grammar - What's the correct way of saying that one is pursuing a degree?


I've seen both "study" and "study for" used and I'm not sure which one is more natural. For example:



Also, does the sentence "he's currently studying for a M.A. Media Studies degree at University X" make sense? Or is "he's currently studying for a degree in M.A. Media Studies at University X" better?



Answer



In Europe, it seems either are acceptable. In the US, I have almost never heard "study a Master's degree" used and it sounds incorrect to my ears. I would use "study for" to achieve broader appeal.


Google results (searching from the US):



  • "study for a Master's degree" - 998,999

  • "study a Master's degree" - 168,000


Also of note:



  • The top results for "study a Master's degree" were The Guardian, a .co.uk site, and "studyineurope.eu"

  • When limiting searches to *.co.uk, "study for a Master's degree" still had significantly more hits.


Conclusion: go with "study for" a degree.


Example sentences: "I am studying Economics," "I am studying for a degree/career in Economics."


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