Have you ever wondered whether you should write bachelor or bachelors on a resume, college application, or academic document?
You’re not alone. This is one of the most common grammar and writing questions, especially when referring to university degrees, educational qualifications, and professional credentials.
The confusion around bachelor or bachelors often comes from the way degree names are spoken in everyday conversation. While both forms exist in English, they are not always interchangeable.
Understanding the difference can help you write more professionally and avoid common mistakes in academic and business settings.
Quick Answer
Bachelor is the correct form when referring to an academic degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS).
Bachelors is usually the plural form of bachelor and may refer to multiple unmarried men or multiple bachelor’s degrees in certain contexts.
Examples:
- She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
- He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
- Several bachelors attended the event.
- The university awarded hundreds of bachelor’s degrees this year.
What Does “Bachelor” Mean?
The word bachelor has multiple meanings in English, but its most common uses are related to education and marital status.
Definition of Bachelor
Bachelor can mean:
- A person who holds an undergraduate academic degree
- An unmarried man
- The first level of university degree awarded by colleges and universities
Examples of Bachelor
- She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English.
- He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
- The university offers several Bachelor programs.
- A bachelor typically completes undergraduate studies before pursuing graduate education.
- He remained a bachelor throughout his life.
Synonyms and Related Terms
For academic use:
- Undergraduate degree
- First degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- College degree
For marital status:
- Unmarried man
- Single man
Bachelor in Education
Academic institutions commonly use Bachelor in official degree titles:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BE)
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
What Does “Bachelors” Mean?
Bachelors is the plural form of bachelor.
It is used when referring to more than one bachelor or, less commonly, multiple bachelor’s-level qualifications.
Definition of Bachelors
Bachelors means:
- More than one unmarried man
- Multiple individuals holding bachelor-level qualifications
Examples of Bachelors
- Several bachelors attended the networking event.
- The reality show featured a group of eligible bachelors.
- Many bachelors choose to live independently.
- The organization surveyed hundreds of bachelors across the country.
Important Note
When discussing an academic degree, writers often mistakenly use bachelors degree without the apostrophe.
The correct academic phrase is:
Bachelor’s degree
Not:
Bachelors degree
Bachelor vs Bachelors: Key Differences
Although the words look similar, they serve different grammatical functions.
| Feature | Bachelor | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Singular noun | Plural noun |
| Meaning | One bachelor or degree title | Multiple bachelors |
| Academic Degree Title | Yes | Usually no |
| Refers to One Person | Yes | No |
| Refers to Multiple People | No | Yes |
Simple Comparison
Bachelor:
- She earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Bachelors:
- Several bachelors attended the conference.
The first sentence refers to an academic qualification.
The second refers to multiple unmarried men.
Understanding “Bachelor’s Degree”
This is where most confusion occurs.
Correct Form
Bachelor’s degree
The apostrophe shows possession.
The degree belongs to a bachelor.
Examples:
- She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
- He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
- A Bachelor’s degree is often required for many careers.
Incorrect Form
- Bachelors degree ❌
- Bachelor degree ❌ (except in some informal contexts)
Preferred Academic Usage
- Bachelor’s degree ✔
- Bachelor of Arts ✔
- Bachelor of Science ✔
Common Mistakes People Make
Mistake #1: Writing “Bachelors Degree”
Incorrect:
- I have a Bachelors degree in Finance.
Correct:
- I have a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.
Why?
The apostrophe is required.
Mistake #2: Using Bachelor Instead of Bachelor’s Degree
Incorrect:
- She earned a Bachelor in Psychology.
Correct:
- She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Why?
Formal degree references require the complete degree name.
Mistake #3: Confusing Singular and Plural Forms
Incorrect:
- Three bachelor attended the seminar.
Correct:
- Three bachelors attended the seminar.
Why?
Plural nouns require the plural form.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
A simple memory tip can help.
Remember Bachelor
Think:
One degree or one person = Bachelor
Examples:
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- One bachelor
Remember Bachelors
Think:
More than one person = Bachelors
Examples:
- Several bachelors
- Many bachelors
- Eligible bachelors
Remember Bachelor’s Degree
Think:
Degree = Apostrophe Needed
Correct:
- Bachelor’s degree
Incorrect:
- Bachelors degree
American vs British English Differences
The usage of bachelor, bachelors, and bachelor’s degree is largely the same in American English and British English.
American English
Common forms include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts
British English
Universities commonly use:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
The apostrophe usage remains the same in both varieties.
Examples in Sentences
Bachelor Examples
- She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- A Bachelor of Arts typically takes three to four years.
- He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration.
- The university offers several Bachelor programs.
- She plans to pursue a master’s degree after her Bachelor studies.
Bachelors Examples
- The party was attended by many bachelors.
- Several bachelors joined the community group.
- The survey focused on young bachelors.
- Many bachelors prefer city living.
- The event welcomed eligible bachelors from across the region.
Bachelor’s Degree Examples
- He has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
- A Bachelor’s degree can improve career opportunities.
- She completed her Bachelor’s degree last year.
- Employers often require a Bachelor’s degree.
- A Bachelor’s degree is the first step toward graduate study.
When to Use Bachelor
Use Bachelor when:
- Naming an academic degree title
- Referring to one unmarried man
- Describing an undergraduate qualification
Examples:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- A bachelor living alone
When to Use Bachelors
Use Bachelors when:
- Referring to multiple unmarried men
- Talking about a group of bachelors
Examples:
- Several bachelors attended.
- Many bachelors participated.
When to Use Bachelor’s Degree
Use Bachelor’s degree when:
- Referring generally to an undergraduate degree
- Writing resumes and applications
- Describing educational qualifications
Examples:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science
Why Understanding Bachelor or Bachelors Matters
Using the correct form is important in professional, academic, and career-related writing. A small grammatical mistake on a resume, university application, LinkedIn profile, or scholarship essay can make your writing appear less polished.
Understanding the distinction between bachelor, bachelors, and bachelor’s degree helps ensure clarity, professionalism, and grammatical accuracy in all forms of communication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it bachelor or bachelors degree?
The correct form is Bachelor’s degree.
2. Why is there an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree?
The apostrophe indicates possession, meaning the degree belongs to a bachelor.
3. Can I write bachelors degree on my resume?
No. The preferred form is Bachelor’s degree.
4. What is the difference between bachelor and bachelor’s degree?
Bachelor is a noun, while Bachelor’s degree refers specifically to an academic qualification.
5. Is Bachelor of Science capitalized?
Yes, when used as the official degree title.
6. Is bachelors a real word?
Yes. It is the plural form of bachelor.
7. Do British and American English use bachelor’s degree differently?
No. Both generally follow the same grammar rules.
8. Which is correct: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor’s of Arts?
Bachelor of Arts is correct.
Summary
The difference between bachelor or bachelors depends on context. Bachelor is the singular form and is commonly used in official degree titles such as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Bachelors is simply the plural form used when referring to multiple unmarried men or, in rare contexts, multiple bachelors.
For academic and professional writing, the most important rule is to use Bachelor’s degree when referring to an undergraduate qualification. Remember that the apostrophe matters. Following this distinction will help your resume, application, academic paper, and professional documents appear more accurate and polished.
Actionable Takeaway
Whenever you write about education, remember this simple rule: use “Bachelor’s degree” for qualifications, “Bachelor” for official degree titles, and “Bachelors” only for multiple people. This one guideline will help you avoid the most common mistake related to undergraduate degree terminology.
