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How are Master's degrees graded?

Whether you're interested in a master's, already studying towards a master's, or perhaps you're just curious - read our blog post on how master's degrees are graded. .

When it comes to studying at postgraduate level, grading systems can vary based on the type of Master's you're studying, the country you're studying in and the nature of your course.

What type of Master's am I studying?

What is an integrated master's degree, what is a stand-alone master’s degree, how is a taught master’s degree graded, how is a research master’s degree graded, how difficult is a master's degree, how do i get a distinction in my master's, what do i need to get in my master's to do a phd.

The grading of Master's degrees varies depending on the nature of your course. How your Master's is graded will depend on whether you're studying an integrated Master's, or a stand-alone Master's. 

An integrated Master's is a continuation of your undergraduate course. For example, you may apply for a four-year integrated course in your chosen subject. This would mean deciding whether to continue your undergraduate degree or go on to do a specialism, such as MChem or MPhys, once you reach your second year. This is most common in science subjects. 

These sorts of Master's degrees are usually graded in the same way undergraduate degrees are, however, more weighting will be given to the last two years of your course than the first couple of years. Overall, with an integrated Master's you can achieve the following results: a first, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd, or a fail.

A stand-alone Master's degree is the more common type of Master's and refers to a degree that's independent from your undergraduate degree.

Essentially Master’s degrees are graded by creating a weighted average, this involves combining your results from the different assignments and exams you complete throughout the year. In the case of an integrated Master's, more weighting is applied to your last two years of studying. Once you’ve completed all your modules and you have your final mark, you get the grade depending on which boundary it falls into. You need to get 50% to get a Pass, 60% to get a Merit and 70% to get a Distinction.

In total, a taught Master's is 180 credits. You will earn your credits through a combination of taught modules, projects, exams and a dissertation.

These 180 credits are split across modules. You might have three modules that are each worth 20 credits in Semester One, six modules that are each worth 10 credits in Semester Two, and a 60-credit dissertation in Semester Three. Each ten-credit module would contribute 1/18th of your final grade, but your dissertation would be worth one-third of your final grade. 

Additionally, within each module, you will have multiple assignments and/or exams. So you may have two assignments within a ten-credit module that are each worth 50% of your final grade for that specific module.

Your credits then translate into either a Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Fail once you've finished your Master's.

The boundaries for these may vary depending on your university, but as a general rule:

• Distinction - 70%+
• Merit - 60%

A research Master's, sometimes called an MPhil, MRes and MLitt, is graded as Pass or Fail. If you're interested in studying a research Master's, read our blog post by postgraduate student Hannah on the difference between a taught and research Master's.

You will likely find a Master's degree more difficult than an undergraduate one, for several reasons. Specifically, a Master's involves a lot of independent study which some students find difficult.

There are also higher expectations placed on postgraduate students to engage in seminar discussions, due to the smaller class numbers. 

These challenges teamed with the fact you're studying a very specialist topic quite intensely means a Master's degree isn't the easiest. But it's not supposed to be. Completing a postgraduate degree is a huge achievement, and just as it can be testing, it can also be hugely rewarding. 

What's more, university staff will be on hand to support you and ease you into the postgraduate way of studying.

To get a distinction in your Master's, you must earn 70% or higher in your final grade. How you achieve more than 70% will depend on the nature of your course, and how you best learn.

However, some good points to help you are:

• Leverage each individual's skills in group projects and encourage open, constructive criticism of each other's work.
• If you notice a gap or issue in your research, don't turn a blind eye. Return to it and explore it further. 
• Rely on the support available to you. Though you will have a supervisor, there's no reason why you can't reach out to other relevant academics for their opinions and insights.
• Research your dissertation topic thoroughly and explore different angles before diving in head-first. It can be tempting to feel that spark of inspiration and run with it, but you need more than a spark for a long-term dissertation to be coherent and viable.
• Always start well in advance of your hand-in date. Allow time for backtracking, exploring new avenues and even personal challenges that you may bump into along the way. It's always better to overcompensate when it comes to time.

Though there is no 'hard-and-fast' rule, when it comes to the Master's results you need to be able to do a PhD, naturally you want your application to be as strong as possibl e. As a general rule, you will need an upper-class undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) and an upper-class Master's (Merit or Distinction). For more information on studying a PhD, read how PhD student Brett Cherry prepared for his studies as a mature student .

