postgraduate

American  

[pohst-graj-oo-it, -eyt] / poʊstˈgrædʒ u ɪt, -ˌeɪt /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or consisting of post-graduates.

   a postgraduate seminar.

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noun

1. a student who is taking advanced work after graduation, as from a high school or college.

postgraduate British  

/ pəʊstˈɡrædjʊɪt /

noun

1. a student who has obtained a degree from a university, etc, and is pursuing studies for a more advanced qualification

2. (modifier) of or relating to such a student or to his studies

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Etymology

Origin of postgraduate

First recorded in 1855–60; post- + graduate

Compare meaning

How does postgraduate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• undergraduate vs. postgraduate

Example Sentences

In addition to his work at the Journal, he tutors in the Landscape Urbanism Postgraduate Program, focusing on geospatial research, analysis and cartographic representation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

"The Iranian regime today is really vulnerable," said Mohammed Hafez, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and expert on Middle Eastern politics.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Postgraduate researcher David Vandercruyssen said: "High tides can be limited to existing levels simply by closing sluices and turbines and existing low tide levels can be maintained by pumping."

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2024

For example, “There's things like intelligence collection, which are considered acceptable behavior by nations,” said Neil Rowe, a professor of computer science at the Naval Postgraduate School.

From Salon • Dec. 6, 2023

Postgraduate study was not permitted, but they made an exception in my case because I had established a precedent when I was in Pretoria.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• alum
• graduate