Some in a circle maybe getting qualifications (7)
I believe the answer is:
degrees
'qualifications' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Educational qualifications ' mean 'degrees' so perhaps 'qualifications' could also mean 'degrees')
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for degrees that I've seen before include "Revolutionary measures" , "Measure for arcs and angles" , "Units for angles" , "Academic qualifications" , "distinctions that are academic" .)