Graduate School vs Undergraduate School
One must know the difference between graduate school and undergraduate school if hoping to pursue higher studies. Graduate School and Undergraduate School are higher educational institutions. Generally, students who are studying to get a bachelor’s degree are called undergraduates. Four years of study in undergraduate schools leads to a degree either in arts (BA), science (B.Sc), fine arts (B.F.A) and so on. Graduate schools are those colleges that offer advanced courses that are to be done after completing undergraduate courses and these degrees are advanced degrees such as Master’s degrees. Only those who have done their undergraduate course are eligible to enroll in these advanced courses. Though there are many graduate schools, Universities, in general, award these degrees and such schools are affiliated with one of these Universities.
What is Undergraduate School?
As a rule, all colleges and Universities provide undergraduate degrees to students who are pursuing graduation. An undergraduate school offers no specialization and the degree that a student gets is of bachelor’s level only. You can study at an undergraduate school if you are interested in a bachelor’s degree. Four years of study is all that one requires for getting an undergraduate degree. Undergraduate course is like a foundation upon which one has to build by perusing a master’s degree to become a professional in his chosen field of study.
An undergraduate course provides knowledge in many fields and not just one area. Thus, a student pursuing BA gets knowledge in many general subjects such as English, History, Humanities and social sciences. However, the same student, after completion of his undergraduate course enrolls for a graduate course in arts has to choose one particular subject to focus only in that subject. For example, Master’s in English. There are some undergraduate schools that do not provide any course after completion of undergraduate course.
When it comes to the course, lecturers are there to guide you in an undergraduate school. You have to do your work but more supervision to your work is given.
What is Graduate School?
Most colleges and Universities provide graduate degrees to those who want to go for higher studies. In layman’s terms, a graduate school can be thought of as a school that provides specialized education to those who wish to become professionals such as MBA’s. If you wish to get master’s degree in any field of study, you have to enroll in a graduate school. You have to undergo another 2-3 years of study at a graduate school to be eligible for a master’s degree. There are undergraduate courses in nearly all graduate schools.
In a graduate school, supervision is minimum. The student is expected to be independent and follow the course with his or her ambition and hard work. However, you can always get the help of a lecturer if you want.
What is the difference between Graduate School and Undergraduate School?
• Graduate school and undergraduate schools are both connected with universities. Undergraduate schools offer degrees that work as a foundation degree programme. Graduate schools offer degrees that are specialized in a field of interest.
• One should have gone to undergraduate school to be able to go to a graduate school.
• The degree gained at an undergraduate school is only of the Bachelor’s level while the degree obtained at a graduate school can be a Master’s degree or a PhD.
• Four years of study is all that one requires getting an undergraduate degree, while you have to undergo another 2-3 years of study at a graduate school to be eligible for a master’s degree.
• There are undergraduate courses in nearly all graduate schools though there are some undergraduate schools that do not provide any course after completion of undergraduate course.
• Undergraduate school has more supervision for students. Graduate school makes the student do independent work.
Images Courtesy:
- NU Diploma By Kkdu101 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Master’s Degree by Sarah Stierch (CC BY 2.0)