How is UK Study Performance Calculated? Understanding 2:1, First Class, Merit and More | UP-STUDY Educational Center

The UK has a long history and top-quality higher education, making it a popular destination for many Taiwanese students. However, studying in the UK not only requires a language shift but also requires learning a new grading system. Let’s now analyze what terms like 2:1, First Class, and Merit mean, so that you won’t be surprised by a failing grade at the end of the semester, thinking everything is fine just because the grades seem safe during the term!

UK University Grade Conversion

Although the UK also uses GPA, percentage scores, and other grading systems familiar to Taiwanese students, when dealing with more formal documents such as subject final grades, overall rankings, and graduation results, the most common grading system in UK universities, called "classification," is used. Grades are generally divided into five levels from high to low:

• First
• 2:1
• 2:2
• 3
• Fail

Within these passing levels, there are further subdivisions into High, Mid, and Low to help professors evaluate student performance more precisely.

UK Grade Classification & Percentage Scale & GPA

UK grade classifications can be converted into percentage scores or GPA. It’s important to note that if using the percentage system, the UK typically considers 40 as the passing mark and 70 as the mark for excellent performance. In Taiwan, the percentage scale usually indicates how much you have learned if the full score is 100, but in the UK, 70 means “your performance is better than 70% of other students,” so if you receive 60 points, don’t worry. Instead, you should be happy that the professor has given you a strong affirmation!

UK University Degree Classification

After discussing the grades, let's look at the qualifications. In the UK,university degrees are divided into two types:ordinary degree (basic degree) andhonor degree (honours degree).

An honor degree is the university degree that Taiwanese people are familiar with: it is awarded after completing all required and elective credits for a particular academic specialty within four years, with a total score above the passing line.An ordinary degree is a lower-level qualification, usually awarded when a student’s grades are insufficient or when they do not have enough credits to earn an honor degree. In such cases, the university grants anordinary degree. Some universities also offerordinary degree programs with shorter study durations and fewer credits for students with different plans. These students will receive anordinary degree graduation certificate even if they pass and graduate.

In addition, UK universities award different levels of degrees based on the final overall score at graduation. The degrees are classified as follows, from highest to lowest:

Top Scorer:First Class Honors

First Class Honors is the highest degree a UK undergraduate can achieve, indicating excellent performance, equivalent to a score above 85 on Taiwan's 100-point scale. If you plan to apply for graduate school in the UK with university grades, it is best to obtain a First Class Honors degree. Although some graduate schools accept a slightly lower 2:1 degree, obtaining a First Class degree is still preferable.

Diligent Scholar Certificate:Upper Second Class Honours

Upper Second Class Honours is commonly abbreviated as 2:1 or IIi, and is the degree most students typically achieve. Converted to Taiwan's 100-point scale, it roughly corresponds to a score between 75 and 85. According to statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, HESA, in 2019, 82% of graduates achieved a 2:1 or higher degree, making 2:1 the average grade for UK students. Therefore, it is recommended that international students in the UK aim to achieve at least a 2:1 degree.

UK Graduate Degree Classification

In the UK, not only are undergraduate degrees classified, but graduate degrees are as well. However, graduate degree classifications are simpler, with only three categories:

• Distinction: Excellent performance
• Merit: Good performance
• Pass: Satisfactory performance

If the grades are below pass, and a degree is not awarded, it will be referred to as a Diploma, which is equivalent to what is commonly known in Taiwan as discontinuation of studies.

Is 2:1 Necessary?

In the UK, in addition to numerical grades, degrees are also very important. The degree classification system allows the level of a student to be easily recognized, so many UK companies require applicants to have at least a 2:1 degree. In recent years, the proportion of UK students achieving a 2:1 degree or higher has been gradually increasing, making 2:1 not only a proof of above-average performance but also slowly becoming the minimum requirement for job applications. This is especially true in fields that place a high value on academic qualifications, such as doctors, engineers, and finance, where a 2:1 degree or higher is even more important.

Compared to a graduation certificate and a GPA transcript in Taiwan, the calculation of grades and degrees in the UK is much more complex. Whether you are applying to schools or have already been admitted and are waiting to depart, it is important to understand this in order to better grasp your performance at school and prepare for graduate school applications or job hunting after graduation!