If you have ever wondered whether you should write Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelors Degree, the short answer is simple: Bachelor’s degree is the correct form in standard English. Many people leave out the apostrophe and write Bachelors degree, but this is considered incorrect in formal writing, academic documents, resumes, emails, and professional communication.
The confusion happens because people often see degree names written in different ways, such as Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, or bachelor’s degree, and assume the apostrophe is optional. It is not. Understanding the difference between Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelors Degree will help you avoid grammar mistakes and make your writing look more professional.
Both American English and British English generally follow the same grammar rule. Whether you are applying for university, writing your CV or resume, completing job applications, or creating a LinkedIn profile, knowing the correct form matters. This guide explains the Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelors Degree meaning, grammar difference, pronunciation, history, examples, common mistakes, and memory tricks in simple English.
Quick Answer
| ✅ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
|---|---|
| bachelor’s degree | bachelors degree |
Correct: ✔ bachelor’s degree
Incorrect: ✘ bachelors degree
Exception: If you are writing the official title of a degree, capitalize it.
Examples:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Engineering
What Does Bachelor’s Degree Mean?
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic qualification awarded by a college or university after completing a program of study.
It usually takes:
- Four years in the United States
- Three years in most parts of the United Kingdom
The word bachelor’s is a possessive noun, showing that the degree belongs to the level called “bachelor.”
Examples:
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology.
- He has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
- My sister completed her bachelor’s degree last year.
Grammar Role of Bachelor’s Degree
The word bachelor’s functions as a possessive noun.
Structure:
bachelor + ‘s + degree
The apostrophe shows possession.
Think of it like:
- master’s degree
- doctor’s degree (rare)
- bachelor’s degree
Although the historical meaning has changed over time, modern English keeps the apostrophe because it is part of the established name.
Why Is Bachelors Degree Incorrect?
Without the apostrophe, bachelors becomes a plural noun.
It means:
more than one bachelor
It does not describe the academic qualification.
Incorrect
- I have a bachelors degree.
- She completed her bachelors degree.
- He earned a bachelors degree in Physics.
Correct
- I have a bachelor’s degree.
- She completed her bachelor’s degree.
- He earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics.
Bachelor’s Degree Examples in American English
- I earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
- She needs a bachelor’s degree for this position.
- His bachelor’s degree helped him get promoted.
- Most employers require a bachelor’s degree.
- She completed her bachelor’s degree online.
- I finished my bachelor’s degree in 2024.
- A bachelor’s degree opens many career opportunities.
- My university offers several bachelor’s degree programs.
- He is studying for a bachelor’s degree in Business.
- They listed their bachelor’s degree on LinkedIn.
Bachelor’s Degree Examples in British English
- She completed a bachelor’s degree at Oxford.
- He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History.
- Most graduate schemes require a bachelor’s degree.
- I started my bachelor’s degree in September.
- She earned her bachelor’s degree with honours.
- He completed his bachelor’s degree in London.
- A bachelor’s degree is essential for this role.
- They are studying towards a bachelor’s degree.
- My brother received his bachelor’s degree last summer.
- She hopes her bachelor’s degree will help her career.
Comparison Table: Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelors Degree
| Feature | Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelors Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | Yes | No |
| Apostrophe | Required | Missing |
| Grammar | Possessive noun | Plural noun |
| Academic writing | Correct | Incorrect |
| Resume | Correct | Incorrect |
| Formal emails | Correct | Incorrect |
| UK English | Preferred | Not standard |
| US English | Preferred | Not standard |
| Dictionaries | Accepted | Not accepted as standard |
| Professional writing | Recommended | Avoid |
Pronunciation Guide (IPA)
Bachelor’s Degree
American IPA
/ˈbætʃələrz dɪˈɡriː/
British IPA
/ˈbætʃələz dɪˈɡriː/
Bachelors Degree
The pronunciation is almost identical.
This is why many people accidentally write it without the apostrophe.
Speech does not show punctuation, so writers often forget to include the apostrophe.
Why Are These Terms Commonly Confused?
Several reasons cause confusion.
- Apostrophes are silent.
- People type quickly online.
- Spellcheck may not always catch the mistake.
- Official degree titles look different.
- Social media often ignores punctuation.
- Many people confuse plural nouns with possessive nouns.
Word Origins and Etymology
The word bachelor comes from the Medieval Latin baccalarius, meaning a junior scholar or young knight.
Later, universities began awarding the title Bachelor to students who completed undergraduate study.
The phrase bachelor’s degree developed because the degree belonged to the academic rank of bachelor.
English has kept this possessive form for hundreds of years.
Today it remains the accepted standard in universities worldwide.
Synonyms and Related Terms
| Synonym | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | Very common | Very common |
| First degree | Less common | Very common |
| College degree | Very common | Less common |
| University degree | Common | Common |
| Undergraduate qualification | Common | Common |
Which synonym should you use?
