UK degree classification calculator
Work out your First, 2:1, 2:2 or Third from module marks, credits and year weights.
UK undergraduate honours classifications usually map a credit- and year-weighted average to First (70%+), Upper Second / 2:1 (60–69%), Lower Second / 2:2 (50–59%) and Third (40–49%). For example, with year 2 weighted 40% at 63% and year 3 weighted 60% at 70%, the degree average is 67.2% — a 2:1 on those usual boundaries.
Handbook disclaimer. This is an estimate using the marks and weights you enter and the usual UK honours boundaries. Each university (and sometimes each course) sets its own year weights, rounding, discounted credits, resit caps and borderline rules. Check your programme handbook or classification regulations before relying on the result — only your exam board confirms the award.
Year weights
Pick a common three-year pattern, or enter custom weights. Relative parts such as 0 / 1 / 2 are normalised to the same shares as 0 / 33.3 / 66.7. Year 4 Scottish or integrated pathways are not modelled in this version — fold them into custom weights if your handbook needs them.
Year 1 modules
Year 2 modules
Year 3 modules
Your degree class
- Degree weighted average
- —
- Classification (usual boundaries)
- —
Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing is stored or uploaded.
What do I need for a 2:1 or First?
Mark unfinished modules as Remaining / not yet marked. The calculator solves for the average still needed across those remaining credits.
- Average needed on remaining credits
- —
How to use the UK degree classification calculator
- Pick a year-weight preset that matches your handbook, or enter custom weights.
- Add each module’s mark and credits for the years that count. Tick Remaining for unfinished modules.
- Read your weighted average and class; use the target section to see what you still need for a 2:1 or First.
- If you are within 1–2% of a boundary, check your university’s borderline rules — the tool only flags the zone.
How UK degree classification is calculated
Year average = Σ (module mark × credits) ÷ Σ credits.
Degree average = Σ (year average × year weight) ÷ Σ year weights (weights are normalised if they do not total 100).
Worked example
Course weights: year 2 = 40%, year 3 = 60% (year 1 = 0%). Each counted year = 120 credits.
Year 2: 58×20 + 64×20 + 61×40 + 67×40 = 7,560 ÷ 120 = 63%.
Year 3: 64×20 + 68×20 + 70×40 + 74×40 = 8,400 ÷ 120 = 70%.
Degree average: (63 × 40 + 70 × 60) ÷ 100 = 67.2% → Upper Second (2:1), 2.8 points below a First on the usual boundaries.
What do I need for a 2:1
Same weights (0 / 40 / 60). Year 2 locked at 58%. Target overall 60%.
0.40 × 58 + 0.60 × y = 60 → y = (60 − 23.2) ÷ 0.60 = 61.33%.
You need about 61.3% across the remaining final-year credits for a 2:1 (before handbook borderline, discount or rounding rules).
Class boundaries
| Class | Usual weighted average |
|---|---|
| First Class Honours (1st) | 70% and above |
| Upper Second (2:1) | 60–69% |
| Lower Second (2:2) | 50–59% |
| Third Class (3rd) | 40–49% |
| Below third | Under 40% (ordinary / fail — local rules) |
Year weights, borderlines and why handbooks differ
Common presets (0/50/50, 0/40/60, about 1:2, 0/25/75) cover many three-year English programmes, but they are illustrative. Pass/fail modules are usually left out of the classification average unless the handbook says otherwise. Borderline uplift, discounted lowest credits and resit caps are local — see the UK degree classifications guide.
Questions and answers
- How is a UK degree classification calculated?
- Credit-weight your modules into a year average, then year-weight those averages into a degree average. Map the result to the usual bands: First 70%+, Upper Second (2:1) 60–69%, Lower Second (2:2) 50–59%, Third 40–49%. For example, year 2 at 63% with weight 40% and year 3 at 70% with weight 60% gives 67.2% — a 2:1 on those boundaries.
- What percentage is a 2:1 / First / 2:2 / Third?
- Usual undergraduate honours bands are First 70% and above, Upper Second (2:1) 60–69%, Lower Second (2:2) 50–59%, and Third 40–49%. Confirm the exact cutoffs in your programme regulations.
- Does first year count towards my degree class?
- Often year 1 must be passed but carries 0% weight. Some courses give it a small share (for example 10%). Enter 0, or your handbook figure, for any year that does not count.
- What average do I need in my final year for a 2:1?
- It depends on locked year averages and year weights. Use the target mode. For example, with weights 0 / 40 / 60 and year 2 locked at 58%, you need about 61.3% across final-year credits for an overall 60% (2:1), before any university-specific borderline rules.
- What if I am within 1% or 2% of a boundary?
- Many universities have borderline rules (a margin plus a share of final-year credits in the higher band, rounding, or exam-board discretion). This calculator only flags the zone; it does not apply uplift rules.
- Can I use this if my university discounts my lowest credits?
- Not automatically in this version. Enter only the modules your handbook includes, or exclude discounted credits yourself. Official university Excel tools encode local rules that this generic calculator will not.
- Is this the same as a US GPA?
- No. A UK class is a weighted percentage band, not a 4.0 GPA. See the UK degree classifications guide for context, and the GPA and CGPA Calculator only when an application asks for a GPA estimate.
- Is anything saved or uploaded?
- No. Calculations run in your browser only. Nothing is stored or uploaded.