what does first degree course mean uk

The first-class degree or often commonly referred to as “first”, is the highest academic achievement at the undergraduate level in UK universities. In more simple terms it means that your overall academic score is equal or above to 70% of the total score you could have achieved in your undergraduate degree course.

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What is a first class degree in the UK?

First-class degree. The first-class degree or often commonly referred to as “first”, is the highest academic achievement at the undergraduate level in UK universities. In more simple terms it means that your overall academic score is equal or above to 70% of the total score you could have achieved in your undergraduate degree course.

What is your first degree?

People who have gained a higher qualification after completing a basic university degree such as a BA or a BSc refer to that basic degree as their first degree . He was born in Zimbabwe where he completed his first degree in economics.

What is a 1st class honours degree?

A First-Class Honours Degree is awarded to a student who has accumulated an average percentage grade of 70% or above during their years at university. A 1st class honours degree takes 3 years to complete as a full-time student, and 6 years to complete as a part-time student.

What is an undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate degree is the next level of qualification that typically comes after finishing school. They’re often a student’s first degree, studied at university or another higher education provider. Students either move into employment or further study once they’ve completed an undergraduate degree.

What is a first degree course?

Bachelor's degree – a three or four year course you can take in undergraduate higher education after you've finished further education – also known as a 'first degree' or 'undergraduate degree'. Most courses are either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

Is a UK first degree a Bachelor degree?

A first degree, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) or equivalent, is gained after three or more years studying at university or a similar institution. Degrees usually begin at the age of 17 or 18, after a student has finished school. Many mature students also study first degrees in the UK.

Is a first degree the same as a bachelor's?

A Bachelor's, or Honours, degree is the most common type of undergraduate degree. It's what most employers mean when they're looking for an 'undergraduate' or 'first' degree on a job posting.

What are the 4 types of degrees in UK?

British degreesUndergraduate. An undergraduate degree normally takes three years to complete but can take longer if it includes an industrial placement, an additional subject or a year abroad. ... Postgraduate. ... Taught master's degrees. ... Master's degrees by research (MPhil, MSc by Research, MEnt) ... PhD.

What are the degree levels in UK?

degree apprenticeship. degree with honours - for example bachelor of the arts ( BA ) hons, bachelor of science ( BSc ) hons. graduate certificate. graduate diploma.

Is a first class degree good?

A First-Class degree, commonly known as a 'first' or 1st, is the highest honours degree achievable, and is well respected by employers. Students must get a percentage above 70% to be awarded this degree, thus it is very challenging indeed.

What is a bachelor's degree called in the UK?

Bachelor's Degree in UK (also called a Baccalaureate or Undergraduate Degree) These degrees have been developed in such a way so that you can have a full understanding of a subject or field of study.

What is a bachelor degree in UK?

Bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree involves studying one, or sometimes two, subjects in detail. It's the most common undergraduate degree in the UK and is a level 6 qualification (level 9 or 10 in Scotland). Typical classifications include: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

What is a first class degree?

In more simple terms it means that your overall academic score is equal or above to 70% of the total score you could have achieved in your undergraduate degree course. It is like saying your average grade at the undergraduate level was an A.

What is a 2:1 degree?

The upper second-class degree is labelled as 2:1 degree (read “two-one”). In order to be awarded a 2:1 degree (read “two-one”), your academic score must range from 60% to 69%. By definition, it means that you have shown pretty good knowledge, but there is some room for improvement.

What is the GCSE grade in England?

There are two GCSE grading systems applied in the UK. As of 2018, GCSE grades in England are indicated by numbers from 1 to 9.

What is the grading system in the UK?

Grading System in the UK. At the very beginning it is very important you recall the fact that the grading system of the UK’s constituent countries varies to a certain scale. Overall, the grading system applied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland share a lot of similarities, while the Scottish grading system is different.

How many stages of compulsory education are there in the UK?

Compulsory education in the UK is divided into four major key stages. At the end of each key stage, students sat in various examinations and their academic achievement is evaluated against national curriculum levels.

What does it mean when you get an A in the UK?

If you get an A it means you have shown outstanding knowledge whereas if you get an F it means your score is not sufficient to pass the exam.

What percentage of marks do you need to get a 3rd class degree?

Students to whom is awarded a third-class degree have taken marks between 40% and 49%, which is surely something you should not aim for. Unfortunately, the prospects of finding a good job or succeeding in postgraduate education holding a third-class degree are low.

Undergraduate degrees

An undergraduate degree is the next level of qualification that typically comes after finishing school. They’re often a student’s first degree, studied at university or another higher education provider. Students either move into employment or further study once they’ve completed an undergraduate degree.

Postgraduate degrees

A postgraduate degree is the next level of study after an undergraduate degree. It can be a level 7 or level 8 qualification, where you’ll begin to specialise in a specific area of the subject you studied as an undergraduate student.

Other qualifications and degree courses

A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is a practical-based qualification allowing students to prepare for the workplace. They focus on the practical skills needed for those currently in part-time or full-time work and you must be already employed to enrol.

What is the definition of first degree?

first-degree. 1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] In the United States, first-degree is used to describe crimes that are considered to be the most serious of their kind. For example, first-degree murder is when a murder is planned before it is carried out. She was charged with first-degree murder.

What is the first degree burn?

