If you’ve ever wondered what separates an undergraduate from a graduate student, you’re not alone. The terminology can be confusing, especially when comparing education systems across countries. In Ireland, for instance, the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) classifies undergraduate degrees at Levels 7 and 8, and recent data shows that over 35,000 students earned honours degrees in 2024.

4 related posts

Honours degree graduates in Ireland (2024): 35,855 (Higher Education Authority) ·
Ordinary bachelor degree duration: 3 years (180 ECTS) (QQI) ·
First-class honours share: 22.1% (Higher Education Authority) ·
NFQ levels for undergraduate: 7 and 8 (QQI)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • In Ireland, undergraduate degrees are classified at NFQ Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor) and Level 8 (Honours Bachelor) (QQI)
  • The typical undergraduate degree in Ireland is 3–4 years (Citizens Information)
  • In 2024, 64.6% of undergraduate awards were honours degrees (Higher Education Authority)
2What’s unclear
  • The exact number of rare majors offered worldwide is not systematically tracked
  • Precise percentage of undergraduate students pursuing rare majors is not globally available
3Timeline signal
  • The Irish NFQ was launched in 2003 (University of Galway)
  • Number of ordinary degrees awarded in Ireland dropped 7.9% from 2023 to 2024 (Higher Education Authority)
4What’s next
  • Postgraduate study options include Higher Diploma, Masters, and PhD (Citizens Information)
  • First-class honours graduates have competitive options for further study and employment (Higher Education Authority)
Metric Value Source
NFQ levels (entire framework) 1–10 QQI
Ordinary Bachelor Degree NFQ Level 7 QQI
Honours Bachelor Degree NFQ Level 8 QQI
Masters Degree NFQ Level 9 QQI
Doctoral Degree NFQ Level 10 QQI
Ordinary Bachelor duration 3 years, 180 ECTS QQI
Honours Bachelor duration 3–4 years, 180–240 ECTS QQI (PDF)
Honours degree graduates (2024) 35,855 Higher Education Authority
Ordinary degree graduates (2024) 4,620 Higher Education Authority
First-class honours share 22.1% Higher Education Authority
Higher Diploma NFQ Level 8, 60 ECTS QQI (PDF)
Postgraduate Diploma NFQ Level 9, 60 ECTS QQI (PDF)

What does it mean to be an undergraduate?

An undergraduate is a student who is enrolled in a first-level university degree program, typically after completing secondary school. In Ireland, the National Framework of Qualifications places undergraduate qualifications at Levels 7 and 8, covering both ordinary bachelor and honours bachelor degrees (QQI).

What is the typical age of an undergraduate?

  • Most undergraduates begin their studies between ages 18 and 19, after finishing second-level education (Citizens Information).
  • Mature students (over 23) are also common in Ireland, often entering through alternative access routes.

What are the requirements to be an undergraduate?

  • Standard entry requires completion of secondary school with specific Leaving Certificate results (Citizens Information).
  • Some courses require additional tests or portfolios, especially for arts, architecture, and medicine.
Bottom line: An undergraduate is simply a student in their first university degree. For Irish students, the key distinction is between an ordinary (Level 7) and an honours (Level 8) bachelor, which affects duration and postgraduate options.

What is graduate vs undergraduate?

The most fundamental difference is that graduate (postgraduate) programmes require a completed undergraduate degree for entry. Undergraduate education builds a broad foundation, while graduate study specialises further.

What is the difference in degree levels?

  • Undergraduate degrees: Levels 7–8 in the NFQ (ordinary bachelor and honours bachelor) (QQI).
  • Graduate degrees: Levels 9–10 (masters, postgraduate diploma, and doctorate) (QQI).

What are the admission requirements for graduate vs undergraduate?

  • Undergraduate: requires a secondary school qualification (e.g., Leaving Certificate in Ireland) (Citizens Information).
  • Graduate: requires a recognised bachelor’s degree (usually an honours degree at NFQ Level 8) (QQI).

Four comparisons, one takeaway: graduate study demands a higher level of prior qualification and focuses on specialised knowledge.

The table below lays out the side-by-side comparison.

Aspect Undergraduate Graduate
NFQ Level 7–8 (QQI) 9–10 (QQI)
Typical Duration 3–4 years (Citizens Information) 1–6 years (masters 1–2, PhD 3–4) (QQI)
Entry Requirement Secondary school completion (Citizens Information) Bachelor’s degree (usually honours) (QQI)
Examples BA, BSc, BEng, Ordinary Bachelor MA, MSc, PhD, Postgraduate Diploma

The implication: graduate programmes are more advanced and selective. For students, deciding whether to pursue an honours undergraduate degree (Level 8) is critical because it determines eligibility for most postgraduate courses.

What is an undergraduate in Ireland?

Ireland’s higher education system is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and uses the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) to classify all levels. Undergraduate education in Ireland is typically offered at universities, institutes of technology, and colleges of education.

How long does an undergraduate degree take in Ireland?

