Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Latin word baccalaureus evolved into baccalaureatus through folk etymology that linked it to bacca lauri, or laurel berry. The original military connotation faded completely as the term became attached to undergraduate study instead.
Nigerian students typically spend four to five years completing a bachelor's degree while Algerian degrees called licence take three years under the LMD reform introduced on the 2nd of September 2003. Moroccan al-ijazah programs also require three years divided into two cycles starting in 2003.
Six notable exceptions including Reed College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology do not use any Latin honours recognitions. United States schools award Latin honours such as summa cum laude or magna cum laude based on grade point averages.
European Bologna Process reforms reintroduced bachelor degrees starting around 2004 across Austria, Belgium, Germany, and France. German Bakkalaureus programs replaced abolished diplom and magister degrees after educational law changes in 1998.
Professional qualifications like Bachelor of Architecture require five years of study at some universities worldwide. Medical programs such as MBBS or BDS typically span five to seven years depending on country regulations.