What Is an Undergraduate?
An undergraduate is a student who is studying for a first degree after secondary school. Undergraduate study sits at the first level of higher education, before graduate or postgraduate study. In everyday speech, undergraduates are called "undergrads."
Degrees and length
Typical undergraduate qualifications include:
- Bachelor's degrees, such as a BA, BSc or BEng, taking three years in England and many European countries, four in the US and Canada, and three or four in Australia.
- Associate degrees, about two years, mainly in the US and Canada, often from community colleges.
- Foundation degrees and higher national diplomas in the UK, usually two years, often with a vocational focus.
- Integrated master's degrees, such as an MEng or MChem, which combine undergraduate and master's study.
Entry normally requires secondary school qualifications, such as a high school diploma, A Levels, the International Baccalaureate or national equivalents.
What undergraduate study involves
Most programs combine foundation courses with a chosen subject. In the US, the first years include general education and exploration before declaring a major. In the UK, students apply to a specific course of study and take mostly subject modules throughout. Teaching includes lectures, seminars, labs, independent study and assessments such as essays, exams and projects. Many programs include a final-year dissertation or capstone.
Undergraduate versus postgraduate
Postgraduate or graduate study comes after a first degree and is more specialized, with greater independence and research. It includes master's degrees, doctorates and professional programs such as law and medicine in the US. Entry usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Why the label matters
It affects fees, financial aid, visa rules, course levels and how you are treated by institutions. Check whether an offer or scholarship is for undergraduates only.
Related terms
See postgraduate, major, freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, and credit hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an undergraduate degree take?
A bachelor's degree usually takes three to four years of full-time study, depending on the country. Associate degrees take about two years, and part-time study takes longer.
What is the difference between undergraduate and graduate?
Undergraduate study leads to a first degree. Graduate or postgraduate study comes after it and includes master's degrees, doctorates and professional degrees.
Is an associate degree undergraduate?
Yes. Associate degrees, foundation degrees and higher national diplomas are undergraduate qualifications, though shorter than a bachelor's.