher education it usually means after completing a bachelor’s degree. So when someone asks for the postgraduate degree meaning, the clearest answer is this: it is a degree pursued after finishing undergraduate study.
This is also why people search variations such as post graduate degree meaning, postgraduate definition, and what does postgraduate mean. They are usually trying to understand where this level fits in the academic ladder.
Simple definition: if a bachelor’s degree is your first university degree, a postgraduate degree is a more advanced degree you study after that.
Graduate vs postgraduate degree: are they the same?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer depends on context.
In the United States, the terms graduate degree and postgraduate degree are often used in very similar ways. Both generally refer to study beyond the bachelor’s level. In other countries, however, the language can vary more, and “postgraduate” may be used more broadly to include certificates, diplomas, and other post-bachelor qualifications.
If you are researching U.S. education specifically, you will often see the term postbaccalaureate in official sources. That label covers study beyond the bachelor’s level and is especially common in national education reporting.
What types of postgraduate degrees are there?
The most common postgraduate degrees are:
- Master’s degrees
- Specialist degrees in certain professional fields
- Doctorates, including research doctorates and professional doctorates
However, this is where an important distinction matters: not every postgraduate qualification is technically a degree. In some countries and institutions, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas are postgraduate-level awards, but they are not always classified as full degrees.
Important distinction: all postgraduate degrees are postgraduate qualifications, but not all postgraduate qualifications are degrees.
Postgraduate degree types at a glance
Is a master’s degree a postgraduate degree?
Yes. A master’s degree is one of the most common forms of postgraduate degree. For many students, it is the first step after the bachelor’s degree and the most familiar example of postgraduate study.
Master’s degrees are usually designed for students who want deeper knowledge in a field, stronger professional qualifications, or preparation for research, leadership, or career progression.
If you are deciding whether a master’s is the right next step, see also Should you choose a bachelor’s or master’s degree?.
Is a doctorate a postgraduate degree?
Yes. A doctorate degree is also a postgraduate degree. In fact, it is generally the highest level of academic or professional study.
Doctorates can be grouped into two broad categories:
- Research doctorates, such as the PhD
- Professional doctorates, which prepare students for regulated or high-level professions
That is why postgraduate education includes both academic research routes and profession-based advanced study.
Is a specialist degree a postgraduate degree?
Yes. A specialist degree is a postgraduate credential, most commonly found in education and school psychology. It is usually more focused than a general master’s degree and often more professionally targeted than a research doctorate.
Specialist degrees are not as common across all fields, but they are important enough to be part of the wider postgraduate picture.
What about postgraduate certificates and diplomas?
This is where many students get confused. A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification because it is taken after a bachelor’s degree. However, it is not always a full degree.
That distinction matters because people often search “what are the types of postgraduate degree?” when what they really mean is “what are the types of postgraduate qualification?” If you are comparing programs internationally, always check whether the award is a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree for postgraduate study?
Usually, yes. In most systems, a bachelor’s degree is the standard entry point for postgraduate education. That is why postgraduate study is generally described as advanced study after completing a first degree.
There can be exceptions depending on country, institution, and program design, but the safest general rule is that postgraduate programs normally build on prior undergraduate study.
How long does a postgraduate degree take?
There is no single timeline because postgraduate degree is a broad category, not one specific award.
- Master’s degrees are often the shortest common postgraduate degrees.
- Specialist degrees vary depending on the field and prior graduate preparation.
- Doctorates usually take longer because they involve deeper research or professional training.
The total time depends on the credential, subject area, country, entry requirements, and whether you study full time or part time.
Why do people get a postgraduate degree?
Students pursue postgraduate degrees for many reasons, including:
- To specialize in a subject
- To qualify for a profession or licensure pathway
- To move into leadership or higher-level roles
- To increase expertise and credibility
- To prepare for research or academic careers
In some careers, a postgraduate degree is optional but valuable. In others, it is effectively required for advancement or entry into the profession.
If you are comparing postgraduate study with career-focused options, this guide may also help: Professional degree vs academic degree.
What comes after a postgraduate degree?
That depends on which postgraduate degree you complete.
After a master’s degree, some students move into a specialist degree or a doctorate. After a doctorate, there may be postdoctoral research, advanced professional practice, or academic and leadership careers.
So the phrase “what comes after a postgraduate degree” does not always have one answer. A master’s is a postgraduate degree, but it is not the end of the postgraduate ladder.
What this level really means
So, what is a postgraduate degree really?
A postgraduate degree is the level of study that comes after a bachelor’s degree. For most students, it means moving into more advanced, specialized, or research-oriented education through a master’s, specialist, or doctoral path.
The key thing to remember is that postgraduate is a broad umbrella term. It may refer to several different kinds of advanced qualifications, and in some countries it includes awards that are postgraduate but not technically degrees. That is why checking the exact credential matters.
Best understood as…
Advanced study after the bachelor’s degree, usually involving deeper specialization, research, or professional training.
Common mistake…
Assuming every postgraduate qualification is a degree. Some are certificates or diplomas instead.
Frequently asked questions about postgraduate degrees
What is a postgraduate degree?
A postgraduate degree is an advanced academic or professional degree pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree.
Is postgraduate the same as graduate?
Often yes, especially in the United States, where both terms commonly refer to study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Internationally, usage can vary.
Is a master’s degree a postgraduate degree?
Yes. A master’s degree is one of the most common types of postgraduate degree.
Is a doctorate a postgraduate degree?
Yes. Doctorates, including research doctorates and professional doctorates, are postgraduate degrees.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree for postgraduate study?
Usually yes. Most postgraduate programs are designed for students who have already completed undergraduate study.
Are postgraduate certificates and diplomas degrees?
Not always. They are postgraduate qualifications, but they may not be classified as full degrees depending on the institution or country.
