Before choosing your next degree, it’s important to understand how undergraduate and graduate studies differ — not just in length, but in focus, purpose, and career impact. An undergraduate degree helps you explore and build knowledge in a field, while a graduate degree lets you specialise, advance your skills, and often move into higher-level roles.
In this guide, you’ll learn what each level involves, how long they take, what the entry requirements are, and how to decide which path suits your goals best.
What is an undergraduate degree?
Undergraduate degrees are usually your first step in higher education. They give you the foundation to understand a subject and develop the core skills you’ll need in your career or for advanced study later on. Common degree types include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).
Structure and duration
Undergraduate degrees usually last three to four years, depending on the country. In most of Europe, they take three years, while in the United States and Canada, they often take four.
They aim to build a strong foundation for your chosen programme. For example, an undergraduate-level degree in Psychology will cover the fundamentals of psychology, essential research skills, and ethics of the field.
At some universities, you can also combine two subjects and work towards a joint honours degree. In this case, you’ll split your time between two subjects. This is a great option if you’d like to explore different fields or keep your options open (for example Economics and Politics).
Entry requirements
You’ll need to have completed secondary school (high school) or equivalent. Depending on the country, universities might ask for:
- A Levels (UK), SAT/ACT (USA), or local equivalent exams
- Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, if you’re applying to an English-taught programme
Teaching style
Expect a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, group projects, and research. If you’re studying a STEM topic, you’ll also have lab work. Dissertations are common in most subjects, usually involving independent research on a topic of your choice.
Outcomes
Bachelor’s degrees are the most common undergraduate degrees. They’re offered in a wide range of fields, including Arts and Humanities, STEM, and Engineering. Once you graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, you can apply for internships or jobs, or continue your education with higher-level postgraduate study.
What is a graduate degree?
In the United States and Canada, these advanced programmes are called graduate degrees. In the United Kingdom, Europe, and many Commonwealth countries, the same level is called postgraduate study. Both refer to degrees you pursue after completing an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree, such as Master’s and Doctoral degrees.
Structure and duration
A Master’s degree typically takes 1 or 2 years and lets you focus on a specific area within your field. For example, if your undergraduate degree was in General Psychology, you can dive deeper into areas like Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, or Neuroscience for your Master’s.
Most Master’s programmes include a dissertation. You can find different types of Master’s degrees, such as taught (combining lectures and exams), professional (career-focused), and research (independent study).
Especially if you’d like a career in research, you may need to get a doctoral degree (PhD or professional doctorate) after your Master’s. Doctoral programmes focus on original research and usually take 3-6 years to complete.
Entry requirements
To apply for a Master’s, you typically need an undergraduate degree in a related field. If you’re applying for a business-focused degree, like a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), you might need to show a few years of work experience.
Doctoral programmes require a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree, as well as a research proposal.
Teaching style
Graduate programmes are more independent than undergraduate degrees. Taught Master’s degrees include coursework, but MRes programmes and doctoral degrees are research-led. You’ll be expected to work independently, develop well-rounded arguments, and contribute new knowledge to your field.
Outcomes
A graduate degree can help you qualify for higher-level roles, research positions, or academic careers. For example, an MBA degree can prepare you for leadership or management positions in companies. Doctorate degrees, especially PhDs, are usually required to teach and conduct research at universities.
Side-by-side comparison: Undergraduate vs graduate
Here’s a table summarising undergraduate vs graduate degrees, so you have all the information in one place:
Undergraduate degree | Graduate degree | |
Level | First degree (Bachelor’s) | Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) |
Duration | 3-4 years (depending on country) | 1-2 years (Master’s) 3-7 years (PhD) |
Entry requirements | Secondary school diploma, language test, and entrance exams (depending on the country) | Bachelor’s degree, language test, and a research proposal for doctoral degrees |
Structure | Coursework, assignments, exams. Dissertation at the end of the degree. | Specialised courses, independent research. |
Teaching style | Lectures, group work, assessments | Seminars, research supervision, independent study |
Career paths | Industry jobs or postgraduate study | Industry jobs, research, or academic roles |
Main focus | Building an academic foundation | Deepening expertise, advancing career, or pursuing research positions |
Which degree should you choose?
If you’ve just finished secondary school, choosing an undergraduate degree is the natural next step. But if you’ve already completed an undergraduate degree or want to pivot in your career, the choice becomes more complex. Our advice would be:
Choose undergraduate if…
- You’re finishing secondary school and want to start your first university degree.
- You want to explore a field before deciding on a career path.
- You’d like to keep your options open.
- You’re switching careers and want to broaden your knowledge in a new field.
Choose postgraduate if…
- You already have a Bachelor’s degree and want to deepen your expertise in a specific topic.
- You’re aiming for leadership or research positions.
- You want to improve your job prospects in a field in which you already hold an undergraduate degree.
Use Studyportals to find your degree
No matter if you’re looking for undergraduate or graduate degrees, there’s a Studyportals platform to help you find the best option. Check out:
- Bachelorsportal for 120,000+ undergraduate-level Bachelor’s degrees
- Mastersportal for 90,000+ graduate-level Master’s degrees
- PhDportal for 19,000+ graduate-level doctoral degrees
