Okay, you’re getting an education and you’ve likely heard the words UG and PG more times than you can count. But what do they really mean? And more importantly - what do they mean to you?
UG stands for Undergraduate while PG stands for Postgraduate. These are levels of learning that you will go through in getting an education. Let’s break them down so by the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll have a distinct understanding of where you’re at and where you can go forward.
What is Undergraduate (UG)
When you hear the term “UG”, it means your first official qualification after school - that is, your entry into a university.
Purpose: To get you equipped with knowledge in an area of study and general study skills.
Duration: A UG degree lasts 3 to 4 years depending on the course and the country. In the case of India, a UG degree would typically last 3 years. But under the New Education Policy 2020, students have the option to pursue a UG degree for a span of either 3 or 4 years.
If you choose to study for 3 years, you can pursue your PG with an honours degree. If you choose to study for 4 years, you can gain an honours degree with research through an additional year of specialized coursework and dissertation, and your PG would be 1 year long instead of the usual 2.
Some degrees last longer than others, like BA LLB, which lasts 5 years, while others come integrated with their PG counterparts, like BTech+MTech. These are called IPG degrees(Integrated Postgraduate).
Examples: The most commonly sought after UG degrees in India are:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Bachelor of Technology (BTech)
Who’s it for: If you’ve recently completed your 12th standard, UG is your next step. It’s about setting the foundation for the building that is your future career. Also remember, you don’t have to stick to the subject that you took in 11th and 12th, though for some tough courses it is recommended that you do.
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What is Postgraduate(PG)
Now, once you’ve obtained your UG degree, you may want to go further - that’s where PG steps in. A PG course usually focuses on specializing in a field, enhancing the quality of your work and knowledge, or even for transitioning to a particular new discipline.
There is no age limit for admission to PG courses, though it is advisable to not have a long gap between your UG and PG.
Duration: A PG degree usually lasts 1 to 2 years, depending on the course. Under NEP 2020, if you pursue a 4 Year UG, your PG Course will last only a year!
Examples: The most commonly sought after PG degrees in India are:
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Technology (MTech)
- Master of Commerce (MCom)
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Eligibility: You are eligible to pursue PG if you have a UG degree
Think of PG as building the upper level of your house - ones that are more complex, more refined to your taste, and definitely more appropriate to what you want.
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Major Difference between UG and PG
Now, let’s dive more into the difference between UG and PG Here’s how the two are different in all the ways that count:
Academic Level: UG is the initial level of university education. PG is higher, more advanced and specialised
Eligibility Criteria: You must pass 12th grade to pursue PG. For PG, you already need to have a UG degree.
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Depth of Study: UG provides you with a general overview of the area of expertise. PG goes in-depth into a specialized field or single topic.
Assessment Style: UG has frequent exams, assignments and projects. PG focuses on research papers, presentations and dissertations.
Skill Development: UG emphasizes foundational skills such as critical thinking, communication, and basic research skills and methodology while PG enhances advanced skills, including specialized research techniques and analytical abilities.
Career Opportunities: A UG qualification can earn you entry-level positions. PG qualifications tend to lead to management or expert positions.
Research Opportunities: UG programs have little to no exposure to research, while PG features extensive research components and often require the completion of a thesis or dissertation to graduate.
Salary Expectations: For the most part, you will earn more when you have a PG degree than you do with a UG degree. But then again, like mentioned before, there are exceptions to this, as you can move farther in some fields or companies without requiring a PG degree. The verdict? Having a PG degree makes you generally eligible for a grander salary package, the exceptions are subjective.
Skills and Expectations
Alright, let’s discuss what you’ll actually be doing and learning on UG and PG courses - and what’s being asked of you at each and every level.
Undergraduate (UG): This is where you begin establishing your foundation. You’ll study a general subject area, get the basics down, and become accustomed to how colleges operate.
It’s like your practice ground - you’ll learn things such as time management, critical thinking, working in groups, and writing in academic language. It’s completely fine if you don’t have it all sorted out yet. That’s sort of the idea!
Postgraduate (PG): When you reach PG, the game shifts a little bit. Now it’s all about specializing. You’re going deeper into a specific subject or domain - conducting more research, working on case studies, writing papers, and sometimes even designing your own experiments or projects. It’s intense, but also really rewarding if you love your subject. You’re supposed to be more self-sufficient, too.
Selecting Between UG and PG Courses
Now comes the question of fact: Which one’s right for you - and when?
If you’re just graduating from school, UG is your natural next stop. But choosing which UG course to pursue should be a product of your interests, strengths, and where you’d like to end up in the future, alongside being aware of what the real world industry requirements and prospects are of whatever path you choose to walk upon.
Already completed UG and wondering if you should pursue PG? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you want to delve deeper into a subject you’re passionate about?
- Are you considering a career change?
- Will a PG degree get you your dream job or promotion?
- Do you have the time and funds for it currently?
Also, quick tip: You don’t necessarily need to dive into PG immediately after UG. Many people take a break, work for a couple of years, decide what they actually want, and then return for PG. That’s perfectly fine - and sometimes even better.
Common Misconceptions
Let’s tackle some statements or rumors you may have heard
PG is simply an extension of UG
Not quite. PG is not about more of the same - it is about delving deeper, posing larger questions, and possibly even questioning what you have learned in UG.
You must do PG in order to succeed
Nope. While PG can definitely open doors for you, it’s not the only path to success. Plenty of people rock their careers with just a UG degree. It all depends on your field and your goals.
PG studies are only for those who are pursuing academic careers
Absolutely not. PG Degree can significantly benefit you in various professional fields, not just academia, by providing you with specialized skills and knowledge.
FAQs
Q. What is an IPG degree?
IPG stands for Integrated Postgraduate. It’s a combo of UG and PG courses, like a 5-year program where you don’t need to apply separately for a Master’s later.
Q: Is a diploma considered UG or PG?
It depends. Some diplomas are UG-level, some are PG-level. Always check the eligibility criteria!
Q. What’s the difference between NEET UG and NEET PG?
NEET UG is the entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses like MBBS while NEET PG is for postgraduate medical courses like MD or MS.
