Grading System in UK Universities 2024 – Every nation that has an internationally recognized educational system adheres to a uniform framework for academic grading. All parties involved—schools, employers, legislators, sponsors of financing, education loan providers, and, most importantly, students—benefit from the UK grading system, which makes academic success easier to access. You should be aware of the UK grading system if you intend to study there.
Understanding the eligibility standards and application requirements for the universities you are hoping to get admitted to is made easier by the UK university grading system. A thorough grasp of the current UK Universities grading system is necessary for Indian applicants to UK universities in order to select appropriate courses and disciplines. Let’s read through this blog to have the same understanding.
A Comprehensive Overview of the Grading System in UK Universities
The British grading system is well-liked and very successful since it accurately assesses students’ abilities and academic talents. For higher education, nations like Canada, Australia, and even India (to a certain extent) use the grading system in UK universities.
However, the UK has different grading guidelines. Wales, England, and Northern Ireland all use essentially the same methods, while Scotland has a very different grading scheme. Let’s take a closer look at the UK university grading scheme.
Old and New grading system in the UK
The old grading system is used by institutions in Wales and Northern Ireland, where an ‘A’ is the highest possible grade, while a ‘G’ is the lowest, and a ‘D’ is regarded as a passing score.
The new system is used at English institutes. The maximum score that may be obtained in this case is 9, and the typical passing score is 4. In all grading methods, the students who receive lesser grades are assigned a U for ungraded.
However, this grading system is irrelevant to Indian students who attend UK universities for professional, graduate, and postgraduate studies.
However, before utilizing the other techniques, it is important that you understand the GCSE grading system.
UK Education has four stages, which are mentioned below:
- Primary Education
- Secondary Education
- Further Education
- Higher Education
Grading System in UK Universities for Compulsory Education
The UK Uni Grading System uses two distinct grading schemes.
The GCSE grading system in England is numerical, with 1 being the lowest possible grade and 9 being the highest possible grade, with 4 serving as the average passing grade.
The GCSE is graded using a letter system in Northern Island and Wales, with A* being the highest letter grade and F representing the lowest. A minimal passing grade in the letter grading system is often a D.
Indian students mostly enroll in graduate, postgraduate, and professional programs at UK universities. In addition, a lot of Indian students apply to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in order for their diploma in higher education to be accepted worldwide.
The Higher Education System in the UK
In the UK, admission to pre-university and subsequent higher education programs is extremely competitive. Therefore, the British university grading system highly values proper assessment and evaluation of students’ performances. Let’s examine the grading schemes applied to this instruction.
Grading System in UK Universities for Advanced Level Exam
A-Levels, sometimes known as Advanced Levels, are a school-leaving credential in Wales, Northern Ireland, and England.
For the purpose of testing an applicant’s fitness for a subject, course, or program, most colleges recognize A-Level results.
40% is the bare minimum required to pass. In descending order, the advanced level grades are A, B, C, D, and E.
U stands for unclassified, or lower than an E. As of 2010, students who achieve 80% in all six modules and 90% in at least two modules are awarded an A*.
Grade E has a minimum percentage equal to about 40%.
U stands for unclassified, or lower than an E. As of 2010, students who achieve 80% in all six modules and 90% in at least two modules are awarded an A*.
Grade E has a minimum percentage equal to about 40%.
| Grade | Percentage (%) | Pass/Fail |
| A | 80 | Pass |
| B | 70 | Pass |
| C | 60 | Pass |
| D | 50 | Pass |
| E | 40 | Pass |
| F | Unclassified | Fail |
Grading System in the UK Universities
In the UK, there are two categories of bachelor’s degrees: honors and ordinary, also known as pass degrees. The following are the categories or grades for undergraduate degrees (with honors) and regular degrees:
- First Class- Distinction
- Upper second class – Merit
- Lower second class – Pass
- Third Class – Pass
Let’s examine each categorisation individually to have a deeper comprehension of the UK undergraduate grading system:
First-Class Degree
It is the best grade available for outstanding performance in undergraduate courses and bears a minimum percentage equivalent of 70% or higher. It is equal to an A in terms of letter grade equivalency. The previous 60 years have seen a steady rise in the percentage of pupils getting first-class grades. About 29% of pupils received first-class awards in 2019. The figure reached as low as 7% in the 1990s.
