Difference Between Postgraduate and Masters
Dr. Karan Gupta is a Harvard Business School alumnus and career counsellor with 27+ years of experience and 160,000+ students guided. His insights on Postgraduate come from decades of hands-on experience helping students achieve their goals.
What is a Master’s Degree?
- Definition and academic level
- Types (MA, MSc, MBA, MEng, etc.)
- Duration and structure
- Admission requirements
- Benefits of pursuing a master’s degree
What is a Postgraduate Diploma?
- Definition and academic scope
- Common fields offering PG Diplomas
- Duration and structure
- Admission criteria
- Benefits of a PG Diploma (cost, time efficiency, skill focus)
Difference Between PG Diploma and Master's
| Feature | PG Diploma | Masters |
| Duration | 1 year (in most cases) | 1–2 years |
| Qualification Level | Postgraduate diploma (in the UK, usually 120 credits, against 180 for a taught master's) |
Full academic degree |
| Focus | Practical and skill-based learning |
Research and theory-based learning |
| Career Opportunities | Mid-level roles |
Advanced roles, research, teaching |
| Cost | Generally more affordable | More expensive |
| Thesis/Dissertation | Usually not required | Often required |
Popular Master’s and PG Diploma Degrees
| Master’s Degree | PG Diploma |
|
MBA (Master of Business Admin.) |
PGDM (Postgraduate Diploma in Mgmt.) |
| MSc in Data Science |
PG Diploma in Data Analytics |
| MA in Psychology |
PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology |
| MEng in Mechanical |
PG Diploma in Industrial Engineering |
| Master in Computer Science |
PG Diploma in IT Management |
Fees change every year and vary by programme, so treat the figures below as a guide and check each university's fee page. Rupee amounts use exchange rates from 30 October 2026 and are rounded.
Top Universities for Postgraduate for Indian Students
| University | Tuition guide (INR) |
| University of Toronto | About ₹23 lakh a year for an M.A.Sc. (CAD 33,460) to ₹50 lakh for an M.Eng. (CAD 72,850), 2026-27 |
| University of Melbourne | Varies by programme; see the university's fee page |
|
London School of Economics (LSE) |
Varies by programme; about ₹53 lakh for the LLM (GBP 41,900 for overseas students starting in 2027-28) |
|
University of British Columbia |
Varies by programme; see the university's fee page |
|
National University of Singapore |
Varies by programme; see the university's fee page |
Top Universities for Masters for Indian Students
| University | Tuition guide (INR) |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Tech (MIT) |
About ₹63 lakh for 9 months of graduate tuition in 2026-27 (USD 66,720) |
| Stanford University | About ₹62 lakh a year at the standard graduate rate in 2026-27 (USD 21,815 per quarter, three quarters); some schools differ |
| University of Oxford | Varies by programme; see the university's fee page |
| ETH Zurich | About ₹5 lakh a year for most international students (CHF 2,190 per semester), plus semester fees |
| University of Cambridge | Varies by course and college; see the university's fee page |
Jobs After Pursuing Postgraduation
Jobs After Pursuing Masters
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Dr. Karan Gupta
Founder & Chief Education Consultant
Harvard Business School alumnus and India's leading career counsellor with 27+ years guiding 160,000+ students to top universities worldwide. Licensed MBTI® practitioner. Managing Director of IE University (India & South Asia).
