Scholar vs. Academic — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023
Scholar refers to a person dedicated to studying a particular subject, while an academic is someone involved in higher education, often as a teacher or researcher.
Difference Between Scholar and Academic
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Scholar is an individual who is deeply engrossed in the detailed study or research of a particular subject or discipline. They possess profound knowledge in their area of interest, driven by curiosity or personal passion. An Academic, on the other hand, generally refers to someone involved in the institutional system of higher education, often engaged in both teaching and research. They are part of academic institutions like universities and colleges.
While a Scholar can be self-taught or may have acquired deep expertise outside the bounds of formal education, their primary focus is on in-depth study and often original contribution to their field. An Academic, meanwhile, operates within the structures of educational establishments and is typically expected to hold certain qualifications and engage in professional development within the academy.
A Scholar is recognized by their deep and often singular commitment to a topic, striving to learn, understand, and sometimes even challenge conventional wisdom. They might not necessarily be affiliated with an academic institution. Conversely, an Academic is more universally associated with universities or colleges, working on a range of duties from lecturing, publishing research papers, to administrative tasks.
It's worth noting that while all Academics can be Scholars if they engage in profound study or research, not all Scholars are Academics. Some scholars might never step into a classroom or publish in academic journals. Yet, both share a commitment to knowledge and its advancement.
In essence, while the paths and approaches may differ, both Scholars and Academics contribute significantly to the expansion and dissemination of knowledge in society.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Role
In-depth study of a subject
Engaged in higher education and its activities
Affiliation
Not necessarily linked to an institution
Typically associated with an educational entity
Recognition
Profound knowledge in a subject
Holding qualifications and institutional roles
Engagement
Can be self-taught or independent researchers
Often involved in teaching and administrative tasks
Publication Medium
May not always publish in academic journals
Frequently publishes in academic journals
Compare with Definitions
Scholar
An individual with profound knowledge in a field.
As a scholar of linguistics, he has written numerous papers.
Academic
Related to educational institutions or scholarly pursuits.
She pursued an academic career, teaching at a university.
Scholar
A person who studies a specific subject in depth.
She is a renowned scholar in ancient civilizations.
Academic
Someone who teaches or conducts research at a college or university.
He's a distinguished academic known for his research on environmental science.
Scholar
A specialist in a particular branch of study.
He's a respected scholar in European history.
Academic
Concerned with theoretical, rather than practical, matters.
The debate became purely academic once the decision was made.
Scholar
A recipient of a scholarship.
She is a scholar at the state university, receiving full tuition.
Academic
Of or pertaining to academia or its activities.
The university is facing an academic crisis due to funding cuts.
Scholar
A scholar is a person who pursues academic and intellectual activities, particularly those that develop expertise in an area of study. A scholar may also be an academic, who works as a professor, teacher or researcher at a university or other higher education institution.
Academic
A descriptor for courses or studies that are liberal arts-based.
She took an academic route in high school, focusing on literature and history.
Scholar
A learned person.
Academic
Of or relating to institutionalized education and scholarship, especially at a college or university.
Scholar
A specialist in a given branch of knowledge
A classical scholar.
Academic
Of or relating to studies that rely on reading and involve abstract thought rather than being primarily practical or technical.
Scholar
One who attends school or studies with a teacher; a student.
Academic
Relating to scholarly performance
A student's academic average.
Scholar
A student who holds or has held a particular scholarship.
Academic
Academic Of or relating to the conservative style of art promoted by an official academy, especially the Académie des Beaux Arts in France in the nineteenth century.
Scholar
A student; one who studies at school or college, typically having a scholarship.
Academic
Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed, unengaging, or theoretical
Dismissed the article as a dry, academic exercise.
Scholar
A specialist in a particular branch of knowledge.
Academic
Having no important consequence or relevancy
The debate about who is to blame has become academic because the business has left town.
Scholar
A learned person; a bookman.
Academic
A faculty member or scholar at an institution of higher learning, such as a university.
