If you’ve ever typed “bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree” into Google, you’re definitely not alone. These two terms look almost identical, are pronounced the same, and appear everywhere in academic conversations. That’s why students, job seekers, and even professionals frequently mix them up.
But here’s the surprising part: only one of them is grammatically correct—and using the wrong version can look unprofessional on resumes, emails, or academic documents.
In this guide, we’ll break down the difference, explain the correct usage, give real-life examples, show how grammar rules apply, and help you remember it forever.
Although they sound similar, they serve completely different purposes—and one tiny apostrophe changes the entire meaning. 🎓
What Is “Bachelor’s Degree”?
“Bachelor’s degree” is the correct and standard term.
The apostrophe ’s indicates possession. It literally means “the degree of a bachelor.”
Here, bachelor refers to a student who has completed undergraduate studies.
Why It’s Correct
- Grammatically correct use of possessive form
- Used by universities, governments, and academic institutions
- Standard in formal writing, resumes, admissions, and professional profiles
Where It’s Used
You’ll see bachelor’s degree used in:
- College brochures and university websites
- Job descriptions
- Academic certificates (except in degree names)
- Professional bios and LinkedIn profiles
- Research writing and official documents
Examples in Sentences
- “She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology.”
- “A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the master’s program.”
- “He’s applying for jobs that require a bachelor’s degree.”
Origin
The term comes from the medieval Latin word baccalaureus, used to denote a university student who earned an undergraduate-level qualification.
In summary:
👉 “Bachelor’s degree” = Correct, formal, and widely accepted.
What Is “Bachelors Degree”?
“Bachelors degree” is grammatically incorrect.
It lacks the apostrophe, which removes the possessive meaning. Without the apostrophe, bachelors becomes a plural noun—meaning multiple people—making the phrase incomplete and awkward.
Why It’s Incorrect
- “Bachelors” = more than one bachelor
- “Bachelors degree” → “degree of multiple bachelors” (which makes no grammatical sense)
- Not accepted in academic writing
- Not recommended for resumes or professional use
Where You Still See It
Despite being incorrect, people often use it in:
- Casual social media posts
- Quick messages
- Incorrect job listings
- Poorly edited websites
Important Exception
Degree names do not use the apostrophe:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
These are titles, not descriptions — that’s why they don’t use possessive grammar.
In simple terms:
👉 “Bachelors degree” = Common mistake, avoid in formal writing.
⭐ Key Differences Between “Bachelor’s Degree” and “Bachelors Degree”
Below is a quick, clear comparison to help you instantly understand which term to use.
Comparison Table: Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelors Degree
| Feature | Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelors Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | ✔️ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
| Apostrophe | Uses apostrophe (“degree of a bachelor”) | No apostrophe |
| Grammar Rule | Possessive form | Plural noun (wrong form) |
| Usage | Academic writing, resumes, official documents | Informal or mistaken usage |
| Accepted By | Universities, HR departments, publications | Not accepted formally |
| Example | “A bachelor’s degree in computer science” | “A bachelors degree in CS” (wrong) |
In simple words:
Bachelor’s degree = Correct 🎓
Bachelors degree = Wrong ❌
🎭 Real-Life Conversation Examples (3–5 Dialogues)
Dialogue 1
Ayan: “I wrote ‘bachelors degree’ on my resume. That’s fine, right?”
Bilal: “Not really. It should be ‘bachelor’s degree’ with an apostrophe.”
Ayan: “Oh! No wonder Grammarly kept correcting me.”
🎯 Lesson: Use bachelor’s degree in all professional documents.
Dialogue 2
Sara: “What’s the correct spelling: bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree?”
Hina: “Always ‘bachelor’s degree.’ Apostrophe matters!”
🎯 Lesson: The apostrophe shows possession—making it the correct form.
Dialogue 3
Ahmed: “My university wrote ‘Bachelor of Science,’ so shouldn’t it be ‘bachelors degree’?”
Raza: “Nope. Degree names don’t use the apostrophe—but the phrase ‘bachelor’s degree’ does.”
🎯 Lesson: “Bachelor of…” = title; “bachelor’s degree” = description.
Dialogue 4
Faiza: “I saw a job post asking for a ‘bachelors degree.’ Isn’t that wrong?”
Maham: “Yes! Even companies make grammar mistakes sometimes.”
🎯 Lesson: Don’t copy incorrect usage from random places.
Dialogue 5
Omar: “I keep forgetting—apostrophe or no apostrophe?”
Zain: “Easy rule: If you’re describing the degree, add the apostrophe!”
🎯 Lesson: When in doubt, choose bachelor’s degree.
🧭 When to Use “Bachelor’s Degree” vs “Bachelors Degree”
Use Bachelor’s Degree when you want to:
- Write resumes or CVs
- Write cover letters
- Apply for university programs
- Publish academic or professional content
- Describe someone’s educational level
- Sound accurate and credible
Examples:
- “I have a bachelor’s degree in marketing.”
- “The job requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering.”
Use Bachelors Degree when:
👉 Never—it’s not formally correct.
The only close exception is using degree titles, such as:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Bachelor of Business Administration
These are proper nouns and follow different grammar rules.
🎉 Fun Facts / History
- The term “bachelor” originally referred to a junior knight in medieval Europe before it became an academic term.
- Historically, universities like Oxford and Cambridge used “Bachelor” as a rank long before modern degree systems existed.
🏁 Conclusion
Although “bachelors degree” and “bachelor’s degree” look nearly identical, they are not the same.
The correct and professional term is “bachelor’s degree,” because the apostrophe shows possession. The version without the apostrophe—“bachelors degree”—is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided, especially in resumes or academic writing.
Now you know the difference clearly—so next time someone types bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree, you’ll know exactly which one is right! 🎓✨
DISCOVER MORE ARTICLES
Bare in Mind vs Bear in Mind: What’s the Difference? (Clear Guide for 2025-26)
Armor vs Armour: What’s the Difference? (Clear Guide for 2025-26)
