UK Grading System Guide 2024: Everything You Need to Know!

Were you the one student who worried excessively about your grades? Although we recognise your concerns and anxiety, you should know how different grading systems work. The US grading system, Australian grading system, and others may differ from institution to institution within the same nation. Given its prestigious universities, quality education, and assurance of a high standard of grade system to establish a benchmark globally, the UK is a popular destination for students worldwide. In this blog, we decode the UK grading system and UK grading scale, student assessment, and much more to help you better navigate through your education in the UK.

What is the UK Grading System?

Did you know that universities in the UK have a unique grading system? The UK grading system is a numerical or alphabetical scale used to evaluate students' performance in schools, colleges, and universities. The British grading system is consistent across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, whereas the Scottish grading system differs from all three. The entire focus is on the holistic development of students.

It's one of the reasons the British grading system and higher education is so well-regarded around the world. Moreover, many countries have adopted the UK grading system or a variation of it. When you're looking to study in the UK, familiarising yourself with the UK GPA system is important. Remember that if you plan to study in the UK, you need to know everything about studying in the UK, be it the UK grading system or the UK student visa. This way, you'll know how to convert your grades and see how they measure up to the requirements. Don't stress, though! We've got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about the UK grading system. 

How are UK university students assessed?

The students in the UK grading system are assessed using various methods, such as:

1. Exams: These assessments review the student's knowledge.
2. Coursework: This assessment is practical or written and includes reports, projects, lab reports, and presentations.
3. Oral: Here, they check the student's ability to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively.
4. Practical: This assessment checks the student's ability to utilise theoretical knowledge in practical solutions.
5. Portfolios: This is a form of assessment that combines a student's work throughout their course. It is often found in art or fashion programs.
6. Dissertations: These are big research projects that students usually have to submit in their final year of study. If you’re planning to work on a dissertation, you can follow a few Tips on Writing a Dissertation and find your way!

What is GCSE?

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. These are the qualifications obtained by fifteen and sixteen-year-olds in the UK at the end of their Year 11 schooling. GCSEs provide a uniform framework for assessment in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Schools in Scotland pursue Scottish Qualifications Certificates, and chosen subjects are studied over two years and assessed by final exams or coursework.

While students have the scope to choose some of their GCSE options, several subjects are obligatory. These are known as core subjects and include Maths, English Literature, and Science (in varying forms). GCSE syllabuses are set, examinations administered, and certificates awarded by five primary examination boards: 

1. AQA  (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
2. CCEA (Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment)
3. Edexcel
4. OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA)
5. WJEC (The Welsh Joint Education Committee)

These are overseen by regulatory authorities to ensure parity between schools using a different exam board.

Understanding the 9-1 GCSE UK Grading System

The UK implemented the 9-1 grading system to replace the A*- G system. This updated grading system of UK aims to offer evaluations of students' performance and better reflect their accomplishments. First, let's understand the UK grading scale of 9-1 GCSE UK grading system.

The 9-1 GCSE UK grading system provides more differentiation at the top end of the scale, allowing universities and employers to distinguish between high-achieving students more effectively. A grade that is four or higher is recognised as a "pass," which is approximately similar to the previous C grade. A grade of 5 or higher is viewed as a "pass." Grades 9, 8, and 7 are considered comparable to the systems A* and A grades. The grading system in UK is used in various fields, including ancient languages (classical Greek and Latin), art and design, biology, chemistry, citizenship studies, combined science (double award), history, and geography.

Understanding the Undergraduate UK Grading System

The UK grading system is quite particular in how it assigns grades, implying that not all students who achieved an A are in the same class as you. The many components necessary for an individual's entire growth are taken into consideration when evaluating a student's overall performance in view. Although narrowing it down to the grades, the Undergraduate UK grading system is split into three major categories, which are further explained as follows:

1. First Class Degree

As per the British grading system, a First Class Degree is the highest you can score during the undergraduate degree and requires students to have a total score greater than 70%. It is also called a UK distinction grade. A first-class degree is highly valued in the UK grading system since it suggests that the student thoroughly understands the subject's material and content. Your prowess in a particular field is crucial to your career, especially your course of interest. A first-class degree with a UK distinction grade is also known as the First and is considered the most outstanding achievement in the undergraduate course. 

2. Second Class Degree

According to the British grading system, the second-class Degree is further segregated into two categories: 

• Upper Second Class Degree, named 2:1, represents that the student has scored somewhere between 60-69%. However, because of the tough competition in the present times, first-class degree holders are captivating the opportunity market. This UK grading system says that you have performed well but can still work on and strive to develop yourself in numerous ways.
• Lower Second Class Degree, known as 2:2, comes right after the upper second-class Degree, which shows that your score ranges around 50%-59% according to the UK grading system. It indicates that you need to put in a lot of effort to improve your knowledge and understanding of the relevant subject because it is slightly below the upper second-class Degree. 

3. Third Class Degree‍

In the grading system in UK, this is the lowest score an undergraduate candidate can achieve. Students who earn between 40% and 49% receive a third-class degree. This degree indicates you have a lot of room to grow, so you should start advancing yourself and your field knowledge. 

In the British grading system, a fourth-class degree was offered by a few universities, including Oxford University. A student who narrowly missed earning a Third-Class Degree is now granted an ordinary degree marked Pass.