United States
- undergraduate degree
- college degree
United Kingdom
- first degree
- undergraduate degree
Grammar Rule Explained
The phrase bachelor’s degree follows a possessive grammar pattern.
Examples:
- master’s degree
- bachelor’s degree
Notice the apostrophe before the s.
Official degree titles are different.
Examples:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Education
These official names do not use an apostrophe because they are formal titles.
Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
These terms are related but different.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| bachelor’s degree | General term |
| Bachelor of Arts | Specific degree |
| Bachelor of Science | Specific degree |
| Bachelor of Engineering | Specific degree |
Example:
She earned a bachelor’s degree, specifically a Bachelor of Science.
Common Mistakes
1. Leaving out the apostrophe
❌ bachelors degree
✅ bachelor’s degree
2. Capitalizing unnecessarily
❌ Bachelor’s Degree in psychology
✅ bachelor’s degree in psychology
3. Using lowercase for official titles
❌ bachelor of arts
✅ Bachelor of Arts
4. Mixing official titles
❌ bachelor’s of Science
✅ Bachelor of Science
5. Writing Bachelor Degree
❌ Bachelor degree
✅ bachelor’s degree
6. Using the plural incorrectly
❌ I have two bachelor’s.
✅ I have two bachelor’s degrees.
7. Using it as a verb
❌ She bachelor’s in Biology.
✅ She is earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology.
Real-Life Examples
Emails
I recently completed my bachelor’s degree in Finance.
Office
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree.
Banking
A bachelor’s degree may qualify you for graduate trainee programs.
School
She plans to begin her bachelor’s degree next autumn.
Resume
Education
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Rent Application
I completed a bachelor’s degree before starting my current job.
Social Media
Finally earned my bachelor’s degree!
Everyday Conversation
I’m thinking about getting a bachelor’s degree online.
Grammar Difference Explained Simply
| Grammar Feature | Bachelor’s | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Possessive noun | Plural noun |
| Correct usage | Yes | No |
| Formal writing | Yes | No |
| Academic English | Yes | No |
Memory Tricks
1. Think of Master’s Degree
If master’s degree has an apostrophe, so does bachelor’s degree.
2. Remember Ownership
The degree belongs to the bachelor level.
3. Official Rule
Every major dictionary includes the apostrophe.
4. University Websites
Top universities almost always write bachelor’s degree.
5. Resume Test
If you would use it on your resume, keep the apostrophe.
Related Expressions
- master’s degree
- associate degree
- doctoral degree
- undergraduate degree
- graduate degree
- postgraduate degree
- college degree
- university degree
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree correct?
Bachelor’s degree is the correct spelling.
Why is there an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows possession and is part of the traditional name.
Is bachelors degree ever correct?
Not in standard English writing.
Do Americans and British people write it differently?
No. Both normally use bachelor’s degree.
Should bachelor’s degree be capitalized?
Usually no.
Capitalize only official degree titles such as Bachelor of Arts.
What is a bachelor’s degree synonym?
Common alternatives include:
- undergraduate degree
- first degree
- college degree
- university degree
How do dictionaries spell it?
Major dictionaries list bachelor’s degree with the apostrophe.
Is bachelor’s degree formal?
Yes.
It is appropriate for academic papers, resumes, business writing, and official documents.
Can I write Bachelor Degree?
No.
Use bachelor’s degree instead.
Is bachelor’s degree used in everyday conversation?
Yes. It is common in both formal and informal English.
People Also Ask
Is bachelor’s degree one word?
No. It is a two-word phrase.
Can I omit the apostrophe on LinkedIn?
No. Use bachelor’s degree even on social media and professional profiles.
Which is correct on a resume?
Use Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts as the official degree title, or bachelor’s degree if referring to the qualification generally.
Why do universities sometimes write Bachelor of Science instead?
That is the official name of the degree program rather than the generic term bachelor’s degree.
Is bachelor’s degree a noun?
Yes. It is a noun phrase referring to an undergraduate academic qualification.
Conclusion
Choosing between Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelors Degree is easier once you understand the grammar. The correct form is bachelor’s degree because bachelor’s is a possessive noun that has been used in English for centuries to describe an undergraduate academic qualification.
Leaving out the apostrophe creates bachelors degree, which is not standard English and should be avoided in resumes, university applications, business emails, and professional writing. Both American English and British English follow this rule, although official degree titles such as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science do not use an apostrophe because they are proper names.
By remembering the grammar rule, studying the examples, and using the memory tricks in this guide, you can write confidently and avoid one of the most common academic writing mistakes. Whether you are a student, job seeker, or English learner, using bachelor’s degree correctly will make your writing clearer, more accurate, and more professional.
