Postgraduate education

Postgraduate education, or graduate education in North America, involves learning and studying for academic or professional degrees, academic or professional certificates, academic or professional diplomas, or other qualifications for which a first or bachelor's degree generally is required, and it is normally considered to be part of higher education. In North America, this level is generally referred to as graduate school.

The organization and structure of postgraduate education varies in different countries, as well as in different institutions within countries. This article outlines the basic types of courses and of teaching and examination methods, with some explanation of their history.

Types of postgraduate qualification

There are two main types of qualifications studied for at the postgraduate level: academic and vocational degrees.

Degrees

The term degree in this context means the moving from one stage or level to another (from French degré, from Latin dē- + gradus), and first appeared in the 13th century.

Postgraduate diploma

A postgraduate diploma (PGDip, PgDip, PG Dip., PGD, PgD, PDE) is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma. Countries that award postgraduate diplomas include Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Jamaica the United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, India, Ireland, Nigeria, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Australia and New Zealand

Australian and New Zealand universities offer postgraduate diplomas (PostGradDip). A postgraduate diploma indicates master's-level studies. It typically constitutes as the first year of a two-year master's degree. A bachelor's degree is required, although in some rare cases an advanced diploma is sufficient.

Canada

In Canada, a postgraduate certificate program consists of two to three semesters, which can be completed in less than one year in some instances. A bachelor's degree or a diploma is required to be accepted in this type of program. It offers the advantage of not requiring to write a thesis and to focus on a concise subject. It is recommended for students wishing to enhance their professional skills as it concentrates on a more practical application in order to enter the labor market. Depending on the province, the title can vary: Post-Graduate Diploma, Post-Graduate Certification, Post-Baccalaureate or D.E.S.S. (in the Province of Quebec). See links to the Canadian education system, as the various regions can be quite different.

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Education may refer to:

Faculty of Education

Other faculties

Education

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and directed research. Education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators, but learners may also educate themselves. Education can take place in formal or informal settings and any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. The methodology of teaching is called pedagogy.

Education is commonly and formally divided into stages such as preschool or kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and then college, university or apprenticeship.

A right to education has been recognized by some governments, including at the global level: Article 13 of the United Nations' 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognizes a universal right to education. In most regions education is compulsory up to a certain age.