first degree
According to the encyclopedia, "the first degree" is a general full-time education in the national education series. The superiors of ordinary junior high schools, ordinary senior high schools and ordinary colleges and universities (including ordinary secondary specialized schools) are the First Education Bureaus of all provinces and cities, and the academic qualifications granted upon graduation are issued by the First Education Bureau, which is called the first academic qualifications.
The full-time degree obtained by unified recruitment is the first degree.
Second-level degree
Other forms of continuing education, such as adult high schools, higher education self-study exams, adult college entrance examinations, etc. The second education bureaus of all provinces and cities are responsible for the granting of academic qualifications called second academic qualifications, which refers to the academic qualifications obtained through this part-time learning form. Self-taught examination belongs to the second degree.
The distinction between the first degree and the second degree is a product of the planned economy era, and it has no reference value as far as the current education situation in China is concerned.
Official academic certificate
The highest academic record is the last and highest learning experience of a person in the national education system, which is proved by academic certificates issued by schools and other educational institutions that have been approved by the education administrative department and have the power to issue diplomas recognized by the state.
As far as the international and China academic degree systems are concerned, the highest degree is a doctorate.
If you graduated from a full-time college, after taking the undergraduate course, the undergraduate degree is the highest. If you take a master's degree and get a degree certificate, then your first degree is junior college and the highest degree is master's degree.
Because everyone has a different starting point and different conditions, the previous first degree cannot be changed, but personal efforts are equally unstoppable.
Many outstanding talents have not received full-time (first degree) higher education, but their working ability is not bad, even excellent. For example, Mr. Hua, a famous mathematician, can become a university professor without going to college. Self-study does not prevent him from becoming a world-class mathematician.
After all, compared with the "zero elimination rate" of full-time undergraduates, it is much more difficult to study the exam by yourself while working. The education department has repeatedly stressed that there are many ways to become a talent, and the world does not have to stare at the college entrance examination as a single-plank bridge. Those who can get a bachelor's degree from the self-taught examination will not be poor in knowledge.
Don't let your first degree interfere with your life. You can also teach yourself and get the highest degree you want.
The detailed answer can be found in: National Academic Information Network.