"Take a degree" or "do a degree"

Solution 1:

The OED’s definition 34a of take is:

To receive, get (something given, bestowed, or administered); to have conferred upon one (spec. a sacrament, office, order of merit, degree, etc.)

That confirms my first thought that you can only take a degree once you have earned it. Before you reach that stage you have to study for a degree or, much less formally, do a degree. In British universities you can read for a degree, but that has a rather stiff sound to it these days.

Solution 2:

I would generally say, and usually hear, that a person is pursuing a degree in something. Such as, "John is pursuing a double degree in business and marketing."

Solution 3:

Agreed:

You can pursue a degree in X. You can get a degree in x. (Americans use this expression most.) And you can work on/towards a degree in x.

North Americans would very much be at a loss hearing "do/take a degree".