Are you a graduate and planning to pursue post-graduation in the UK? The first question that hits your mind is, which one among the postgraduate “certificate”, “diploma” and “masters” degree will help you achieve your career goals easily and efficiently.
Well, we have come up with the best answer for that very question.
Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are short term, vocational courses offered by different universities in the UK which can help boost your career prospects and provide you with the required skills. They offer practical and advanced information than a bachelor’s degree.
They are beneficial if you want to pursue a postgraduate level course in the UK but do not want to go for any kind of academic research. Also, the post-graduate diplomas and certificates are a better option if you are a working professional and want to change your career. Please note that many of the diplomas and degrees are available as online courses and you can do them from your home country as well.
Postgraduate diplomas and certificates in the UK are similar to each other in terms of being short term courses but bear a few differences as well. Let’s have a look at them -
What is a masters degree?
A masters degree, specifically in UK universities, is a full-time course (usually 1 year) in a particular field involving intense study with a series of modules and a dissertation (research work). A masters degree can be done through a taught process as in the case of Master of Art (MA), Master of Science (MSc) etc. or through a research process as in the case of Master of Research (MRes).
Major differences include:
Degree/ Specifications | Postgraduate Certificate | Postgraduate Diploma | Masters |
Terms | 1 | 2 | 3 (2+Thesis) |
Credits
| 60 *CATS/ 30 **ECTS | 120 CATS/ 60 ECTS | 180 CATS/ 120 ECTS |
Average Fees (full-time courses) | £8,000- £12,000 (~ INR 7-11 Lakhs) | £10,000- £20,000 (~ INR 9-18 Lakhs) | £15,000- £33,000 (~ INR 14-30 Lakhs) |
No. of Modules | 2 | 4 | Vary |
Thesis | Not Required | Not Required | Required |
English Language Test | Required | Required | Required |
Bachelor’s Degree | May/may not be required | Required | Required |
Statement of Purpose | May/may not be required | May/may not be required | Required |
Letters of Recommendation | May/may not be required | May/may not be required | Required |
Work Experience | May/may not be required | May/may not be required | May/may not be required |
*CATS - Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme
**ECTS - The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
The above specifications are subject to change and may vary based on the course and university you choose
Aforementioned are a few other differences among the postgraduate certificate, diploma and masters degrees in the UK.
All three postgraduate degrees in the UK have their own advantages. Now that you know the difference between them, it will be easier for you to make an informed choice depending upon your preference of course, eligibility, requirements and career goals. If still in doubt, feel free to talk to our customer support team.
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