What does postgrad mean?
Postgrad is an informal, chiefly British term for a person studying beyond a first degree, usually on a master's or doctoral programme. It may also function as an adjective: a “postgrad course” is a postgraduate course, while a “postgrad degree” is a degree at advanced level. The word is conversational and convenient rather than formal, and is especially common among students and in academic workplaces. American speakers are more likely to say “grad student,” but “postgrad” is readily understood across English-speaking countries. The term covers advanced study after a bachelor's degree but does not specify whether the student is pursuing a master's qualification, a doctorate, or another postgraduate programme. It can therefore convey a person's academic status efficiently without requiring further detail. Overall, “postgrad” is a familiar shorthand for the stage of higher education undertaken after an initial degree.
A student undertaking study beyond a first degree, especially a master's or doctoral programme.
"Several postgrads are working on projects in renewable energy."
Informal, chiefly British, and normally used as a countable noun. It may refer to students at either master's or doctoral level.
Relating to study or qualifications beyond a first degree.
"She has secured funding for a postgrad programme in history."
Usually attributive and informal; the full form “postgraduate” is preferred in formal or academic prose.
The standard plural is informal and chiefly British.
"The postgrads organised a seminar on contemporary poetry."
One word does the job of “postgraduate student”—and lets you sound like you belong in the postgraduate common room.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postgrad come from?
“Postgrad” is a clipped form of “postgraduate,” combining the prefix “post-,” meaning after, with “graduate.” “Post-” comes from Latin “post,” meaning after, while “graduate” derives from Latin “gradus,” a step or degree, ultimately connected with “gradi,” meaning to walk. The shortened form belongs to modern informal academic vocabulary and is now most closely associated with British English.
Related word forms
How postgrad is actually used
Informal and especially common in British English. In American English, “grad student” is more frequent, although “postgrad” is generally understood. The adjectival use normally appears before nouns such as “degree,” “course,” “programme,” or “student.”