The university grading system in the UK can seem complex to understand, especially for international students who are used to different systems.
Broadly speaking, undergraduate degrees are classified into different classes based on the final grades, while postgraduate degrees have a more points-based system.
Grades are calculated differently at university compared to earlier education. It's important to understand how the system works in order to interpret your results and make sure your hard work is rewarded appropriately.
In this post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about UK universities' grading system.
So, let's get to it!
How does the UK university grading system work?
Undergraduate degrees in the UK are generally categorised into different classes based on the final grades. The four main degree classifications are: First class, Upper second class (2:1), Lower second class (2:2), and Third class.
Some students may also get an Ordinary degree or fail overall. The specific grades required for each degree class can vary between universities and courses.
First-Class Honours
A first-class degree is the highest level of undergraduate degree classification in the UK. Students typically need to achieve an overall grade average of 70% or more across their second and third years to be awarded a first-class honours degree.
In some cases, students may also need to achieve certain grades in their final year dissertations or projects.
Gaining first-class honours reflects exceptional academic performance and high achievement across your undergraduate degree course.
Only a small proportion of students - typically around 10-15% - receive first-class honours. This makes a first highly prestigious and sought-after by employers. It demonstrates your ability to excel across a multi-year degree course.
Upper Second-Class Degree
An upper second-class degree, or 2:1, indicates excellent performance across your undergraduate programme. To be awarded an upper second, you will usually need an overall grade average between 60-69%. The threshold can vary by university and course, but 60% is typical.
An upper second reflects that you have achieved consistently strong grades over the duration of your degree. More students graduate with an upper second-class degree than any other classification - often between 40-50% of a cohort.
Gaining an upper second still shows high academic ability and makes you an attractive candidate for graduate employers and further study opportunities.
Lower Second-Class Degree
A lower second-class degree, or 2:2, represents a good overall performance across your undergraduate programme.
To graduate with a 2:2, you will typically need an overall grade average between 50-59%. Some particularly competitive universities and courses set the threshold at 55%.
A lower second demonstrates competence and solid academic skills. Around 30% of undergraduates achieve this classification.
While a 2:2 is still a respected outcome, some very competitive graduate schemes may prefer candidates with a minimum of a 2:1 degree classification.
Third Class Degree
A third class honours reflects satisfactory overall performance, with an average grade between 40-49% typically required.
In some cases, universities set higher grade boundaries for a third-class outcome. Gaining the minimum pass grades across modules and assessments results in this degree classification.
While still a pass at the undergraduate level, a third-class degree holds less currency compared to upper-classifications.
Relatively few students - under 10% - graduate with this degree class. You may need to showcase other skills and experience when applying to competitive graduate programmes with a third-class degree.
Fail
If you fail too many assessments and modules throughout your undergraduate degree, you may not have enough credits to graduate with an honours or ordinary degree.
This means failing overall and not being awarded any undergraduate degree classification.
To pass each year of an undergraduate course, you need to achieve set grades in modules, coursework, and exams, which add up to at least 40 credits.
If you fail too many modules over the years and lack enough credits, you will not pass the degree programme. Most universities allow students limited chances to retake failed modules alongside their course.
What Does a Degree with Honours Mean?
An honours degree reflects completing a university programme with a particular specialisation and achieving the required standard to obtain an honours classification.
This could be first, upper second, lower second or third.
Graduating with honours demonstrates in-depth study and solid achievement in your chosen discipline.
However, some students graduate from undergraduate programmes with an ordinary or unclassified degree. These indicate that completing undergraduate study does not meet the requirements for honours status.
You may be awarded an ordinary degree if:
- You changed courses partway through your programme but achieved enough credits in total.
- You narrowly missed the requirements for third-class honours.
- You initially failed too many credits but eventually passed your degree after resits.
While still representing a pass, ordinary degrees hold less recognition as formal qualifications. Most graduate employers will expect candidates to have honours classifications.
How are Grades Calculated in UK Universities?
The way your undergraduate degree classification is calculated reflects performance across your whole programme.
Unlike further education, your grades from the second and third (final) years carry the most weight. Different bands of modules also impact your results.
For example, a typical weighting could be:
- First year grades: 10%
- Second year grades: 30%
- Final year grades: 60%
Your grades from coursework, projects, exams and dissertations are all combined based on these weightings. Final year performance matters most towards your classification. Modules are also grouped into bands, for example:
- Band 1: Core discipline modules (heavily weighted)
- Band 2: Secondary subject modules
- Band 3: Optional modules
Band 1 modules linked directly to your degree title receive the most grade weighting. Your grades from modules in Bands 2 and 3 still contribute but hold less importance if borderline between classes.
The actual grade boundaries and calculation processes vary significantly between different universities and courses. It's important to understand the specific mechanisms for your degree programme early on.
Key Differences Between Undergraduate and Postgraduate Grading Systems
While most undergraduate degrees use the honours degree classification system, postgraduate degrees, including Master's and PhDs, are graded quite differently. Assessment often focuses more on large research projects rather than exams.
