UK University Grading System: What Are First, 2:1, 2:2, Merit and Distinction?

“My master's offer says I need a 2:1. What does that mean, and do my grades count?”

If you are applying to a UK university, you will see grades like First, 2:1 and 2:2 on course pages and offer letters. You probably want to know two things: what these grades mean, and whether your own grades are good enough.

This guide explains each grade in plain words, shows you how to check where you stand in three steps, and sets out your options if your grades are lower than required.

Quick answer: A 2:1 is a UK bachelor's degree grade, usually 60 to 69%. Most UK master's courses ask for a 2:1 or a 2:2 (50 to 59%), or the equivalent grade from your country. There is no single official conversion, because each university sets its own. For example, the University of Birmingham treats a Saudi GPA of 3.0 out of 4 as a 2:1, but King's College London asks for 3.3. To see where you stand, check your course's requirement, then the university's page for your country.

What do First, 2:1, 2:2 and Third mean?

These are the grades, called degree classifications, for a UK bachelor's degree. When a master's course asks for a 2:1, it means a 2:1 from a UK university, or the grade from your country that the university treats as equal.

UK marks can look low if you are used to other systems: at UK universities, 70% or above is the top band. So do not compare a UK percentage directly with a percentage from your home country. Use the university's own equivalents instead.

Most taught master's courses ask for a 2:1 or a 2:2 in a relevant subject. More competitive courses may ask for a high 2:1 or a First. Explore UK postgraduate courses.

Where do you stand? Check in 3 steps

1. Check what your course asks for. The entry requirement is on each course page, for example “a 2:1 in a relevant subject”.
2. Find the university's equivalent for your country. Many universities publish a page for each country, listing the GPA or percentage they treat as a 2:1 or a 2:2. Search for the university's name and your country.
3. Compare your grade on the same scale. Check whether your GPA is out of 4 or out of 5, or whether you have a percentage, and compare it with the matching figure.

Meeting the published grade makes you eligible to apply, but it does not guarantee an offer. Universities also look at other things, explained below.

If your offer is conditional on your final grade, read our guide to Conditional vs Unconditional Offers.

What does a UK 2:1 equal from my country?

Each university sets its own equivalents, and they can differ between universities and even between courses. Here are examples from universities' own pages for Saudi Arabia and Libya.

Saudi Arabia (bachelor's degree)

Libya (bachelor's degree)

A practical example: a Saudi bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4 meets the 2:1 equivalent at the University of Birmingham, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Kent. But King's College London asks for 3.3 out of 4 for a 2:1.

If your grade falls between a 2:1 and a 2:2: for example, a Saudi GPA of 2.9 out of 4 at the University of Birmingham is above its 2:2 equivalent (2.8) but below its 2:1 equivalent (3.0). You could apply for courses there that ask for a 2:2, but not for courses that ask for a 2:1.

Always check the exact figure for your chosen university and course, as requirements change and some courses ask for more.

What else do universities look at besides your GPA?

Your GPA is not the only thing that matters. When a UK university looks at a qualification from another country, it also considers:

• where you studied: some universities set different grades for different institutions (for example, King's College London lists different requirements for “prestigious” and “recognised” institutions in some countries)
• the grading scale: for example, whether your GPA is out of 4 or out of 5
• the subject of your degree: many courses ask for a degree in a relevant subject

Not sure which universities accept your grades? Speak to our team and we can help you find UK courses that match your academic profile.

What if my grades are lower than required?

You may still have options:

• Choose courses that accept a 2:2. Many master's courses ask for a 2:2 rather than a 2:1. For example, the University of York says its taught master's courses typically need at least a 2:2 or equivalent.
• Take a pre-master's course. Some universities offer a pre-master's course for students whose grades do not meet direct entry to a master's degree. It prepares you for master's study. Oxford Brookes University is one example.
• Take a foundation course (for a bachelor's degree). If your high school certificate is not accepted for direct entry to year one, you may be able to start with a foundation course instead. See the examples below.
• Relevant work experience (at some universities only). Some universities, such as the University of Southampton, say they may consider applicants with lower grades if they have relevant work experience. Check your chosen university's requirements to see if this applies.
• Compare universities. Because requirements vary, a grade that does not meet one university's requirement may meet another's. See our guide to the Cheapest UK Universities for International Students.

Applying for a bachelor's degree? Foundation courses explained

If you are applying for a UK bachelor's degree straight from high school, UK universities look at your secondary school results, not a degree classification.

