šŸ“š Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelors Degree Grammar 2025

Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelors Degree

Have you ever written bachelor’s degree and then wondered if it should be bachelors egree instead? You’re not alone! This is one of the most common English spelling mistakes people make when writing resumes, college essays, or professional bios.

In this easy guide, you’ll learn the difference between ā€œbachelor’s degreeā€ and ā€œbachelors degree,ā€ their correct grammar, meanings, and how to use each in real-life writing. By the end, you’ll know exactly which one to use, why it matters, and how to remember it forever — even if grammar isn’t your strongest subject!


What Does Each Phrase Mean?

Let’s start with simple definitions and examples so you’ll never mix them up again.

Bachelor’s Degree — The Correct Form

  • Meaning: A bachelor’s degree is the correct way to refer to an undergraduate academic degree (for example, Bachelor’s Degree in English or Science).
  • Grammar Tip: The apostrophe (’s) shows possession — the degree belongs to a bachelor (a person who has earned it).
  • Part of Speech: Noun phrase.
  • Examples:
    1. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology last year.
    2. She is applying for jobs that require a bachelor’s degree.
    3. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Bachelors Degree — Incorrect Form

  • Meaning: ā€œBachelors degreeā€ is a common grammatical error because it misses the apostrophe. Without it, the phrase doesn’t show possession, so it’s grammatically incorrect in standard English.
  • Part of Speech: Incorrect noun phrase.
  • Examples (incorrect):
    1. She completed her bachelors degree last year. āŒ
    2. I want to earn a bachelors degree in history. āŒ
    3. He applied for a bachelors degree program. āŒ

āœ… Always write bachelor’s degree, not bachelors degree.


The Key Difference Between Bachelor’s Degree and Bachelors Degree

Here’s a simple comparison to help you understand and remember the difference.

AspectBachelor’s DegreeBachelors Degree
Correctnessāœ… CorrectāŒ Incorrect
Apostrophe UseHas an apostrophe (ā€˜s) to show possessionNo apostrophe — grammatically wrong
MeaningA degree belonging to a bachelorA plural form used incorrectly
ExampleShe earned her bachelor’s degree in law.She earned her bachelors degree in law. āŒ
Usage TipAlways include the apostrophe before the ā€œs.ā€Never use this form in formal writing.

šŸ’” Quick Tip to Remember:
If you can say ā€œthe degree of a bachelor,ā€ you need the apostrophe (’s) — just like in bachelor’s degree!

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Let’s look at a few common errors people make and how to fix them:

IncorrectCorrectWhy?
I completed my bachelors degree in arts.I completed my bachelor’s degree in arts.The apostrophe shows that the degree belongs to a bachelor.
He has two bachelors degrees.He has two bachelor’s degrees.Plural ā€œdegrees,ā€ but each is still a bachelor’s degree.
She got her bachelor degree.She got her bachelor’s degree.Missing apostrophe — required for correct form.

āœ… Fix Tip: Always check if there’s ownership or possession involved. If the degree belongs to a person (bachelor), it needs an apostrophe.


When to Use ā€œBachelor’s Degreeā€

You should use bachelor’s degree in any formal or professional setting, such as:

  • Resumes and job applications
  • College essays
  • LinkedIn profiles
  • Academic writing
  • Emails or cover letters

Examples:

  1. She received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oxford University.
  2. A bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
  3. I’m proud of my bachelor’s degree in education.
  4. He earned his bachelor’s degree after four years of study.
  5. Many people pursue a bachelor’s degree before a master’s program.

šŸ’” Memory Hack:
Think of it this way — ā€œThe degree belongs to the bachelor,ā€ so it must have an apostrophe: bachelor’s degree.


When to Use ā€œBachelors Degreeā€

In short — never in formal English.
However, you might see ā€œbachelors degreeā€ in online comments, social media, or casual writing where people skip punctuation. It’s still incorrect in grammar and should be avoided in resumes, essays, or publications.

If you ever type it by accident, correct it immediately to bachelor’s degree.


Quick Recap: Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelors Degree

āœ… Bachelor’s Degree

  • Correct form
  • Has an apostrophe
  • Shows possession (degree of a bachelor)
  • Used in academic and formal writing

āŒ Bachelors Degree

  • Incorrect form
  • Missing apostrophe
  • Never used in professional or educational writing

šŸ’¬ Easy Way to Remember:
If you can say ā€œthe bachelor’s carā€ or ā€œthe bachelor’s idea,ā€ then ā€œbachelor’s degreeā€ follows the same rule — possession means apostrophe.

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Advanced Tips and Grammar Insights

  • The term ā€œbachelorā€ comes from Middle Latin baccalaureus, meaning ā€œstudent with the lowest degree.ā€
  • In formal writing, you can capitalize the degree title if you mention a specific one:
    • Correct: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts
    • Lowercase: bachelor’s degree in science
  • Avoid saying ā€œI completed a Bachelor’sā€ alone — instead, say ā€œI earned my bachelor’s degree.ā€
  • On resumes, keep it consistent:
    • āœ… Bachelor’s Degree in English
    • āŒ Bachelors Degree in English

Even in casual text messages, try to use correct grammar — it shows professionalism and attention to detail.


Mini Quiz: Test Your Understanding!

Fill in the blanks with the correct form — bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree.

  1. He earned his __________ in mechanical engineering.
  2. You need a __________ to apply for this position.
  3. She plans to get her __________ in design next year.
  4. They both have __________ in business management.
  5. A __________ is usually completed in four years.

āœ… Answers: 1) bachelor’s degree, 2) bachelor’s degree, 3) bachelor’s degree, 4) bachelor’s degrees, 5) bachelor’s degree.


FAQs About Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelors Degree

1. Which is correct — bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree?
āœ” The correct form is bachelor’s degree (with an apostrophe).

2. Why does bachelor’s degree have an apostrophe?
Because the degree belongs to the bachelor, showing possession.

3. Can I say ā€œbachelor degreeā€ without the ’s?
No. ā€œBachelor degreeā€ is also incorrect — always write bachelor’s degree.

4. Is Bachelor’s Degree capitalized?
Capitalize it only when it’s part of a proper title: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science. Otherwise, keep it lowercase.

5. What’s the plural of bachelor’s degree?
Bachelor’s degrees. Example: ā€œThey both have bachelor’s degrees in business.ā€


Conclusion

Now you know that the correct spelling is always bachelor’s degree — not bachelors degree.
The apostrophe might look small, but it makes a big difference in correctness and professionalism. Remember, it’s about possession — the degree belongs to the bachelor.

Keep practicing this simple rule, and soon you’ll use it naturally every time you write. Grammar doesn’t have to be hard — just clear, simple, and smart!


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