Introduction
Highlighting your academic qualifications is essential in resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and professional bios. While phrases like “I have a Bachelor’s degree” or “I hold a Master’s degree” are standard, using varied and polished alternatives can make your profile or application more engaging and professional.
What Does It Mean to Say You Have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree?
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree signifies completion of undergraduate or graduate-level studies, demonstrating expertise in a specific field. Clearly expressing this in professional communication highlights your qualifications, credibility, and suitability for roles, projects, or further education.
When to Use Alternatives
Alternatives are useful in:
- Writing resumes, CVs, or LinkedIn profiles
- Drafting cover letters or personal statements
- Presenting yourself in emails or professional introductions
- Updating bios for conferences, publications, or networking events
Using varied phrasing avoids repetition and strengthens the presentation of your academic background.
Is Saying “I Have a Degree” Professional?
Yes, but it can be plain and formulaic. Using refined alternatives adds sophistication, emphasizes your field of study or achievement, and keeps your communication polished and professional.
35+ Ways to Say You Have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
1. I hold a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in [Field]
Meaning: Standard professional phrasing.
Tone: Formal.
“I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science.”
Explanation: Clear, concise, and professional.
2. I earned my Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights achievement.
Tone: Professional.
“I earned my Master’s in Business Administration in 2022.”
Explanation: Shows initiative and accomplishment.
3. I completed my Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in [Field]
Meaning: Emphasizes completion.
Tone: Professional.
“I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.”
Explanation: Polished and formal.
4. I graduated with a Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights graduation.
Tone: Professional.
“I graduated with a Master’s in Marketing from XYZ University.”
Explanation: Traditional and professional.
5. I hold a [Field] degree at the Bachelor’s/Master’s level
Meaning: Formal academic phrasing.
Tone: Formal.
“I hold a degree in Finance at the Master’s level.”
Explanation: Polished and precise.
6. I obtained my Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Formal phrasing emphasizing acquisition.
Tone: Professional.
“I obtained my Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2018.”
Explanation: Suitable for resumes and bios.
7. I earned a Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field] from [University]
Meaning: Specifies institution.
Tone: Professional.
“I earned a Master’s in Data Analytics from Harvard University.”
Explanation: Adds credibility and specificity.
8. I completed postgraduate studies in [Field] (for Master’s)
Meaning: Formal phrasing for Master’s.
Tone: Professional.
“I completed postgraduate studies in International Relations.”
Explanation: Professional and refined.
9. I possess a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in [Field]
Meaning: Emphasizes possession of degree.
Tone: Formal.
“I possess a Master’s degree in Environmental Science.”
Explanation: Strong and professional.
10. I graduated with honors in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights achievement.
Tone: Professional.
“I graduated with honors in Electrical Engineering.”
Explanation: Polished, emphasizes distinction.
11. I hold an undergraduate/graduate degree in [Field]
Meaning: Formal, specifies level.
Tone: Professional.
“I hold a graduate degree in Economics.”
Explanation: Clear and formal.
12. I received my Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Professional phrasing.
Tone: Formal.
“I received my Master’s in Computer Engineering.”
Explanation: Polished and neutral.
13. I am a Bachelor’s/Master’s graduate in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights graduate status.
Tone: Professional.
“I am a Master’s graduate in Software Development.”
Explanation: Suitable for resumes or bios.
14. I completed my studies in [Field]
Meaning: Neutral phrasing.
Tone: Professional.
“I completed my studies in Civil Engineering.”
Explanation: Professional and concise.
15. I earned an advanced degree in [Field] (for Master’s)
Meaning: Highlights level of education.
Tone: Formal.
“I earned an advanced degree in Business Administration.”
Explanation: Professional and sophisticated.
16. I hold a degree in [Field]
Meaning: General professional phrasing.
Tone: Formal.
“I hold a degree in Accounting.”
Explanation: Simple, professional, and versatile.
17. I am a graduate in [Field]
Meaning: Short, formal phrasing.
