If you are unsure whether to write “bachelor’s degree” or “bachelors degree,” the correct standard form is bachelor’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s. Major dictionaries, including Cambridge and Oxford, use bachelor’s degree as the standard expression for a first university or college degree.
The confusion is understandable because bachelors can be a plural noun in other contexts, while bachelor’s is possessive in this expression. This distinction becomes especially important in resumes, applications, academic writing, professional emails, job descriptions, and formal documents.
This guide explains why the apostrophe belongs there, when to capitalize the phrase, how to write specific degree names such as Bachelor of Arts, and which common forms you should avoid.
Quick Answer: Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelors Degree?
Bachelor’s degree is the standard and correct form when you mean a university or college degree.
- Correct: She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.
- Correct: He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business.
- Incorrect in standard usage: She earned a bachelors degree in biology.
The apostrophe in bachelor’s marks a possessive form. Think of it as referring to a degree associated with a bachelor.
Memory tip: If you mean one type of university degree, use bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe.
Cambridge defines a bachelor’s degree as a first degree at a college or university, while Oxford similarly describes it as the first degree obtained through university study.
What Does Bachelor’s Degree Mean?
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded after completing a university or college program. Cambridge describes it as a first degree at a college or university, while Oxford includes qualifications such as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science within the category.
Why is there an apostrophe?
The apostrophe is part of the possessive construction bachelor’s.
Here, bachelor is singular, so its possessive form is bachelor’s. The noun degree follows it.
Compare:
| Form | Use | Example |
| bachelor | Singular noun | He is a bachelor. |
| bachelors | Plural noun | Several bachelors attended the event. |
| bachelor’s | Singular possessive | She earned a bachelor’s degree. |
| bachelors’ | Plural possessive | The bachelors’ apartments were nearby. |
In bachelor’s degree, you are not talking about several bachelors. You are naming a degree using a singular possessive construction.
Why does this matter?
Leaving out the apostrophe creates bachelors degree, which does not follow the standard spelling used by major English dictionaries for this academic qualification. Cambridge and Oxford both list bachelor’s degree.
Key takeaway: Write bachelor’s degree, not bachelors degree, when referring to the qualification.
Bachelor’s Degree vs. Bachelors Degree
The difference is only one punctuation mark, but that punctuation changes the grammatical form.
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree is the standard form.
Examples:
- I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
- She completed her bachelor’s degree last year.
- A bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
- He is working toward a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Bachelors degree
Bachelors degree is generally considered a misspelling or nonstandard omission of the apostrophe when it is intended to mean the academic qualification.
For example:
- ❌ She has a bachelors degree in chemistry.
- ✅ She has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Bachelors
The word bachelors without an apostrophe has a different grammatical function. It is normally the plural of bachelor, meaning more than one unmarried man.
For example:
- Several bachelors lived in the apartment building.
- The club organized an event for eligible bachelors.
It does not mean “bachelor’s degrees.”
Key takeaway: Bachelors and bachelor’s are different grammatical forms. The academic phrase requires bachelor’s degree.
Why Is Bachelor’s Possessive?
Understanding the grammar makes the spelling easier to remember.
English often uses possessive forms to connect one noun with another. For example:
- student’s book
- teacher’s desk
- company’s policy
- bachelor’s degree
The apostrophe plus s marks the singular possessive form.
Compare similar expressions
| Singular possessive | Meaning |
| student’s degree | a degree associated with a student |
| master’s degree | a degree at the master’s level |
| bachelor’s degree | a degree at the bachelor’s level |
| doctor’s office | an office associated with a doctor |
The same pattern explains master’s degree. You should not normally write masters degree when referring to the academic qualification.
Oxford lists bachelor’s degree and master’s degree as established academic terms.
Does the apostrophe mean the degree belongs to one person?
No. The expression has become an established way of naming an academic qualification.
When you say:
She earned a bachelor’s degree.
You are not suggesting that the degree literally belongs to a person named “bachelor.” The possessive construction is simply part of the conventional name.
Key takeaway: Treat bachelor’s degree as a standard academic expression, while remembering that its spelling follows the singular possessive pattern.
When Should You Capitalize Bachelor’s Degree?
In ordinary sentences, bachelor’s degree is usually lowercase.
Examples:
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
- The position requires a bachelor’s degree.
However, specific formal degree names can use capitalization.
