Bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree is a question about apostrophe use, not two acceptable spelling variations. The standard form is bachelor’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s. The form bachelors degree is incorrect in ordinary edited English.
You should also write the general degree name in lowercase. However, capitalize a complete formal title, such as Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. In those formal titles, do not use an apostrophe.
Quick Answer
Write bachelor’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s. The apostrophe marks the conventional possessive form of bachelor. Write the general term in lowercase, as in “She earned a bachelor’s degree.” However, use capitals and no apostrophe in a formal title, such as “She earned a Bachelor of Arts.” Major dictionaries and university style guides follow this distinction.
TL;DR
- Bachelor’s degree is the correct general form.
- Bachelors degree is incorrect because it omits the apostrophe.
- Write Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science without an apostrophe.
- Lowercase the general term unless it begins a sentence.
- The plural is bachelor’s degrees, not bachelors’ degrees.
- The same basic rule applies in US and UK English.
Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelors Degree: The Correct Form
The correct choice is bachelor’s degree.
Merriam-Webster enters the expression as bachelor’s degree. Cambridge Dictionary also uses the apostrophe in both its British and American entries. Therefore, the standard spelling does not change between mainstream US and UK English.
Compare the forms below:
| Form | Status | Example |
|---|---|---|
| bachelor’s degree | Correct | Maya earned a bachelor’s degree. |
| bachelors degree | Incorrect | Maya earned a bachelors degree. |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Usually incorrect capitalization | The role requires a Bachelor’s Degree. |
| Bachelor of Arts | Correct formal title | Maya earned a Bachelor of Arts. |
| Bachelor’s of Arts | Incorrect | Maya earned a Bachelor’s of Arts. |
The apostrophe and capitalization depend on how you name the qualification. A general description uses bachelor’s degree. By contrast, the complete official degree title usually uses Bachelor of followed by the subject or degree type.
Why Does Bachelor’s Degree Need an Apostrophe?
The apostrophe marks a possessive construction. In traditional terms, the phrase means a degree associated with or held by a bachelor.
University editorial guides commonly describe bachelor’s degree as a possessive form. Western Michigan University, for example, directs writers to use an apostrophe with bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. It also distinguishes these forms from Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science, which do not use apostrophes.
The pattern is similar to other possessive expressions:
- a student’s application
- a teacher’s certificate
- a bachelor’s degree
- a master’s degree
However, the phrase now functions as an established name for an academic qualification. Writers do not normally think about literal ownership each time they use it. They simply follow the conventional form.
Without the apostrophe, bachelors appears to be the ordinary plural of bachelor. That would refer to multiple people rather than one type of degree. Therefore, bachelors degree does not express the intended grammatical relationship.
When to Lowercase Bachelor’s Degree
Lowercase bachelor’s degree when you refer to the qualification generally.
Correct examples include:
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.
- The position requires a bachelor’s degree.
- He is completing his bachelor’s degree online.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- I received my bachelor’s degree in 2024.
The MLA Style Center uses lowercase for general references to academic qualifications. Western Michigan University gives the same guidance and reserves capitals for complete formal degree names.
Do not capitalize the expression merely because education seems important. Common nouns do not receive capitals for emphasis.
Incorrect:
- She has a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing.
Correct:
- She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Naturally, capitalize Bachelor’s when it begins a sentence:
- Bachelor’s degree requirements vary by institution.
In that example, the capital letter comes from sentence position. It does not make the phrase a formal title.
When to Capitalize a Degree Name
Capitalize the complete official name of a degree.
Examples include:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Bachelor of Business Administration
A formal name does not require an apostrophe because Bachelor is followed by an of phrase. University style guides consistently distinguish these titles from the general possessive form.
Compare these sentences:
- Lena earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
- Lena earned a Bachelor of Arts in history.
- Omar completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
- Omar completed a Bachelor of Science in computer science.
Both versions can be correct. The first names the level of qualification generally. The second gives the formal degree title.
