Certificates and diplomas
The Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) and Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) are taught qualifications, and are not awarded for research. These qualifications are approximately intermediate in academic level between a first (Bachelor's) degree and a Master's degree.

They are available in a range of subjects, and usually concentrate on one particular area of a subject, rather than the more general approach of a first degree. Many courses are professional, in finance, IT, media and many other fields.

The duration of these qualifications is normally one year full-time or two years part-time. UK Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma courses are widely recognised for their academic or professional value, and are welcomed by employers and academic institutions.

Most education-related first degrees will give holders QTS. However, it is possible to take a first degree in a chosen subject, such as physics, French, mathematics and then proceed to a one-year full-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme that concentrates entirely on education techniques and practices. This programme confers QTS on successful candidates.

Students who qualify for 'home' fee status may be able to study the PGCE programme part-time over two years.

Master's degree (taught)
These courses are generally more specialised than first degrees, and focus on particular elements of an academic discipline, or on professional subject areas that are not available for undergraduate study.

Applicants generally need a Bachelor's degree, with first or second class honours, and in a relevant discipline, to enter taught Master's programmes, although those with practical experience or professional qualifications gained in the same subject area may be able to gain a place.

Courses leading to MA, MSc, and equivalent qualifications usually take one or two years of full-time study to complete, but the length and assessment methods vary greatly between courses.

Tuition and coursework are intensive, with students expected to reach a high standard of work. Many courses are assessed by a project, thesis or dissertation, but some also include written examinations, essays, presentations or 'viva voce' interviews.

Research degrees and programmes
Students usually undertake academic research only after completing a first degree (BA or BSc or equivalent), and often also a second taught degree (MA or MSc or equivalent).

There are several categories of postgraduate research work. Some MA and MSc qualifications are awarded on the basis of research and usually last one year, full time, and may include some taught elements. Such degrees are not as advanced as an MPhil or PhD.