my first degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"my first degree" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the first academic degree you received, or to express your goal to obtain one. You can also use it in a sentence such as "This summer, I will be finishing up my first degree in English literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

My first degree was in politics.

The Guardian - Money

My first degree was a waste of time.

The Guardian - Money

I am now 32, and graduated from my first degree nearly 11 years ago.

The Guardian

"My first degree was in theology, I got a 2 1 at Durham.

The Guardian - Books

My first degree was in politics and I worked for an MP, but I hated the cut-throat way politics works.

Independent

Prior to qualifying as a social worker in 2003 I was a family support worker whilst undertaking my first degree, after which I intended to go into teaching.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"I have now completed my second degree and have absolutely no chance of work; basically I am being told to emigrate," sighed the 24-year-old.

The Guardian

When I finished my second degree I knew I wanted to work with young people, but I was unsure what to do.

The Guardian

It was my second degree, following a four-year undergrad but this time was very different, two years of intense study and little on the social side.

The Guardian

I had really severe retinopathy and I had a stroke – but now I'm just about to graduate from my second degree, and I run a charity full-time.

Vice

After attempts at repairing the damage through surgery, then developing a temporary fistula as a co-morbidity, to this day 14 years after my fourth degree tear, I have ongoing incontinence of flatus, and difficulty holding onto faeces for any length of time.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you hold multiple degrees, using "my first degree" helps establish a chronological order in your narrative, providing context for your educational journey.

Common error

Avoid using "my first degree" interchangeably with certifications or diplomas. A degree is a specific academic qualification typically obtained from a university or college after completing a structured program.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first degree" functions as a noun phrase, where "my" is a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "degree", and "first" is an ordinal adjective specifying the order of the degree. Ludwig examples confirm its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academic

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my first degree" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the initial academic qualification obtained by an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves primarily to provide context about one's educational background. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use this phrase accurately when discussing your academic journey, and consider alternatives like "my initial degree" or "my bachelor's degree" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my initial degree

Replaces "first" with "initial", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

my bachelor's degree

Specifies the type of degree, making it more precise if the first degree is indeed a bachelor's.

my undergraduate degree

Highlights that the degree was obtained during undergraduate studies.

my first college degree

Adds "college" for clarity, emphasizing the higher education level.

the first degree I obtained

Rephrases to focus on the act of obtaining the degree, rather than just the degree itself.

the degree I first earned

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "earned" to highlight achievement.

my original degree

Emphasizes the degree as the starting point in one's academic journey.

my initial academic qualification

Uses broader terms to encompass various forms of academic achievement.

my first higher education qualification

Highlights the advanced level of education.

my entry-level degree

Implies that the degree was used as a foundation for a career.

FAQs

How can I use "my first degree" in a sentence?

You can use "my first degree" to describe your initial academic qualification, such as "My first degree was in biology" or "After my first degree, I pursued a master's.".

What can I say instead of "my first degree"?

Alternatives include "my initial degree", "my bachelor's degree" (if applicable), or "my undergraduate degree", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Which is correct, "my first degree" or "my first degree that I earned"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "my first degree" is more concise. Adding "that I earned" emphasizes the achievement, but is often unnecessary as it's implied.

What's the difference between "my first degree" and "my second degree"?

"My first degree" refers to the initial academic qualification you obtained, while "my second degree" refers to the subsequent degree you earned after the first. They denote a chronological order in your educational qualifications.