We hope you have found this blog post useful, and would encourage you to read more of our postgraduate content for helpful advice as you consider postgraduate education. From sourcing funding for your Master's to how to write a personal statement , we've collated blogs from our own teams and students to help you on this journey. 

Published By Anna Brown on 12/10/2020 | Last Updated 23/01/2024

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Masters degree grades.

A typical masters degree will be graded using four terms:

• Distinction: a final grade of 70% or above
• Merit: a final grade of 60-69%
• Pass: a final grade of 50-59%
• Borderline pass/fail: a final grade of 40-49%

In the UK, masters degrees are usually graded in a different way to bachelors degrees, with the system being Distinction, Merit and Pass rather than 1st, 2.1, 2.2 and 3rd.

This table illustrates approximately how the two different grading systems can be compared:

However, although masters degree grades are usually different to undergraduate degree grades, this does depends on what masters course you are studying. Here, we’ll look at the most common three:

Integrated masters degree grades

An integrated masters is one that follows directly on from your undergraduate course. This is most common in the sciences , where you apply for a four year course in your chosen subject and then in your second year make a decision on whether to follow the path to a BSc or to an MChem, MPhys, etc.

This is graded like an undergraduate degree, in that the classification you receive will be either;

First (1st);

Second class honours upper division (2.1);

Second class honours lower division (2.2);

Third (3rd) or;

In these cases, the later stages of study are weighted more than the earlier.

Standalone masters degree grades

Taught masters degree.

Taught masters degrees require 180 credits worth of work, made of a combination of taught modules, projects and a dissertation. The individual masters modules are usually worth between 10 and 30 credits each, depending on their length and the amount of assessment required. In some cases taught masters are merely graded as a pass or fail, but commonly taught masters degree grades are fail, pass, merit (or credit) and distinction. The boundaries for this are usually 50% for a pass, 60% for a merit and 70% for a distinction, as the above table illustrates. This masters degree grading system will be covered in greater detail later. 

Masters degree by research

A masters by research (an MPhil or MRes, and sometimes MLitt) is usually graded as pass or fail, with occasional universities offering distinction as a classification as well.

Masters grading system in the UK

The final masters grade is based on a ‘weighted’ score. For an integrated masters, this means your marks in your final two years are worth more than in your first two. 

On other masters courses , it can depend on which proportion of the mark is made up by taught aspects or research aspects. In general though, as well as having to aim for a certain weighted average, you also need to have marks within a certain range. Generally, this means for a pass, no marks under 40; a merit, none below 50; and for a distinction, none below 60.

If your course involves a dissertation, the mark that you achieve for this will also impact your final masters grade. Often, to achieve a certain classification, you are required to achieve that mark as minimum on your dissertation, for example, for a merit, your dissertation needs to score 60 or above, and for a distinction, 70 or above. If this sounds intimidating, try not to worry, we have plenty of helpful advice for you from writing your dissertation proposal to various ways to avoid dissertation drama .

Whilst these classifications are pretty much standard, they do vary between courses as well as between universities, so do check out your particular university and find out how it works out its masters degree grades. Some universities, whilst sticking to the pass/merit/distinction boundaries for their final grades, may use a variety of ways to mark your work throughout the year – percentages, letter grades (A, B, C, etc), so do make sure you know how it all adds up!

Also, remember that university guidelines, whilst strict, do have an element of leniency. Often there is a boundary (commonly 2% under) that if your final average is in, you may be able to persuade yourself up a class! This is most common if you excelled on your dissertation, but perhaps were let down by an earlier taught module. So don’t be afraid to ask.

Pass, merit and distinction

As an estimate of what quality of work you’re looking for, take a look at some example guidelines below:

Again, these are general guidelines, and looking at your particular university will give you much more specific information on their masters grades. If it all looks a bit much, don’t worry – we have a guide on how to get a first class postgraduate degree here .

You may have noticed that, despite the official classifications being distinction, merit and pass, that there is a tendency towards continuing with undergraduate language. This is because they roughly match up –  a first is roughly a distinction, a second class honours, upper division a merit, and a second class honours, lower division a pass. This can be helpful to bear in mind when thinking about masters degree grades, as, after all by this stage you should have a great understanding of how the undergraduate system works!

Masters degree assessments

Masters degrees are assessed in various different ways to determine the student’s overall grade – methods of assessment can include coursework , essays , presentations and exams . These will all be used to evaluate the masters student understanding of their core subject. Practical placements and internships may also contribute to the masters degree grading in certain subjects.

