What is a first class award in the UK?

First-Class Honours (70% and above): a first class degree, usually referred to as a 'first' or 1st, is the highest honours degree you can achieve. Upper Second-Class Honours (60-70%): there are two levels of second class degree. An upper second class, known as a 2:1 or two-one, is the higher of the two levels.

What does first class mean in UK?

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%)

How many people get first class honours UK?

Percentage of undergraduate degrees awarded each grade in the UK 2011-2022. In the 2021/22 academic year, 32 percent of undergraduate students obtaining their degree were awarded a degree with first-class honors, the highest possible grade for UK graduates.

Is it hard to get first class honours in UK?

Ultimately, if you're hoping to achieve a first class honours degree it will take dedication and hard work throughout your course, not just before exam season. Make the most of your time at university, read widely and ask questions, seek support from your peers, and practice plenty of self-care along the way.

Is first class honours prestigious?

First Class Honours, referred to as a "first", is the highest honours classification and indicates high academic achievement.

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Is UK or US school harder?

It's difficult to say whether the British education system is harder than the American education system because both systems have their own unique challenges and strengths. In the UK, there is a strong emphasis on independent learning and critical thinking, with a heavier focus on exams and a more narrow subject focus.

Why is an A grade awarded at 90% in the USA but 70% in the UK are UK exams harder?

It is true that UK exams are harder, but the important difference is one of culture. Compared with Europe, US marks tend to be clustered towards the top of the scale so that discrimination between good and better students is limited.

How rare is a first class degree?

The proportion of students attaining a first class degree has increased every year since 2010-11, from 15.7 per cent to 37.9 per cent in 2020-21. Between 2010-11 and 2017-18 proportions of firsts increased by around two percentage points each year.

What is first class vs distinction UK?

Distinction: much like a First at undergraduate level, a Distinction is awarded when you achieve a percentage grade of 70% and above. Merit: you'll be awarded a Merit if you achieve a grade average between 60-69%. Pass: a pass is awarded when you receive a grade average between 50-59%.

How do you get a first class honours degree?

To get a first-class degree at university, you'll usually need an average of around 70 percent or above overall. This average is calculated across coursework, presentations, projects and exams, so you'll need to achieve consistent good grades throughout university.

How do I convert my UK GPA to us?

What is GPA called in the UK?

Another change is there are no GPAs in the UK like 4.0s. The GPA is replaced by Firsts, 2.1, and 2.2. A “First” would be similar to a 4.0 GPA, while 2:1 and 2:2 would be similar to a split of the 3.0 GPA range.

What GPA do you need for first class honours?

Honours I (First Class Honours): Honours GPA of 6.20 to 7.00; Honours IIA (Second Class Honours, Division A): Honours GPA of 5.65 to 6.199; Honours IIB (Second Class Honours, Division B): Honours GPA of 5.00 to 5.649; Honours III (Third Class Honours): Honours GPA of less than 5.00.

How is the UK grading system different from the US?

The United Kingdom uses letter grades, but not in the same way that the United States does. In the UK, an A is anything above 70%, rather than each letter representing 10%. And each letter after that represents a 10% reduction. A failing grade is also unique.

What is US GPA equivalent to a 2.1 UK degree?

Grade Equivalence (of a UK 2:1 degree) by country

i.e. GPA of 3.3 out of 4 for Study Abroad entry requirement. If your country is not listed, Admissions will assess on a case by case.

Can I get into Harvard with a 3.7 GPA?

Can I Get Into Harvard With a 3.7 GPA? Harvard does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, Harvard is highly competitive, so it may be challenging to get in with a 3.7 GPA. The average GPA for entering Harvard students is 3.9.

What do Brits call high school?

The closest equivalent is a 'secondary school', and indeed some English secondary schools have 'high school' in their name. But the school system in England does not quite line up with the system that most Americans would be familiar with. The schools are: Infant school: Ages 4–7.

Is UK education better than USA?

The UK is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities that rank higher than US institutions. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, four UK universities feature in the top 10, compared to four from the US.

Why do British people call high school college?

In the UK, higher education (what Americans call "college") is known as “university.” “College” actually has another meaning in the UK — it's where many students go for two years after completing compulsory schooling at 16 in order to prepare for exams to get into university.

How valuable is first class honours?

At the conclusion of the year, you're awarded first class, second class or third class honours, depending on your final grades. If you graduate with first class honours, it means you're at the top of your class and you achieved outstanding results—which can be vital when applying for a PhD (more on this below).

Is there anything better than first class honours?

First-Class Honours (70% and above): a first class degree, usually referred to as a 'first' or 1st, is the highest honours degree you can achieve. Upper Second-Class Honours (60-70%): there are two levels of second class degree. An upper second class, known as a 2:1 or two-one, is the higher of the two levels.

How important is a first class honours degree?

Graduates that hold first-class honours degrees are the ones at the top of their class with an average grade of 80% and higher. Their outstanding grades can connect them to more lucrative career opportunities.