When it comes to describing your college education, small details in wording can make a big difference. One common question is whether you should write “bachelors” or “bachelor’s degree.” Although these terms look almost identical, they are not always used in the same way, and choosing the correct form can make your writing sound more polished and professional.
The confusion often comes from the apostrophe. “Bachelor’s degree” is the standard form when referring to a degree earned by one person, while “bachelors” without an apostrophe is generally not the correct way to describe the degree itself. However, depending on the sentence, you may also see “bachelor’s” used on its own as a shortened form.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between bachelors and bachelor’s degree, show you when to use each form, and provide clear examples for resumes, applications, academic writing, and everyday communication. By the end, you’ll know exactly which version to choose in 2026—and why.
Quick Answer
The correct academic term is “bachelor’s degree.” The word “bachelors” alone is just a plural noun and does not refer to an academic qualification. In formal English, always use “bachelor’s degree” to describe undergraduate education. The apostrophe shows possession—meaning the degree of a bachelor.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Bachelors | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Meaning | Plural of bachelor (unmarried men or students) | Undergraduate academic qualification |
| Grammar Role | Plural noun | Possessive noun phrase |
| Formality | Informal in academic context | Formal and standard |
| Common Usage | Rare in education context | Very common in academics & jobs |
| Regional Usage | Universal | Universal |
| Preferred Context | General writing | Education, resumes, official documents |
How Are These Words Pronounced?
Bachelor’s
- IPA: /ˈbætʃ.ə.lərz/
- Syllables: bach-e-lorz
- Stress: First syllable
Bachelors
- IPA: /ˈbætʃ.ə.lərz/
- Syllables: bach-e-lorz
- Stress: First syllable
👉 Pronunciation is identical, which is one reason people confuse them in writing.
Meaning and Usage
Meaning of “Bachelors”
The word bachelors is simply the plural form of bachelor. It usually refers to:
- Unmarried men
- Students who hold a bachelor’s degree (informal usage)
Examples:
- The party was full of young bachelors.
- Many bachelors live in shared apartments in big cities.
👉 Important: In academic writing, “bachelors” alone is NOT used to refer to a degree.
Meaning of “Bachelor’s Degree”
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic qualification awarded by universities and colleges after completing a program of study.
Examples:
- She completed her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
- A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years.
👉 The apostrophe shows possession: it is the degree of a bachelor-level education system.
Main Difference Between Bachelors and Bachelor’s Degree
| Aspect | Bachelors | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Definition | Plural noun (people or informal usage) | Academic qualification |
| Usage in education | Incorrect alone | Correct and standard |
| Grammar | Simple plural | Possessive noun phrase |
| Formal writing | Not recommended | Required |
| Example | “Many bachelors attended the event.” | “She earned a bachelor’s degree.” |
Grammar Rule Section
Why “Bachelor’s Degree” Uses an Apostrophe
The apostrophe in bachelor’s degree shows possession. It means:
A degree belonging to the bachelor-level education category.
In grammar terms:
- “Bachelor” = noun
- “‘s” = possessive marker
- “Degree” = object being possessed
Structure:
[Noun + ’s + noun] = possession
Examples:
- student’s book
- doctor’s clinic
- bachelor’s degree
Origin and Etymology
The word bachelor comes from Old French bacheler, meaning a young knight or an apprentice. Over time, it evolved to mean:
- An unmarried man
- A basic university graduate level
The term bachelor’s degree originated in medieval European universities. It referred to the first level of academic achievement before master’s or doctoral degrees.
Dictionary Comparison
Oxford Dictionary
- Defines bachelor as unmarried man or undergraduate degree holder
- Defines bachelor’s degree as first university degree
Cambridge Dictionary
- Clearly separates:
- bachelor = unmarried man / degree holder
- bachelor’s degree = qualification from university
Merriam-Webster
- Emphasizes academic meaning of bachelor’s degree as standard undergraduate award
Collins Dictionary
- Uses “bachelor’s degree” as the formal academic term
👉 All major dictionaries confirm: “bachelor’s degree” is the standard academic expression.
Are Both Words Correct?
Yes—but they are not interchangeable.
- “Bachelors” is correct as a plural noun
- “Bachelor’s degree” is correct for education
🚫 “Bachelors degree” (without apostrophe) is incorrect in formal English
✔ Correct: bachelor’s degree
British vs American English
There is no difference between British and American English regarding this term.