Assessment weighting is likely to differ for each module of the course, which means that some assessments may carry different significance than others. For instance, a module might comprise an exam and coursework, each contributing 50% to the final grade. In such a scenario, if a student scored 65% in the exam and 55% in the coursework, the module's final grade would be 60%. In other modules the overall assessment could be a smaller proportion of the final masters degree grade.

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How can you get a distinction in your masters degree?

1.  High academic standards throughout – aim to achieve consistently high grades across all modules and assessments from the very start and strive to excel in all aspects of your academic work. Make sure you produce high-quality coursework assignments, essays, reports and projects that all demonstrate critical thinking, originality and depth of analysis.

2.  Engagement and participation – actively participate in class discussions, seminars and group projects. Engage with course materials beyond the required readings to ensure you to gain a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

3.  Conduct independent research – be sure to conduct independent research and produce original research papers or a dissertation that contributes new insights to your chosen field.

4.  Networking and collaboration – try and build professional relationships with faculty members, fellow students and professionals in your field. You can do this by collaborating on research projects, attending conferences and engaging in academic and professional networking opportunities.

5.  Feedback and improvement – actively seek feedback from your supervisors and lecturers, as well your peers, then incorporate their suggestions for improvement into your work.

6.  Demonstrate leadership and initiative – take on leadership roles in group projects and participate in relevant extracurricular activities. Show initiative in pursuing opportunities for professional development, internships and/or research grants.

7.  Be organised and manage time effectively – develop strong organisational and time-management skills, prioritising tasks and ensuring you allocate sufficient time for studying, research and preparation.

What if you are failing your masters degree?

1. Retake a module to bring your masters grades up

As previously discussed, a masters degree is divided up into several modules, which are usually are worth between 10 and 30 credits each. If you’ve only failed one or two modules there is likely to be the opportunity to re-sit some assessments within these modules to increase your overall masters grade.

2. Revise your dissertation to improve your grades

 If you fail your dissertation, contact your supervisor to see if you can submit a revised version later in the year. If this is allowed it could be enough to raise your overall masters degree grade.

3. Switch to a Postgrad Certificate or a Postgrad Diploma

If your masters program is going completely wrong and you are almost certainly going to fail, there may still be a chance of you achieving a different postgraduate qualification, for example a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma . These PG qualifications require less credits to complete than a masters degree, and by achieving one of these you can rest assured that your postgraduate studies were not in vain!

4. Re-sit exams or extend deadlines for extenuating circumstances

If your academic achievement (or lack of it) has been affected by extenuating circumstances – such as illness or bereavement – speak to your supervisor as soon as possible as they may allow you to submit your dissertation at a later date or re-sit some exams before submitting your work to the official examining board.

5. Submit an appeal for a remark

Finally, if you feel that the official examining board’s grade is an unfair reflection of your work, you may be able to submit an appeal for a remark.

Questions about the masters grading system

How are masters degrees graded in the uk.

Everything at masters level is double-blind marked, so two of your lecturers or tutors will mark your work and then agree on the grade between them. It depends on the assignment and how it is presented as a piece of work, as an essay or an exam will be marked differently from a presentation.

Is a masters grade the same around the world?

A masters degree has the same weighting across Europe as European universities have agreed that all university qualifications are worth the same number of credits. This means that the qualifications are transferable all over Europe . Generally, the same can be said for many other countries, especially in the English-speaking world, but if you are planning on continuing your education in another country, you should check with the institution you are planning on attending with regards to the transferability of your qualifications. See the section below for further information about how the grading systems work in the United States and Europe.

Do grades matter at masters level?

At postgraduate level, there is more emphasis on the content of your essays and research rather than on the masters grades you received. If you are planning on moving into a specific field of work after you graduate, then you should ensure that the modules you study and essays you write are all geared towards that field. The only time the grade truly matters is if you are considering a PhD after completing the masters program. However, showing that you have improved your skills across the course is just as important as getting the best grades right from the start.

What else is important?

Once you get into searching for a job you will quickly realise that extra-curricular activities and work experience are just as important as your masters grades, as is trying to meet the right people through networking. Showing you can work efficiently and are a self-reliant person is an important addition to your CV.

How many people have a masters degree in the US?

Here’s a table showing the percentage of adults over the age of 25 with a masters degree in the United States.

Masters grading in other countries

Masters grades are calculated differently across the world – here is a brief overview on the grading systems used in the United States and Europe.