A first-degree burn is one of the least severe kind, where only the surface layer of the skin has been burnt. COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers.

What is a BA degree?

People who have gained a higher qualification after completing a basic university degree such as a BA or a BSc refer to that basic degree as their first degree .

What is first class honours?

First Class Honours. First Class Honours, referred to as a 'first', is the highest honours classification and indicates high academic achievement. Historically, First Class Honours were uncommon, but as of 2019 are awarded to nearly thirty percent of graduates from British universities.

What is the British undergraduate degree classification system?

The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading structure for undergraduate degrees or bachelor's degrees and integrated master's degrees in the United Kingdom. The system has been applied (sometimes with significant variations) in other countries and regions.

What is a tripose at the University of Cambridge?

At the University of Cambridge, Triposes (undergraduate degree examinations) are split into one or more Parts. Attaining First Class Honours in two different Parts culminates in graduating with a 'Double First'.

What is double first in Oxford?

A 'double first' at Oxford usually informally refers to First Class Honours in both components of an undergraduate degree, i.e., Moderations/Prelims and the Final Honours School, or in both the bachelor's and master's components of an integrated master's degree.

What is a third class honours degree?

Informally, the Third Class Honours degree is referred to as a "gentleman's degree" ( cf. the "gent leman's C" in U.S. parlance) and in the UK as a Douglas Hurd (Third) after the 1980s Conservative politician of the same name, despite the fact he graduated with a First Class Honours degree in History in 1952.

What is the 3rd class?

Third Class Honours, referred to as a "Third", is the lowest honours classification in most modern universities. Historically, the University of Oxford awarded Fourth Class Honours degrees and, until the late-1970s, did not distinguish between upper and lower Second Class Honours degrees.

What is a 2:2 degree?

Lower Second Class honours. In rhyming slang a 2:2 degree is known as a Desmond Tutu. This is the lower division of Second Class degrees and is abbreviated as '2:2' or 'II.ii' (pronounced two-two ). It is also informally known as a 'Desmond', named after Desmond Tutu.

What is the British undergraduate degree classification system?

The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme for undergraduate degrees (bachelor's degrees and integrated master's degrees) in the UK. It has been applied in other countries, with slight variations. When applying to study for an undergraduate degree in the UK, many students are not aware that they have an option ...

What is a third class degree?

Commonly known as a “third”, this degree is the lowest honour's degree achievable. Very few graduates achieve a third-class honours. In 2017/18, only 4% of students graduated with a third.

Why is an honours degree so popular?

For this reason, it is far more popular, as it gives employers an opportunity to understand a graduate’s competency.

What does "BSc" mean in science?

If applying for a bachelor’s degree in science, for example, you will see “Bsc (Hons)” as the qualifications you will receive. The “Hons” states that you will be studying an honours degree for that course. If you were to apply for an ordinary science degree, you will see “Bsc”. When you study for an ordinary degree, ...

What does it mean to get a BSC?

If you were to apply for an ordinary science degree, you will see “Bsc”. When you study for an ordinary degree, the aim is to pass and achieve a degree in your subject. If you do not pass, you simply do not get a degree. You will not get a failed degree, but you will fail to achieve a degree.

What is a 2.2 in education?

It is commonly known as a 2.2 or “Desmond” (as in Desmond “two-two”). A 2.2 is often the minimum grade required for most opportunities in employment and further education. In the 2017/18 academic year, 19% of students achieved a 2.2.

Is a 2.1 a good grade?

A 2.1 also puts you in a good position for employment, graduate programmes and post graduate study. For some institutions and for some employers, this is the minimum grade acceptable. Like a first-class honours, the number of students achieving a 2.1 has increased significantly in the past few years.

How many levels of study are there in England?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are eight levels of study, and in an academic sense, a level of study reflects the depth of knowledge taught at each stage, as well as the quality of student output expected. The level structure is comparable to the different stages of the education system, and can be broken down as such:

What is a level 4 degree?

Level 4 – The first year of an undergraduate Degree. Level 5 – The second year of an undergraduate Degree. Level 6 – The third year of an undergraduate Degree. Level 7 – A Master’s Degree. Level 8 – A Doctorate or PhD.

What is a level 3 diploma?

A student studying a Level 3 Diploma, for example, will study a course equivalent to A-Level standard, and is also a qualification which can be used for entry on to a Degree course. The NDA delivers all of their professional Diploma qualifications to Level 3 standards; this means that there are certain expectations and requirements ...

What is a diploma?

A Diploma qualification refers to the number of learning credits a student will study and aim to achieve in a course, but a Diploma can be awarded for any level, i.e. a Level 2 Diploma, Level 3 Diploma and so on. A student studying a Level 3 Diploma, for example, will study a course equivalent to A-Level standard, ...

Why is it important for a student to acknowledge when they undertake any type of formal education?

It is important for a student to acknowledge when they undertake any type of formal education (either with the NDA or otherwise), as to what level the course is to be studied at, as this gives the student clear expectations as to the quality, depth, knowledge and understanding of a subject expected within the submission of work.

UK-wide Award of Different Classes of Honours Degrees

• The table below shows the percentage of each class of honours degree awarded across the UK, by year.

See more on ucl.ac.uk

How Does UK Marking Compare to Other Countries?

UCL Honours Degree Outcomes Statement