General degree vs. official degree title
Compare these:
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history.
The first is a general description. The second names a specific degree type.
Oxford gives examples such as Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Engineering, and Bachelor of Science.
Capitalization examples
| Expression | Typical usage |
| bachelor’s degree | General reference |
| Bachelor of Arts | Formal degree name |
| Bachelor of Science | Formal degree name |
| bachelor’s degree in English | General description |
| B.A. | Abbreviation |
| B.S. | Abbreviation |
Key takeaway: Use lowercase for the general phrase bachelor’s degree. Capitalize a formal degree title such as Bachelor of Science.
Bachelor’s Degree vs. Bachelor of Arts
These expressions are related but are not interchangeable in every sentence.
Bachelor’s degree is a broad category. It can refer to many undergraduate degrees.
Bachelor of Arts (BA or B.A.) is a specific type of bachelor’s degree.
Similarly, Bachelor of Science (BS or B.S.) is another specific type.
For example:
Maria has a bachelor’s degree.
This tells us the level of her degree but not its specific title.
Maria has a Bachelor of Arts in English.
This gives the specific degree type and field.
Cambridge identifies B.A. and B.S. as examples of bachelor’s degrees.
Key takeaway: Every Bachelor of Arts is a bachelor’s degree, but bachelor’s degree can refer to many different degree types.
Common Mistakes With Bachelor’s Degree
Mistake 1: Leaving out the apostrophe
❌ He earned a bachelors degree.
✅ He earned a bachelor’s degree.
The mistake usually happens because bachelors looks like a normal plural word.
Mistake 2: Using “bachelor’s of”
❌ She earned a bachelor’s of science.
✅ She earned a Bachelor of Science.
The formal degree title uses Bachelor of, not Bachelor’s of.
Mistake 3: Capitalizing every word
❌ She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.
✅ She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
When referring to the qualification generally, lowercase is normally appropriate.
Mistake 4: Confusing bachelor’s and bachelors’
Bachelor’s = singular possessive.
Bachelors’ = plural possessive.
For example:
- Bachelor’s degree: the academic qualification.
- Bachelors’ housing: housing associated with multiple bachelors.
The second construction is grammatically possible but has nothing to do with naming an academic degree.
Mistake 5: Confusing “degree” with “degree program”
A degree can refer to the qualification itself, while a degree program refers to the course of study leading to that qualification.
For example:
She is enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.
She earned a bachelor’s degree.
These sentences describe different stages of education.
How to Use Bachelor’s Degree in Real-Life Writing
The phrase appears in many kinds of communication, but the surrounding wording changes according to context.
Academic writing
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the required courses.
Resume
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science
A resume may also list the formal title:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Job description
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
Professional email
I recently completed my bachelor’s degree in finance.
Everyday conversation
What did you study for your bachelor’s degree?
University application
I am applying to the Bachelor of Arts program in English.
Notice that the correct form depends partly on whether you are describing a degree generally or naming a particular program.
Key takeaway: The spelling stays consistent, but capitalization and wording change according to context.
A Simple Decision Guide
Use this quick framework when you are unsure.
Are you referring to the academic qualification generally?
→ Use bachelor’s degree
She has a bachelor’s degree.
Are you naming a specific formal degree?
→ Use Bachelor of + field/type
He earned a Bachelor of Science.
Are you talking about more than one unmarried man?
→ Use bachelors
Several bachelors attended the event.
Are you describing something belonging to multiple bachelors?
→ Use bachelors’
The bachelors’ residence was renovated.
Are you writing “bachelors degree”?
→ Add the apostrophe:
bachelor’s degree
This four-step test prevents most errors.
Is Bachelor’s Degree Singular or Plural?
The phrase bachelor’s degree is singular.
Examples:
- She has a bachelor’s degree.
- He earned one bachelor’s degree.
The plural is bachelor’s degrees.
Examples:
- The university offers several bachelor’s degrees.
- Many students pursue bachelor’s degrees in different fields.
Notice that the apostrophe remains in the plural phrase because bachelor’s is part of the established possessive construction.
What about “bachelors’ degrees”?
In standard academic usage, bachelor’s degrees is the normal expression.
Avoid changing it to bachelors’ degrees merely because you are talking about several degrees.
Key takeaway: The plural of bachelor’s degree is bachelor’s degrees, not bachelors’ degrees.