Master's Grading System in the UK 

The postgraduate Master's grading system of UK is slightly different compared to the scheme used for undergraduate degrees. If you are planning your Master's in the UK, make sure you understand their process. The UK Masters grading system differs from all the countries worldwide. Like the undergraduate degree, postgraduate degrees offer grades using four levels:

UK Master's Degree Requirements

1. Distinction: When students receive a distinction grade UK, they are considered to have achieved a master's degree score of at least 70%.
2. Merit: Students who receive grades from 60% to 69% are granted a merit grade.
3. Pass: Passing is defined as having an overall grade between 50% and 59%.
4. Borderline Pass/Fail: As the name implies, this category includes students who narrowly avoid failing or passing but receive a score between 40% to 49%.

The UK Masters grading system also depends upon the type of Master's course you are pursuing. The three most popular categories of Masters in the UK are as follows:

1. Integrated Master's Degree

This is an integrated degree that combines both a graduate and postgraduate degree. It generally consists of three years of undergraduate and one year of postgraduate study. It means that when you apply for an undergraduate degree, you are already aware of the Master's you will pursue post that. It is a more specialised qualification and requires a commitment of four years. The grade is given as follows:

1. Distinction: Minimum 70%
2. Merit: Between 60% to 69%
3. Pass: Between 50% to 59%
4. Borderline Pass/Fail: Between 40% to 49%

2. Taught Master's Degree 

Lectures, seminars, and tutorials are the main components of this master's program. Although the public speaking requirements of this course may seem intimidating at first, we assure you that you will become more confident with practice! These courses usually include research and dissertation elements, making it essential for you to work around the year. 

The grades provided in a taught master's degree typically go as fail, pass, merit, and distinction and usually have the same percentage and markings as an integrated master's degree. However, a taught master's degree often calls for 180 credits of study, which includes modules, dissertations, assignments, and research. The number of credits you get for each module varies from 10 to 30, depending on the quantity and quality of the work.

3. Master's Degree Research (MRes)

Considering pursuing a Master's in research? The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme, similar to the Taught Master's Degree, is the standard credit structure for MRes. The course's research component might result in 160 credits, 20 of which would be given for training. The overall course may include one single research and dissertation or multiple projects at the same time. The grading is usually done as pass or fail, but usually, some universities also offer UK distinction grades as a classification for students who score higher than 70%. Want more in-depth information on the degrees in the UK? You can also go through the types of degrees in the UK to know more in-depth about the UK degrees.

Difference between the US and UK grading systems

The main difference between the UK vs the US grading system is that exams and things like your dissertation or work you produce for the final semester of your course are given a lot more weight than GPA, which is an amalgamation of your marks over the academic year. To understand the UK grading system vs the US better, remember this: the UK uses letter grades, but not in the same way that the US 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. For example, a score of less than 59% in the United Kingdom is sufficient to obtain an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. This, however, is not possible in the United States. You can learn more about the US grading system with a Comprehensive Guide On The US Grading System In 2024, and you’ll be able to make a quicker decision on where you’d like to study!

Indian Versus UK Grading System

The Indian and UK grading systems differ significantly. In India, the grading system operates on a 10-point grade point average, whereas in the UK, it is a 100-point system. Below, we’ve provided the difference between the Indian and UK grading systems.

UK Grading System and ECTS Grades

The UK grading system used in higher education institutions is based on a British grading scale that ranges from A* to E for undergraduate degrees and A to D for postgraduate degrees. The A* to E scale is further divided into subgrades such as A*, A, B, C, D, and E, where A* is the highest grade, and E is the lowest passing grade.

It's important to note that while the UK and ECTS grading systems may have similar grades, the criteria for earning each can vary depending on the institution and country. 

University and College Admission Service Point (UCAS)

So, what is UCAS all about? UCAS Points, which are also known as UCAS Tariff Points, are an adjacent way to measure and compare the achievements of a student studying in the UK. These points are basically assessed by the university grading system in the UK to ensure a student's suitability for their chosen course. These points assign a numerical value to the different qualifications and grades, making it convenient for the universities to make a fair and uniform comparison among applicants.

It directly impacts the UK grading system as it provides a common metric for comparing diverse qualifications. As the UCAS points assign a number to different qualifications and grades of students, universities and colleges in the UK usually set their entry and admission parameters based on the same factor. For instance, a grade B might only be worth 100 UCAS points, but an A might be worth 120. By establishing the number of UCAS points necessary for admission, institutions establish uniform standards in the selection process for the candidates.

Top UK Universities

Knowing that the UK is home to some of the most outstanding universities in the world will make your decision to study there worthwhile. These universities are well known for offering top-notch education, including online study courses that foster students' personal and professional development. The leading global universities in the UK are listed below. 

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Thus, the UK grading system is intricate for distributing grades and rewarding diligent students. Therefore, even though everything feels overwhelming and too much right now, you won't feel as overwhelmed when you get there if you are well-prepared. Now that you are planning to study in the UK make sure you know you do your research on the highest-paying jobs.

If you're a student planning to study in the UK, finding suitable accommodation might be a concern. Explore the amazing student accommodation in the UK to discover your ideal student housing. Now that you know the UK grading system, it is also important that you know more about the entrance exams required to get into the top universities in the UK. You can read more on our exam preparation blog.