Tone: Professional.
“I am a graduate in Sociology.”
Explanation: Suitable for concise bios.
18. I earned a Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Straightforward for Master’s.
Tone: Professional.
“I earned a Master’s in Public Health.”
Explanation: Clear and concise.
19. I completed my Bachelor’s/Master’s program in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights structured program.
Tone: Formal.
“I completed my Master’s program in Data Science.”
Explanation: Polished and professional.
20. I am a holder of a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree
Meaning: Formal and official.
Tone: Professional.
“I am a holder of a Master’s degree in Marketing.”
Explanation: Suitable for formal documents.
21. I graduated from [University] with a Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Specifies institution and field.
Tone: Professional.
“I graduated from Stanford University with a Master’s in Finance.”
Explanation: Adds credibility.
22. I hold a postgraduate qualification in [Field] (for Master’s)
Meaning: Formal for postgraduate degree.
Tone: Professional.
“I hold a postgraduate qualification in International Business.”
Explanation: Polished and formal.
23. I earned a degree in [Field] at the Bachelor’s/Master’s level
Meaning: Formal and precise.
Tone: Professional.
“I earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Bachelor’s level.”
Explanation: Clear and professional.
24. I completed advanced studies in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights advanced education.
Tone: Formal.
“I completed advanced studies in Biotechnology.”
Explanation: Suitable for Master’s or higher.
25. I am an alumnus/alumna of [University] with a degree in [Field]
Meaning: Specifies institution and degree.
Tone: Professional.
“I am an alumna of Oxford University with a Master’s in Law.”
Explanation: Adds prestige and clarity.
26. I have a Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Simple and professional.
Tone: Neutral.
“I have a Master’s in Data Analytics.”
Explanation: Straightforward and widely accepted.
27. I earned a professional degree in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights practical and professional focus.
Tone: Formal.
“I earned a professional degree in Nursing.”
Explanation: Suitable for professional resumes.
28. I hold an advanced academic qualification in [Field]
Meaning: Formal phrasing for Master’s.
Tone: Highly professional.
“I hold an advanced academic qualification in Finance.”
Explanation: Polished and suitable for CVs.
29. I completed my tertiary education in [Field]
Meaning: Formal phrasing for higher education.
Tone: Professional.
“I completed my tertiary education in Environmental Science.”
Explanation: Formal and precise.
30. I am credentialed with a Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights certification or academic achievement.
Tone: Professional.
“I am credentialed with a Master’s in Engineering Management.”
Explanation: Professional and polished.
31. I have successfully completed a Bachelor’s/Master’s in [Field]
Meaning: Emphasizes achievement.
Tone: Formal.
“I have successfully completed a Master’s in Public Administration.”
Explanation: Polished and confident.
32. I earned my degree from [University] in [Field]
Meaning: Professional and specific.
Tone: Formal.
“I earned my degree from MIT in Computer Science.”
Explanation: Adds credibility and specificity.
33. I am an advanced degree holder in [Field] (for Master’s)
Meaning: Highlights Master’s-level qualification.
Tone: Formal.
“I am an advanced degree holder in International Relations.”
Explanation: Polished and professional.
34. I possess advanced studies in [Field]
Meaning: Emphasizes higher-level education.
Tone: Formal.
“I possess advanced studies in Civil Engineering.”
Explanation: Suitable for formal resumes.
35. I completed higher education in [Field]
Meaning: General, formal phrasing.
Tone: Professional.
“I completed higher education in Business Management.”
Explanation: Polished and professional.
36. I am a graduate with a focus in [Field]
Meaning: Highlights specialization.
Tone: Professional.
“I am a graduate with a focus in Software Engineering.”
Explanation: Professional and detailed.
Conclusion
Using varied and polished alternatives to “I have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree” enhances the professionalism of your resumes, bios, and communications. By tailoring your phrasing to context and audience, you can highlight your achievements, fields of expertise, and credibility more effectively, leaving a lasting impression.
