Grau vs. diploma vs. licenciatura vs. graduação
When discussing academic qualifications in Portuguese, it is essential to distinguish between the abstract rank (grau), the physical document (diploma), and regional usage between Brazil and Portugal regarding the specific names of study cycles (graduação vs. licenciatura).
Grau
B2This is a general term meaning degree, grade, or rank. In an educational context, grau refers to the title itself (like Bachelor's or Master's) rather than the course or the paper.
Ele obteve o grau de mestre no ano passado.
(He obtained the master's degree last year.)
Para ensinar nesta universidade, você precisa de um grau elevado.
(To teach at this university, you need a high degree.)
O grau conferido pela universidade é reconhecido internacionalmente.
(The degree conferred by the university is recognized internationally.)
Diploma
B1This refers specifically to the physical certificate or document. While you study to achieve a grau (rank), the diploma is the piece of paper you receive at the end.
Vou emoldurar o meu diploma e colocá-lo na parede.
(I am going to frame my diploma and put it on the wall.)
A universidade enviará o diploma pelo correio.
(The university will send the diploma by mail.)
Sem o diploma em mãos, é difícil comprovar a sua qualificação.
(Without the diploma in hand, it is difficult to prove your qualification.)
Licenciatura
B1This word has distinct regional meanings. In Portugal, licenciatura is the standard undergraduate degree (equivalent to a Bachelor's). In Brazil, licenciatura is a specific type of degree aimed exclusively at training teachers.
Em Portugal, uma licenciatura geralmente dura três anos.
(In Portugal, a bachelor's degree generally lasts three years.)
Ela escolheu fazer uma licenciatura para poder dar aulas de matemática.
(She chose to do a teaching degree so she could teach mathematics.)
Terminei a minha licenciatura em Biologia.
(I finished my undergraduate degree in Biology.)
Graduação
B1Primarily used in Brazil, graduação refers to undergraduate studies in general. Note that this is a false friend; it does not mean graduation ceremony (which is formatura), but rather the level of education.
Estou no meu último ano de graduação.
(I am in my final year of undergraduate studies.)
Os cursos de graduação no Brasil duram entre quatro e seis anos.
(Undergraduate courses in Brazil last between four and six years.)
Depois da graduação, pretendo fazer uma pós-graduação.
(After my undergraduate degree, I intend to do a postgraduate degree.)
Summary
In summary, diploma is the physical paper, while grau is the abstract title or rank. Grau acadêmico (Brazil) and grau académico (Portugal) are the formal terms for that title. Major regional differences exist for the course levels: graduação is the Brazilian term for undergraduate studies, while licenciatura is the standard degree in Portugal but a specific teacher-training degree in Brazil.