A degree classification is your formal ‘grade’ after graduating from an undergraduate course at a British university.
The degree classifications in order from highest to lowest are:
- first-class honours if your marks are above 70% (also written as 1st)
- upper second-class honours for marks between 60% and 69% (also written as 2.i, 2.1, or II.i)
- lower second-class honours for marks between 50% and 59% (also written as 2.ii, 2.2, or II.ii)
- third-class honours for marks between 40% and 49% (also written as 3rd)
If you don’t achieve third-class honours, your university might award you an ‘ordinary pass’ without honours, but you may also fail depending on your university’s policies.
Here’s what a degree classification looks like on a degree certificate:
