Certificates and Diplomas

Postgraduate certificates (PGCert) and postgraduate diplomas (PGDip) are shorter postgraduate qualifications. They're a good route if you're short on time or money compared with a full Masters, and they give you Masters-level knowledge without having to write a dissertation.

What are postgraduate certificates and diplomas?

They're short postgraduate courses that go beyond undergraduate level and give you Masters-level understanding and specialist knowledge. Many universities offer PGCerts and PGDips across a wide range of subjects.

How many credits are they worth?

• PGCert: usually 60 credits
• PGDip: usually 120 credits
• Masters (MA or MSc): usually 180 credits

The main difference between a PGCert and a PGDip is that a diploma takes longer because it's worth more credits. A PGCert is the shortest postgraduate qualification you can study for. Some courses let you start with a PGCert and build up to a PGDip or a full Masters.

What types are there?

Graduate diplomas: sometimes offered to students who have a degree but don't have the specific background needed for a particular, usually very specialist, Masters at the same university.

Postgraduate certificates: these usually require a first degree. The best known is the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education). In England, you don't need a PGCE to teach: you need qualified teacher status (QTS). Many teacher training courses award a PGCE alongside QTS, but a PGCE without QTS won't qualify you to teach in most state schools.

Postgraduate diplomas: these tend to be either:

• professional or vocational, giving you the mix of academic knowledge and professional skills you need to enter a profession
• a prerequisite for a specialist Masters, usually at the same university
• the taught part of a Masters only: you take the same modules as the Masters students but don't do the research project or dissertation

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are often linked to other qualifications or to a profession. Before you apply, check whether the course needs to be accredited by a professional body and whether you'll need any further qualifications afterwards.

How long do they take?

PGCert: usually around 15 weeks, or one term, when studied full-time.

PGDip: usually around 30 weeks, or two terms, when studied full-time.

Part-time study takes longer. For comparison, a full-time Masters usually takes a year, and two years or more part-time.

How much do they cost, and can I get funding?

Fees are set by each university and are usually lower than for a full Masters, because you study fewer credits. You can't get a postgraduate Master's Loan for a PGCert or PGDip: in England, the loan is only for full Masters degrees of at least 180 credits. Teacher training courses such as a PGCE are funded through undergraduate student finance instead. Check with the university for any bursaries or employer funding.

What are the benefits?

PGCerts and PGDips are as challenging as parts of a Masters, so they can help with your career or job prospects. The skills you learn are often vocational and can help you progress at work. They're also quicker to finish than a Masters, and give you the chance to build your network with others in your industry or profession.

Who should study for a PGCert or PGDip?

They're a good choice if you don't have the time or money for a full Masters, if you want a specific professional qualification, or if you'd like to try postgraduate study before committing to a full degree.

You can start looking now for Masters course opportunities with funding on Postgraduate Studentships, or for Masters courses in your subject area on Masters Compare.

Last updated: 30 October 2026