Are you in elementary school or middle school and you don’t know what postgraduate education is, here is an article that defines the term, and also describes the types, eligibility and application process to study at the postgraduate level.
Education is the foundation of a thriving society. It offers value and guidance from the early stages of learning in the classroom. Education develops skills and talent, enhancing knowledge communication skills, and reasoning.
Getting an education from an early age is essential for developing skill sets that evolve into professional character.
According to Wikipedia, educational stages are subdivisions of formal learning and it includes early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education.
Postgraduate education falls under the category of tertiary education. This is the level one attains after completing undergraduate education. Academic degrees conferred at this level, include a master’s degree, postgraduate certificate, or diploma, and a doctorate.
What Is Postgraduate Education?
Postgraduate education is any higher education that is completed after an undergraduate degree or diploma. This is usually a prerequisite for participating in a graduate course. It is an upgrade compared to what a student would have studied, and it is an opportunity to focus on a particular area.
In an increasingly competitive environment for college graduates, a postgraduate degree can set you apart from other applicants who are in the quest for the same jobs.
In the United States, it is said to be a “graduate education” and would be taken by a graduate student.
Alternatively, students can attend medical school, law school or business school to study these particular areas, after which a postgraduate certificate will be awarded in diploma or master’s as the case may be.
Types of Postgraduate Qualification (certificate and study)
Now we are gradually moving into the main goal of this article, which is to the possible types and/or levels of postgraduate education, and study; from master’s to PhD, postgraduate diploma, non-degree, and honorary awards.
What is a Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma?
Diplomas and certificates are types of postgraduate degrees that are more professional and tailored to a specific professional area.
They are also shorter and less intense than a degree. Students can expect to earn a final certificate after 15 weeks and a final diploma in 6 to 12 months (both if they study full-time).
What Is a Master’s Degree?
A master’s degree is a very common qualification at the postgraduate level and is generally referred to as a graduate degree in the United States.
It can be based on research, a course based on teaching, or a combination of both. Generally, Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Arts (MA) courses are taught, while Masters based on the research include Philosophy (MPhil).
But an MSc can also be a research course). “MBA” is a term used to qualify a master’s degree in Business.
A master’s degree usually lasts 1 to 2 years on a full-time basis. If it is a taught course, it is similar to an undergraduate degree offered through seminars, tutorials, and lectures. At the end of the course, a master’s thesis is assessed.
What Is a Licentiate Degree?
This is one of the types of postgraduate study, that is not talked about all the time.
In countries, like Sweden and Finland, there is a Licentiate Degree that is more advanced than a master’s degree, but less than a doctorate.
The required credits correspond to approximately half of the credits required for a doctorate. The requirements for coursework are the same as for a doctorate, but the scope of the initial research required is not as high as for the doctorate. Doctors in the medical field, for example, are licentiates rather than doctors.
In the United Kingdom and in countries like the United States whose education systems are based on the British model.
In the United States, the master’s degree has long been the only graduate course normally awarded, while in most European countries except the United Kingdom, the master’s degree has almost disappeared.
However, in the second half of the 19th century, American universities began to follow the European model by awarding a doctorate, and this practice spread throughout the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, most European universities now offer parallel or substitute masters to give their students better chances to compete in an international market that has been dominated by the American model for years. At the end of this study, a postgraduate certificate is awarded.
What Is a Doctorate (PhD)?
A doctorate or PhD is a research degree that is studied after completing a master’s degree. A doctorate lasts 3-4 years full-time and is based on much more thorough original research by the student.
In contrast to the previous study, where there is more differentiation between professors and students, doctoral students work with their research director on research, which is related to what the department of this institution is already focusing on.
PhD students are also allowed to work as teaching assistants, where they are allowed to teach undergraduate courses and mark works done by undergraduate students.
What Is an Honorary Degree?
Many universities award honorary degrees, mostly at the postgraduate level. These awards are given to individuals such as artists, writers, musicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, etc. To recognize their accomplishments in their various fields. Recipients of these degrees typically don’t use related titles or letters such as “Dr.”
How Are Postgraduate Courses Taught & Assessed?
As we have already emphasized, postgraduate education is structured differently than undergraduate education. Yes, there are a few similarities between the undergraduate courses and the postgraduate courses.
However, the focus is on students being serious and working on their original research. This idea is further reinforced by the fact that they work as teaching assistants, also attend and speak at conferences and are more likely to get in touch with their study supervisors.
The taught postgraduate courses can be assessed in addition to oral presentations through exams and thesis. However, the final qualification and grade for PhD students is mainly about a much longer thesis.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for a Postgraduate Study?
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an upper second-class honour is required for one to enter graduate school. You can take a pre-master course if you do not have the necessary skills and knowledge.
There may even be conversion courses to help you change your path of study. If you have a university degree, you have shown that you have the key qualities to study at the next level. A conversion course complements the knowledge that is required to study a new subject at the next level.
- If English is not your mother tongue, you must also meet the English requirements for the course you are applying for.
- Please note that it is not uncommon for graduate courses to have somewhat higher requirements for English admission than for a similar undergraduate course at the same university.
- Some international students may need to take additional standardized tests depending on which subject they want to study or where they want to study.
- You may also need to interview yourself and show that you have the funds to fund your studies abroad by applying for and receiving the right student visa.
Application process
Compared to applications for bachelor’s programs, the deadlines for applications for postgraduate, ranging from master’s to PhD can be considerably less strict in many countries. Fewer students apply for postgraduate education.
Some deadlines are only a few months before the course starts. However, processing times for applications for graduates can sometimes take longer than for students at the undergraduate level, so you may have to wait longer to find out whether your offer has been accepted. You should always confirm these important deadlines with the institution itself (this could be a question you ask a university).
It is always advised to submit your application as early as possible so that the course you are applying for does not get filled up and your application arrives in good time before the deadline.
Conclusion
Types of Postgraduate study can include the study of qualifications such as postgraduate diplomas, Master’s (master’s), and postgraduate certificates. They are in some cases used as steps towards a normal degree, as part of training for a particular career, or as a qualification in a field of study that is too narrow to justify a full degree course at the postgraduate level.
