The UK university grading system is a bit confusing for newcomers.
There are four main grades: first class, upper second class, lower second class, and third class.
Ordinary degrees (the most common type) are given after passing all required exams and coursework; a student who fails to meet these requirements will usually be awarded an ordinary degree without honours.
Honours degrees require the student to achieve significantly higher marks than an ordinary degree.
There are also postgraduate degrees which can be either research-based or course-based.
Research-based degrees involve completing a piece of original research under the supervision of a supervisor, while course-based degrees involve taking taught courses and completing a dissertation or project.
In this blog post, we'll fully outline the UK university grading system, so you can feel confident about how it works before arriving.
1. The UK university grading system is different from the US system
The UK and US university grading systems are quite different.
In the UK, a first-class degree is the highest grade you can get, while a first-class degree is just one of many possible grades in the US.
In the US, a first-class degree usually means that you have achieved the highest possible marks in all of your courses. In the UK, a first-class degree is more about the distinction - you have achieved significantly higher marks than most students.
Another difference is that the UK system ranges from firsts, seconds to thirds, while the US system does not. This means there are more grades in the UK than in the US.
Finally, postgraduate degrees in the UK tend to be research-based, while postgraduate degrees in the US tend to be course-based.
Also read: Ideas on how to fund your studies in the UK.
2. Undergraduate degrees are typically awarded as a First Class, Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, and Third Class degree
In the UK, undergraduate degrees are typically awarded as a First Class, Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, and Third Class degree.
A First Class degree is the highest grade you can get, meaning you have achieved significantly higher marks than most students. This is awarded to anything above 70%.
A Second Class Upper degree is the second highest grade you can get, meaning you have achieved higher marks than most students. This is awarded to anything between 60-69%. It is also referred to as a 2.1.
A Second Class Lower degree is the third highest grade you can get, which means you have achieved lower marks than most students. This is awarded to anything between 50-59%. It is also referred to as a 2.2.
A Third Class degree is a pass and is the lowest of the classification tiers. It is awarded to anything between 40-49%.
3. Postgraduate degrees can be awarded as a Master's degree (with Merit or Distinction), a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma (with Merit or Distinction), or a Doctorate
A Master's degree is the highest level postgraduate degree you can get, and it requires the completion of a taught course and a dissertation or project.
A Master's degree with Merit is the second highest grade you can get, and it means that you have achieved higher marks than most students.
A Master's degree with Distinction is the highest grade you can get, and it means that you have achieved significantly higher marks than most students.
A Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma is a lower-level postgraduate degree, which also requires the completion of a taught course and a dissertation or project. The grades for these qualifications range from Merit to Distinction, with Distinction being the highest possible grade.
A Doctorate is the highest-level postgraduate degree you can get, and it involves completing a piece of original research under the supervision of a supervisor.
The grading system for doctorates ranges from Pass to Outstanding, with Outstanding being the highest possible grade.
Also read: Top 12 highest paying degrees in the UK 2022
4. There are different types of exams, including coursework, exams, and practical
In the UK university system, students can take different types of exams.
These include coursework, exams, and practical.
Coursework is an exam completed as part of a course, and it usually takes the form of a piece of written work or a project.
Exams are assessments that are completed in person, and they usually involve answering multiple-choice or essay questions.
Practicals are exams that involve completing a task or activity in-person.
5. Universities in the UK use the Quality Assurance Agency to ensure that their standards are up to scratch
Universities in the UK use the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) to ensure that their standards are up to scratch.
The QAA is an independent body that reviews universities and colleges in the UK to ensure they meet the required standards.
If a university or college is not meeting the standards, the QAA can put them on notice or even revoke their accreditation.
