Received a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Received a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the completion of an academic program and the attainment of a degree. Example: "After four years of hard work, I finally received a degree in biology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She received a degree as a registered nurse in 1916.

The New York Times

He received a degree in architecture from Cornell University.

The Washington Post

While serving, he received a degree in health-care management.

The New York Times

He received a degree in electrical engineering from Cornell.

The New York Times - Science

Susan received a degree in International Diplomacy from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Austria.

The New York Times

He graduated from Dartmouth and received a degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

The New York Times

She received a degree in international law from the University of Geneva.

The New York Times

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and received a degree from New York Law School.

The New York Times - Style

She graduated from Brandeis University with honors and received a degree in management from Oxford University.

The New York Times - Books

(He never received a degree, however, though for years he pretended that he had).

The New Yorker

At Syracuse, where he received a degree in theater, he once accumulated $237 in parking tickets.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "received a degree" when focusing on the act of attainment; if emphasizing current qualification, "holds a degree" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "of" instead of "in" when specifying the field of study. It's "received a degree in history", not "received a degree of history".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a degree" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of being awarded or obtaining an academic qualification. The phrase is commonly used to describe someone's educational achievements. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

22%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "received a degree" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the successful completion of an academic program and the attainment of a degree. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability. It is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and business contexts. When using the phrase, specify the field of study with the preposition "in". Alternatives include "earned a degree" or "obtained a degree". Be mindful to use "received a degree" to describe the action of obtaining it, as opposed to the current state of possessing it (holds a degree).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earned a degree

Uses a different verb to convey the effort involved in obtaining the degree.

obtained a degree

Uses a synonym for "received", focusing on the act of getting the degree.

graduated with a degree

Emphasizes the graduation aspect in addition to receiving the degree.

was awarded a degree

Highlights the awarding of the degree, often implying recognition.

completed a degree

Focuses on finishing the requirements for the degree.

acquired a degree

Similar to obtained, but can suggest a more active pursuit of the degree.

conferred a degree on

Formal phrasing describing the university's action of granting the degree.

was granted a degree

Passive form emphasizing the institution's role in awarding the degree.

holds a degree

Indicates current possession of a degree, rather than the act of receiving it.

has a degree

Similar to "holds a degree", indicating current possession.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "received a degree"?

You can use alternatives like "earned a degree", "obtained a degree", or "graduated with a degree" depending on the context.

How to use "received a degree" in a sentence?

You can say, "She received a degree in biology" or "He received a degree from Harvard University". Remember to specify the field or institution for clarity.

What's the difference between "received a degree" and "holds a degree"?

"Received a degree" emphasizes the action of obtaining the degree, while "holds a degree" emphasizes the current state of possessing it. For example, "He received a degree in 2020" vs "He holds a degree in engineering".

Is it correct to say "received a degree of" instead of "received a degree in"?

No, the correct preposition to use when specifying the field of study is "in". Therefore, you should say "received a degree in mathematics", not "received a degree of mathematics".