University grades explained 2024

If you come into the university system through the A level route or the Scottish Nationals, you´ll be used to grades from A-E. If you come into the university system through other courses such as a BTEC you may be used to pass, merit, distinction (fail), even numbered grades or percentages. 

But university grading is different. Course work is usually marked on percentages, and top-grade students new to university may be surprised to go from high percentage marks (80s and 90s) to lower ones (50-70). Over 50% is usually a sign of understanding, over 60% is good. 

It can take a little adjusting to. 

Undergraduate Grades 

The amount of written work versus exams contributing to an overall grade will vary with course type, but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the final grade will be one of four, or a fail: a first, 2:1 (upper second class), 2.2 (lower second class) or a third. These equate to overall grades of 70 percent, 60-69, 50-59 and 40-49 percent, respectively. 

An ´honours´ degree (or degree with honours) is earned by completing extra work, usually an additional project or dissertation. However, there are exceptions, and any passed degree at Oxford, for example, is considered a student "to have achieved honours status". 

The Scottish system differs and many undergraduate degrees, particularly ´arts´ rather than science degrees, are known as ´masters´ degrees. 

Masters Degrees 

In most of the UK, masters degrees are postgraduate degrees, and students are awarded a pass (50-59%), merit (60-69%), or distinction (over 70%). However, as seen above, this differs somewhat within the Scottish system. 

A postgraduate masters degree in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will have one of three grades: a distinction (70% or higher), merit (60-69%) or a pass (over 50%). 

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PhDs (Philosophiae Doctor)   

Otherwise known as a Doctorate, the UK's highest university qualification is a PhD. The grading is simple: pass or fail! 

Pink Storage may not be able to help you ace your exams or draft theses and dissertations, but with self-storage units across Wales and in Manchester, it can meet all your self-storage needs as a student in these areas - leaving you free to worry about more important things. 

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