What marks are needed for a first class degree or a 2:1
December 20th, 2006 by get a first class degree
The marks required for different classifications of degree vary between universities, but are typically as follows:
- 40% or above = 3rd
- 50% or above = 2:2
- 60% or above = 2:1
- 70% or above = 1st
Some universities require a mark as high as 85% for a first class degree. I have spoken to students who attended such establishments and get the impression they think that this makes their degree more valuable. This is simply not the case. I achieved the highest mark at my faculty in the year I graduated (83%), so, if the same standards were applied at a university requiring 85% for a first class degree, then no-one from that university would achieve a first class.
Another issue is consistency of standards between universities, particularly between old and new universities. Whilst research indicates there are variances, all marking is moderated / adjudicated by external bodies to ensure consistency.
Never the less, employers will favor certain universities when it comes to recruitment. An Oxford graduate will be viewed more favorably than a graduate from an ‘new university’ (ex-polytechnic). This is understandable as getting into Oxford or Cambridge is a feat in itself, regardless of whether you do any work when you get there!
The bottom line though, as I see it, is whichever university you attend, you need to make sure you get the best possible results for yourself at the end of the course.
Regardless of your mark, it will take the same number of years, and you will incur the same level of debt, so you may as well make sure it is all worth it.
Furthermore, employers ask for a 2:1 or a first, a mark below a 2:1 will disadvantage you in terms of gaining employment.
I have never seen an employer stipulate universities in their personal specification!
Related Posts
Email This Post
Print This Post
Hi,
I will be entering by final year in a month or two. I am studying for a BSc in Economics. I am hoping to graduate with at least a 2:1 degree.
However, i acheived an average mark of 57.4% for my second year. Although i have completed 1/3 of my degree up to this point, and still have 2/3 left - i wanted to know if its still realistically possible to achieve a 2:1.
If so, is there any advice you can give me on how to approach my final year, in order to ensure that i get a good degree?
Thanks
Hi Bhavik,
You say you are entering year 3 but have 2/3 of your course left? Are you saying that you have 2/3 of your higher level modules left???
You need to find out exactly what the marking criteria are for your course, whether they count all modules, or say the 10 highest level modules etc.
You need to find out what you need for a 2:1 also, is it +60%?
If you only need 60% for a 2:1 and have 2/3 of your modules left then you would only only need to average 62% in your remaining modules to achieve the grade you want…. but it is impossible for me to know how your University works on this.
In my final year I knew that I needed to average 70%. I knew what modules would be counted. As I got marks back for my modules I calculated what I needed to get as a percentage on my remaining modules. I then aimed to get at lot more than I needed to try and give myself a bit of a buffer…
If I were you I would work like a maniac for your final year, a lot of employers look for a 2:1 as a minimum, your life after University will be a lot easier with a 2:1 than a 2:2 and making sacrifices this year will definately pay off in the years to follow!
thank you, I was about to ask the same question, mine is a 55% average though, you mentioned high levels modules, are these the modules with more credits, some of my modules carry 15 credits while the some have 30credits- are these the one you are referring to?
Yes the higher level modules are worth more.
On my course they were not weighted in the way you describe, but high level modules had to count towards your final mark.
The lower level modules did not necessarily count toward your final mark.