An undergraduate degree is a college-level degree earned before graduate study. In most systems, the main undergraduate degrees are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree.
TL;DR
An undergraduate degree is a degree earned before graduate or postgraduate study.
The main undergraduate degrees are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree.
Associate degrees often take about 2 years, while bachelor’s degrees often take about 4 years of full-time study.
After undergraduate study, students may continue to graduate-level degrees such as a master’s or doctorate.
Table of Contents
What is undergraduate?
In higher education, undergraduate refers to the stage of study that comes before graduate or postgraduate education. It covers the first main levels of college and university study after secondary education.
In practical terms, undergraduate study is where students earn their first college degrees, build general and subject-specific knowledge, and prepare either for employment or for more advanced academic study later on.
Simple definition: undergraduate means college study before the graduate level.
What is an undergraduate degree?
An undergraduate degree is a college or university degree earned at the undergraduate level. It is the first main category of higher education degrees that students usually complete before moving into graduate study.
The two main undergraduate degree types are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree. These degrees differ in length, depth, and academic level, but both belong to the undergraduate category.
What types of undergraduate degrees are there?
Associate degree
An associate degree is usually a shorter undergraduate credential, often requiring about two years of full-time study. Common types include the AA, AS, and AAS.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is a higher undergraduate credential that usually requires about four years of full-time study. Common types include the BA, BS, and BAS.
What is an associate degree?
An associate degree is a sub-bachelor’s undergraduate degree often earned in about two years of full-time study. It can support direct workforce entry, technical training, or transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
The most common associate degree types are the AA, AS, and AAS.
What is a bachelor’s degree?
A bachelor’s degree is a baccalaureate-level undergraduate degree usually earned after about four years of full-time study. It is one of the most widely recognized university qualifications and often serves as the standard academic foundation for both employment and graduate education.
The most common bachelor’s degree types are the BA, BS, and BAS.
How many credits and years does undergraduate study usually take?
There is no single number for all undergraduate degrees because the undergraduate level includes more than one type of credential. In many systems, associate degrees are shorter and bachelor’s degrees are longer.
As a general rule, many associate degrees are built around about 2 years of full-time study, while many bachelor’s degrees are built around about 4 years of full-time study. In U.S. colleges, this often translates roughly into around 60 credits for associate degrees and around 120 credits for bachelor’s degrees, although exact requirements vary by institution and program.
Associate level
Often around 2 years of full-time study and commonly near 60 credits.
Bachelor’s level
Often around 4 years of full-time study and commonly near 120 credits.
Why it varies
Transfer credits, part-time study, local systems, major structure, and institution-specific requirements can change the timeline.
What is the difference between an undergraduate and a graduate degree?
An undergraduate degree is earned before the graduate level. A graduate degree is pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree or another qualifying undergraduate pathway, depending on the system.
In simple terms, undergraduate study is the first main stage of higher education, while graduate study is the more advanced stage that follows it.
What comes after undergraduate study?
After undergraduate study, students may move into graduate or postgraduate education. The most common next step is a master’s degree, although some academic and professional systems also lead toward doctoral or other advanced pathways later on.
This is why the undergraduate level matters so much: it often acts as the academic base for both career development and future higher-level study.
Final verdict
An undergraduate degree is the first major academic credential in higher education. It includes both associate and bachelor’s degrees and serves as the foundation for many careers and future graduate study.
Related degree guides
Undergraduate degree FAQs
What is an undergraduate degree?
An undergraduate degree is a college or university degree earned before graduate study. The main types are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree.
What does undergraduate mean?
Undergraduate means the level of higher education that comes before graduate or postgraduate study.
What are the main types of undergraduate degrees?
The main undergraduate degrees are the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree.
How long does undergraduate study usually take?
It depends on the degree type. Many associate degrees take about two years, while many bachelor’s degrees take about four years of full-time study.
Is a bachelor’s degree undergraduate?
Yes. A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree.
What comes after an undergraduate degree?
After an undergraduate degree, students may continue into graduate-level education such as a master’s degree.