undertake a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone beginning a degree program. For example: "John decided to undertake a degree in business after finishing his certificate program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

You need to convince admissions tutors that you have the intelligence and academic ability needed to successfully undertake a degree in the subject.

The Guardian

Foundation year courses are run by a large number of universities for students who have the ability to undertake a degree but don't have the qualifications to go straight on to a degree course.

The Guardian

In conjunction with the introduction of the Bologna process in Sweden, specialist nursing education programmes were moved up to the second cycle of higher education with the opportunity to take a one-year master's degree, which also meant that students would undertake a degree project carrying 15 ECTS.

Nurse Education Today

After completing secondary school, she decided to undertake a degree in Science.

Huffington Post

By doing this, high school students can determine how ready they are to undertake a degree in higher education and, in some cases, save a considerable amount of money towards an associate's or bachelor's degree.

Huffington Post

His last contribution to the House of Lords debates was on 19 November 2003, when he criticised the situation of "having to borrow money from the state to undertake a degree course" as "a considerable deterrent to poorer families".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But undertaking a degree offers business knowledge and insight that can be hard to find elsewhere.

The Guardian

Recent figures from the Centre for Vocational Education Research show that 23% of young people are undertaking a degree by age 19.

The Guardian

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation – a charitable organisation which aims to better social well-being – the findings highlighted a trend where mothers are undertaking a degree, within subjects such as midwifery, teaching, or social work.

Independent

Putting it mildly, it's a complicated time to be undertaking a degree in Britain.

Vice

Prior to joining Added Value, she undertook a degree in English Literature at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom which ignited her passion in reading subtext and picking apart complex ideas, before completing a three year stint as a Brand Strategist at brand consultancy, Interbrand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertake a degree" when you want to emphasize a formal or deliberate decision to begin a course of study, especially one that requires significant effort and commitment.

Common error

While "undertake a degree" is perfectly valid, avoid using it unnecessarily when simpler phrases like "start a degree" or "pursue a degree" would suffice. Overusing "undertake" can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake a degree" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of starting or committing to a course of academic study. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertake a degree" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of starting a degree program. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while it's a valid option, consider simpler alternatives if the context doesn't require a formal tone. The phrase appears most frequently in news articles and scientific publications, with authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Independent using it. It's essential to remember that "undertake a degree" focuses on the commitment to begin the program, distinguishing it from phrases like "study for a degree", which emphasizes the academic effort involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a degree

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the beginning of a degree.

pursue a degree

Focuses on the ongoing effort and commitment involved in obtaining a degree.

begin a degree program

Emphasizes the commencement of a structured course of study.

enroll in a degree course

Highlights the act of formally registering for a degree program.

commence degree studies

A more formal way of saying 'start a degree'.

study for a degree

Emphasizes the academic work required to obtain a degree.

embark on a degree

Suggests a more significant and adventurous commitment to studying.

engage in degree-level study

Highlights the active participation in academic work at the degree level.

take up a degree

Focuses on starting a degree as a new activity or responsibility.

read for a degree

A British English expression, suggesting intensive reading and study.

FAQs

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

You can use "undertake a degree" to describe the action of starting a university or college course. For example, "She decided to "undertake a degree" in engineering after high school".

What are some alternatives to "undertake a degree"?

You can use alternatives like "pursue a degree", "begin a degree program", or "start a degree" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "undertake in a degree"?

No, the correct phrasing is "undertake a degree". The verb "undertake" is followed directly by the noun phrase "a degree", without the preposition "in".

What is the difference between "undertake a degree" and "study for a degree"?

"Undertake a degree" refers to the act of beginning or committing to a degree program, while "study for a degree" refers to the academic work and effort involved in completing the degree. So, you "undertake a degree", and then you "study for a degree".