6 phrases for talking about education
Use course, degree and qualification without mixing them up.
2 min read · Updated 9/8/2026
The key idea
When you talk about education, the word education alone is not enough. These six phrases help you say more precisely what you mean.
- take a course — to attend a series of lessons on a subject
- earn a degree — to get a university qualification by completing a programme of study
- meet the requirements — to have everything that is officially needed
- apply for a scholarship — to make a formal request for money to pay for your studies
- gain practical experience — to learn by doing real work
- tuition fees — the money you pay for being taught
Qualification is a broader word: it can be a degree, a diploma or a document that confirms a professional skill.
See an example
I want to take a short course before applying for a degree programme.
Taking a short course and applying to a university programme are not the same thing.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, but not accommodation.
This sentence makes it clear that tuition fees and living costs are separate.
Now you try
Choose the right phrase for the gap: tuition fees / practical experience / requirements.
- A summer internship can help students gain ___.
- Check the entry ___ before you apply.
Write your own study plan using two phrases from the list.
A personal draft. It is not saved when you leave or automatically graded.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
- practical experience — an internship lets you learn by doing the job.
- requirements — before applying, you check the admission requirements.
Example: I want to apply for a scholarship because tuition fees are high. Using words within a connected idea makes them easier to remember.
Job, work and career: which do I say?
Official sources for this topic
Cambridge · English Grammar Today