# baccalaureate

/ˌbækəˈɫɔɹiət/ (US) · /bˈækɐlˌɔːɹiːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/baccalaureate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. high school qualification

noun · CEFR B2

an exam and qualification that students take at the end of high school to get into university.

For teachers: a secondary school leaving qualification and examination, such as the French 'baccalauréat', designed to qualify students for higher education.

- She studied hard all year to pass her French baccalaureate with high marks.
- The national baccalaureate remains the primary gateway for students seeking admission to the country's most prestigious universities.

### 2. International Baccalaureate (IB)

noun · CEFR B2

a specific international program for students aged 16 to 19 that is recognized by universities worldwide.

For teachers: the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme, a globally recognised curriculum for students in their final years of secondary school.

- Many international schools offer the baccalaureate instead of local national exams.
- The school's decision to adopt the International Baccalaureate was motivated by a desire to provide a more globally oriented curriculum.

### 3. university degree

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal name for a bachelor's degree from a university.

For teachers: a bachelor's degree; the first academic degree conferred by a university.

- He received his baccalaureate in science before starting his master's degree.
- The university confers the baccalaureate upon students who have successfully completed the four-year undergraduate course of study.

### 4. graduation sermon

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Formal

a religious talk or ceremony for students who are about to graduate.

For teachers: a farewell sermon or religious service delivered to a graduating class at a school or college.

- The students gathered in the chapel for the traditional baccalaureate service.
- The guest speaker at the baccalaureate ceremony delivered a moving address on the importance of ethical leadership.

## Examples

- She is working hard to earn her baccalaureate in history.
- After four years of rigorous study, the student finally received her baccalaureate in engineering.
- The university's baccalaureate program requires students to complete a series of core humanities courses alongside their specialized major to ensure a well-rounded education.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.