Degree classifications
UK degree classifications are as follows:
- First-Class Honours (First or 1st) (70% and above)
- Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2.i) (60-70%)
- Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2, 2.ii) (50-60%)
- Third-Class Honours (Third or 3rd) (40-50%)
Visit theRegulationsfor further information on degree classifications.
In your first year at university, achieving a grade of 50% or more is a good thing. You can build on your work and improve as you work towards your final grade. Scores above 70% are classed as “First”, so you should be very excited to get a grade in that range.
It is rare for students to achieve grades higher than 90%, though this can happen. Remember as well that you will be surrounded by other highly motivated and capable students, so you may not automatically be top of the class anymore! Don’t worry – lots of your fellow students will be feeling the same, and there is always someone you can talk to about this. Having realistic expectations about your grades will help to reduce the possibility of feeling disappointed with yourself.