Is “Bachelor’s of Science” Correct?
No. Write Bachelor of Science, not Bachelor’s of Science.
The phrase already contains of, so the possessive ending is unnecessary. The same rule applies to other formal degree names.
Correct:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Master of Arts
- Master of Business Administration
Incorrect:
- Bachelor’s of Arts
- Bachelor’s of Science
- Master’s of Arts
- Master’s of Business Administration
You may write a bachelor’s in science in informal language. However, that is different from the formal title Bachelor of Science.
How to Write the Plural Form
The plural is bachelor’s degrees.
Only the noun degrees becomes plural. The word bachelor’s remains in its established possessive form.
Correct:
- She holds two bachelor’s degrees.
- The university offers several bachelor’s degrees.
- Both applicants completed bachelor’s degrees in engineering.
- The department introduced three new bachelor’s degree programs.
Incorrect:
- bachelors degrees
- bachelors’ degrees
- bachelor degrees
- bachelor’s degree’s
The University of Bath specifically recommends bachelor’s degrees for the plural and rejects forms such as bachelors’.
The logic becomes clearer when you compare singular and plural forms:
| Number | Correct Form |
| One qualification | a bachelor’s degree |
| More than one qualification | bachelor’s degrees |
| One formal title | a Bachelor of Arts |
| More than one formal qualification | Bachelor of Arts degrees |
Do not add an apostrophe to degrees merely to make it plural. Apostrophes do not normally create plural nouns.
Bachelor’s Degree on a Resume or CV
On a resume or CV, use the exact formal title awarded by your institution whenever possible.
For example:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of Example, 2026
This format is usually clearer than writing only bachelor’s degree. It tells the employer which qualification you earned and identifies your subject area.
Other correct formats include:
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering
- BA in History
- BS in Biology
- BSc in Mathematics
Degree abbreviations vary by institution and editorial style. For example, some US styles use periods in B.A. and B.S., while MLA style uses abbreviations such as BA without periods. Therefore, follow the wording printed by your university or use one abbreviation style consistently.
Avoid these resume forms:
- Bachelors Degree in Finance
- Bachelor’s of Science
- Bachelors in Computer Science
- Bachelor Degree in English
A shortened form such as bachelor’s in accounting can work in conversation. However, the complete formal title usually looks more professional in an education section.
How to Mention a Major or Subject
When using the general degree name, place the field after in:
- a bachelor’s degree in psychology
- a bachelor’s degree in economics
- a bachelor’s degree in nursing
- a bachelor’s degree in graphic design
The field of study usually remains lowercase unless it contains a proper noun.
Correct:
- a bachelor’s degree in chemistry
- a bachelor’s degree in French
- a bachelor’s degree in English literature
- a bachelor’s degree in Asian studies
French and English require capitals because they are proper adjectives. By contrast, subjects such as biology, marketing, and history remain lowercase.
With a formal degree title, use the capitalization established by the institution:
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
Some institutions treat the major as separate from the official degree name. Therefore, the safest approach on formal documents is to copy the title from your diploma, transcript, or university record.
US and UK English Usage
Both US and UK English normally use bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe.
Cambridge presents bachelor’s degree for British and American readers. Likewise, the University of Bath advises UK writers to use lowercase and an apostrophe for the general term. US university guides provide the same rule.
The main regional differences concern educational systems and degree abbreviations, not the apostrophe.
United States:
Writers may encounter abbreviations such as BA, B.A., BS, or B.S. The preferred format depends on the institution or style guide.
United Kingdom:
Forms such as BA and BSc are common. However, universities may use different post-nominal letters for specific qualifications.
In both countries, write:
- She has a bachelor’s degree.
- He earned a Bachelor of Arts.
- They completed bachelor’s degrees.
Therefore, you do not need separate US and UK spellings for the general phrase.
Is “Bachelor Degree” Ever Correct?