Upper Second-Class Degree
Usually worth between 60% and 69%, the upper second-class degree (designated as 2:1) is comparable. According to this UK grading system, students are generally competent but still need to improve in a few areas.
Lower Second-Class Degree
This grade range corresponds to a 50% to 59% score. Academic achievement is lower in the lower second class, with no indication of academic quality.
Third-Class Degree
It is the lowest grading range in academia and corresponds to roughly 40% to 49%. It is a prerequisite for passing degree-granting courses. The third-class degree is also colloquially referred to as a “gentleman’s degree.” There aren’t many options available to third-class students for post-graduate study or similar professional professions.
UK Masters’ System of Grading
All other master’s programs in the UK use a different grading scheme than bachelor’s programs, with the exception of integrated master’s programs. UK borders for the university grading system are:
PG Degree Grading System in UK Universities
The postgraduate (PG) degree grading scheme used by UK universities differs according on the kind of degree being pursued, such as master’s or doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees. For postgraduate degrees, the grading scheme is usually more demanding and concentrates on specialized knowledge and advanced academic research. An outline of the UK grading scheme for postgraduate degrees is provided below:
Graduate Degrees
The following categories are part of the most popular Master’s degree grading scheme:
Distinction is the highest grade possible and is frequently given for exceptionally outstanding academic achievement, which is equivalent to an average of 70% or higher.
Merit: Students who have shown good academic performance—typically with an average between 60% and 69%—are given this grade.
Pass: A program completion rate of between 50% and 59% on average indicates a good completion of the course.
Fail: Students who don’t fulfil the prerequisites in order to pass could get a failing mark.
Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D.)
The UK university grading system for doctorate degrees emphasises the research project and the calibre of the candidate’s thesis or dissertation. For a PhD, the primary grades are
Pass: The candidate will receive a Pass if their research and thesis satisfy the necessary requirements.
Fail: The candidate may earn a failing mark if the research and thesis do not meet the minimal requirements.
Exam Types Offered by UK universities
Students in the UK university system have access to a variety of test options. These consist of assignments, tests, and practicals.
A course’s coursework consists of assignments that must be completed, usually in the form of projects or written assignments.
Exams are in-person assessments that often consist of responding to multiple-choice or essay questions.
Exams known as practicals, require candidates to do tasks or activities in person.
ETCS Grades v/s the UK Grading System
The UK has a grading system that covers a range of educational levels. First-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours, third-class honours, pass, and fail are the most prevalent classifications for undergraduate degrees in higher education. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a credit system designed to make it easier for colleges throughout Europe to recognise and transfer study credits. While it functions in tandem with regional grading systems throughout several European nations, it is not a grading system in and of itself.
| Grade | Percentage (%) | Degree |
| A | 70-100 | First Class |
| B | 60-69 | Upper Second Class |
| C | 50-59 | Lower Second Class |
| D | 40-49 | Third Class |
| E | 30-39 | Fail |
| F | 0-29 | Fail |
Note on the UK Grading system
- Although the aforementioned classes are widely used, certain colleges might use slightly different terminology.
- For university admissions, foreign qualifications must be assessed and evaluated with the UK grading system. Usually, institutions or organizations like UCAS (institutions and Colleges Admissions Service) are in charge of this procedure.
Want to Study in the UK?
For Indian students seeking higher education, Britain has long been a preferred choice. We have attempted to provide an overview of the uk university grading system at various educational levels in the country.
If you are planning to Study in UK and have issues regarding the Grading System in UK Universities and its comparability to the Indian grading system, connect with our counsellors by subscribing to SMS Plus and discover more about the university grading system UK. You may also be sure that they will provide additional advice on choosing a university, course, loan, scholarship, etc. because they have over eighteen years of expertise.