Bachelor’s Degree and Related Academic Terms
Understanding nearby terms helps prevent confusion.
| Term | Meaning |
| Bachelor’s degree | A first university or college degree |
| Undergraduate degree | A degree earned before graduate-level study |
| Associate degree | A shorter undergraduate qualification in systems that offer it |
| Master’s degree | A degree generally pursued after a bachelor’s degree |
| Doctoral degree | An advanced academic degree, typically beyond a master’s |
| Bachelor of Arts | A specific bachelor’s degree |
| Bachelor of Science | A specific bachelor’s degree |
Oxford describes an undergraduate as someone studying for their first degree and distinguishes this level from postgraduate study.
Exact degree structures and terminology can vary by country and institution, so a university’s own official wording should take priority when you are completing an application or listing a qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “bachelor’s degree” grammatically correct?
Yes. Bachelor’s degree is the standard form used by major English dictionaries, including Cambridge and Oxford.
Is “bachelors degree” ever correct?
When you mean the academic qualification, the standard spelling is bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe. Bachelors without an apostrophe is normally the plural of bachelor, not the name of the degree.
Should I capitalize bachelor’s degree on a resume?
If you are using it as a general description, lowercase is normally appropriate: bachelor’s degree. If you are writing the formal name of the qualification, use the institution’s official capitalization, such as Bachelor of Science.
Is it Bachelor’s Degree or bachelor’s degree?
In ordinary prose, bachelor’s degree is generally lowercase. A heading or title may capitalize words according to the site’s or publication’s style guide.
What is the plural of bachelor’s degree?
The standard plural is bachelor’s degrees.
Is “Bachelor’s of Science” correct?
No. The standard formal title is Bachelor of Science, often abbreviated B.S. The possessive form appears in bachelor’s degree, not in Bachelor of Science.
Can I say “I have a bachelor’s”?
Yes, especially in informal conversation when the context is clear. Cambridge also records bachelor’s (degree) as a form in American English.
Is a bachelor’s degree an undergraduate degree?
Yes. A bachelor’s degree is generally an undergraduate degree and is commonly described as a first university or college degree.
What is the abbreviation for bachelor’s degree?
The abbreviation depends on the specific degree. Common examples include B.A. for Bachelor of Arts and B.S. for Bachelor of Science. Cambridge identifies these as examples of bachelor’s degrees.
Why does bachelor’s have an apostrophe?
It follows the singular possessive pattern. The expression has become the conventional name for the academic qualification, just as master’s degree is the standard form for the next academic level.
Key Takeaways
- Bachelor’s degree is the standard form.
- Bachelors degree should be avoided when referring to the academic qualification.
- The apostrophe in bachelor’s marks a singular possessive form.
- Use bachelor’s degree for the general qualification.
- Use Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and similar forms for specific formal degree titles.
- Bachelors without an apostrophe normally means more than one bachelor.
- The plural academic form is bachelor’s degrees.
- In ordinary sentences, bachelor’s degree is generally lowercase.
- Follow an institution’s official style when reproducing the exact name of a qualification.
Editorial Note
The safest choice in academic, professional, and everyday English is simple: when you mean the university qualification, write bachelor’s degree. Dictionary usage from Cambridge and Oxford supports this standard form.
References
- Cambridge Dictionary — “bachelor’s degree”
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — “bachelor’s degree”
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — “degree”
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — “undergraduate”
Conclusion
When choosing between bachelor’s degree and bachelors degree, use bachelor’s degree. The apostrophe is not optional in the standard expression because bachelor’s is the established possessive form used to name this academic qualification.
If you are writing a resume, university application, professional email, or academic document, one small punctuation mark can make your writing look much more polished. Remember: one degree = bachelor’s degree; several unmarried men = bachelors.
David James is an English language enthusiast, writer, and author at StudyNixx, a website dedicated to helping readers understand confusing English words, spelling differences, and commonly mistaken word forms. He focuses on making English language learning simple, practical, and easy to understand.
David is also the author of two books on English language and word usage, where he explores common spelling mistakes, confusing words, and practical ways to improve written English. Through his writing and educational content, he helps students, writers, and everyday English learners choose the right words with confidence.
At StudyNixx, David covers common word comparisons such as summary vs. summery, shiny vs. shiney, spicy vs. spicey, and breached vs. breeched. His goal is to provide clear, useful, and reliable explanations that make English spelling and word usage easier for everyone.