Otto cared about getting a higher degree (9)
I believe the answer is:
doctorate
'a higher degree' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'otto cared about' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'otto'+'cared'='ottocared'
'ottocared' anagrammed gives 'DOCTORATE'.
'getting' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for doctorate that I've seen before include "High degree" , "Postgraduate degree" , "Academic qualification" , "PhD or D.Phil" , "Highest degree in university" .)