One commonly used acronym relating to postgraduate study is PGD. It simply means Postgraduate Diploma. Hopefully, you are used to M.phil, M.B.A
Why PGD anyway?
A PGD serves more as a entry qualification for a Masters degree programme. While having a Bachelor degrees would suffice for postgraduate admission, certain situations warrant the need for a PGD.
Majorly, a PGD is needed when seeking Masters admission to a specialization that your is outside the scope of the Bachelors degree. This means, it is possible to switch course of study or career paths, without restarting a new four/five years Bachelors degree.
No matter your new fancy or interest. PGD makes the switch possible and maybe faster. Note didn’t say easier. Case in point, bachelors graduate of chemistry, can do a Masters in Chemical Engineering after a postgraduate diploma PGD in Chemical Engineering.
In addition, a PGD is needed if there was a poor or below standard academic performance. In this case, PGD is needed to prove that the certain prerequisite grade. Its is also needed to show that the student can meet the intellectual demands of doing the Masters degree of the course of study, and the poor performance at previous Bachelors degrees was probably due to exigencies. Doing a PGD, serves as a foundation programme in this respect. Many Universities outside Nigeria called PGD, Foundation Masters or Pre-Masters. They all serve the same purpose.
In Nigeria in particular, PGD is required for HND (Higher National Diploma) graduate by some University before proceeding for a Masters programme.
What type of PGD should you study for?
The are PGD programmes in virtually every course of study. But the most popular seems to be the postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE). This is necessary for all who desire to be teachers at any level (primary – university) but did not study education. There are also PGD in Journalism, PGD in Engineering, PGD in some medical fields and PGD Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Economics etc.
How long for a PGD?
Duration for a PGD programme depends on specific schools. It ranges from a year to two. The shortest time would not be less than 9 months. The duration for a PGD is also dependent types of study, full time, part time, sandwish or distance learning. Do note the unlike M.Phil. PGD is a terminal programme, except in rare cases. Admission for a Masters degree is not automatic, and this prospective student needs to apply formally.
Whatever your choices are, sure you are better informed about what PGD is all about. Any questions? Don’t hesitate to ask in the comments.
Yes, you can do a postgraduate diploma in a related course