Masters degree grades in the USA

In the United States, universities employ the Grade Point Average (GPA) system to evaluate students' academic performance in masters degrees. Under this system, students receive a grade on a four-point decimal scale for each assignment or assessment they complete. The accumulated points from all coursework are then added up and divided by the number of courses or assessments completed, and this gives the final GPA score. Unlike grading methods in other countries, the GPA system calculates the final grade continuously as students progress through their course. While the highest GPA score achievable is 4.0, maintaining such a perfect score throughout a full masters degree program is very difficult. Typically, a GPA of 3.67 or higher in a masters program is considered equivalent to achieving a Distinction in the UK.

Masters degree grades in Europe

Most universities in Europe use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) for masters degree grading. The ECTS assigns values to courses and/or modules, and each course has clearly defined learning outcomes and grades available. Although HEIs in different European countries use different grading systems, the ECTS facilitates the portability of academic qualifications, enabling credits to be easily transferred between institutions and countries within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) if the student moves between institutions, for example if they are on the Erasmus scheme.

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Managing your master's dissertation

20 May 2022

• Teaching & learning
• Dissertation
• Mental health
• Physical health

Dissertations can be daunting and it can be hard to know where to begin!

We’ve rounded up support and expertise from across King’s to help you plan your time, develop your skills and complete your dissertation with confidence.

Get the basics right

It may sound obvious but keeping well can help you manage pressurised situations.

By working late into the night, skipping meals or reaching for quick snacks, it may seem like you are putting your studies first. But these habits are not sustainable in the long run and can affect your concentration.

Prioritising good sleep, drinking enough water and eating nourishing meals will give you the foundations to flourish. Check out this guide to living well on Student Services Online.

Be prepared

Avoid surprises by making sure you understand your department’s requirements and deadlines for dissertations.

If you need to borrow a laptop you can borrow this from King's. Laptop loan cabinets can be found across all our campus libraries. 

Organise your reading list and familiarise yourself with the sources you will use, whether that’s from King’s Libraries & Collections , external archives or participants in your research.

Keep in contact with your supervisor to let them know how you are getting on. Don’t be afraid to ask them for guidance if you feel unsure!

There are plenty of resources available to help you develop the skills you need to research, write and edit your dissertation.

King’s Libraries Learning and Skills Service (KLaSS) offers a range of e-learning, covering everything from helping you navigate academic sources and referencing them correctly, making use of Special Collections & Archive material to managing research data. You can also find out more about how Libraries & Collections can support you during your studies  on Student Services Online.

If you need to produce a systematic or literature review for your dissertation or want to improve your searching skills then register for a KLaSS workshop . If you want to discuss your research with a librarian you can also do so through the one-to-one appointment service , forums or drop-in sessions .

King’s Academy run online workshops and one-to-one sessions on academic skills for master’s students and you can sign up on their dedicated KEATS pages. From narrowing down your research area through to enhancing your writing and proofreading skills, they can support you during every step of the dissertation process.

Putting pen to paper can feel intimidating, especially if you have been researching for a long time. You could try writing alongside others at Just Write , an online retreat for master’s students who want to work on their dissertation in a collaborative environment. You will be encouraged to set goals for the workshop, holding you accountable to get things done. Sign up on the King's Academic Skills for Learning KEATS page under 'Summer 2022 - Workshops'. Please note that you will need to self-enrol for the course to be able to access the resources.

Plan your time

A clear plan of action can help you feel in control.

King’s Academic Skills for Learning on KEATS has tips to for studying smarter and managing your time and your studies. You can also book one-to-one online sessions with Academic Skills Tutors.

Research shows that we can only concentrate for 30 – 45 minutes at a time. Form a plan that is achievable, splitting your research into manageable chunks. Make sure to include breaks and down time away from your desk.

Keeping moving and mindfulness is a great way to clear your head. Pilates, tai chi and yoga are just some of the free online classes available with King’s Sport Move Your Mind . Why not try something new when you need a break?

Remember that routines should be flexible enough to live with. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t stick strictly to your plan. Writing a dissertation is a long process and you can start afresh tomorrow.

Get the support you need

Support is always available at King’s.

It can be tempting to bottle things up. But talking about how you are feeling with friends and loved ones, the Chaplaincy or your personal tutor , can really help. 

If you are struggling, there are a range of wellbeing services available. You can also reach out to your Faculty Wellbeing and Welfare Advisor  and explore your wellbeing with their student e-module .

All students can use Togetherall , a safe space online to get things off your chest and learn how to manage your mental health and wellbeing.

