completed a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"completed a degree" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of finishing a degree program, usually at a university or college. Example: After four years of hard work, John finally completed a degree in engineering and landed his dream job at a top engineering firm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Creek completed a degree and rebuilt her life.

The Guardian

Before that, Cocksedge, 25, completed a degree in industrial design at Sheffield Hallam University.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This year he completed a degree in archaeology, with Egyptology as his specialty, at Rome University.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost three-quarters of those who completed a degree had household incomes above $35,000.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, she completed a degree in psychology (2007) at the University of Sheffield.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More recently she completed a degree in classical composition from City College in New York.

The New York Times - Arts

Joseph Donaldson, 21, has just completed a degree in music at Goldsmiths University.

Independent

Many novels let themselves down when the young narrator talks as if they've just completed a degree in psychology.

The Guardian - Books

Sollecito completed a degree in computer science through the University of Perugia while in prison in 2008.

The Guardian

So I enrolled on a one-year foundation course in theology, then completed a degree in applied theology.

The Guardian - Music

He studied art history, musicology and acting at the University of Granada, though he never completed a degree.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completed a degree", specify the field of study to provide more context. For example, "completed a degree in engineering" is more informative than just "completed a degree".

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "fully completed a degree" as "completed" already implies a finished state. The word "fully" is often unnecessary and weakens the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completed a degree" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful finalization of an academic program. Ludwig provides several examples where individuals "completed a degree" in various fields, underscoring its function as a descriptor of academic achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science & Research

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completed a degree" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the successful attainment of an academic degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase found in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "obtained a degree" or "earned a degree" exist, "completed a degree" is a versatile and widely accepted choice for conveying the completion of an academic program. Remember to specify the field of study for clarity and avoid redundant modifiers like "fully".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained a degree

Focuses on the act of gaining or receiving the degree.

earned a degree

Emphasizes the effort and merit involved in acquiring the degree.

graduated with a degree

Highlights the graduation ceremony and the culmination of studies.

received a degree

Similar to "obtained a degree", but focuses on the act of being given the degree.

finished a degree

Uses a more informal term, "finished", instead of "completed".

attained a degree

Emphasizes the achievement of reaching the goal of acquiring a degree.

secured a degree

Implies a competitive or challenging process in getting the degree.

was awarded a degree

Highlights the formal awarding of the degree by the institution.

successfully graduated

Focuses on the success of graduating, implying that the degree was part of it.

qualified with a degree

Highlights the qualification aspect of earning the degree.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "completed a degree"?

To have "completed a degree" means that someone has successfully finished all the required coursework and examinations for a specific academic program, typically at a university or college, and has been awarded the corresponding degree.

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

You can use alternatives like "obtained a degree", "earned a degree", or "graduated with a degree" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "finished a degree" instead of "completed a degree"?

"Finished a degree" is grammatically correct, however, "completed a degree" is more formal and generally preferred in academic and professional contexts.

What is the difference between "completed a degree" and "pursued a degree"?

"Completed a degree" means that the degree was successfully finished, whereas "pursued a degree" implies that someone is in the process of working towards a degree, but hasn't necessarily finished it yet.