Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas - A Guide

What are Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas?

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are shorter taught postgraduate courses. They include Masters-level content, but take less time to complete.

Many universities offer PGCert and PGDip qualifications as options within a full Masters program. This can allow you to complete a specific part of a Masters and still come away with a postgraduate qualification.

Other Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are more vocational:

• They may be designed as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, providing new skills and training for people in particular jobs.
• Or they may be specific professional training or conversion courses, designed for applicants entering regulated professions such as education or law.

What is a Postgraduate Certificate?

A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is the shortest commonly available postgraduate qualification. You can earn one after a single term (roughly 15 weeks) of full-time study.

What is a Postgraduate Diploma?

A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) is a slightly longer postgraduate course. You can earn one after completing two terms (roughly 30 weeks) of full-time study.

This usually means completing everything in a Masters degree except the final dissertation. A PGDip can therefore be a great option if you just want to study taught content at Masters level, without having to complete a research project.

Comparing Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees

PGCert and PGDip qualifications are often available as options within full Masters programs and are therefore ‘equivalent’ to part of a Masters degree.

The following table makes this clearer:

Transferring between PGDip, PGCert and Masters programs

It’s often possible to switch between postgraduate qualifications within the same degree program. For example, you might enrol for a Postgraduate Diploma and then ‘upgrade’ to a Masters by completing a dissertation. Alternatively, you may be able to exit a Masters program early, but still earn a PGCert or PGDip for the work you’ve completed.

What are the entry requirements for a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma?

PGCert and PGDip programs will normally have the same entry requirements as a Masters in the same subject.

You’ll probably need an appropriate undergraduate degree. The required grade for this will also be the same as for a Masters, with programs typically expecting a 2.1 equivalent or higher.

Professional programs may also require relevant experience. This could be in addition to an undergraduate degree, or in place of it.

You can use our course listings to view the entry requirements for individual Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.

Are Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas cheaper than Masters degrees?

Yes, a PGCert or PGDip will normally cost less than a full Masters. This reflects their shorter length.

A Certificate or Diploma could therefore offer you a more affordable postgraduate study option. This is particularly likely if you are studying with a clear professional or career goal in mind.

If so, a PGCert or PGDip could provide a quicker route into work, whilst still picking up some advanced skills and training!

Funding for PGCert and PGDip courses

Though they’re often cheaper than a Masters, a PGCert or PGDip may not be eligible for the same funding. Scholarships are often intended for full Masters degrees. This also applies to the new UK postgraduate loans, which aren’t available for Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas.

Where can you study a PGCert or PGDip?

The PGCert and PGDip courses described on this page are most common in the UK higher education system.

Other countries offer similar types of shorter postgraduate course.

As in the UK, they may be designed for students who wish to study for a shorter period. Or they may be slightly different.

In Europe, where a Masters often takes two or more years of full-time study, an alternative qualification may be awarded to students who only complete the first year of a course. This will be broadly equivalent to a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, but may have a different name.

In countries with newer higher education systems, alternative postgraduate courses may be offered by universities that do not have the power to award full Masters degrees. Again, these may be referred to as certificates or diplomas, but won’t necessarily be equivalent to the British PGCert or PGDip.

International recognition of Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas

The PGCert and PGDip qualifications are internationally recognised and compatible with frameworks such as the European ECTS credit system. Other short courses may sometimes need to be accredited – particularly if you wish to use them as the basis for further study or employment abroad.

Which subjects award Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas?

You can earn a PGCert or PGDip in any subject. If a university awards a Masters degree in a particular subject, it will normally offer associated PGCert and PGDip options.

