Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
degree held by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "degree held by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the specific academic qualification that someone possesses, often in the context of their education or professional credentials. Example: "The candidate's resume indicated the degree held by her was a Master's in Business Administration."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
The On Education column on Wednesday, about a high school in Oakland, Calif., that has a mental health clinic on its premises, referred incorrectly to the Stanford graduate degree held by one of the clinic's founders, Alex Briscoe.
News & Media
There was his 2009 public letter that ridiculed the technical school degree held by the nation's propaganda minister and the interview he gave last year to Radio Free Asia, describing China as a "Communist one-party dictatorship".
News & Media
The most popular, not surprisingly, was an MBA, a degree held by 72 list members, 26 of whom went to the prestigious Harvard Business School.
News & Media
Educational status was defined by the minimal amount of school years necessary to attain the highest school degree held by the participant (9 years/≥12years/≥12 years).
Science
The results reported in Table 4 reveal that even with our "relaxed" coding scheme, whereby any natural science PhD degree held by any coauthor or coeditor is treated as indicating (at least potentially) relevant scientific expertise, only 39% of the total 108 denial volumes are authored or edited by individuals with scientific credentials as normally defined in academic circles.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
Of the degrees held by the Clinton and Carter Cabinets, 22.6% and 33.3%, respectively, are from the Ivy League.
News & Media
The most highly sought degrees held by patent lawyers are in electrical engineering, computer science and computer engineering, Mr. Duane said.
News & Media
The proportion of professionals who are black is 36%, fairly close to the share of degrees held by blacks, which is around 40%.
News & Media
The SLC does not publish details of the degrees held by untraced debtors or their courses, but it has identified Australia as the country with the largest number of former British students with current loans.
News & Media
The other is a case before the Supreme Court that questions whether the madrassa degrees held by many MMA MPs meet parliamentary educational criteria.These convenient weapons may prove useful if General Musharraf decides not to leave the army after all.
News & Media
2014 figures show just 18percentt of computer science bachelor degrees and 19percentt of engineering degrees held by women.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing someone's credentials, use "degree held by" to clearly indicate the specific academic qualification they possess. Be specific about the type of degree (e.g. Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) for clarity.
Common error
Avoid using overly general terms like "education" when you need to specify the "degree held by" someone. Providing the exact degree ensures there's no confusion about their qualifications.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "degree held by" functions as a descriptor, specifying an academic qualification possessed by an individual. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is used to provide information about someone's educational background.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
40%
Academia
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "degree held by" serves to specify an academic qualification an individual possesses and as Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. While it is not very frequent, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts, this phrase is useful for clearly indicating someone's educational background. When using the phrase, be specific about the type of degree. Alternatives include phrases like "academic qualification obtained by" or "credentials possessed by", each offering a slightly different nuance. Being precise about the "degree held by" someone helps to avoid ambiguity.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Possesses a degree in
Focuses on the possession of a specific degree type.
Academic qualification obtained by
Replaces 'degree' with a more formal term and specifies 'obtained' to emphasize completion.
Has earned a degree from
Highlights the achievement of earning a degree from a specific institution.
Educational attainment of
Focuses on the level of education achieved, using a more general term.
Holds a qualification in
Uses the term 'qualification' as a broader synonym for 'degree'.
Credentials possessed by
Highlights the credentials as a form of qualification or achievement.
Education includes a degree in
Positions the degree within a broader educational context.
Level of education completed by
Emphasizes the completed level of schooling, suitable for statistical or demographic contexts.
Academic credentials include a degree in
Lists the degree as part of a set of academic credentials.
Academic background includes
This is a less direct way of indicating the degree, fitting a biographical description.
FAQs
How can I use "degree held by" in a sentence?
Use "degree held by" to specify the academic qualification someone possesses. For example, "The "degree held by" the candidate was a PhD in Physics."
What is a more formal way to say "degree held by"?
A more formal alternative is "academic qualification obtained by". This phrasing is suitable for official documents or academic contexts.
Which is correct, "degree held by" or "degree hold by"?
"Degree held by" is correct. "Held" is the past participle of "hold" and is the correct form to use in this context.
What information should I include when mentioning the "degree held by" someone?
Include the type of degree (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's), the field of study (e.g., Engineering, Biology), and optionally, the institution that granted the degree. For instance, "Master's "degree held by" the candidate from Stanford University".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested