Educational Credentials and Awards: English Vocabulary List

an official document that states one has successfully passed an exam or completed a course of study

"The certificate is framed."

"She received a certificate of completion after finishing the six week course in digital marketing and search engine optimization."

a certificate given to someone who has completed a course of study

"She finally received her diploma."

"Earning a high school diploma is an important achievement that opens the door to higher education and better job opportunities in the future."

an official certificate in the US that people who did not complete high school can obtain by taking some classes and successfully passing a test, which is the equivalent of the actual high school diploma

"Earn General Equivalency Diploma."

"Many adults study hard to earn the General Equivalency Diploma as an alternative to high school graduation."

a qualification awarded by an educational institution, typically upon completion of a prescribed course of study

"An academic degree is awarded upon graduation."

"The academic degree is conferred at commencement and graduates receive their diplomas on stage."

an academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of undergraduate studies

"She earned her baccalaureate."

"After four years of hard work, she was proud to receive her baccalaureate degree."

a two-year academic credential from a community college or technical school

"The associate degree takes two years."

"The associate degree takes two years and can be a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree."

the first degree given by a university or college to a student who has finished their studies

"He got his bachelor's degree."

"He is currently working towards his bachelor's degree in computer science, hoping to get a job in tech."

a university degree that graduates can get by further studying for one or two years

"She is pursuing a master's degree."

"Many students decide to pursue a master's degree to specialize further in their chosen academic field."

the highest degree given by a university

"She earned her doctorate in psychology from Harvard."

"She spent five years earning her doctorate in psychology and then opened a private therapy practice."

a qualification awarded to students in South Africa who have achieved the necessary academic standards to proceed to tertiary education

"Matric exemption allows admission to university."

"Matric exemption allows admission to university and is granted to students who meet certain grade requirements."

a provider of vocational qualifications in the United Kingdom, offering a range of courses and certifications in various subjects

"BTEC provides vocational qualifications."

"He chose to pursue a BTEC qualification to gain practical skills for his chosen career."

an academic qualification awarded for outstanding achievement in a higher education program

"The honors degree requires a higher grade point average."

"The honors degree requires a higher grade point average and often includes a thesis or research project."

an academic distinction awarded based on a student's exceptional performance

"Summa cum laude is the highest Latin honor."

"Summa cum laude is the highest Latin honor and is awarded to students with exceptional grades."

(in the US) with the third highest level of distinction achievable by a student

"She graduated cum laude from university."

"She graduated cum laude from university which means she was in the top ten percent of her class."

(in the US) with the highest level of distinction achievable by a student

"He graduated summa cum laude."

"He graduated summa cum laude which is the highest honor and means he was at the very top of his class."

an academic qualification in British education awarded to students who achieve the highest level of academic excellence in their field of study

"First class honours is the highest undergraduate degree classification in the UK."

"First class honours is the highest undergraduate degree classification in the UK and is very difficult to achieve."

an academic classification in British education awarded to graduates who achieve a level of academic performance below that of a first class honours degree

"Second class honours is divided into upper and lower divisions."

"Second class honours is divided into upper and lower divisions and is the most common classification awarded."

an academic classification in British education awarded to graduates who achieve a level of academic performance below that of a second class honours degree

"Third class honours is a passing grade."

"Third class honours is a passing grade but may limit opportunities for graduate study."