What does postgraduate mean?
Postgraduate means concerning study or qualification at an advanced level beyond a first degree. It can describe a programme, course, degree, or body of study, as in 'postgraduate research,' or refer to a person undertaking such work. The term is particularly associated with master's, doctoral, and professional qualifications, although its exact scope varies by institution and subject. In everyday British usage, 'postgraduate' may simply mean someone studying for a second degree, while in American English 'graduate student' is often used instead. Its connotation is broadly neutral, though university marketing can use it to emphasize advanced study and specialist expertise. The word is also sometimes shortened informally to 'postgrad,' as in 'a postgrad course' or 'a postgrad student.'
Relating to education, study, or qualifications beyond a first degree.
"She applied for postgraduate funding to support her doctoral research."
Common in phrases such as 'postgraduate degree', 'postgraduate course', and 'postgraduate student'.
A person who studies for or holds a postgraduate qualification.
"The seminar welcomes postgraduates from several departments."
The informal clipped form 'postgrad' is common, especially in British English.
The plural is used when referring to multiple people who are undertaking postgraduate study or hold postgraduate qualifications.
"Several postgraduates presented their research at the conference."
Postgraduate literally means after graduation: it marks the stage when learning continues beyond the first degree.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postgraduate come from?
Postgraduate combines the prefix 'post-' meaning 'after' with 'graduate', which comes from the Latin verb gradus, meaning 'step' or 'degree', and ultimately from gradi, 'to walk or step'. The idea of advancing by steps developed into the modern sense of completing a course of study and receiving a degree. The combination 'postgraduate' developed in the modern educational system to describe study following a first degree.
Related word forms
How postgraduate is actually used
In British English, 'postgraduate' is especially common in education and employment contexts; the clipped form 'postgrad' is informal but widely used. In American English, 'graduate student' or 'graduate degree' is often preferred. As a noun, 'postgraduate' is generally countable.
Easily confused with postgraduate
A postgraduate studies or holds a qualification beyond a first degree, whereas an undergraduate studies toward or holds a first degree such as a bachelor's.
Graduate can refer broadly to a person who has completed a degree, while postgraduate specifically identifies someone engaged in study beyond a first degree.