Difference between undergraduate vs graduate is, an undergraduate is a student currently pursuing a bachelor's degree whereas a graduate is a person who has completed the bachelors is awarded the degree.
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.
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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.
| 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.
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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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