Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin baccalaureus) or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin baccalaureatus) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to seven years (depending on institution and academic discipline). In some cases, it may also be the name of a second graduate degree, such as the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.), or Bachelor of Sacred Theology (B.S.Th.) degrees, which in some countries are only offered after a first graduate/bachelor's degree.

The term "bachelor" in the 12th century referred to a knight bachelor, too young or poor to gather vassals under his own banner. By the end of the 13th century, it was also used by junior members of guilds or universities. By folk etymology or wordplay, the word baccalaureus came to be associated with bacca lauri ("laurel berry") in reference to laurels being awarded for academic success or honours.