obtained a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtained a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to talk about someone completing a degree program or receiving a degree. For example, "After four years of hard work, Jane finally obtained a degree in computer science from Harvard University."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She obtained a degree in political science at the Louvre.

The New York Times

Siobhan won a place at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where she obtained a degree in classics.

The Guardian

He obtained a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU).

The New York Times

He obtained a degree in humanities through the Open University degree and attended Wolfson College Cambridge.

The Guardian

She learned English in three months and later obtained a degree in political science.

The Guardian

Dwaine protested his innocence throughout his long imprisonment and obtained a degree whilst incarcerated.

The Guardian

Four years later, he obtained a degree from New York Law School.

The Washington Post

He obtained a degree from Harvard College, not Harvard Business School.

The New York Times - Magazine

Beverly Monroe, meanwhile, had grown up on a farm in South Carolina and obtained a degree in organic chemistry.

The New York Times

True, she had obtained a degree in Islamic law almost two decades earlier in her native Pakistan.

The New York Times

Though never having obtained a degree, he finished his specialist studies and went on to perform "hundreds of operations".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

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

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who "obtained" the degree. Instead of "A degree was obtained", specify the person: "She obtained a degree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtained a degree" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of an academic qualification. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and widely used. It typically acts as the main predicate in a sentence, describing someone's educational achievement. Examples in Ludwig show it used in diverse contexts such as news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obtained a degree" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe the act of successfully completing a degree program. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic documents. While phrases like "earned a degree" or "received a degree" can be used as alternatives, "obtained a degree" remains a clear and widely accepted choice. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the field of study for clarity, and to actively voice sentences by avoiding the passive voice. Overall, this phrase is a reliable and effective way to communicate educational achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Earned a degree

Replaces "obtained" with "earned", emphasizing the effort involved in achieving the degree.

Received a degree

Uses "received" instead of "obtained", focusing on the act of being awarded the degree.

Attained a degree

Uses "attained", which is a slightly more formal synonym for "obtained".

Was awarded a degree

Emphasizes the formal awarding of the degree.

Completed a degree

Highlights the completion of the degree program.

Achieved a degree

Highlights the accomplishment of earning the degree.

Secured a degree

Suggests a more competitive or challenging process in getting the degree.

Graduated with a degree

Focuses on the graduation aspect and the resulting degree.

Was conferred a degree

A more formal and passive way of saying a degree was granted.

Qualified with a degree

Implies the degree provides a specific qualification for something.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "obtained a degree"?

You can use phrases like "earned a degree", "received a degree", or "graduated with a degree" as simpler alternatives.

Is it better to say "obtained a degree in" or "obtained a degree at"?

Use "obtained a degree in" to specify the field of study (e.g., "obtained a degree in biology") and "obtained a degree from" or "obtained a degree at" to specify the institution (e.g., "obtained a degree from Harvard University").

What is the difference between "earned a degree" and "obtained a degree"?

While similar, "earned a degree" often implies a greater emphasis on the effort and hard work involved in achieving the qualification compared to "obtained a degree".

How can I use "obtained a degree" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's educational achievements, such as "He obtained a degree in computer science" or "She obtained a degree after years of study".