One gets a degree without being called (6)
I believe the answer is:
phoned
'being called' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'one gets a degree' is the wordplay.
'gets' is an insertion indicator.
'a degree' becomes 'phd' (PhD is an example).
'one' inserted inside 'phd' is 'PHONED'.
'without' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for phoned that I've seen before include "Rang" , "Called" .)