university degrees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "university degrees" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to academic qualifications awarded by universities. An example is: "Many employers prefer candidates with university degrees." Alternative expressions include "academic degrees" and "higher education degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just look at university degrees.

The Economist

They earn fewer university degrees than women.

The Economist

A good number have university degrees.

The New York Times

Why not university degrees or public offices?

The Guardian - Opinion

And university degrees are not comparable either.

The Guardian

Many of these people have university degrees.

The New York Times

Immigrants either have university degrees or no high-school education.

The Economist

More than a quarter of Americans now have university degrees.

The Economist

These are people with university degrees who are watching it.

The New Yorker

Six of the seven of us have university degrees.

The Guardian

She followed his advice and took several university degrees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific fields of study, specify the type of "university degrees" (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming all "university degrees" hold equal weight or value across different institutions or programs. The reputation of the university and the rigor of the specific program significantly influence the perceived value of the degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "university degrees" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it denotes academic qualifications awarded by a university. For example, "They earn fewer university degrees than women."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "university degrees" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to denote academic qualifications from universities. According to Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to convey information about educational attainment across various contexts, predominantly in news, science and formal settings. When writing about this topic, be specific about the type of degree when relevant, and avoid generalizations about their value. Consider alternatives like "higher education qualifications" for broader contexts. The high frequency and varied contexts from Ludwig AI confirm its widespread usage and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree-level qualifications

This specifies that the qualifications are at the level of a university degree, maintaining the focus on the qualification level.

higher education qualifications

This alternative broadens the scope to include all qualifications obtained through higher education, not just those from universities.

academic credentials

This term emphasizes the formal recognition of educational achievements, applicable to various levels, not exclusively university level.

tertiary qualifications

This is a formal term referring to education beyond secondary school, encompassing universities and other institutions.

graduate qualifications

This alternative focuses on qualifications obtained after completing a first degree.

bachelor's and master's degrees

This is a more specific description, outlining two common types of university degrees.

advanced degrees

This highlights the advanced level of the degrees, implying postgraduate studies.

university-level education

This phrase shifts the focus from the degree itself to the educational level achieved.

post-secondary education

This term refers to all educational activities after high school. It does not specify the level of degree.

formal academic training

This emphasizes the structured and recognized nature of the education received at a university. It doesn't specifically mention a degree.

FAQs

How do I use "university degrees" in a sentence?

You can use "university degrees" to refer to qualifications obtained from a university. For example, "Many employers require candidates to have "university degrees" for management positions".

What are some alternatives to saying "university degrees"?

Some alternatives include "higher education qualifications", "academic credentials", or "tertiary qualifications", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "college degrees" instead of "university degrees"?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but "university degrees" specifically refers to degrees from universities. "College degrees" can sometimes refer to degrees from other types of higher education institutions. Therefore it's always safe to refer to "university degrees" when you specifically mean a University degree.

What's the difference between "university degrees" and "professional certifications"?

"University degrees" are academic qualifications, while "professional certifications" validate specific skills or knowledge in a profession. Both can enhance career prospects, but they serve different purposes. You can have both at the same time.