Many UK universities do not accept some Middle Eastern high school certificates for direct entry to year one. Instead, you first complete a foundation course (often called a foundation year), which prepares you for degree study and leads on to the bachelor's degree.

Examples from universities' own pages:

Some subjects ask for more. For example, Birmingham's engineering and physical sciences foundation pathway also asks for a high mark in maths. As with master's entry, requirements vary by university and course, so always check your chosen course page.

Explore foundation year courses and UK undergraduate courses.

How does the UK grading system work?

UK universities usually mark your work as a percentage. Your marks across your course are then combined to give your final degree classification (for a bachelor's) or award (for a master's).

For a bachelor's degree, the result is a First, 2:1, 2:2 or Third (see the table at the top of this guide). Students who complete the course but do not meet the honours requirements may get an ordinary or pass degree without honours.

Which grade do most students get?

The 2:1 is the most common result. According to HESA, the UK's official higher education statistics body, of students awarded classified first (bachelor's) degrees in the UK in 2024/25, about 49% received a 2:1:

Percentages calculated by Atava from HESA's published 2024/25 figures. They may not add up to exactly 100% because of rounding.

How is your final grade calculated?

Each university uses its own rules, sometimes called a degree algorithm, to combine your marks into a final classification. Many give more weight to your later years of study. The Office for Students, the regulator for higher education in England, monitors how universities use these algorithms and expects classifications to reflect students' achievement fairly, but each university keeps its own regulations. Always check your university's rules to see how your degree will be calculated.

How are master's degrees graded in the UK?

Taught master's degrees (such as an MA, MSc or MBA) do not use First or 2:1. Instead, they are usually graded as:

Postgraduate diplomas and certificates often use the same grades. Thresholds can vary between universities and even between courses, so check your course regulations.

Research degrees, such as a PhD, are usually assessed differently, and many are awarded on a pass or fail basis rather than graded. Each university sets its own assessment rules.

Not Sure If Your Grades Are Enough to Study in the UK?

Your GPA or percentage does not tell the whole story. UK universities assess international qualifications in different ways, and entry requirements vary by university and course.

Since 2013, Atava Education & Training has helped international students apply to UK universities, including many from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya and the wider Middle East. We can help you:

• understand how your qualifications compare with UK entry requirements
• find universities and courses that match your academic profile
• explore foundation, pre-master's and other pathways if you do not meet direct entry
• prepare and submit your applications

Share your qualifications with our team and find out which UK universities and courses you could apply to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 2:1 degree?

A 2:1, or upper second-class honours, is a UK bachelor's degree result usually awarded for an overall mark of 60 to 69%. It is the most common degree result and the usual entry requirement for many master's courses.

Is a 2:2 a good degree?

A 2:2 (50 to 59%) is a full honours degree. Some master's courses accept a 2:2, while more competitive ones ask for a 2:1 or higher.

Is 70% a good mark in the UK?

Yes. At UK universities, 70% or above is the top grade band: a First for a bachelor's degree or a Distinction for a master's.

What is the pass mark at a UK university?

Usually 40% for undergraduate work and 50% for a taught master's, but this can vary by university.

Do UK universities use GPA?

Most UK universities use percentage marks and degree classifications rather than a GPA. If your home country uses a GPA, the university will compare it with its own equivalents.

What GPA is a 2:1 from Saudi Arabia?

Many UK universities treat a GPA of about 3.0 out of 4 or 3.75 out of 5 as a 2:1, but some ask for more. Check the requirement on your chosen university's country page.

What is a Merit in a UK master's?

A Merit is usually awarded for an overall master's mark of 60 to 69%. It sits between a Pass (50 to 59%) and a Distinction (70% and above).

Official sources

National sources

• Higher Education Student Statistics: UK, 2024/25, qualifications achieved (HESA)
• What are HE students' progression rates and qualifications? Detailed breakdowns (HESA)
• Bachelors' degree classification algorithms (Office for Students)
• The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, 2024 (QAA)

University sources (grade bands)

• Understanding university grades, including postgraduate and research degrees (University of Lancashire)

University sources (country equivalents)

• University of Birmingham: Saudi Arabia and Libya
• Queen Mary University of London: Saudi Arabia
• University of Kent: Saudi Arabia
• King's College London: International entry requirements (PG)
• University of York: Libya
• Northumbria University: Libya
• University of Nottingham: Libya
• Oxford Brookes University: Saudi Arabia
• University of Southampton: Saudi Arabia