Present a degree (5)
I believe the answer is:
stage
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'present' is the first definition.
(I know that present can be written as stage)
'a degree' is the second definition.
(I know that degree can be written as stage)
(Other definitions for stage that I've seen before include "Theatre platform; leg" , "Present; part of journey" , "Acting area" , "Section of a rocket" , "The boards" .)