学位等级¶
Analysis of Degree Classification in UK Universities
The academic degree certificates issued by UK universities are different from the graduation certificates and degree certificates in China. In China, two certificates are typically issued upon graduation: a graduation certificate and a degree certificate. These certificates include information such as the university, major, name, official seals, and photographs, but they do not specify detailed grades or honors.
In contrast, in UK universities, whether it is for undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degrees, a single degree certificate is issued upon successful completion of all examinations at the time of graduation. This degree certificate serves as proof of your successful completion of the program and is required when seeking educational qualification recognition in your home country. However, if you have taken a break from studies in the UK, failed examinations, or only completed 1 or 2 years of an undergraduate program without graduating, you would have a diploma or certificate indicating the level of education you have reached. Higher education beyond the undergraduate level is generally referred to as Higher Education.
However, the format of the degree certificate in the UK varies at each educational stage. It may include different classifications and honors, and whether you have achieved excellence will be clearly indicated on your UK university graduation degree certificate.
Please refer to the image below for an example of a bachelor's degree certificate from a Chinese university
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Generally speaking, the undergraduate education system in the UK lasts for three years, while in Scotland it is four years. Some medical programs may take six years, and most master's programs are one year in duration, although some may be two years. The duration of a Ph.D. program is typically 3-4 years. In China, there are also many 2+2 and 3+1 programs, which are often referred to as "top-up" or "accelerated master's" programs. If students fail to meet the requirements or their grades are not sufficient to directly enroll in a bachelor's or master's program in the UK, they need to study a foundation program. Foundation programs generally last for one year, depending on the specific circumstances. For students under the age of 18 who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in the UK, they need to study A-Levels, which are equivalent to the national college entrance examination (Gaokao) in China. Currently, there are five UK universities, including the University of Cambridge, that accept Gaokao scores for undergraduate applications since 2019. The specific five universities and their application requirements can be found in the detailed guide mentioned earlier.
Typically, the courses offered by UK universities include:
Pre-sessional English courses: These are language courses for students whose IELTS scores do not meet the requirements. The duration of these language courses varies among universities. For example, at Coventry University, if you are applying for a master's program with a requirement of IELTS 6.5 and you only have a score of 6, you would need to take a 5-week language course. After passing the language examination, you can proceed to the regular courses, and you will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the language course.
Foundation programs: These programs are designed for students who do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry into a bachelor's or master's program. They serve as a stepping stone, and students with good performance in foundation programs can apply to highly ranked universities. Upon completion of the foundation program, students receive a foundation certificate.
Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degrees): Upon successful completion of an undergraduate program, students are awarded a Bachelor's degree.
Postgraduate (Master's Degrees): Upon successful completion of a postgraduate program, students are awarded a Master's degree.
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Upon successful completion of a PhD program, students are awarded a Doctorate degree.
The different degree levels within the same discipline include:
BA (Bachelor of Arts): Bachelor's degree in humanities and arts-related fields, education, music, etc.
BSc (Bachelor of Science): Bachelor's degree in science-related fields, mathematics, physics, chemistry, information technology, medicine, etc.
MA (Master of Arts): Master's degree in humanities and arts-related fields.
MSc (Master of Science): Master's degree in science-related fields.
The difference between arts and science lies in the focus of the disciplines. Arts programs encompass subjects such as literature, education, arts, and music, while science programs focus on subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, information technology, and medicine.
Here is an explanation of the degree classifications for undergraduate degrees in the UK:
Degree classifications in the UK are based on grades, and the corresponding classification is printed on the graduation degree certificate. There are four degree classifications:
First class honours (First): The highest classification for outstanding performance.
Second class honours, upper division (2:1): The second-highest classification for excellent performance.
Second class honours, lower division (2:2): The third classification for good performance.
Third class honours (Third): The fourth classification for satisfactory performance.
The passing grade in most UK universities is 40, although some universities require a minimum passing grade of 50, which is different from the passing grade of 60 in China.
For example, at my university, Coventry University, the passing grade is 40. The undergraduate degree classifications are as follows:
40-49: Third-class honours
50-59: Second class honours, lower division (2:2)
60-69: Second class honours, upper division (2:1)
70 and above: First-class honours (First)
Please note that the corresponding degree classification will be printed on your graduation certificate, allowing anyone to know your classification at a glance. For those who wish to pursue a master's degree in the UK, or even apply to highly ranked UK universities, the minimum requirement is usually a second class honours, lower division (2:2) or above in the undergraduate degree. Therefore, it is advisable to aim for higher grades. Additionally, achieving a first-class honours is not solely based on scoring 70 in a single subject, but rather the overall performance throughout the three years of study, with particular emphasis on the second and third years.
