Know the Difference Between Undergraduate and Graduate

The difference between undergraduate vs graduate is that an undergraduate program is a bachelor's degree, and it requires an intermediate degree to enroll in. In contrast, a graduate is an advanced degree, and the candidates pursuing it have completed their bachelor's and are awarded the degree completion certificate.

A high school diploma is required for undergraduate programs, whereas a bachelor's degree is required for graduate programs.

Difference Between Undergraduate and Graduate

The difference between undergraduate vs graduate program is briefly explained below in a tabular format for student’s understanding of both terminologies.

Difference Between Undergraduate and Graduate: Overview

Particulars	Undergraduate	Graduate
Degree Awarded	Bachelor's degrees, Associate's degrees	Master's degrees, Ph.D., or Professional degrees
Common Entrance Exams	CUET UG, NEET, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, State Level and University Level Exams	CUET PG, NEET PG, State Level and University Level Exams
Duration	3-4 years	2 years
Tuition Fees	Lower tuition fees	Higher tuition fees
Course Load	5 to 7 courses per semester	3 to 4 courses per semester
Scholarships Available	Multiple options for financial aid	Lesser options for financial aid
Work Experience	No experience required	A minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience is preferred
Job Opportunities	Entry-level job roles	Senior-level job roles

Who is an Undergraduate?

A student who is seeking an educational qualification at the fundamental level of higher education, the level after high school at a college or university, is referred to as an undergraduate.

• A student in an educational institution who has yet to be awarded a first, especially a bachelor's degree, is referred to as an undergraduate. If a student is pursuing a bachelor's degree at the University of Delhi, they may declare an undergraduate there.
• Those pursuing a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree are usually considered undergraduate students. The broad phrase undergraduate degree is frequently used to describe these degrees.
• In the same context, the term undergraduate is frequently employed as an adjective, as in undergraduate student, undergraduate degree, and undergraduate study.

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What is an Undergraduate Degree?

An undergraduate degree comprises a bachelor's or diploma program. It is the first degree that a student can obtain after graduating from high school and before enrolling in an educational institution.

• It typically requires three or four years of full-time study to achieve this degree, which is often the initial stage of higher education that an applicant can obtain.
• An undergraduate degree serves as a base and provides access to further education.

Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Program

The admission criteria for an undergraduate program are mentioned below for student's reference:

• Candidates must have passed high school from a recognized board of education.
• Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized board of education with a minimum of 50% marks.
• If the course requires an entrance exam result, then candidates must have appeared and performed well in the entrance exam.
• The minimum age requirement is usually 17 years to gain admission in reputed institutes.

Also Read: What is Bachelor’s Degree?

Who is a Graduate?

A graduate is someone who has finished a bachelor's program or undergraduate degree and has been awarded a degree or diploma. In other words, a graduate is a person who has completed a certain degree in higher education or a course of study.

• It serves as a sign that an individual can complete a certain fundamental degree and is eligible to pursue a postgraduate degree.
• Graduation is most frequently used in this context when referring to phrases like university, graduate course, and graduate candidate.

What is a Graduate Degree?

After earning the undergraduate degree, candidates pursue a graduate degree, which is an advanced form of the former, often known as a postgraduate degree. A graduate degree often lasts one or two years and is at a higher level.

• It offers a range of courses leading to Master's, Doctoral, and professional degrees.
• A graduate degree shows that a person possesses the knowledge and abilities required to excel in a certain profession or field, as well as demonstrated mastery of a particular subject area.

Also Check: 5 Reasons to Start a Postgraduate Course

Admission Requirements for the Graduate Program

The admission criteria for a graduate program are mentioned below for students' reference:

• Candidates must have passed high school from a recognized board of education.
• Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized board of education with a minimum of 50% marks.
• Candidates must have passed a bachelor's degree from a UGC-approved university with a minimum of 50% marks.
• If the course requires an entrance exam result, then candidates must have appeared and performed well in the entrance exam.
• The minimum age requirement is usually 21 years to gain admission in reputed institutes.

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