finish a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the completion of an academic program or course of study at a college or university. Example: "After four years of hard work, I am finally ready to finish my degree in biology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Enrolling part time rather than full time is also associated with a longer time to finish a degree and a lower rate of degree completion.

The New York Times

Colleges know that if you don't do well in statistics your freshman year you're not likely to finish a degree in economics.

The Washington Post

Jussi Leinonen, 27, lives in Rovaniemi, Finland; works as a staff photographer at the daily newspaper Lapin Kansa; and hopes to finish a degree in audiovisual media culture at the University of Lapland before he dies.

The New York Times

Until a recent law change, students could take as long as they liked to finish a degree, dabbling in whichever subjects they fancied and postponing their exams if they didn't quite feel up to it when the day came.

The Guardian

He served in the army as a medic during World War II and later returned to college to finish a degree in English at the University of Cincinnati in 1946.

Britannica

One step legislatures can take is to set a public goal to increase the number of students who successfully complete remedial classes and go on to finish a degree.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

(He never finished a degree).

The New Yorker

Her name is Gauri and she's finishing a degree in philosophy at Presidency.

The New Yorker

Outlaw is finishing a degree in sociology this spring after graduating in May with a degree in criminology.

The Washington Post

It was Sunday, May 31 , 2009 and I was finishing a degree in theology, preparing to serve a Lutheran congregation in North Carolina.

The New Yorker

This is especially true for people finishing a degree program, when everyone is interviewing and some are celebrating early victories.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about academic achievements, use "finish a degree" to clearly convey the completion of studies at a college or university. This phrase is straightforward and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "finish a degree" when referring to shorter courses or certificates. Instead, reserve it for full degree programs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish a degree" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of completing an academic degree. Ludwig indicates this is a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finish a degree" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of successfully completing a degree program. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it's suitable for various contexts, it is most commonly found in news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. Alternative phrases like "complete a degree" or "earn a degree" can be used interchangeably depending on the desired emphasis. While generally considered appropriate, it's important to reserve it for complete degree programs rather than shorter courses. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete a degree program

Replaces "finish" with "complete" and adds "program" for more specificity.

earn a degree

Focuses on the achievement aspect of obtaining a degree.

obtain a degree

Similar to "earn a degree", but emphasizes the acquisition of the degree.

graduate with a degree

Highlights the graduation ceremony and receiving the degree.

receive a degree

Focuses on the act of being awarded the degree.

conclude degree studies

More formal and emphasizes the end of the study period.

finalize degree requirements

Highlights the fulfillment of all necessary criteria for graduation.

achieve degree qualification

Emphasizes the qualification aspect of earning a degree.

bring a degree to completion

A more verbose way of saying "finish a degree", emphasizing the process.

secure a degree

Focuses on the effort to ensure the degree is awarded.

FAQs

What does it mean to "finish a degree"?

To "finish a degree" means to successfully complete all the required coursework, exams, and other requirements for a degree program at a college or university.

What is a good alternative to "finish a degree"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "complete a degree", "earn a degree", or "obtain a degree".

Is it correct to say "finished a degree"?

Yes, "finished a degree" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "I "finished a degree" in biology last year."

What's the difference between "finishing a degree" and "having a degree"?

"Finishing a degree" refers to the process of completing the requirements for a degree, while "having a degree" indicates that you have already completed and been awarded the degree.