At the postgraduate level, your final grade tends to reflect performance in a single large dissertation or thesis rather than modules across years like an undergraduate degree. Common classifications for postgraduate degrees are:
Merit - A merit reflects very good overall performance and generally indicates marks between 60-69%. Indicates good research skills and academic potential.
Distinction - The highest grade classification for a Masters or PhD. Indicates exceptional work worthy of publication and an overall grade over 70%. Extremely prestigious and reflects outstanding research potential.
Pass - The minimum grade for the award of a postgraduate degree. Indicates satisfactory completion meeting the required standard. Typically indicates marks between 50-59%.
Fail - If your final dissertation or thesis does not meet the minimum standards or you fail too many modules, you will fail the course overall. Universities allow limited chances to resist.
How Does the UK Grading System Compare Internationally?
The UK honours degree grading system differs significantly from other international qualification frameworks.
This means it can seem confusing when comparing UK degree classes to types of grades used across Europe, the USA, Asia and other regions.
However, the UK NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) provides an official system for equating UK qualifications against many international equivalents. For example:
- UK First class ≈ USA GPA 3.9+ or Grade A average
- UK 2:1 ≈ USA GPA 3.3 – 3.7+ or Grade A-/B+ average
- UK 2:2 ≈ USA GPA 2.8 – 3.2 or Grade B/B- average
As a guide, a first or upper-second honours degree equates to a GPA of 3.3+ in the USA system. UK second-class degrees compared to GPAs of around 3.0 or B averages from the USA undergraduate grading framework.
There are similar broad comparisons that can be drawn for other regions like Europe, Canada, Australia etc. The key is that UK firsts and upper seconds reflect exceptional performance comparable to the highest grade averages globally.
Checking the NARIC or UK ENIC website for your home country provides official equivalent qualifications to help interpret UK degree classes.
Do grades Impact Career Opportunities?
Your specific degree classification can influence employment or further study options in competitive fields.
Graduate employers often use degree grades as part of the selection criteria when recruiting for the most prestigious schemes and programmes.
For certain elite professions like law, investment banking, consulting, etc., applicants may need at least an Upper Second class degree to be viable.
Similarly, acceptance into some graduate medicine, PhD programmes or Oxford/Cambridge masters may need a high 2:1 or First to meet academic requirements.
However, for many graduate jobs and courses, a 2:2 or above is acceptable. Strong experience, aptitude test scores and interviews can also outweigh degree classification. But broadly speaking, better undergraduate grades expand your options and demonstrate high achievement.
There are several ways to proactively improve your grades during university:
- Attend all lectures and seminars to best understand course content and expectations.
- Make use of professor and teaching assistant office hours for extra support.
- Form study groups with peers to discuss concepts and tackle practice problems
- Refine time management and leave plenty of time for assignment/exam preparation.
- Check university resources for academic writing, research and revision tips.
If you are disappointed with grades in individual assignments or modules, quickly speak to faculty and advisers.
There may be valid grounds for appeals or resits in some situations. Demonstrating self-awareness and progress can still impress, even with a few low grades.
The UK higher education system ultimately aims to stretch undergraduate potential and suitably reward exceptional performance.
With consistent effort and dedication, international students can certainly aim high and achieve their study goals.
Conclusion
The unique characteristics of the UK's university grading system reflect a desire to differentiate standards at the higher education level. Classifying degrees into clear bands distinguishes exceptional students while still retaining rigorous expectations.
The pathway to earning a prestigious First or competitive 2:1 encourages undergraduates to realise their potential.
For international students adjusting to UK academia, investing time to recognise these motivations helps the grading rationale click into place.
Whether you are focused on graduating at the top of your class or passing comfortably, understanding exactly how grades are calculated remains key.
If you’d love to improve your CGPA and your academic as a student, you can use our AI tools on StudyFetch.
UK university grade system FAQs
What percentage is needed for a First-Class Degree in the UK?
To achieve a first-class honours degree, undergraduates typically require an overall grade average of 70% or more across the second and final years of study. Some prestigious universities and courses set thresholds at 75%. Grades from critical final-year modules, projects and dissertations also impact results.
How is a UK 2:1 Degree classified internationally?
A UK upper second class honours degree is broadly equivalent to a GPA of 3.3 or above in the USA system. According to UK NARIC, it matches grade averages between A- to B+ on the American grading scale. Globally, it equates to only being awarded to top students reflecting excellence.
Do UK universities use GPA?
No, GPA is not used in UK universities. Degree classifications rely on percentage grades that are later grouped into broad first, 2:1, 2:2, etc. bands. Individual assignments are graded on percentage or mark schemes. GPAs originating from the USA framework measure grade averages on a 4 or 5 point letter scale instead.
What is the difference between a Merit and a Distinction at the Master's level?
A distinction reflects exceptional quality work and is the highest classification for UK master's degrees. Students need approximately 70%+ marks in dissertations or projects. Merit indicates a very good standard, reflecting marks around 60-69%. Both demonstrate postgraduate-level research potential.
