People who have gained a higher qualification after completing a basic university degree such as a BA or a BSc refer to that basic degree as their first degree.
He was born in Zimbabwe where he completed his first degree in economics.
first-degree
1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
In the United States, first-degree is used to describe crimes that are considered to be the most serious of their kind. For example, first-degree murder is when a murder is planned before it is carried out.
She was charged with first-degree murder.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree robbery.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A first-degree burn is one of the least severe kind, where only the surface layer of the skin has been burnt.
first degree in British English
(fɜːst dɪˈɡriː)
noun
the first degree that someone studies for
He was born in Zimbabwe where he completed his first degree in economics.
Examples of 'first degree' in a sentence
first degree
The MSc is for youngsters who come after their first degree and are looking for a competitive edge when applying for their first job.