A graduate student is someone who is enrolled in a college or university and is pursuing a graduate degree, such as a master’s degree or a doctorate. A graduate student has completed an undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, allowing them to enroll in graduate school. A graduate student can enroll in a two- to three-year master’s degree program, after which he or she can continue on to a PhD program that can last up to five years or more. In most countries, it is the highest level of education.
Enrolling as a graduate student, like obtaining a bachelor’s degree, necessitates first applying for and being accepted into a graduate program. The program is often focused on the same topic as the undergraduate degree — for example, a student with a bachelor’s degree in English can also get a master’s degree in English — but students are not required to study the same subject. For example, a student with a bachelor’s degree in English could pursue graduate studies in history, law, or even business. If the two programs are significantly different, it may be difficult for a student with a bachelor’s degree in one field to be accepted into a graduate program in another; for example, a student with an undergraduate English degree may have difficulty getting into a graduate biology program, though it is not impossible.
A graduate student will most likely have more independent work than an undergraduate student. A master’s degree candidate, for example, will be required to write a thesis, which is a lengthy document that elaborates on a specific area of research that the graduate student has conducted during his time as a student. A dissertation is required of a PhD student, and it can take several years to complete. Both types of students usually work with an advisor who can guide the graduate student through the difficult process of writing these documents, but the graduate student is responsible for the research and writing.
Obtaining a graduate degree has several advantages, including the possibility of a higher salary when hired an employer, the opportunity to work in a new field, and the ability to obtain qualifications for jobs that would otherwise be unavailable to the candidate. A graduate student, on the other hand, will spend more money on their education and, in many cases, will be required to apply for financial aid. A student must frequently forego stable employment while pursuing his or her studies, which can be costly.