Graduate vs. Undergraduate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
A Graduate has completed a degree program; an Undergraduate is a student pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree.
Difference Between Graduate and Undergraduate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Graduate typically refers to someone who has finished a course of study at a college or university. An Undergraduate, however, is a student currently enrolled in a bachelor's or associate's degree program.
In many educational systems, Graduate studies refer to advanced degrees like master's or doctorate programs. Conversely, Undergraduate programs generally denote foundational courses of study leading up to a bachelor's degree.
The term Graduate can also denote courses, degrees, or students related to post-baccalaureate programs. On the other hand, Undergraduate emphasizes foundational academic pursuits typically before obtaining a first degree.
For a Graduate, the educational journey has culminated in obtaining a degree, marking the completion of a study program. An Undergraduate is still on that journey, working towards the completion of their basic academic degree.
A Graduate often pursues specialized or advanced studies after their basic education. In contrast, an Undergraduate is laying the groundwork, focusing on general education and major-specific courses.
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Comparison Chart
Level of Study
Advanced (post-baccalaureate)
Basic (leading to bachelor's or associate's)
Status
Has completed a degree program
Currently pursuing a degree
Courses
Specialized or advanced studies
Foundational or general education
Degrees Obtained
Master's, PhD, etc.
Bachelor's, Associate's
Duration of Study
Varies (usually 1-5 years)
Typically 2-4 years
Compare with Definitions
Graduate
Someone holding an advanced degree.
As a Graduate, he was well-qualified for the research position.
Undergraduate
A student pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree.
As an Undergraduate, she was active in various campus clubs.
Graduate
An individual awarded a diploma or degree.
Every Graduate was filled with pride on commencement day.
Undergraduate
A course of study leading up to a bachelor's degree.
She decided to major in Biology during her Undergraduate years.
Graduate
A person who has successfully completed a course of study or training, especially a person who has been awarded an undergraduate or first academic degree.
Undergraduate
Pertaining to the foundational years of college.
His Undergraduate thesis received commendable reviews.
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or measuring glass, used especially by chemists and pharmacists.
Undergraduate
Relating to the first portion of a university degree.
He's taking several Undergraduate courses this semester.
Graduate
Successfully complete an academic degree, course of training, or (in North America) high school
He graduated from Glasgow University in 1990
He graduated in the summer with a 2:2 degree
Undergraduate
A college or university student who has not yet received a bachelor's or similar degree.
Graduate
Arrange in a series or according to a scale
The stones were graduated in height from the lowest near the entrance to the tallest opposite
Undergraduate
Of, relating to, or characteristic of undergraduates
Undergraduate courses.
Undergraduate humor.
Graduate
Change (something, typically colour or shade) gradually or step by step
The colour is graduated from the middle of the frame to the top
Undergraduate
Having the standing of an undergraduate
An undergraduate transfer student.
Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
Undergraduate
A student at a university who has not yet received a degree.
Graduate
To change gradually or by degrees
"The most weighty of all the arguments against treating the races of man as distinct species, is that they graduate into each other" (Charles Darwin).
Undergraduate
Of, relating to, or being an undergraduate.
After completing my undergraduate studies, I embarked on a career in publishing.
Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
Undergraduate
A member of a university or a college who has not taken his first degree; a student in any school who has not completed his course. Contrasted with graduate student.
Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
Undergraduate
Of or pertaining to an undergraduate, or the body of undergraduates.
Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
Undergraduate
A university student who has not yet received a first degree
Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
Graduate an income tax.
Undergraduate
Not yet having obtained a first degree.
The seminar was primarily attended by Undergraduate students.
Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
Graduate a thermometer.
Graduate
One who has received an academic degree or diploma.
Graduate
A graduated container, such as a cylinder or beaker.
Graduate
Possessing an academic degree or diploma.
Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
Graduate courses.
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
If the government wants graduates to stay in the country they should offer more incentives.
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
Graduate
Graduated, arranged by degrees
Graduate
Holding an academic degree
Graduate
Relating to an academic degree
Graduate
To be recognized by a school or university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
The man graduated in 1967.
Trisha graduated from college.
Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
Graduate
(transitive) To certify (a student) as having earned a degree
Indiana University graduated the student.
The college graduated him as soon as he was no longer eligible to play under NCAA rules.
Graduate
(transitive) To mark (something) with degrees; to divide into regular steps or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
Sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of.
To graduate the heat of an oven
Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Graduate
To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
Graduate
(Japanese entertainment) Of an idol: to exit a group; or of a virtual YouTuber, to leave a management agency; usually accompanied with "graduation ceremony" send-offs, increased focus on the leaving member, and the like.
Graduate
To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Graduate
To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.
Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
Graduate
To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
Graduate
To take a degree in a college or university; to become a graduate; to receive a diploma.
He graduated at Oxford.
He was brought to their bar and asked where he had graduated.
Graduate
One who has received an academical or professional degree; one who has completed the prescribed course of study in any school or institution of learning.
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
Graduate
A measuring instrument for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts
Graduate
Receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
Graduate
Confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
Graduate
Make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Calibrate an instrument
Graduate a cylinder
Graduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
Graduate
A person who has completed a course of study.
After years of hard work, she became a Graduate of Harvard University.
Graduate
Relating to studies after a first degree.
She was keen to pursue Graduate studies in Astrophysics.
Graduate
Courses or studies beyond undergraduate level.
The university offers various Graduate programs in humanities.
Common Curiosities
What does a Graduate program entail?
A Graduate program involves advanced studies after completing an Undergraduate degree.
How long does an Undergraduate program last?
An Undergraduate program typically lasts 2-4 years, depending on the degree.
Do all Undergraduates proceed to graduate school?
No, not all Undergraduates pursue Graduate studies; it depends on individual goals.
Is a Master's student considered a Graduate?
Yes, a Master's student is pursuing Graduate studies after finishing Undergraduate coursework.
Are there Undergraduate and Graduate scholarships?
Yes, scholarships are available for both Undergraduate and Graduate students.
What's the main difference between Graduate and Undergraduate degrees?
A Graduate degree is advanced and follows an Undergraduate degree.
What majors are available at the Undergraduate level?
Most fields of study offer Undergraduate majors, from arts to sciences.
Can an Undergraduate student take graduate courses?
Typically, an Undergraduate must complete their degree before enrolling in Graduate courses.
Are Graduate courses more challenging than Undergraduate courses?
Generally, Graduate courses are more specialized and can be more rigorous than Undergraduate ones.
What are the prerequisites for Graduate school?
Most Graduate schools require an Undergraduate degree and other criteria like exams or experience.
Do Graduate students usually work while studying?
Many Graduate students work, often in roles related to their studies, unlike many Undergraduates.
Can one become a Graduate with an associate's degree?
Yes, once you complete any degree program, including an associate's, you're a Graduate.
Do Graduate programs always require a thesis?
Not always; some Graduate programs require a thesis, while others may have different capstone projects.
What's the focus of Undergraduate studies?
Undergraduate studies provide foundational knowledge in a particular field.
What's a post-graduate?
Post-graduate refers to studies or individuals beyond the Graduate level, usually after a master's degree.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
