What Is A Postgraduate Student? A Definition

What is a postgraduate student?

In simple terms, a postgraduate student is anyone who is studying a postgraduate course, including a masters degree, an MPhil and a PhD, and usually these courses require the student to have an undergraduate degree as part of the entry requirements. There are plenty of people studying at university, and in the UK 883,635 of them were postgraduates in 2022/23, according to HESA figures, so postgraduate study remains a major part of higher education.

There are a few different ways that postgraduate students can study, and various study strategies that they may choose to employ, and it doesn't matter if they study full time, part time or even online, whatever their schedule, they are all postgraduate students.

Full-time postgraduate students

Studying full time is a popular choice for students who have just completed their undergraduate degree and already know that a postgraduate qualification is required for their career plans. It can be a difficult transition for students who have given up full-time employment to return to university as a full-time student.

Many taught masters degrees in the UK still run full time, and they are often completed in one year, although some courses can take longer depending on subject and structure. Students who go on to research degrees such as an MPhil or PhD are also often full-time students, and many will combine study with teaching, demonstrating or departmental support roles depending on the institution and funding arrangement.

It is common for international students in the UK to study full time because visa conditions are generally tied to full-time enrolment for most sponsored study routes, although the exact position depends on the course and immigration category. Full-time postgraduate study can be intensive, but many universities now support students with careers guidance, research training, wellbeing services and skills workshops to help make the transition back to academic life easier.

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Part-time postgraduate students

Studying a postgrad program part time is a popular choice for students who are slightly older or have more responsibilities such as looking after children, caring for others or working full time. Many professionals will have long-term career plans in mind and might have the backing or sponsorship from their employer for a part-time course, especially professional courses that lead to a professional qualification.

Working and studying part time is still a significant undertaking, and many part-time masters degrees now last two years or longer, depending on how the course is structured and how many modules are taken each year. Universities increasingly offer evening classes, block teaching, blended delivery, or flexible timetabling for part-time learners, although availability varies by subject and institution. There are some PhD students who study part time, and this is usually because they do not have the necessary funding lined up or it is not available for their subject.

Distance learning and online postgraduate student

There are a large number of universities and institutions that cater for postgraduate students who need or want to study by distance learning or online, and most universities have some form of online learning.

Distance learning is usually a combination of textbooks and reading materials, online lectures, virtual seminars, recorded teaching, and occasional residential sessions, depending on the course. Online students tend to be based entirely online and there may be no need to ever attend the campus where the course is based, although some programs still include optional or compulsory in-person sessions.

Postgraduate students who work this way tend to be professionals working full time as the coursework can be completed in the evenings. This makes the courses an intensive undertaking and the postgraduate student will need to be highly motivated to continue working without other students around them. Some postgraduate students find this way of working isolating and difficult compared to a campus-based full-time course.

Online and blended postgraduate study has become a well-established option across a wide range of subjects, including masters degrees, diplomas and short credit-bearing courses. That flexibility makes it especially useful for students balancing work, family, or relocation constraints, but it still requires strong time management and independent study habits.

Getting the balance right

Postgraduate students are all experienced in the academic work and research necessary for their subject and spend a great deal of time completing independent study projects. This means that the little free time that they spend socialising and relaxing outside of their courses is important as many postgraduate students are very focused on their future careers.

It is vital for postgraduate students to take time to view the long-term picture by networking with people in the industry or area they want to enter after completing their course.

For many students, that also now includes joining online alumni groups, attending webinars, taking part in research conferences, and keeping in touch with professional networks on LinkedIn, which can be just as useful as traditional face-to-face networking. A postgraduate course is not only about the qualification itself, but also about the contacts, confidence and subject knowledge that build over time.

Different types of postgraduate student

What is a postgraduate student? Stereotypes exist for a reason, and when it comes to postgraduates there are some student stereotypes that you are likely to encounter during your postgraduate journey. Here are five of the most common postgraduate students that you are likely to encounter.

The Panicker – despite presumably having done well in SATs, GCSEs, A-Levels, a bachelors degree and perhaps even a masters degree, ‘The Panicker’ still freaks out about every single exam. Even the hint of an upcoming essay sees their nails bitten down to the quick, and blurry evenings of Pro Plus and books piled high.

The Wise Mature Student – like Gandalf mixed with Yoda, ‘The Wise Mature Student’ spends most of their time nodding and smiling to themselves about the things us mere mortals say in seminars. When they do deign to speak, make sure you’re listening and be ready to write it down because it’s going to be the best thing you’ve heard all day!

The Over-Enthusiastic Postgrad – at this point in your educational journey, you probably love your subject in the same way that one loves a slightly-errant brother: yes you love them, but a lot of the things they do irritate you to the core. Not so with ‘The Over-Enthusiastic Postgrad’. When they say they love their subject they mean ‘LOVE’ in capital letters.

The Quiet One – it’s a cliché, but it’s a particularly true one, it’s always ‘The Quiet One’ that you need to watch. They’ve spent years observing and listening rather than talking, and this means they not only know everything there is to know about the course, but they probably also know all your deepest darkest secrets too. It’s well worth taking them out for a drink: not only will they reveal their wisdom, but they’re famously fun when they’ve had a drink and it’s after midnight, kind of like postgrad Gremlins!

The Sport's Team Terror – they must study at some point, but you will never see them doing it. Instead, you’ll see a lot of photos on their social media streams from their nights out with the sports team and hear many stories about their exploits. They’ve been like this since school and have never lost that party spirit, yet still they succeed in their postgraduate academic qualification.

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