Both use:
- Bachelor’s degree (standard globally)
Comparison Table
| Region | Preferred Form |
| UK English | Bachelor’s degree |
| US English | Bachelor’s degree |
| Canada | Bachelor’s degree |
| Australia | Bachelor’s degree |
Which Form Is More Common?
In academic and professional contexts:
- “Bachelor’s degree” dominates in:
- Universities
- Job applications
- Official documents
- Research papers
“Bachelors” appears mostly in:
- Casual speech
- Social contexts (unmarried men)
When Should You Use Each Word?
Academic Writing
✔ Use: bachelor’s degree
❌ Avoid: bachelors
Professional Writing
✔ Use: bachelor’s degree
Casual Writing
✔ “bachelors” is fine when referring to people
Journalism
✔ Always use: bachelor’s degree
Common Mistakes
❌ Mistake 1: Missing apostrophe
- Incorrect: I have bachelors degree
- Correct: I have a bachelor’s degree
❌ Mistake 2: Using “bachelors” for education
- Incorrect: He completed bachelors in engineering
- Correct: He completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering
❌ Mistake 3: Capitalization confusion
- Incorrect: Bachelors Degree
- Correct: bachelor’s degree
Real-Life Examples
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- Many bachelors prefer living alone.
- A bachelor’s degree is required for this job.
- The city has many young bachelors working in tech.
Synonyms
Bachelor’s Degree Synonyms
- Undergraduate degree
- First degree
- College degree (US informal)
- Higher education qualification
Bachelors Synonyms (people)
- Single men
- Unmarried men
- Eligible men (informal)
Antonyms
Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctorate (PhD)
- Diploma (lower qualification)
Bachelors (people)
- Married men
Memory Trick
Remember this simple rule:
👉 “A bachelor owns the degree, so it needs ‘s.”
Or:
- Bachelor = person
- Bachelor’s = belonging to bachelor-level education
- Bachelor’s degree = correct academic term
Similar Confusing Words
- Master vs Master’s degree
- Doctor vs Doctorate
- Affect vs Effect
- Then vs Than
- Its vs It’s
Why Do People Search “Bachelors or Bachelor’s Degree”?
People search this keyword because of:
- Resume writing confusion
- Academic form filling
- Grammar uncertainty
- IELTS / English exams
- Job application mistakes
Common search queries:
- Is it bachelors or bachelor’s degree?
- How to write bachelor’s degree correctly
- Bachelor degree or bachelor’s degree grammar
- Bachelors meaning in education
FAQs
1. Which is correct: bachelors or bachelor’s degree?
“Bachelor’s degree” is correct for education. “Bachelors” refers to people.
2. Is bachelors degree wrong?
Yes, in formal writing it is incorrect without an apostrophe.
3. What does bachelor’s degree mean?
It is an undergraduate university qualification.
4. Is it bachelor degree or bachelor’s degree?
Correct form: bachelor’s degree.
5. Can I say I have bachelors?
Only informally. Proper form is “bachelor’s degree.”
6. Is bachelor’s degree singular or plural?
It is singular.
7. Why is there an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree?
It shows possession (degree of bachelor-level study).
8. Is it used in British English?
Yes, same usage as American English.
9. How long is a bachelor’s degree?
Usually 3–4 years depending on country.
10. What is higher than a bachelor’s degree?
Master’s degree and PhD.
Expert Recommendation
Grammar experts, academic institutions, and style guides strongly recommend:
- Always using “bachelor’s degree” in formal writing
- Avoiding “bachelors” when referring to education
- Maintaining apostrophe usage for clarity and correctness
Final Verdict
The confusion between bachelors and bachelor’s degree comes from similar spelling and pronunciation, but their meanings are very different.
Key Takeaways:
- “Bachelors” = plural noun (unmarried men)
- “Bachelor’s degree” = academic qualification
- Apostrophe is essential in formal writing
- Only “bachelor’s degree” is correct in education contexts
Practical Advice:
If you are writing a resume, academic paper, or formal document, always use:
👉 bachelor’s degree
I’ve dedicated my career to making English grammar approachable for everyone. I know how intimidating grammar rules can feel, so I focus on practical examples and real-life applications that I personally use every day. My books, Grammar in Action and Clear Writing, Confident Speaking, reflect my hands-on approach to learning. When I’m not writing, I explore linguistic trends, and I’m always on the lookout for ways to make language fun and empowering for learners.
Lisa Thornton
John Mercer