got a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has completed a course of study and received a degree from an educational institution. Example: "After years of hard work, she finally got a degree in biology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You got a degree in French.

Independent

"She should never have got a degree").

The New Yorker

"He's got a degree of quickness.

The New York Times - Sports

I went to University and got a degree.

The New Yorker

I got a degree in cartooning and illustration.

The New York Times - Arts

He later got a degree from Middlebury College.

The Guardian - Opinion

She got a degree in business at Teesside university.

The Guardian

Employers don't want people just because they've got a degree.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

You can't get a degree.

The Washington Post

It often involves getting a degree.

The Guardian

Who was I to get a degree?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose a synonym like "earned a degree" in formal contexts or when emphasizing achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "getting a degree" when you mean to say someone has already completed their studies; use "got a degree" or "earned a degree" instead. "Getting a degree" implies the process is ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got a degree" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of an academic qualification. Ludwig's examples show it is used to state that someone has successfully finished their studies and obtained a formal certification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "got a degree" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has completed their studies and received a degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms like "earned a degree" offer a more formal tone, "got a degree" remains versatile and suitable for most situations. When using this phrase, ensure you specify the field of study for clarity and avoid using "getting a degree" when referring to a completed achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earned a degree

Uses a more formal verb to describe obtaining a degree.

obtained a degree

Another formal alternative emphasizing the achievement of getting a degree.

received a degree

Similar to "earned" and "obtained", indicating the formal reception of a degree.

graduated with a degree

Focuses on the act of graduation and the result of obtaining a degree.

completed a degree

Highlights the completion aspect of the academic program.

was awarded a degree

Emphasizes the awarding of the degree by the institution.

holds a degree

Describes the current state of possessing a degree.

is a degree holder

Nominalizes the phrase, referring to someone who has a degree.

achieved a degree

Highlights the effort and accomplishment involved in obtaining a degree.

qualified with a degree

Indicates that the degree provides qualifications for a certain field.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "got a degree"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "earned a degree", "obtained a degree", or "received a degree". These options convey a similar meaning with a higher level of formality.

Is it correct to say "getting a degree" instead of "got a degree"?

"Getting a degree" implies that the process of earning the degree is ongoing, while "got a degree" indicates that the degree has already been obtained. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

Which preposition should I use after "got a degree" to specify the subject?

Use "in" to specify the subject, as in "got a degree in engineering" or "got a degree in biology".

Can I use "got a degree" to refer to any level of academic qualification?

Yes, "got a degree" is commonly used for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. To be more specific, you can specify the type of degree, such as "got a bachelor's degree".