postgraduate

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to study or a course taken after finishing a first university degree, typically for a master's or doctorate.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, e.g., 'postgraduate study' or 'a postgraduate course'. Not usually after a verb.

   Patterns

   • postgraduate study
   • postgraduate course
   • postgraduate degree
   • postgraduate research

   She is doing postgraduate research in chemistry.

   He enrolled in a postgraduate program at the University of Manchester.

   The university offers several postgraduate courses in engineering.

2. 2nouncountable

   A student who is studying for a higher degree after completing a first degree.

   Grammar: Countable noun: one postgraduate, two postgraduates. Often used with 'a' or plural.

   Patterns

   • a postgraduate in something
   • postgraduates at a university

   She is a postgraduate in economics at Oxford.

   The library has a separate area for postgraduates.

   Many postgraduates work part-time while they study.

Common combinations

postgraduate degree

He earned a postgraduate degree in law.

postgraduate study

She plans to continue with postgraduate study next year.

postgraduate course

This postgraduate course lasts twelve months.

postgraduate student

Postgraduate students often teach undergraduate classes.

postgraduate research

His postgraduate research focuses on climate change.

Synonyms and how they differ

graduate

In American English, 'graduate' is commonly used for both the adjective and noun where British English uses 'postgraduate'.

advanced

Used for study that is more difficult or at a higher level, but not specifically after a first degree.

Opposites

Word family

postgraduation noun

The period or state after graduating, but not commonly used for study.

Commonly confused: postgraduate or undergraduate?

Practice

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