What Is a Postgraduate Degree? Your 2025 Guide

Postgraduate degrees are often simply called “graduate degrees,” a term used to describe master’s, professional, and doctoral degrees. According to information from the US Census Bureau, nearly 15 percent of US adults ages 25 and older hold a postgraduate degree as of 2024 [1]. 

Getting a postgraduate degree may open new career opportunities or increase your earning potential. Learn more about postgrad degrees, including the different types available and what you can do with one. Afterward, explore online postgraduate degree programs from a top college or university.

What is a postgraduate degree? Postgraduate degree meaning

The term “postgraduate degree” covers everything from postgraduate diplomas to master’s degrees to doctoral degrees. Essentially, any degree that requires an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree as an admissions prerequisite is a postgraduate degree. You might choose to pursue a postgraduate degree for a variety of reasons, including to change career paths, specialize in a highly technical field, or move into a career in research or education. 

Postgraduate vs. graduate degrees: What’s the difference?

While these can sound like two entirely different terms, they are interchangeable. Both refer to degrees that come after a bachelor’s degree, including master’s degrees and PhDs. 

3 types of postgraduate degrees

Pursuing a postgraduate degree can help you gain specialized knowledge, demonstrate your dedication to your field, and even boost your networking capabilities. Postgraduate degrees fall into three main categories: master’s, professional, and doctoral. Explore your degree options.

1. Master’s degree

For many students, a master’s degree is typically the next degree pursued after earning a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the university and field of study, you might earn a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MS). You might also find more specialized master’s degrees. Popular options include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): Business was the most common field of study for master’s degrees conferred in the 2021 to 2022 school year, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics [2]. Earning a business degree, such as an MBA, could be useful if you want to work in sales, finance, marketing, accounting, or supply chain management.

• Master of Public Health (MPH): Many MPH programs focus on approaches to building healthier communities through public policy. Depending on the program you choose, you may be able to specialize in areas like epidemiology, occupational health, global health, health data analysis, or nutrition.

• Master of Social Work (MSW): If you’re interested in a career as a licensed social worker, you’ll first need to earn an MSW degree from an accredited program. Some programs focus on clinical social work—working directly with clients—while others focus on social work as it relates to community organizing or advocacy. 

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA): Many artistic media fall into this category. Earning an MFA might mean undergoing an in-depth study of creative writing, painting, sculpture, photography, or theater. 

What is a professional degree?

Professional degrees are master’s or doctoral programs designed to help you prepare for specific career fields. Common examples include master’s degrees like the Master of Architecture (MArch), as well as doctorate degrees like the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Juris Doctor (JD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), or Doctor of Dental Science (DDS).

2. Doctoral degree

Doctoral degree programs are the highest academic degree you can earn. Common examples include PhDs and professional doctorates such as Doctor of Education or Doctor of Nursing.

3. Postgraduate diploma or certificate

Universities sometimes award postgraduate diplomas or certificates (also called graduate certificates) as a shorter alternative to master’s degrees. Both can demonstrate to potential employers that you’ve gained advanced skills in a specific area of study, which could make you a more competitive job candidate.

Admissions requirements for postgraduate degree programs

One of the biggest requirements for admission to a postgraduate degree program is already having a bachelor’s degree, with a few exceptions. For example, a bachelor’s degree/Juris Doctor (law degree) accelerated program may allow you to apply and enroll in law school before completing your undergraduate requirements. 

The typical prerequisites for advanced degree program admissions vary depending on the type of degree you’re seeking. Consider the following:

• For a master’s degree, you’ll need to graduate from an accredited college or university. You may also need to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), provide an academic writing sample and letters of recommendation, and write a personal statement.

• For a professional degree, you typically need to provide your transcripts, take a standardized admissions test like the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), provide letters of recommendation, and write a personal statement.

• For a doctoral degree, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from an accredited educational institution. You’ll also need to submit references or a letter of recommendation and a personal essay in addition to meeting minimum GPA requirements.

Read more: How to Get a Master’s Degree

How long does a postgrad degree take?

The amount of time it might take you to earn your postgraduate degree can vary widely depending on a variety of factors. The first consideration is the type of degree you’re pursuing. The average amount of time for earning a master’s degree is 1.5 to two years, while the average time it takes to earn a doctoral degree is anywhere from four to six years. Postgraduate diplomas and certificates can take as little as a year to complete.

The type of advanced degree isn’t the only factor that can affect how long it takes to earn a postgraduate degree. Other notable factors include:

• Whether you attend full-time or part-time

• Whether you decide to take time off to gain professional experience or to earn additional money to continue your schooling

• Whether you pursue online courses or additional courses between semesters, which may help you graduate faster

• Whether you have access to an accelerated degree program or an opportunity to earn micro-credentials, which allow you to earn certificates that you can stack toward your advanced degree

• Whether you’ve got ample support from academic advisors and mentors, which can help you complete your schooling faster, particularly in PhD programs

Is earning a postgraduate degree worth it?

If you’re wondering if getting a postgraduate degree is right for you, it helps to ask yourself a few questions. No one right approach to a postgraduate education exists because it depends on so many factors, most of which are specific to your personal situation. Pursuing a postgraduate degree requires you to make a significant investment of time and money. To evaluate if it might be worth it for you, consider these four questions:

• Does it fit your career goals? Not every job and role requires an advanced degree. More importantly, if you’re considering a career that does require one, will you be happy with the day-to-day activities, responsibilities, and hours? Take some time to shadow professionals or conduct an informational interview to get a solid feeling for the role you’re considering and to make sure you’re choosing a career that will be fulfilling.

• What’s the earning potential? Graduate school may require you to take out significant loans. To decide if it’s worth paying for, consider whether you’ll ultimately be earning enough once you’re working to make that debt worth it. Research average starting salaries and job opportunities to inform your choice.

• Will it increase your networking opportunities? By enrolling in a postgraduate program, you can sharpen the necessary skills in your field of study with practical experience. Additionally, the relationships you create with key industry professionals could help you throughout the rest of your career.

• Are there alternatives that might be a better fit? While a postgraduate degree might be the right choice for one person, a professional certification or online course might be a better option for someone else. Look at some job descriptions on sites like LinkedIn to see the common requirements for the jobs you’re interested in, and let that guide your decision on where to invest your time and effort.

How a postgraduate degree may impact earning potential

Many advanced degrees open the door to possibly earning higher salaries, but just as the job outlook varies from job to job, so does your earning potential. Research from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that earnings are highest among people with a master’s degree, professional degree, or doctoral degree [3]. 

According to that data, if you have a bachelor’s degree, you can expect to earn a median weekly salary of $1,543. With a master’s degree, the amount increases to $1,840. Doctoral degrees and professional degrees are close in earning potential. If you have a doctoral degree, the median weekly earnings amount to $2,278, while with a professional degree, the median weekly earnings amount to $2,363 [3].

Explore resources to support your postgraduate journey

Access free digital resources designed to support your postgraduate education and take the next step in your career:

• Watch on YouTube: Can You Go to Grad School for a Different Major?

• Take the quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Read an insider story: How One Software Developer’s Leadership Aspirations Led Her to Graduate School

Pursue your postgraduate degree with flexible programs from esteemed university partners on Coursera.