Graduand vs. Graduate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A "graduand" is a student who has completed their studies and is awaiting graduation, while a "graduate" is someone who has already received their degree or diploma.
Key Differences
"Graduand" refers to a student who has fulfilled the requirements for their degree but has not yet officially graduated, as in "As a graduand, she is preparing for the commencement ceremony." A "graduate," however, is someone who has already completed their studies and received their degree, exemplified by "After the ceremony, she became a university graduate."
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Nov 19, 2023
"Graduand" is often used in the context of graduation ceremonies, indicating a pending status of graduation, as in "Graduands will gather in the hall before the event." In contrast, "graduate" is used post-ceremony or in a broader context, such as "Graduates of the class of 2023 celebrated their achievement."
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The term "graduand" implies a transitional phase in academic life, standing at the threshold of achieving a degree. On the other hand, "graduate" signifies the completion of this transition, marking the start of post-academic life or further studies, as in "Graduates often pursue careers or advanced degrees."
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While "graduand" acknowledges the completion of academic requirements, it doesn’t confer the full status of a degree holder until graduation. "Graduate" denotes the recognition and conferment of the academic degree, as in "She is now a graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Biology."
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The term "graduand" is more commonly used in certain regions, such as the UK and Commonwealth countries, while "graduate" is universally recognized in academic contexts worldwide. The usage of "graduand" can be seen in academic documentation and ceremonies, whereas "graduate" is used in a wider range of contexts, including employment and professional settings.
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Comparison Chart
Academic Status
Completed studies, awaiting graduation
Already received degree or diploma
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Phase of Transition
Transitional, awaiting conferment of degree
Transition completed, degree conferred
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Recognition
Acknowledgment of completed requirements
Recognized as a degree holder
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Graduand and Graduate Definitions
Graduand
Academic Achievement
The graduand felt proud of her academic journey.
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Graduand
Pre-Graduate Status
Graduands will have a special rehearsal for the ceremony.
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Graduate
Alumni Status
Graduates of the program often return as guest speakers.
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Graduand
Pending Degree Recipient
He is listed as a graduand in the program.
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Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
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Graduand
Awaiting Graduation
As a graduand, she was excited for the commencement.
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Graduate
To change gradually or by degrees
"The most weighty of all the arguments against treating the races of man as distinct species, is that they graduate into each other" (Charles Darwin).
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Graduand
A student who has completed the requirements for, but has not yet been awarded, a particular degree.
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Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
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Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
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Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
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Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
Graduate an income tax.
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Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
Graduate a thermometer.
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Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
Graduate courses.
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Graduate
A person who is recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
If the government wants graduates to stay in the country they should offer more incentives.
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Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
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Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
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Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
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Graduate
To be recognized by a school or university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
The man graduated in 1967.
Trisha graduated from college.
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Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
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Graduate
(transitive) To certify (a student) as having earned a degree
Indiana University graduated the student.
The college graduated him as soon as he was no longer eligible to play under NCAA rules.
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Graduate
(transitive) To mark (something) with degrees; to divide into regular steps or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
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Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
Sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
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Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of.
To graduate the heat of an oven
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Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
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Graduate
(Japanese entertainment) Of an idol: to exit a group; or of a virtual YouTuber, to leave a management agency; usually accompanied with "graduation ceremony" send-offs, increased focus on the leaving member, and the like.
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Graduate
To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
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Graduate
To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.
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Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.
Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
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Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
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Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
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Graduate
To take a degree in a college or university; to become a graduate; to receive a diploma.
He graduated at Oxford.
He was brought to their bar and asked where he had graduated.
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Graduate
One who has received an academical or professional degree; one who has completed the prescribed course of study in any school or institution of learning.
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Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
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Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
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Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
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Graduate
A measuring instrument for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts
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Graduate
Receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
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Graduate
Confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
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Graduate
Make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Calibrate an instrument
Graduate a cylinder
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Graduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
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Graduate
Professional Qualification
The graduate applied for several jobs in her field.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do graduates receive alumni status immediately?
Yes, upon graduation, they become alumni.
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Is a graduand officially a degree holder?
Not yet, they receive their degree at graduation.
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Are graduands listed in the graduation program?
Yes, they're listed as pending graduates.
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Can a graduate enroll in further studies?
Yes, graduates often pursue advanced degrees.
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Are graduands eligible for graduation honors?
Yes, based on their academic performance.
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Do graduates have access to university resources?
Often, as alumni, they have certain privileges.
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How do graduates use their degrees?
For professional advancement or further studies.
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Are graduands part of the graduating class?
Yes, they're the upcoming graduates.
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Do graduates receive a diploma or certificate?
Yes, as proof of their degree.
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Is graduate school for graduands or graduates?
For graduates pursuing further education.
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Can graduates refer to their alma mater?
Yes, as the institution where they graduated.
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Do graduates join alumni networks?
Yes, to stay connected and for professional opportunities.
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Do graduands receive academic transcripts?
Yes, showing they've completed their courses.
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Can graduates attend university events?
Yes, especially alumni-related events.
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Can graduands participate in graduation ceremonies?
Yes, it's the event that transitions them to graduates.
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Can graduands apply for post-graduate jobs?
Yes, though they’ll graduate before starting usually.
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Do graduates maintain contact with professors?
Often, for networking and professional advice.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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