The image below shows a sample UK undergraduate graduationHere is the English translation:
"In general, the undergraduate education system in the UK lasts for three years, while in Scotland it is four years. Some medical programs may take six years, and most master's programs are one year in duration, although some may be two years. The duration of a Ph.D. program is typically 3-4 years. In China, there are also many 2+2 and 3+1 programs, which are often referred to as "top-up" or "accelerated master's" programs. If students fail to meet the requirements or their grades are not sufficient to directly enroll in a bachelor's or master's program in the UK, they need to study a foundation program. Foundation programs generally last for one year, depending on the specific circumstances. For students under the age of 18 who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in the UK, they need to study A-Levels, which are equivalent to the national college entrance examination (Gaokao) in China. Currently, there are five UK universities, including the University of Cambridge, that accept Gaokao scores for undergraduate applications since 2019. The specific five universities and their application requirements can be found in the detailed guide mentioned earlier.
Typically, the courses offered by UK universities include:
Pre-sessional English courses: These are language courses for students whose IELTS scores do not meet the requirements. The duration of these language courses varies among universities. For example, at Coventry University, if you are applying for a master's program with a requirement of IELTS 6.5 and you only have a score of 6, you would need to take a 5-week language course. After passing the language examination, you can proceed to the regular courses, and you will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the language course.
Foundation programs: These programs are designed for students who do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry into a bachelor's or master's program. They serve as a stepping stone, and students with good performance in foundation programs can apply to highly ranked universities. Upon completion of the foundation program, students receive a foundation certificate.
Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degrees): Upon successful completion of an undergraduate program, students are awarded a Bachelor's degree.
Postgraduate (Master's Degrees): Upon successful completion of a postgraduate program, students are awarded a Master's degree.
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Upon successful completion of a PhD program, students are awarded a Doctorate degree.
The different degree levels within the same discipline include:
BA (Bachelor of Arts): Bachelor's degree in humanities and arts-related fields, education, music, etc.
BSc (Bachelor of Science): Bachelor's degree in science-related fields, mathematics, physics, chemistry, information technology, medicine, etc.
MA (Master of Arts): Master's degree in humanities and arts-related fields.
MSc (Master of Science): Master's degree in science-related fields.
The difference between arts and science lies in the focus of the disciplines. Arts programs encompass subjects such as literature, education, arts, and music, while science programs focus on subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, information technology, and medicine.
Here is an explanation of the degree classifications for undergraduate degrees in the UK:
Degree classifications in the UK are based on grades, and the corresponding classification is printed on the graduation degree certificate. There are four degree classifications:
First class honours (First): The highest classification for outstanding performance.
Second class honours, upper division (2:1): The second-highest classification for excellent performance.
Second class honours, lower division (2:2): The third classification for good performance.
Third class honours (Third): The fourth classification for satisfactory performance.
The passing grade in most UK universities is 40, although some universities require a minimum passing grade of 50, which is different from the passing grade of 60 in China.
For example, at my university, Coventry University, the passing grade is 40. The undergraduate degree classifications are as follows:
40-49: Third-class honours
50-59: Second class honours, lower division (2:2)
60-69: Second class honours, upper division (2:1)
70 and above: First-class honours (First)
Please note that the corresponding degree classification will be printed on your graduation certificate, allowing anyone to know your classification at a glance. For those who wish to pursue a master's degree in the UK, or even apply to highly ranked UK universities, the minimum requirement is usually a second class honours, lower division (2:2) or above in the undergraduate degree. Therefore, it is advisable to aim for higher grades. Additionally, achieving a first-class honours is not solely based on scoring 70 in a single subject, but rather the overall performance throughout the three years of study, with particular emphasis on the second and third years.
The image below
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Shisheng Meow reminds you that not every student can obtain a bachelor's degree certificate upon graduation, and degree certificates are also divided into honours degrees and ordinary degrees, for example:
Diploma or Certificate (academic credentials, somewhat similar to a college degree). If you only attend college for 1 or 2 years and then discontinue studies (you can use this certificate to apply for the remaining years in the future), or if your performance during the three-year undergraduate period is poor, such as not submitting a thesis, etc.
Ordinary Degrees (regular degrees). If after completing the undergraduate program, you fail to submit a graduation thesis or your grades are too low, you will receive this ordinary degree, and it may be more difficult to apply for a master's degree with this degree.
Honours Degrees. These are mainly awarded during the undergraduate stage. Generally, if all exams and theses are passed without any other special circumstances, such as attendance issues, you will receive an honours degree.
Introduction to the grading system for master's degrees in the UK:
Master's degrees are different from undergraduate degrees. The classification of master's degrees depends on the university. Most universities divide them into three levels based on the final overall scores:
Pass: 50%-60% average score
Merit: 60%-70% average score
Distinction: Above 70% average score
Shisheng Meow reminds you that the above levels are calculated based on the average scores of all assessments, including the graduation thesis. If you achieve a Pass, it will not be displayed on your graduation certificate. If you achieve a Merit or Distinction, it will be directly indicated on your master's diploma.
As shown in the figure below, "merit" and "distinction" are the terms used in English for the merit and distinction levels on the UK master's degree certificate.
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So, dear students, keep up the good work! When studying in the UK for your undergraduate degree, strive to achieve a 2:1 or higher, and when pursuing a master's degree, aim for a merit
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