| Level | Degree Name | Typical Duration | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Bachelor’s Degree | 3–4 years | BA, BSc, BBA, BEng |
| Graduate | Master’s Degree | 1–2 years | MA, MSc, MBA, MEng |
| Doctoral | Doctorate Degree | 3–6 years | PhD, EdD, DBA, MD |
🎓 BACHELOR'S DEGREES (1st Cycle)
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BA (Bachelor of Arts) – Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages
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BSc (Bachelor of Science) – Natural Sciences, IT, Business
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BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) – Engineering fields
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LLB (Bachelor of Laws) – Law
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BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) – Business & Management
🟢 In many countries, a Bachelor’s degree is the first level of higher education.
🎓 MASTER'S DEGREES (2nd Cycle)
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MA (Master of Arts) – Humanities, Social Sciences
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MSc (Master of Science) – STEM, Business, Economics
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MBA (Master of Business Administration) – Business Management
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MEng (Master of Engineering) – Advanced engineering studies
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LLM (Master of Laws) – Advanced law studies
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MEd (Master of Education) – Education & teaching
🏅 MASTER’S DEGREE CLASSIFICATIONS (UK, Commonwealth)
In the UK and similar systems, taught Master's degrees are often classified by performance:
| Classification | Description | Grade Range |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | Highest achievement | ~70% or higher |
| Merit | Very good performance | ~60–69% |
| Pass | Satisfactory | ~50–59% |
| Fail | Insufficient | Below 50% |
▶️ Example:
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“Master of Science in Finance with Distinction”
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“MA in International Relations with Merit”
🎓 DOCTORAL DEGREES (3rd Cycle)
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PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) – Research-focused, any field
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EdD (Doctor of Education) – Educational leadership and practice
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DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) – Business practice research
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MD (Doctor of Medicine) – Professional degree in medical fields
🟢 PhD programs involve writing a dissertation/thesis, publishing papers, and defending research.
📌 SPECIAL CASES & HONORS (UK/US)
UK Undergraduate Degree Classifications:
| Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| First-Class Honours (1st) | 70%+ |
| Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) | 60–69% |
| Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) | 50–59% |
| Third-Class Honours | 40–49% |
| Pass | Below Honours level |
| Fail | Below 40% |
US Latin Honors (Bachelor's):
| Honor | GPA Range (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.9–4.0+ (Highest honor) |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.7–3.89 |
| Cum Laude | 3.5–3.69 |
🧠 Summary
| Degree Type | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | BSc, BA | Undergraduate |
| Master | MSc, MA, MBA | Can be graded (Pass, Merit, Distinction) |
| Doctorate | PhD, EdD | Research-based, highest level |
| Honors | Merit / Distinction / Cum Laude | Academic excellence |