What does BS stand for in college? On a transcript, a diploma or a résumé, BS means Bachelor of Science, an undergraduate degree focused on science, math, technology or other technical fields. Students usually earn it in about four years of full time study.
The letters come from the degree's English name. You will see it written BS, B.S. or, mostly outside the United States, BSc or B.Sc. All four mean the same degree. A college catalog might list "BS in Biology" and "BA in English" next to each other, and the letters tell you which kind of bachelor's degree each program awards.
Quick facts
Stands for
Bachelor of ScienceType
Abbreviation for an academic degreeWritten as
BS, B.S., BSc, B.Sc.Level
Undergraduate, bachelor's degreeTypical length
About four years full time in the USCompare with
BA, Bachelor of ArtsNext degrees
What does BS stand for in college, exactly?
Each letter is the first letter of a key word in the degree title:
| Letter | Word | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| B | Bachelor | The first full college degree, below a master's |
| S | Science | The program leans toward lab, math or technical work |
The "of" in the middle is skipped, as it is in most degree abbreviations. A BS program usually requires more courses in the major and in math and science than a liberal arts degree does, and fewer foreign language or humanities credits. Common BS majors include biology, chemistry, nursing, engineering, computer science and many STEM fields, though some colleges also offer a BS in business or psychology.
Bachelor of Science abbreviation: BS, B.S. or BSc
There is no single correct form. Style guides and colleges each pick one.
- BS, no periods, is common in modern American writing and on résumés.
- B.S., with periods, appears in many news styles and older diplomas.
- BSc or B.Sc. is the usual abbreviation for Bachelor of Science in the UK, Canada, India and many other countries.
For a degree name in running text, write "bachelor's degree" in lowercase and "Bachelor of Science" with capitals. Choose a single style and keep it consistent across a document.
On a résumé: "BS, Mechanical Engineering, State University." A recruiter reads this as a four year science degree in mechanical engineering. Some people write "B.S. in Mechanical Engineering" instead, and both are fine.
BS vs BA: which is which?
| BS | BA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Bachelor of Science | Bachelor of Arts |
| Focus | Math, lab science, technical skills | Humanities, languages, broad liberal arts |
| Major credits | Often more | Often fewer, with more electives |
| Example majors | Chemistry, nursing, engineering | History, English, art |
Some subjects, such as psychology, economics or math, can be earned either way at the same school. The BS version usually adds statistics, research methods or extra lab science. Neither degree is better in general; the right one depends on your goals. For a full list of degree letters, see the school acronyms guide.
Other things BS can stand for
Outside college, the same two letters turn up elsewhere:
- Blood sugar on some medical charts and diabetes logs, such as "BS checked before lunch."
- Bachelor of Surgery in some medical degree titles abroad, paired with a medicine degree.
- In casual talk, BS also works as crude slang for nonsense. Context almost always makes it clear which meaning someone has in mind.
Using BS in sentences
- "She earned a BS in nursing and works at the county hospital."
- "He is finishing his B.S. this spring."
- "The job requires a BS in computer science or related experience."
- "Our college offers both a BA and a BS in psychology."
Use "a" before BS, because B is said "bee": "a BS degree." Many people say "a bachelor's" in speech instead of the letters. For more everyday short forms, the famous acronyms page has a long list.
Questions people ask
Is a BS a four year degree?
In the United States, yes, usually. Full time students often finish in about four years, though some programs, such as engineering, can take longer.
Is a BS harder than a BA?
Not always. A BS usually has more required math and science, while a BA asks for more language and humanities work. Difficulty depends on the student and the major.
Should I write BS or B.S. on my résumé?
Either is accepted. Choose either form and stay consistent for every degree you list.
What is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Science outside the US?
BSc or B.Sc. is most common in the UK, Canada, Australia and India. It names the same level of degree.
What comes after a BS?
Many graduates go on to a Master of Science, an MBA or a doctorate such as a PhD. Others go straight into work in their field.