Modern society places much importance on attaining higher education and on the ability to achieve career success in the future. Almost every student these days has a dream of continuing higher education after finishing school and they can do so under the following categories: UG and PG.
We are sure every student must have come across these terms. UG Full Form is Undergraduate which is the first level of higher education after a student has completed secondary education. The undergraduate programs include bachelor’s degrees in disciplines like arts, science, commerce, and engineering.
Whereas PG full form is Postgraduate, which means the immediate next level or the second level of higher education that a student can pursue after finishing his/her undergraduate degree. Postgraduate programs include Master’s degrees, PhDs, or other advanced level of study in various fields.
For students who are planning to pursue higher education, it is important for them to know and understand what UG and PG courses are. It will help them identify what level of education they are pursuing and make informed decisions about their future career opportunities. In this blog, we will talk about the UG and PG full form, what UG and PG means in education, and will also explore the differences and other related information.
A UG degree means Undergraduate, which is a degree that learners seek at the first level of higher education after they complete their 12th. This degree is achieved at a college or university that provides students with a bachelor’s degree such as B.Com, B.Sc., B.Tech., B.A, etc.
PG stands for Postgraduate which is a two-year degree course, also known as a master’s degree course. Students pursue this degree course after completing their first level of higher education.
Choosing Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses is one of the most crucial decisions of a student’s life that can make a significant impact on their academic or professional life. Below are a few compelling reasons why UG PG courses require careful consideration:
In this section of the blog, we will talk about various factors like eligibility criteria for the UG PG program, their duration, fees, popular courses, and their related UG PG course entrance exams.
For pursuing an undergraduate course, the student must have passed 10+2 from a recognized school or board. Additionally, the students must pass the required entrance exams linked with certain UG courses.
To secure admission into a postgraduate course, the candidate must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. However, the candidates might need to appear in the entrance exams that are related to certain PG courses.
After the introduction of the new education policy, students have been confused about the duration of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The undergraduate program takes 3-4 years to complete while the postgraduate course takes 1-2 years to complete. However, the exact duration solely depends on the course and institution.
Domain | Undergraduate(UG) | Postgraduate(PG) |
Level of Education | First higher education level | Follows completion of undergraduate degree |
Duration | 3 to 4 years | 1 to 2 years |
Entry Requirements | High School diploma or equivalent | Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field |
Focus | A broad overview of a chosen discipline | Specialized study and research |
Degree | Bachelor’s Degree (e.g., B.A., B.Sc.) | Master’s Degree (e.g., M.A., M.Sc., MBA) |
Research | Limited research involvement | Significant research component |
Thesis/Dissertation | Not typically required | Often required, significant research project |
Career Path | Entry-level positions, further education possible | Specialization, advanced roles, academia |
Workload | Moderate workload with structured courses | Heavier workload, self-directed study |
Job Opportunities | Entry-level positions in the chosen field | Higher-level positions, industry expertise |
There are many domains in which you can pursue your UG and PG specializations. They ot only help you gain knowledge but also equip you with the practical skills that are a must in this competitive world. These courses are really high in demand and can earn you a good lifestyle.
Given below is the list of courses in multiple domains:
Domain | Popular UG Courses | Popular PG Courses |
Management |
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Medicine |
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Animation |
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Agriculture |
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Computer and Information Technology |
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Mass Communication |
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Hotel Management |
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The average tuition fees of UG and PG courses also differ in India depending on the location, type of course, and type of college or university. To some extent, open aus undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), and Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) can start from INR 10,000 per month and go to INR 1,00,000 per year. Undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and Bachelor of Computer Applications can start from INR 50,000 to 3,00,000 per year.
Postgraduate courses like Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Bachelor of Commerce can start from INR 10,000 to INR 2,00,000 per year. Professional PG courses like Master of Engineering, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Computer Applications can start from INR 50,000 and go to INR 20,00,000 per year. However, these are just estimated costs and they can vary depending on the course and location of the institution.
UG Course Entrance Exams | PG Course Entrance Exams |
- Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission to engineering colleges | - Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) for admission to postgraduate engineering courses |
- National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges | - Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to postgraduate management courses |
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission to law colleges | - Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for admission to postgraduate management courses |
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) entrance exam for admission to medical colleges | - National Eligibility Test (NET) for admission to P.hD and M.Phil programs |
- National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) for admission to science courses | - Common Entrance test (CET) for admission to postgraduate courses in various fields |
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance test for admission to fashion and design courses | - All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) PG entrance exam for admission to postgraduate medical colleges |
- National Institue of Design (NID) for admission to design courses | - Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for admission to postgraduate agricultural courses |
Now that you know what is the full form of PG and UG, what the PG and UG program means, and other related information; it is now time for you to explore these courses more in order to choose the best one for your future.
We have tried our best to provide you with the information that can help you choose a UG or PG program. Still got questions? Just try connecting with the industry experts. Yes, that’s right. You can get your queries answered by our career counselling experts. Just pick up your phone and connect with BYC - the best career counselling institute in Ahmedabad!