Should you Choose a Postgraduate vs. Bachelor Degree?

If you have decided to opt for higher education, it is always a great decision. After you have opted for higher education, it is essential to decide whether you will be studying for an only under-graduate course or taking up the postgraduate courses as well. Here, we can explore what the real difference between them is and which can be right for you.

The undergraduate degree

The Bachelor’s degree is also known as the undergraduate course. It can be an ordinary degree or an honours degree.

The Bachelors program is usually a three-year course in India but it depends on the course you have taken up. For instance, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), or Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) is usually 3 years but degrees like Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), Bachelor of law (LLB) is of 4 years duration. These courses can be sufficient to get a job and it may not always be a necessity to complete PG courses after under graduation if one is not too keen.

The postgraduate degree

Postgraduate education usually takes place after the completion of a Bachelor’s degree. You need an undergraduate degree to apply for a post-graduate degree program. Some postgraduate courses require the candidates to pass the undergraduate level and also clear an entrance exam to study the post-graduate degree program.

There are many PG courses available in India. Some of the examples are Master of Arts (M.A), Master of Science, (M.sc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Education (M.Ed. or (M.A) etc.

The Post graduate courses have a shorter duration compared to the Bachelor’s degree programs. The Master’s degree is usually for 24 months.

Which one should you opt for- under graduation or post-graduation?

If you have completed your 10+2, and wish to pursue further studies, the first step should be an undergraduate degree. If you do not wish to pursue further education, a short-term vocational course can be enough to start working. Usually, a Bachelor’s degree is required as a minimum to get a good job in the country. Most academically inclined people looking for high-post in the future career takes up PG course after completing undergraduate degrees in their field to gain a deeper specialization in their field.

Hence, it depends entirely on the individual’s choices and their career goals. If one wants to complete both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, then at least 5 to 6 years is required. But if one has time constraints and looking out for job opportunities, a Bachelors degree can get you the job, and simultaneously the individuals can take up PG courses through a correspondence medium to add the qualifications to their resume for the hike in their job positions.

Some professionals like doctors require a post-graduate course like M.D to practice and just a Bachelor’s degree like MBBS for them sometimes stands of much lesser value. Hence, it is an individual’s choice and their career choices which determines the course of academic study they chose to pursue.