Most UK universities accept the Indian graduation system of three years for entry into most postgraduate courses. An Indian bachelor degree like B.A., B.Com. or B.Sc. is equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree.

However, some courses and universities may require a qualification equivalent to British Bachelor (Honours) Degree, which requires 16 years of formal education, which would mean another year after graduation or a four year degree course like B.E., B.Tech or other such courses.

Generally, they lead to four main types of postgraduate qualification:

• postgraduate certificates
• postgraduate diplomas
• masters degrees
• doctorates

Most types of postgraduate qualification will include taught and research elements. Postgraduate qualifications are at ‘masters’ and ‘doctoral’ level on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. The framework shows how different higher education qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.

Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates

Postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates can be academic or vocational qualifications. They normally take 9 to 12 months to complete full-time. The number of lectures and seminars you attend, and projects and research papers you produce will vary depending on the type of course and the college or university you attend.

Subjects available
There are a huge range of subjects to choose from. These are often linked to a specific profession. You can study a subject that’s new to you, or choose a subject that builds on the knowledge and skills you gained during your bachelors degree.

Grades
Grades are normally awarded as:

• distinction
• merit
• pass
• fail

Where they can lead
Postgraduate certificates can lead on to postgraduate diplomas.You can also use a postgraduate certificate or diploma as a route into a specific career or onto further study, such as a masters degree.

Masters degrees
A masters degree is a qualification of academic study. It can be research based, a taught course, or a mixture of both, and will take at least 12 months of full-time study to complete. You may also have to submit a dissertation at the end of your course.

The types of masters degrees available include:

• MA: master of arts
• MSc: master of science
• MBA: master of business administration
• LLM: master of law
• MEd: master of education
• MPhil: master of philosophy
• MRes: master of research

Grades
Most masters degrees are normally awarded as either:

• distinction
• merit
• pass
• fail

or:

• distinction
• pass
• fail

Where they can lead
Some masters degrees, such as in business administration and law, prepare you for a career in a particular field. Others, like the master of research can prepare you for a doctorate qualification.

Doctorates
A doctorate qualification gives you the opportunity to undertake an original piece of research. It will usually take at least three years of full-time study to complete. Throughout the course, you will be expected to work independently, with guidance from a supervisor. The supervisor advises you whether your research is on track and about deadlines you have to meet. You are expected to write a dissertation at the end of your research.

Many doctorate courses lead to a qualification such as a Doctor of Philosophy – a PhD or Dphil.

Grades
Doctorates are usually awarded as either a pass or fail; in rare cases with a distinction.

Summary of Postgraduate Courses