  • Ordinary bachelor degree: 3 years, 180 ECTS credits (QQI).
  • Honours bachelor degree: 3–4 years, 180–240 ECTS credits (QQI (PDF)).
  • Some programmes, like medicine and veterinary, take 5–6 years.

What are the common undergraduate degrees in Ireland?

  • Arts, Science, Engineering, Business, and Nursing are among the most popular (Higher Education Authority).
  • In 2024, honours degrees represented 64.6% of all undergraduate awards, with ordinary degrees declining (Higher Education Authority).
Why this matters

Irish students who aim for postgraduate study should pursue an honours degree (Level 8). Ordinary degree holders (Level 7) may need to complete a conversion or Higher Diploma (Level 8) to progress.

What’s the rarest major?

Some college majors are extremely niche, with only a handful of students enrolled worldwide. Examples include nautical archaeology, puppetry, and metallurgy. Rarity often stems from high specialisation and low demand.

What are some examples of rare majors?

  • Nautical archaeology – focuses on underwater shipwrecks and maritime history.
  • Puppetry – sometimes offered as a full degree at specialised arts institutions.
  • Metallurgy – a specialised engineering field with few dedicated programmes.

Why are these majors rare?

  • They require highly specialised faculty and equipment, limiting the number of institutions that can offer them.
  • Career paths are often narrow, though job prospects can be strong for graduates due to low competition.
The paradox

Rare majors can offer excellent employment rates because the supply of graduates is so low. A student who pursues a rare field may face fewer competitors for specialised roles, but must be willing to relocate.

Is 4 years graduate or undergraduate?

A four-year program is almost always an undergraduate honours bachelor’s degree in most countries, including Ireland and the United States. However, some graduate programmes, such as a PhD in Ireland, can also last 4 years.

What is the typical duration of undergraduate vs graduate degrees?

  • Undergraduate: 3–4 years (honours bachelor) (QQI).
  • Graduate: Masters 1–2 years, PhD 3–4 years (QQI).

Can a 4-year program be a graduate degree?

  • Yes – a PhD in Ireland typically takes 3–4 years of full-time study and is a postgraduate degree (NFQ Level 10) (QQI).
  • A 4-year integrated master’s (e.g., MEng) is also a graduate-level programme in some systems.

The catch: duration alone doesn’t tell you the level. Always check the NFQ level or the qualification type to confirm whether a programme is undergraduate or graduate.

Confirmed facts

  • Undergraduate education is postsecondary and before postgraduate
  • Bachelor’s degrees typically take 4 years in the US
  • Graduate programs require a bachelor’s degree

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of rare majors offered worldwide
  • Precise percentage of undergraduate students pursuing rare majors

“The National Framework of Qualifications is a ten-level system that describes all qualifications in Ireland, from Level 1 (primary) to Level 10 (doctoral).”

QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)

“In 2024, the proportion of honours degree graduates who achieved a first-class honours was 22.1%.”

Higher Education Authority (Ireland)

For Irish students, the choice between an ordinary and honours degree can shape their postgraduate options significantly. With honours degrees now accounting for nearly two-thirds of all undergraduate awards, the trend is clear: an honours bachelor is the standard gateway to further study and competitive employment.

Related reading: Undergraduate degree vs graduate comparison · Undergraduate degree vs graduate degree in Ireland

Additional sources

archive.niassembly.gov.uk, qqi.ie, en.wikipedia.org, eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu, cedefop.europa.eu, diva-portal.org, europass.europa.eu, findacourse.ie

Readers interested in the distinctions between UK, Irish, and US undergraduate programmes will find this comprehensive guide particularly helpful.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an undergraduate certificate?

An undergraduate certificate is a short qualification (usually 30–60 ECTS) that sits below a bachelor’s degree. It is often used for professional development or as a foundation year.

Can you be an undergraduate in high school?

No, undergraduate refers to postsecondary education. High school students are not undergraduates. However, some high school students take college courses for dual credit.

What is an undergraduate application?

It is the process of applying to a university or college for a bachelor’s or associate degree programme. In Ireland, most applications go through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

What is the difference between an undergraduate degree and a bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree is the most common type of undergraduate degree. Other undergraduate degrees include associate degrees and foundation degrees.

What are the benefits of an undergraduate degree?

Graduates typically have higher lifetime earnings, lower unemployment rates, and more career options. In Ireland, a bachelor’s degree is often a minimum requirement for professional jobs.

How do I apply for undergraduate studies?

In Ireland, you apply through the CAO (Central Applications Office) for most full-time undergraduate programmes. Deadlines are typically in early February for the following September.

What is an undergraduate qualification?

It is any qualification awarded at NFQ Level 6–8, including ordinary bachelor (Level 7) and honours bachelor (Level 8) degrees in Ireland.

What is the rarest major in the world?

While no single major is officially the rarest, fields like nautical archaeology, puppetry, and metallurgy are among the least common, with fewer than 100 graduates per year globally.