Bachelors Degree or Bachelor’s Degree (2026 Guide)

Many students and writers feel confused about this small but important question:

Should you write bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree?

The words look almost the same. The only difference is a small mark ( ’ ). But this small mark changes everything.

If you are a student, an learner, or someone filling out a form, this guide will help you understand it clearly on the first read.

Let’s make it simple.

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Why Do People Get Confused?

People get confused because:

• Both forms look correct.
• Many people type fast and forget the apostrophe.
• Social media posts often use the wrong form.
• Some spell-check tools do not explain the rule clearly.
• In speech, both sound exactly the same.

But in correct written English, only one form is right in most cases.

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Quick Answer

Here is the simple answer:

• ✅ Bachelor’s degree → Correct (most of the time)
• ❌ Bachelors degree → Incorrect (missing apostrophe)
• ✅ Bachelor of Science degree → Correct (no apostrophe needed here)
• ❌ Bachelors of Science degree → Incorrect

If you remember one thing, remember this:

Use bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe.

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Where Does This Word Come From?

The word bachelor is very old. It comes from Latin and later from old French. It meant a young man or a student.

Over time, universities began using it to describe the first level of higher education.

Today, a bachelor’s degree is the first main university degree a student earns. Examples include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

The apostrophe in bachelor’s degree shows possession. It means:

A degree that belongs to a bachelor (student).

That is why the apostrophe is important.

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What Is the Real Difference?

Now let’s clearly explain the difference between:

1. Bachelor’s Degree (Correct)

This form uses an apostrophe ( ’ ).

The apostrophe + s shows possession.

It means:

• The degree of a bachelor
• A degree earned at the bachelor level

Examples:

• She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology.
• I am studying for a bachelor’s degree in English.
• He completed his bachelor’s degree last year.

This is the correct general form.

2. Bachelors Degree (Incorrect)

This form does NOT have an apostrophe.

Without the apostrophe, “bachelors” becomes just a plural noun. It means “many unmarried men.”

Example:

• The apartment building is full of bachelors.

That has nothing to do with education.

So when you write:

❌ I have a bachelors degree.

It is grammatically wrong.

You must write:

✅ I have a bachelor’s degree.

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Easy Comparison Table

Form	Correct?	Why?	Example
bachelor’s degree	✅ Yes	Shows possession	She has a bachelor’s degree.
bachelors degree	❌ No	Missing apostrophe	Incorrect
Bachelor of Arts degree	✅ Yes	Official name	He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
bachelors of arts degree	❌ No	Grammar mistake	Incorrect

This table shows clearly that the apostrophe makes the difference.

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When Should You Use Each Form?

Let’s make it very clear.

Use “bachelor’s degree” when:

• You speak in general.
• You are writing an email.
• You are filling out a form.
• You are describing your education.
• You are not using the full official degree name.

Example:

• I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2024.

Use “Bachelor of + Subject” when:

• You write the full official title.
• You write it on a CV or resume.
• You write it in a formal document.

Example:

• She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.
• He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Notice something important:

When you use “Bachelor of Science” or “Bachelor of Arts,” you do NOT use an apostrophe.

Why?

Because this is the official name of the degree.

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Common Mistakes People Make

Here are mistakes many students make:

1. Forgetting the apostrophe

❌ I have a bachelors degree.
✅ I have a bachelor’s degree.

2. Adding an apostrophe in the wrong place

❌ I have a bachelors’ degree.

This is wrong because it shows possession for many bachelors.

3. Writing everything in lowercase on a CV

When writing the general phrase:

• bachelor’s degree → lowercase is correct.

When writing the official name:

• Bachelor of Science → capital letters are correct.

4. Mixing both forms

❌ I earned my Bachelor’s of Science.

Correct form:

✅ I earned my Bachelor of Science.
OR
✅ I earned my bachelor’s degree in science.

Do not mix them.

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Everyday Real Life Examples

Let’s see how this works in daily life.

Example 1: Email to a company

Correct:

I recently completed my bachelor’s degree in marketing and would like to apply for this position.

Wrong:

I recently completed my bachelors degree in marketing.

Example 2: Social media post

Correct:

Finally finished my bachelor’s degree! So proud!

Wrong:

Finally finished my bachelors degree!

Example 3: Job application form

Correct:

Highest qualification: Bachelor’s degree

OR

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Example 4: News article

Correct:

She earned a bachelor’s degree before starting her career.

You can see that professional writing always uses the correct form.

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Simple Learning Section for Students and Beginners

Here is an easy way to remember:

Trick 1: Think about possession

The degree belongs to the bachelor (student).

So we use:

bachelor + ’s + degree

Trick 2: Say it slowly

Say:

• “Degree of a bachelor.”

That becomes:

• bachelor’s degree

Trick 3: Remember this pattern

It is the same pattern as:

• master’s degree
• associate’s degree

They all use apostrophes.

Quick Practice

Which one is correct?

1. She has a bachelors degree.
2. She has a bachelor’s degree.

Correct answer: Number 2.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is “bachelors degree” ever correct?

No. It is incorrect in standard English.

2. Why do so many people write it without the apostrophe?

Many people type quickly. Also, in speech, you cannot hear the apostrophe, so people forget it in writing.

3. Should “bachelor’s degree” be capitalized?

Usually, no.

Correct:

• I have a bachelor’s degree.

But capitalize official names:

• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Arts

4. Is it different in American and British English?

No. Both use bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe.

5. What about plural degrees?

If someone has more than one:

Correct:

• She has two bachelor’s degrees.

Notice: the apostrophe stays the same.

6. Do I use an apostrophe in “Bachelor of Science”?

No.

Correct:

• Bachelor of Science
  Not:
• Bachelor’s of Science

7. What if I write it on my resume?

You can write either:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering
  OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Both are correct.

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Conclusion

The confusion between bachelors degree and bachelor’s degree is very common. But the rule is actually simple.

Here is the final answer:

• ✅ Use bachelor’s degree (with an apostrophe) in general writing.
• ❌ Do NOT write bachelors degree.
• ✅ Use Bachelor of + Subject when writing the full official degree name.
• ❌ Do NOT mix the two forms.

The small apostrophe ( ’ ) is very important. It shows possession and makes your writing correct and professional.

Now you know the difference clearly.

Next time you write about your education, you can feel confident and use the correct form every time.