That sounds like a good way to handle your degree on an application. Good luck!

I think I would never hide anything (education or experience) on a cv or application because of the potential unexplained gaps but there are ways not to emphasise it in the personal statement. I dumbed down my applications in order to get more basic work (they don't like it if they think you'll get bored and leave) and was just very undetailed about my more recent experience that may have made me look overqualified.