Is a 2:1 a good degree?

Yes — a 2:1 (60%+) is the most common 'good' classification and the standard bar for most graduate jobs and master's courses.

What percentage is a First?

70% and above is a First-class honours degree, the top classification in the UK system.

What is the pass mark at UK universities?

40% passes most undergraduate modules and earns a Third-class honours; below 40% is a fail.

The UK grading system and degree classes, explained

UK universities mark on a percentage but report final degrees as honours classifications: a First, an Upper Second (2:1), a Lower Second (2:2), a Third, or a Fail. A 70% is an A-grade in the UK — the scale is much more compressed than the American one.

The grades and what they mean

Class	Percentage	Common name	≈ US GPA
First (1st)	70–100	First-class honours	3.7–4.0
2:1	60–69	Upper second-class	3.3–3.7
2:2	50–59	Lower second-class	2.7–3.0
Third (3rd)	40–49	Third-class honours	2.0–2.3
Fail	0–39	Below honours	0.0

The pass mark

40% is the pass mark for most undergraduate modules — that earns a Third. Below 40% is a fail. Note that 70% is a First, the top band: UK markers rarely give marks in the 80s or 90s, so a 75 is an exceptional result.

A 2:1 (60%+) is the classification most graduate employers and master's programs ask for.

Converting UK grades to a US GPA

There is no official conversion, but a common guide is: First ≈ 3.7–4.0 GPA, 2:1 ≈ 3.3–3.7, 2:2 ≈ 2.7–3.0, Third ≈ 2.0. Because UK marks top out lower, a First should not be read as 'only 70%' — it is the highest class available.

Why the numbers feel low

In the UK, the full 0–100 range is genuinely used, and 70+ is reserved for the best work. This trips up students used to US percentages, where 90+ is an A. A UK 65 is a strong 2:1, not a 'D'.

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Paste your essay into GradeCheck, choose the UK scale, and get an estimated classification (First, 2:1, 2:2…) in seconds — free, no card needed.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a 2:1 a good degree?: Yes — a 2:1 (60%+) is the most common 'good' classification and the standard bar for most graduate jobs and master's courses.
What percentage is a First?: 70% and above is a First-class honours degree, the top classification in the UK system.
What is the pass mark at UK universities?: 40% passes most undergraduate modules and earns a Third-class honours; below 40% is a fail.

Related guides: US grades & GPA · How the IB is graded