Graduate

Analytic Quality Glossary

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Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004–11, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/

This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for amendments or additions. Page updated 17 January, 2012

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Graduate

core definition

A graduate is someone who has successfully completed a higher education programme at least at bachelor degree level.

explanatory context

Graduate is a slightly confusing term because in some settings it refers to students who have completed and left an institution (and thus equivalent to alumnus) and in others students who are undertaking postgraduate study. Postgraduate study may be post-bachelor in some counties and thus include masters but may be post-masters in other countries.

In the UK, someone undertaking doctoral study, for example, would be referred to as a postgraduate, while in the US this would be a graduate student.

In some countries, students completing secondary school are also called graduates.

analytical review

Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) (2003) defines graduate as:

Someone who has attained a bachelor's or higher degree.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) (2004) offer a similar definition:

A student who has successfully completed a Primary Degree at an institution of higher education.

University of Canterbury (undated) states:

A graduate is a person who has met the requirements for a degree and been awarded it.

Graduate qualifications normally involve study in an area other than the area of your first degree. They allow you to change subject areas and some prepare you for employment in a certain field, eg, journalism, teaching. Graduate qualifications include graduate certificates and diplomas.

associated issues

related terms