Undergraduate Degree Classification

Undergraduate Degree Classification

There are four classes of Honours degree classification: First, Upper Second, Lower Second and Third. A candidate who has not met the requirements for the award of a third-class Honours degree may, subject to meeting the requirements, be eligible for the award of a Designated Degree or non-Honours Degree. 

  • To achieve an honours degree, students must attain a minimum of 480 credit points including at least 180 at levels 3 and 4, of which a minimum of 90 must be at level 4.
  • A designated degree requires a minimum of 360 credit points including at least 90 at level 3.
  • A non-honours degree requires a minimum of 360 credit points including at least 60 at level 3.

Degree classification is based on performance across the Honours programme as a whole (i.e., levels 3 and 4 for 4-year degrees and Levels 3, 4 and 5 for 5-year integrated master’s degrees).

Only courses taken at level 3 and above will count towards Honours classification.

Students who entered an Honours programme (e.g., level 3) in or after September 2021

If you are an undergraduate student and you commenced your Honours programme (i.e., level 3 or 4) in September 2021, your degree outcome will be calculated on the basis of the Grade Point Average system. The Code of Practice on Assessment for Undergraduate Students (who entered Honours in or after September 2021) provides detailed information, including worked examples to show exactly how degree classification is determined.

 

Students who entered an Honours programme (e.g., level 3) in September 2020

f you are an undergraduate student and you commenced your Honours programme (i.e., level 3 or 4) in September 2020, you will have been undertaking your Honours programme on 18 March 2021.  

As such, Comprehensive Measures for Fair and Consistent Assessment in the Context of Covid-19  will apply to the calculation of your degree. The Code of Practice on Assessment for Undergraduate Students (who entered Honours in September 2020) provides detailed information, including worked examples to show exactly how degree classification is determined. In summary, however:

  • Degree outcomes will be calculated on the basis of the Grade Point Average system;

Degree outcomes will be calculated using an increased borderline zone.

Students who entered an Honours programme (e.g., level 3) in September 2019

If you are an undergraduate student and you commenced your Honours programme (i.e., level 3 or 4) in September 2019 (e.g., you are undertaking a five-year programme), you will have been undertaking your studies during the initial impact of Covid-19 (the period defined by the University as 16 March 2020 to the end of the 2019/20 academic year) and on 18 March 2021.  

As such, both No Detriment procedures and Comprehensive Measures for Fair and Consistent Assessment in the Context of Covid-19 (enter link) will apply to the calculation of your degree. The Code of Practice on Assessment for Undergraduate Students (who entered Honours in September 2019) provides detailed information, including worked examples to show exactly how degree classification will be determined. In summary, however:

  • Degree outcomes will be calculated on the basis of both the Grade Spectrum and the Grade Point Average system;
  • Degree outcomes will be calculated using an increased borderline zone;
  • If your 2HS 19/20 grade profile indicates a negative impact of Covid-19 you will not have your degree outcome impacted by this.