How UK degree classifications work
Most UK bachelor's degrees with honours are classified from your overall weighted average across the years that count, usually second year and final year. First year normally only needs to be passed.
Each year's average is itself credit-weighted: a 40-credit dissertation counts twice as much as a 20-credit module.
| Classification | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| First-class honours (1st) | 70% and above |
| Upper second (2:1) | 60% to 69% |
| Lower second (2:2) | 50% to 59% |
| Third-class honours (3rd) | 40% to 49% |
| Fail / ordinary degree | Below 40% |
The formula
Overall mark = (Year 2 average × Year 2 weight) + (final year average × final year weight)
With a 1:2 weighting, the final year counts twice as much as the second year: overall = (Year 2 + 2 × final year) ÷ 3.
To find the final-year average you need for a class: needed = (boundary − Year 2 average × Year 2 weight) ÷ final year weight.
Worked example 1: 1:2 weighting
Year 2 average 62%, final year 68%, weighting 1:2
Overall = (62 + 2 × 68) ÷ 3 = 198 ÷ 3 = 66.0%
Classification: 2:1
For a First you would need a final-year average of (70 − 62 ÷ 3) ÷ (2 ÷ 3) = 74.0%
Worked example 2: 25/75 weighting, borderline First
Year 2 average 58%, final year 72%, weighting 25/75
Overall = 58 × 0.25 + 72 × 0.75 = 14.5 + 54 = 68.5%
Classification: 2:1, but only 1.5 marks below a First, so it may be considered borderline
A First would need a final-year average of (70 − 14.5) ÷ 0.75 = 74.0%
Worked example 3: equal weighting
Year 2 average 55%, final year 65%, weighting 50/50
Overall = 55 × 0.5 + 65 × 0.5 = 60.0%
Classification: 2:1, exactly on the boundary
Borderline marks and other rules
- Borderline zone: many universities look again at marks within 1 to 2 points below a boundary (for example 68–69.9%).
- Preponderance rule: some universities award the higher class if more than half of your final-year credits are in that band.
- Best-of rules: some discount your weakest module or calculate two ways and give you the better result.
- Rounding: 69.5% may be rounded up to 70% at some universities, but not at others.