It’s a big decision to choose the best academic route after school. With so many courses and choices available, one of the common questions among students is, what after 12th or what after graduation? Whether you’re a college newbie or contemplating the next step in your education journey, you’ll want to know the types of college degrees that are out there. UG and PG are very popular degree programs in India. So, recognizing the UG and PG full form, course lengths or eligibility, and the related streams you choose can be a good pick for you. This guide straightforwardly cuts through all of that to help you look through your options without any confusion. Whether you’re actively applying to schools or just beginning to think about it, knowing the shape of higher education can provide some much-needed clarity and direction. Let us make it easy, take your next confident step in your academic or career journey.
What is the full form of UG And PG?
Actually, in the Indian education system, UG means Undergraduate, PG means Postgraduate. These are the two traditional forms of higher education at colleges and universities.
What is UG?
UG stands for Undergraduate for the level of education you can do after 12th grade. UG programs generally go on for three to four years, depending on the course and stream.
Popular UG Streams:
- Arts/Humanities – Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Social Work
- Science – B.Sc., BCA
- Commerce – B.Com, BBA
- Technology – B.Tech, BE
- Design & Fashion – B.Des, B.FTech
- Medical – MBBS, BDS, BPT
What is PG?
UG degree is further expanded as PG (Postgraduate) and is the next level of study after UG. These programs are typically one to two years, and let students specialize even though they’ve already studied a subject.
Popular PG Streams:
- Arts – M.A., MSW
- Science – M.Sc., MCA
- Commerce/Management – M.Com, MBA This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only.
- Technology – M.Tech, ME
- Medical – MD, MDS, MPT
You can also visit Understanding the Key Difference Between UG and PG.
Duration of UG and PG Programs
- UG courses can last from 3 - 4 years based on the program. A B.A or B.Sc program usually takes 3 years, while a B.Tech or MBBS can take anywhere from 4 - 5.5 years.
- PG courses are generally shorter. Most PG courses are 1 - 2 years long. For instance, M.A, M.Sc., or MBA usually takes around 2 years to finish.
Admission Process and Eligibility
For UG Programs:
- Passing the 10+2 (Higher Secondary Education)
- Entrance exam may be required (CUET, NEET, JEE, etc)
- Choose stream wisely as it should be aligned with your interest and career opportunity
For PG College Admission:
- UG degree from a recognized University is a necessity
- Eligibility for some PG college programs may also require an entrance test at the national or state level (i.e. CAT, GATE, NEET PG)
- (i.e a stage of interviews/group discussions)
Students can also check the top PG entrance exams in India.
Types of Colleges Providing UG and PG Courses
India has many public and private institutions that provide a quality education at the UG and PG level. No matter what subject area - arts, commerce, science, medicine - there is a college or institution that will help you reach your goals.
The following are some of the best institutions/ colleges for undergraduate (UG) and post-graduate (PG) degrees:
- Delhi University (DU) – Good for arts, commerce and science; DU has many PG programs also.
- The University of Mumbai – provides numerous UG and PG degrees in a variety of subject areas including media, finance, IT and other fields.
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) - among the top choices for humanities, languages and research-oriented courses in PG programs.
- IITs and NITs - first-rate engineering institutions that offer quality UG and PG (technical) programs such as B.Tech and M.Tech programs.
- AIIMS, AFMC - leading institutes in medical education; they offer UG degrees such as MBBS and PG degrees e.g., MD and MDS.
It can be difficult to choose the right UG College or PG institute without proper guidance. If you are unsure about the right options for you, try our one-on-one expert career counselling service and we can guide you to a college or university based on your interests and future career plan.
Making the Right Choice
Making the right decision regarding your stream either at the undergraduate or graduate level, is very important for laying the foundation for your future career. You should be confident the stream you select will align with your skills, abilities and aspirations in the long run. For example, if you are passionate about being creative, choosing a UG degree in any design or arts may be more suitable for you. If your strengths are analytical, you may opt for science or commerce.
Still not sure what to choose? Take an online psychometric test to find out your personality type, strengths and the most suitable area of study. This scientific-based test can help take out guesswork and assist you in choosing the right UG or PG course.
Why It Is Important to Understand the UG PG Full Form
There is a lot to know about the UG and PG full form in education, which is important if you are going to make important academic and career decisions. When you figure out what UG is, you can confidently explore undergraduate programs after your 12th. Likewise, knowing the PG full form college helps you plan for education beyond your graduation.
In addition, if you are considering different interests, or applying to a PG clg and do not know exactly which level of education you want, clarity of the levels of education can help you achieve goals. If you do not know which level of academic education you want to continue, you can always talk to a counsellor to help you in a meaningful way and ensure that you are positively planning your academic future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. PG diploma or PG degree which is better?
Ans. A PG diploma is shorter and skills-based, being job-ready while at a PG degree level is in-depth and mainly used if one intends to pursue academic or research careers.
Q2. Can I change streams from UG to PG?
Ans. In a lot of cases, yes, having UG in engineering can lead students towards an MBA. However, some PG programs need a particular UG.
Q3. How do you distinguish UG & PG?
Ans. PG and UG are distinguishable based on level and purpose. UG is the base level of higher education, while PG is an advanced level of courses where students usually specialize.
Q4. What do UG and PG Stand for?
Ans. The UG and PG stand for Undergraduate and Postgraduate respectively. UG is intended as any time after 12th and PG when students finish their UG.
Q5. What is the duration of UG and PG in general?
Ans. UG programs are generally 3 - 4 years in duration and PG programs are usually between 1 - 2 years in duration, again academically depending on the course and university.