Some qualifications are more subject-specific, however. As a general rule, you can dive these courses into three types:

• Academic programs – These are available alongside full Masters degrees in most subject areas. Completing one or two terms of study will earn you a PGCert or PGDip (respectively). Continuing to complete a dissertation will earn you an MA or MSc (depending on the program).
• Vocational programs – These offer development opportunities for working professionals. The shorter length of a PGCert or PGDip allows time for training and skill acquisition, but won’t require you to complete a research component.
• Professional training programs - Some postgraduate courses can allow you to enter regulated professions. These are usually Certificate- or Diploma-level qualifications, rather than full degrees. Common examples include the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and conversion courses such as the Graduate Diploma in Law. Such courses may be longer than academic PGCert and PGDip programs but they do not include full dissertations or award a Masters.

Who should study a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma?

PGCert and PGDip courses are ideal for anyone interested in postgraduate study, but unable to commit to the time required for a full Masters degree.

They’re also perfect for people who aren’t interested in academic research. A Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma gives you the opportunity to learn more about a subject, without having to go on and complete a dissertation.

Remember that a PGCert or PGDip may offer the option to upgrade to a full Masters degree – perfect if your interests or circumstances change after completing your course.

PhD study after a PGCert or PGDip

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas may not be sufficient as a prerequisite for doctoral research. If a PhD requires applicants to hold a Masters, you should check whether a PGCert or PGDip is also acceptable.

PGCert and PGDip programs for professionals

It’s not just fresh graduates who should consider a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. If you’re already in work, but looking to ‘upskill’ yourself, a shorter postgraduate course could be ideal.

PGCert, PGDip, or Masters?

The answer to this question really depends on what you want from postgraduate study. If you’re preparing for a specific job and know that a shorter course will do, there’s little point committing to a full Masters. But if you want to carry out your own independent scholarship, a PGDip or PGCert may not satisfy you. Why not check out our guides to common types of Masters degree such as the MA or MSc? Knowing more about the alternatives may help you make a decision.

What’s it like to study a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma?

In most cases a PGCert or PGDip will be a lot like a Masters in the same subject. (Particularly if your course forms part of a wider degree program).

You’ll study for a shorter period, but your course content will be organised in the same way as a taught Masters and the material you study will be at the same level.

In most cases you’ll complete separate modules, each with their own assessments.

As a rule of thumb you can expect a PGCert to include two modules over one semester, whilst a PGDip will probably include four over two. This may vary slightly, depending on the credit weighting for modules on your course.

How long is a Postgraduate Certificate?

A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) course normally requires one term (around 15 weeks) of full-time study.

Some programs may be longer, particularly if they are designed for professionals studying and working part-time.

Note that the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is slightly different to a standard PGCert. It requires a full year of study, including placements.

How long is a Postgraduate Diploma?

A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) normally lasts for two terms (around 30 weeks) of full-time study. This is equivalent to completing all the taught content on a standard MA or MSc, but not continuing on to a dissertation.

As with PGCert courses, some professional PGDip programs may be longer. These are usually part-time courses, designed as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) options.

How many credits is a Postgraduate Certificate worth?

A PGCert normally carries a third of the credit value of a full Masters. In the UK this will be 60 CATS credits, equivalent to 30 European ECTS credits.

How many credits is a Postgraduate Diploma worth?

A PGDip is worth twice as many credits as a PGCert and two thirds of the credit value of a full Masters degree. In the UK this will be 120 CATS credits, equivalent to 60 European ECTS credits.

How are Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas assessed?

Academic PGCert and PGDip programs will be assessed in much the same way as an equivalent Masters degree.

You’ll complete coursework essays or other assignments for each module and these will collectively determine your grade. Exams are unlikely and you won’t have to produce a dissertation.

Professional programs may include more practical assessments and tests of your competency in key skills or proficiencies.

Postgraduate research on a PGCert or PGDip

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas usually consist entirely of taught units. This doesn’t meant they won’t require you to study independently – you’ll still need to carry out your own self-directed work for essays, etc. But if you want to do research work as a postgraduate you should consider a different postgraduate qualification.

How are Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas graded?

Your Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma will normally be graded in the same way as a Masters degree.

In the UK qualifications will be awarded with Pass, Merit or Distinction depending on the final mark for your course:

Search for a PGCert or PGDip now

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