In standard general writing, bachelor’s degree is the expected form, not bachelor degree.
However, you may occasionally see bachelor degree in institutional labels, translated documents, international program names, or compound phrases. Its appearance does not make it the preferred form in ordinary US or UK prose.
For example, a university may use a label such as “bachelor degree program” as part of its local terminology. When quoting an official program name, preserve the institution’s wording. Otherwise, use the standard expression.
Preferred:
- The applicant has a bachelor’s degree.
- She joined a bachelor’s degree program.
- He completed a Bachelor of Science.
Avoid:
- The applicant has a bachelor degree.
- She earned a bachelors degree.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
Omitting the Apostrophe
Incorrect:
- He has a bachelors degree.
Correct:
- He has a bachelor’s degree.
The missing apostrophe is the central error in the bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree comparison.
Capitalizing the General Term
Incorrect:
- The job requires a Bachelor’s Degree.
Correct:
- The job requires a bachelor’s degree.
Use capitals only for a complete formal title or at the beginning of a sentence.
Adding an Apostrophe to a Formal Title
Incorrect:
- She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts.
Correct:
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts.
The of construction replaces the possessive structure.
Making Bachelor’s Plural
Incorrect:
- He has two bachelors’ degrees.
Correct:
- He has two bachelor’s degrees.
Make degree plural, not bachelor’s.
Adding an Apostrophe to Degrees
Incorrect:
- The college offers several bachelor’s degree’s.
Correct:
- The college offers several bachelor’s degrees.
The word degrees is a simple plural. It does not need an apostrophe.
Correct Sentence Examples
General References
- I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications.
- Her bachelor’s degree helped her qualify for the role.
- A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.
- He plans to complete his bachelor’s degree next year.
- The course leads to a bachelor’s degree in education.
Formal Degree Names
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
- He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics.
- Maya completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
- The candidate has a Bachelor of Business Administration.
- Amir received a Bachelor of Engineering in 2025.
Plural Examples
- The university offers more than 40 bachelor’s degrees.
- Both sisters earned bachelor’s degrees in healthcare fields.
- She holds bachelor’s degrees in music and education.
- Several bachelor’s degree programs accept transfer students.
- Their bachelor’s degrees came from different universities.
Resume and Professional Examples
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- BA in Political Science
- She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
- Applicants need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- His Bachelor of Arts prepared him for graduate study.
A Simple Rule to Remember
Use this three-part rule:
- Write bachelor’s degree for a general reference.
- Write Bachelor of Arts or another complete title for a formal name.
- Write bachelor’s degrees when referring to more than one.
A quick test can also help. When the phrase includes degree, ask whether you are naming the qualification generally or giving its official title.
General:
- a bachelor’s degree
Official:
- a Bachelor of Science
Once you recognize that distinction, the apostrophe and capitalization become much easier to manage.
FAQs
Yes. Style guides traditionally treat bachelor’s as a possessive form. Therefore, it takes an apostrophe before the s in the general expression bachelor’s degree.
No, not in a general reference. Write “She has a bachelor’s degree.” Capitalize a complete formal title, such as “She has a Bachelor of Arts.”
No. Bachelors degree is not the standard form in edited US or UK English. Write bachelor’s degree instead.
Both can be correct. Bachelor’s degree is a general description, while Bachelor of Science is a formal degree title.
Write two bachelor’s degrees. The apostrophe remains before the s in bachelor’s, while degrees takes the plural ending.
Yes. A bachelor’s can serve as an informal shortened form of a bachelor’s degree. However, use the complete degree title on a resume, CV, application, or official biography.
No. Both American and British English generally use bachelor’s degree. Degree structures and abbreviations may vary, but the apostrophe rule remains the same.
Final Takeaway
In the bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree choice, only the first form is standard. Write bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe and lowercase letters for a general reference. Use Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or another capitalized formal title when naming the qualification precisely. For more than one, write bachelor’s degrees.