Scholar
(Singapore) someone who received a prestigious scholarship
Academic
One who has an academic viewpoint or a scholarly background.
Scholar
One who attends a school; one who learns of a teacher; one under the tuition of a preceptor; a pupil; a disciple; a learner; a student.
I am no breeching scholar in the schools.
Academic
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato
The academic sect or philosophy
Scholar
One engaged in the pursuits of learning; a learned person; one versed in any branch, or in many branches, of knowledge; a person of high literary or scientific attainments; a savant.
Academic
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning, or a scholarly society or organization.
Scholar
A man of books.
Academic
In particular: relating to literary, classical, or artistic studies like the humanities, rather than to technical or vocational studies like engineering or welding.
Scholar
In English universities, an undergraduate who belongs to the foundation of a college, and receives support in part from its revenues.
Academic
Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed and unengaging, or by being theoretical and speculative with no practical importance.
I have always had an academic interest in hacking.
The distinction is 'academic; an academic question
Scholar
A learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
Academic
Having a love of or aptitude for learning.
I'm more academic than athletic — I get lower marks in phys. ed. than in anything else.
Scholar
Someone (especially a child) who learns (as from a teacher) or takes up knowledge or beliefs
Academic
(art) Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic.
Scholar
A student who holds a scholarship
Academic
Subscribing to the architectural standards of Vitruvius.
Scholar
Someone dedicated to learning.
He was a lifelong scholar and avid reader.
Academic
So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness; inexperienced in practical matters.
Academic
A follower of Plato, a Platonist.
Academic
A senior member of an academy, college, or university; a person who attends an academy; a person engaged in scholarly pursuits; one who is academic in practice.
Academic
A member of the Academy; an academician.
Academic
(archaic) A student in a college.
Academic
(pluralonly) Academic dress; academicals.
Academic
(pluralonly) Academic studies.
Academic
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic sect or philosophy.
Academic
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific.
Academic
One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist.
Academic
A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.
Academic
An educator who works at a college or university
Academic
Associated with academia or an academy;
The academic curriculum
Academic gowns
Academic
Hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result;
An academic discussion
An academic question
Academic
Marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
Common Curiosities
What is a Scholar?
A person dedicated to the in-depth study or research of a particular subject.
Can an Academic be a Scholar?
Yes, all academics can be scholars if they engage in profound study or research in a field.
Can a Scholar be self-taught?
Yes, a scholar can be self-taught or gain expertise outside of formal education.
What is an Academic?
Someone involved in higher education, typically associated with teaching, research, or administrative roles in universities or colleges.
What's the primary focus of an Academic?
An academic is typically involved in teaching, research, and other activities related to higher education.
What's the distinction between Scholarly and Academic work?
Scholarly work focuses on in-depth study and research, while academic work pertains to the activities and pursuits within the realm of higher education.
Are Academics always involved in teaching?
Not necessarily. While many academics teach, some might focus solely on research or administrative roles.
Are all Scholars Academics?
No, while all academics can be scholars, not all scholars are necessarily academics.
Is the term Academic always related to education?
Primarily yes, but it can also refer to matters that are theoretical rather than practical.
Is a Scholar always linked to an institution?
No, a scholar can work independently and might not be affiliated with an academic institution.
Can someone be called a Scholar based on deep personal study?
Yes, a person can be considered a scholar if they have profound knowledge in a subject, even if self-taught.
Can someone be a Scholar in multiple fields?
Absolutely, one can be a scholar in multiple disciplines if they possess deep knowledge in each.
Can a Scholar publish outside of academic journals?
Yes, a scholar can publish their findings in various mediums, not limited to academic journals.
What drives a Scholar in their studies?
Scholars are driven by curiosity, passion, and the desire for deep understanding of a subject.
Is being an Academic limited to universities?
While the term often refers to those in universities, it can also apply to those in other higher education institutions like colleges.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
