🎓 UK Degree Classification Calculator
This tool helps UK university students estimate their final degree classification (1st, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd) based on their module marks and credit values. Simply enter your module data, and the calculator will compute the credit-weighted average, applying standard UK classification thresholds. This version includes optional year weighting and borderline rules.
⚙️ Setup Options
Year Weighting Setup (Optional)
Enter the average mark and percentage weight for each year (e.g., Year 2: 40%, Year 3: 60%). Leave blank to use only marks entered below.
📚 Module Marks & Credits
✅ Classification Summary
Classification Progress (Target: 70% First Class)
In-Depth Guide to UK Degree Classifications
The UK higher education system uses a specific set of classifications to grade undergraduate degrees. Understanding how your marks contribute to your final classification is crucial for managing your academic performance. This calculator provides a powerful and transparent way to predict your outcome based on the **credit-weighted average** of your modules. The two most important factors are the **mark obtained** in a module and the **credit value** assigned to that module. A 30-credit module will have three times the weight of a 10-credit module in the final calculation. This section details the formula, the thresholds, and the importance of these calculations.
How to Use the Calculator
To get an accurate estimate, follow these steps:
- **Select Degree Level:** Ensure 'Bachelor's Degree' is selected. Check the 'Exclude Year 1 Marks' box if your university does not count first-year grades towards the final classification.
- **Module Entry:** For each module, enter the **Module Name/Code**, the **Credit Value** (typically 10, 15, 20, or 30), and the **Mark Obtained** (as a percentage, 0-100).
- **Year Weighting (Optional):** If your university uses year weighting (e.g., Year 2 counts for 40% and Year 3 for 60% of the final grade), enter your average mark for those years and their respective weights. The calculator will prioritize this method if valid data is provided here.
- **Calculate:** Press the 'Calculate Classification' button. The tool will instantly provide the **Weighted Average Mark** and the **Final Classification**.
The Calculation Formula: Credit-Weighted Average
The core of the calculation is the **credit-weighted average**. This method ensures that modules with a higher credit value contribute proportionally more to the final grade than those with a lower credit value. The formula is:
$$ \text{Weighted Average Mark} = \frac{\sum (\text{Module Mark} \times \text{Credit Value})}{\sum \text{Credit Value}} $$For example, if you scored **75%** in a **20-credit** module and **60%** in a **10-credit** module, the calculation would be: $$ \frac{(75 \times 20) + (60 \times 10)}{20 + 10} = \frac{1500 + 600}{30} = \frac{2100}{30} = 70\% $$
Classification Thresholds and Borderline Rules
The final weighted average mark is converted into the official UK classification using the following standard thresholds:
- **First Class (1st):** 70°% and above
- **Upper Second Class (2:1):** 60°% to 69°%
- **Lower Second Class (2:2):** 50°% to 59°%
- **Third Class (3rd):** 40°% to 49°%
- **Fail:** Below 40°%
**Borderline Rules** are often applied by universities to students who fall just below a classification boundary, typically within 1-2 percentage points. A common rule is that a student with a weighted average of **68.0%–69.9%** (borderline 2:1/1st) may be awarded a First Class if a majority (usually **50% or more**) of their final-year credits were marked at the higher classification (70% or above). This calculator notes when you are in a borderline scenario.
Importance of Accurate Calculations and Related Tips
Knowing your predicted classification is vital for **career planning, postgraduate applications, and scholarship opportunities**. A First Class or a 2:1 is often a prerequisite for top graduate schemes and competitive master's programs.
Use the **'What-If Scenario Tool'** (by simply changing a module mark and recalculating) to strategically focus your efforts. For example, if you are currently at 69%, see how much a 10-credit module mark needs to increase to push your average to the 70% First Class boundary.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A credit-weighted average is a method of calculating your overall mark where modules with more credits (e.g., a 30-credit dissertation) have a greater impact on your final degree score than modules with fewer credits (e.g., a 10-credit optional course).
The percentage thresholds (70% for a 1st, 60% for a 2:1, etc.) are standard across the UK. However, the specific rules for year weighting and the application of borderline rules (the 'rules of condonement') can vary slightly between institutions.
The 'Within 2% rule' is a common borderline rule. It means if your weighted average is within 2 percentage points of the higher classification (e.g., 68.0% to 69.9% for a First Class), you might be automatically promoted if you achieved a majority of your credits at the higher classification level.
If you enter both a **Year Average Mark** and a corresponding **Year Weight (%)** in the 'Year Weighting Setup' section, the calculator will prioritize this data, as it is the most common method for calculating final classifications. If those fields are empty, it defaults to calculating the weighted average using the individual module marks entered below.
If your university excludes Year 1, ensure you only enter module marks from the contributing years (typically Year 2 and Year 3), or use the 'Exclude Year 1 Marks' selector if the calculator is designed to filter marks based on a year input (though this current simple design requires manual exclusion of Year 1 modules).