Positive Peers are student partners of KCLSU Wellbeing who promote positive mental health and wellbeing for all students at King’s. Take a look at how they can support you.

You can also connect with your peers on Unibuddy and search for postgraduate students using the 'Level' filter. International Political Economy student, Eric, has written a blog with tips on doing your dissertation .

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Dissertation - Marking Criteria

The text below is an extract from the MSc handbook for students

Each dissertation is independently marked by two examiners; one of these is normally the supervisor. An external examiner moderates the assessment. The examiners may conduct an oral examination if they wish to check the depth of the student's understanding and to ensure that the dissertation is the student's own work. Students must obtain a pass grade on the dissertation to pass the MSc degree. The examiners give up to 100 points where the points translate to the following categories:

85 − 100:   An exceptionally high level of understanding and outstanding  research potential.

70 − 84.99:   Very high competence and excellent research potential.

60 − 69.99:   Evidence of some creativity and independence of thought.

50 − 59.99:   Sound understanding of the literature, but lack of accuracy or originality.

0 − 49.99:   Insufficient or no understanding of the topic, poor quality of work.  

The points are given according to the following guidelines:

Knowledge of subject (25)

21 − 25:   Deep understanding and near-comprehensive knowledge.

18 − 20:   Deep understanding.

15 − 17:   Very good understanding.

12 − 14:   Sound knowledge of relevant information.

10 − 11:   Basic understanding of the main issues.

0 − 9:   Little or no understanding of the main issues.

Organisation of material (25)

21 − 25:   Of publishable quality.

18 − 20:   Arguments clearly constructed; material very well-organised.

15 − 17:   Well-organised; aims met with no significant errors or omissions.

12 − 14:   Coherent and competent organisation.

10 − 11:   Lack of clarity in written presentation or aims only partially met.

6 − 9:   Major flaws in arguments; aims of project not met.

0 − 5:   Arguments are missing/deficient. Disorganised or fragmentary.

Originality, interpretation and analysis   (20)

17 − 20:   Significant originality in the interpretation and/or analysis;  project aims challenging.

14 − 16:   Some originality; evidence of excellent analytical and problem- solving skills.

12 − 13:   Good attempt to interpret and analyse existing literature.

10 − 11:   Minor flaws in interpretation/analysis of existing literature.

5 − 9:   Poor interpretation/analysis or project aims too simple.

0 − 4: Little or no interpretation or analysis; project aims trivial.

Evidence of reading (10)

8 − 10:   Independent reading including research papers.

6 − 7:    Good use of outside reading.

4 − 5:    Some evidence of outside reading.

0 − 3:    Little or no evidence of outside reading.  

Bibliography and referencing   (10)

9 − 10:   Of publishable quality.

7 − 8:    Good referencing and bibliography.

5 − 6:     Either poor bibliography or poor referencing.

3 − 4:    Poor bibliography and little or no referencing.

0 − 2:    No bibliography and little or no referencing.

Style, spelling, punctuation and grammar (10)

9 − 10:   Incisive and fluent, no errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.

7 − 8:    Very minor errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.

4 − 6:    Some errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.

0 − 3:    Many errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.

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How does the UK university grading system work?

Whether you’re already studying or are about to, it is important to understand how the UK university grading system works.

When it comes to studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK, grading systems vary. Whether you’re about to start your degree, or you are close to the third year of your course, it’s important to understand how your final grade will be calculated. Luckily, it’s easy to understand.

University grading: degree classifications explained

Universities in the UK follow a standard grading system for degree classifications based on the overall percentage achieved. The four university grade boundaries are:

• First-Class Honours (1st) (70% and above): Exceptional academic performance
• Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) (60-70%): Strong performance, most common degree class
• Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) (50-60%): Satisfactory performance, widely accepted by employers
• Third-Class Honours (3rd) (40-50%): Minimum passing grade for an honours degree

What is the postgraduate grading system in the UK?

The British postgraduate grading system differs quite a bit from the undergraduate one. Depending on whether you are undergoing an Integrated Masters Degree or a Standalone Masters Degree the grading system will differ. Like undergraduate, Masters Degrees are graded by creating a weighted average, combining all your module results from the year(s).

An integrated masters is one which follows directly from an undergraduate course. Common in Science degrees, where you apply for a four year course. In your second year you will be able to choose to either complete a Bsc (Bachelor of Science) or follow the path to achieve an MChem (Masters in Chemistry) etc. Integrated Masters degrees are graded the same as undergraduate degrees.

