The United Kingdom is one of the top five globally favored destinations for undergraduate studies. Consequently, comprehending the intricacies of the UK’s undergraduate grading system has become increasingly crucial.
If you’re considering pursuing a bachelor’s or an integrated master’s degree in the UK, it’s advisable to acquaint yourself with the UK university grading system, which is also commonly utilised in many other countries. Understanding this system will provide valuable insights into academic expectations and evaluations during your studies.
So, skim for an overview of the UK grading system and how it works!
Table of Contents
- What is the UK Grading System?
- Principles of Grading
- UK degree options
- Grading system in the UK Higher Education
- First-class degree
- Second class degree
- Third class degree
- The UK grading system and ECTS grades
- FAQs
What is the UK Grading System?
The UK university grading system serves as a standardised approach to evaluate the academic achievements of both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This system has been integral to the UK education framework for several decades. It remains a fundamental tool across all universities.
Principles of Grading
The university grading system in the UK follows a numerical scale, ranging from 0 to 100 or 0 to 70. Although slight variations exist among universities, the general structure is as follows: a score of 70 or above corresponds to a First-class Honours degree. At the same time, 60 to 69 translates to an Upper Second-class Honours degree. Likewise, a range of 50 to 59 signifies a Lower Second-class Honours degree, 40 to 49 indicates a Third-class Honours degree and any score below 40 results in a Fail.
Take a look at the Degree Class and Percentage Score below:
- First-Class Honours – 70% – 100%
- Upper Second Class Degree – 60% – 69%The UK Grading system
- Lower Second Class Degree – 50% – 59%
- Third Class Degree – 40% – 49%
- Fail – 0 – 39%
UK degree options
When you apply for an undergraduate degree in the UK, you can pursue either an ordinary degree or an honours degree.
The ordinary degree, often a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science), allows you to create your mix of subjects and complete 15 credit hours over three years.
In contrast, an honours degree is a four-year program where you specialise in a chosen subject, along with some mandatory courses, completing 20 credit hours. Successful completion requires passing all selected subjects for students opting for an ordinary bachelor’s degree. Failing a course means not receiving the degree.
Conversely, an honours degree signifies the successful completion of courses and emphasises your specialisation and performance throughout your studies. This distinction offers employers a clearer insight into a student’s capabilities. As a result, honours degrees hold greater value and enjoy more popularity in the UK than ordinary undergraduate degrees.
Grading system in the UK Higher Education
The UK’s approach to higher education grading system stands out for its specific and detailed portrayal of students’ academic accomplishments, distinguishing it from more conventional grading systems. This evaluation method is extremely esteemed because it emphasises individual academic tenacity and specialised skills, aiding employers in accurately comprehending a student’s genuine potential.
Proven to be an effective measure of academic performance, several foreign nations, such as Canada, Australia, India and Pakistan, have adopted variations of the UK’s grading system to fit their respective local educational frameworks.
UK universities utilise a letter grading from A to F to signify students’ academic achievements. In which an A reflects outstanding knowledge, while an F implies insufficient achievement or a passing grade on the exam. Below are the grades employed in UK universities, along with their respective definitions:
| Grade | Percentage | Grade Definition | Degree |
| A | 70% – 100% | Excellent | First (Honours) – Pass |
| B | 60% – 69% | Very Good Good | Upper second – Pass |
| C | 50% – 59% | Satisfactory | Lower second – Pass |
| D | 40% – 49% | Sufficient | Third – Pass |
| E | 30% – 39% | Un-satisfactory | Foundation degree – Fail |
| F | 0 – 29% | Un-satisfactory | Fail |
Indeed, UK universities adhere to a nuanced approach when assessing students’ academic performance, recognising that not all students with the same percentage have attained the same proficiency level.
This principle of evaluation extends beyond the mere observation that students with the same grade often fall within different mark bands. In the context of undergraduate education, students’ overall academic performance determines the categorisation of their final degrees. This classification is based on grades, achievements and fulfilling academic requirements.
Undergraduate degrees in the UK are classified as follows, depending on the student’s academic achievements:
- First-class Honours – 70% and above
- Second class Honours – 50% – 70%
- Third class Honours – 40% – 50%
First-class degree
A first-class degree, also known as a “first,” is the top achievement you can get in a UK university as an undergraduate. Simply put, your overall score is 70% or more of the total marks possible in your course, which means your standard grade was an A during your degree.
Getting a first-class degree shows that you excelled in your studies and have a firm grasp of your subject.
British universities have very high academic standards. So, achieving a first-class degree means you’re among the few with exceptional academic performance. While the number of first-class graduates has been increasing, they still make up a small proportion of all graduates.
You must score at least 70% overall to get a first-class degree. Still, this requirement may vary depending on your university. Often, your first-year grades don’t count towards your final degree, but your achievement in the second and last years does.
A first-class degree demands exceptional intellect; it’s uncommon for universities in the UK to offer common first-class degree programs. However, renowned universities like Cambridge, Glasgow and Oxford provide such programs.
Second class degree
In the UK, a second-class degree is distinguished in two categories: the upper second-class degree, a 2:1 and the lower second-class degree, a 2:2.
To attain a 2:1 degree, your academic performance should fall within the range of 60% to reach 69%. This classification signifies a solid understanding of the subject matter with room for growth and improvement. Notably, a 2:1 degree is often the minimum requirement for pursuing a master’s degree in the UK. It holds significant value in the job market, making you more competitive with potential employers.
Conversely, a 2:2 degree represents a lower level of academic achievement, with a score ranging from 50% to 59%. This classification may impact your curriculum vitae or employability differently than the higher classification.
Third class degree
A third-class degree represents the lowest academic accomplishment attainable in an undergraduate program. Students earning a third-class degree receive marks ranging from 40% to 49%, considered suboptimal.
Holding a third-class degree may diminish opportunities for securing employment or pursuing postgraduate education. In the UK, the percentage of undergraduates graduating with third-class degrees is relatively small compared to other degree classifications.
In certain instances, if a student’s final academic score is close to the minimum requirement for a third-class degree, they might still be granted a standard degree known as a Pass.
The UK grading system and ECTS grades
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a widely used grading framework across European countries, designed to simplify the conversion of grades from one local grading system to another.
Here’s a table that illustrates the final grades in the UK and their equivalent in the ECTS system.
| ECTS Grade | Percentage Score | Degree Class |
| A | 70% – 100% | First-Class Degree |
| B | 60% – 69% | Upper Second-Class Degree |
| C | 50% – 59% | Lower Second-Class Degree |
| D | 40% – 49% | Third Class Degree |
| E/F | 0 – 39% | Fail |
It’s important to note that while ECTS provides a general framework for grade conversion, universities still retain the autonomy to apply their grading policies. In many cases, a student’s grade transcript in Europe will include an additional column for ECTS grades alongside the local grading system used by the university.
FAQs
Is the UK grading system easier?
The difficulty of a grading system can be subjective. The UK grading system is distinct from others, but whether it’s easier depends on various factors, including individual perspectives and experiences.
What is the main objective of grading?
The main objective of grading is to evaluate and quantify a student’s performance or understanding of a subject. It is a benchmark for measuring a student’s knowledge, skills, and overall academic performance.
What is a merit grade in the UK?
In the UK, a merit grade is used for vocational qualifications. It refers to the level of achievement between a pass and a distinction. It typically signifies a high level of competence and understanding of the subject matter.
