What Is Postgraduate? Meaning, Degrees & Study Levels

Postgraduate Meaning: What Is a Postgraduate Degree in Pakistan?

Postgraduate means study at a higher level after you have finished a bachelor's degree. In Pakistan it covers postgraduate diplomas, MA/MSc, MS/MPhil and PhD programmes. A postgraduate student has already completed an undergraduate degree and is now specialising in one field.

What Does Postgraduate Mean?

Postgraduate describes any course of study taken after a first degree. The word joins "post" (after) and "graduate", and dictionaries date it to the mid-1800s.

You will see it used in two ways. As an adjective it describes the programme, as in a postgraduate course. As a noun, often shortened to "postgrad", it describes the student.

Postgraduate vs Graduate: Why the Words Confuse People

British English says postgraduate for study after a bachelor's. American English usually says graduate school for the same thing. Pakistani universities lean on the British usage, though you will hear "graduate" used loosely for anyone with a bachelor's degree.

Types of Postgraduate Degrees in Pakistan

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

A short, practical qualification, usually around one year. It suits people who want a skill upgrade, for example in education or business, without a research thesis.

MA and MSc

The traditional two-year master's route, taken after a 14-year BA or BSc. Browse MA programmes, MA registration details and MA jobs for what follows.

MS and MPhil

Research-focused degrees, usually around two years, built on coursework plus a thesis. They normally follow a 16-year qualification such as a four-year BS. Many Pakistani universities treat MS and MPhil as equivalent in practice, though this depends on the institution and HEC recognition.

PhD

The highest academic degree, centred on original research and a dissertation. Duration varies by university and topic. A relevant MS/MPhil or equivalent is the usual entry route, though rules differ by department, so confirm before applying.

Undergraduate vs Postgraduate: Key Differences

For admissions routes on the first level, see undergraduate admissions and undergraduate eligibility criteria. The full undergraduate overview explains that stage in detail.

Is MA, BS or LLB Postgraduate in Pakistan?

This is where most students get stuck, and where most guides stay silent. Here is the simple map:

BS (four years), BA/BSc, ADP, BEd and LLB are undergraduate. MA/MSc is postgraduate. MS/MPhil and PhD are postgraduate. Medical degrees such as MBBS are undergraduate, while specialist training like FCPS comes after them.

Who Can Apply for a Postgraduate Programme?

Requirements vary by university, but the pattern is consistent. You need a relevant bachelor's degree, typically 16 years of education or 130 credit hours for MS/MPhil. Many universities set a minimum CGPA around 2.5 in the semester system, or second division in the annual system. Several also ask for GAT General or their own departmental test. Final-semester students can sometimes apply while their result is pending, as the University of the Punjab's pre-admission notice shows. Law graduates sitting the LAT have a separate path, so check that page if you are heading toward legal practice.

Why Do a Postgraduate Degree?

Three reasons carry the weight. Specialisation gives you depth in one area instead of a broad base. Career progression matters for roles in teaching, research and management, where a master's is often expected. And research training prepares you for a PhD or an academic path. Funding is another factor, and our scholarships guide shows how to start looking.