What is a postgrad qualification

Vampireskiss

Ok this may seem like a stupid question but am I right in asuming that a postgrad is for someone that has a degree in a chosen field but wants to do something completely different and instead of going back to do another 4 year degree they can study for just one year have have a postgrad which will be equivalnet to a 4 year degree in that new field?

El Siglo

Here's the wikipedia definition of what a postgrad is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_student#Definition

A postgraduate degree is essentially any course that you may do after your undergraduate degree (i.e. post is the latin for 'after') so it's a course you do after your primary (first) degree. A Postgrad course can be done in anything and it doesn't have to be an unrelated course to your degree (i.e. I could have a BA in Geography, but I could go on and do an MA in geography or MSc in GIS). There are taught postgrads, these are; Master's, HDip's, P Grad Dip's, Dips etc... that have a taught (i.e modules and subjects with exams, and a research project) component, then there are Reseach post grads; MPhil, MLitt, certain types of MSc and of course PhD's that have an almost whole research component. This is the only way that I can answer your question, so I think you've got all the information right there.

claire h

I think you're thinking of conversion courses.

A lot of postgrad courses are designed for people to deepen their knowledge in a particular field and require people to have studied a relevant-ish subject at undergrad level. A masters or a PhD isn't a substitute for having studied something at undergrad, it's additional.

Conversion courses are, to my knowledge, often in the form of postgraduate diplomas rather than masters.