Standalone Masters include Masters Degrees by Research and Taught Masters Degrees. Masters degrees by research commonly referred to as MRes or MPhil are focused more on individual research skills with less taught modules. These degrees are usually graded as a pass or a fail.

Taught Masters degrees require a total of 180 credits. These credits are split between assignments, assessments and a dissertation or final project. Each module will have a certain amount of credits attached. For example, you may have single modules weighted at 15 credits, double modules (that span over two semesters) at 30 credits and a dissertation weighted at 60 credits. As taught, Masters Degrees are typically only a year long, every module counts to your final grade.

Instead of a First, Upper Second, Lower Second and Third, there are only three grade classifications for a Masters Degree. These are Distinction, Merit and Pass. The boundaries for these may vary depending on your university, however the common boundaries are shown below.

• Distinction: much like a First at undergraduate level, a Distinction is awarded when you achieve a percentage grade of 70% and above.
• Merit: you’ll be awarded a Merit if you achieve a grade average between 60-69%.
• Pass: a pass is awarded when you receive a grade average between 50-59%.
• Fail: If you do not receive at the minimum an average of 50%, the Masters qualification is not awarded. If you do think you are heading towards failing, try not to stress. You can speak with your module leaders about retaking any assignments or examinations to bump up your grade.

What can I do if I think I am going to fail my degree?

If you feel as if you are heading towards failing your undergraduate or postgraduate degree try not to panic. Easier said than done but you do have plenty of options.

As an undergraduate, you have three or four years to make up the credits you need to pass your course. Therefore, you are able to retake any modules you have failed in other years. For example, if you fail a Film module in first year, you can retake this module in your second year. If you fail numerous modules you are able to retake the entire year.

Another option is to retake any failed assignments or examinations throughout the year. This is easily done through referral or deferral assessments. Referral assessments are like resits, whilst deferrals allow students to postpone any assessments or extend any coursework deadlines. To qualify for a deferral you will need to prove that your performance has been affected by a personal circumstance (e.g. medical condition). To be granted a deferral you will need to fill out an application. Referrals and deferrals can be implemented at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Finally, if you feel as if your grade is an unfair reflection on your work you can submit an appeal. If you do this, your mark will be re-marked or looked back over by an examination board or your lecturers. Simply speak with your lecturers if this is something you would like to do.

Interested in going to university? View our university rankings and league tables to help you with your decision.

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Ravensbourne

103 courses

Swansea Uni

1319 courses

Uni of Kent

580 courses

114 courses

Uni of Surrey

750 courses

Northeastern Uni

Uni of East London

575 courses

Uni of Brighton

407 courses

467 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

454 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

501 courses

Middlesex Uni

634 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

672 courses

Uni of Chester

645 courses

Uni of Roehampton

468 courses

Uni of Suffolk

186 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

761 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

344 courses

Uni of Sunderland

340 courses

Uni of Bradford

390 courses

886 courses

Uni of Leicester

432 courses

West London IoT

548 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

334 courses

Uni of Westminster

503 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

656 courses

UWE, Bristol

497 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

584 courses

709 courses

Leeds Arts University

Uni of Essex

1400 courses

Wrexham Uni

289 courses

Staffordshire Uni

472 courses

Uni of Winchester

259 courses

Kingston Uni

617 courses

Queen's Uni

635 courses

Coventry Uni

480 courses

ARU Writtle

104 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

798 courses

Escape Studios

Uni of Reading

685 courses

Anglia Ruskin Uni

808 courses

Uni of Huddersfield

668 courses

Bath Spa Uni

520 courses

Uni of Hull

498 courses

Edge Hill Uni

383 courses

Nottingham Trent

912 courses

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Tips for completing your dissertation

Introduction, whether you are just starting your dissertation or getting ready to submit it, here are some useful tips to help you on your way. , preparing for your dissertation.

Start small

Start by deciding which topic you will be concentrating on. Take inspiration from some of the topics covered in previous modules or consider aligning your subject area with something you enjoy. 

Read to refine your topic area

Once you have decided on a general topic area, you can use the literature to refine your focus. Reading will tell you what has already been written on the topic and help you to identify any gaps in the literature that you can concentrate on.  

For example, you may be interested in how social media impacts mental health. Through reading, you might identify that the literature does not really discuss how social media impacts the mental health of the elderly. You might then decide to focus your topic on this gap in the literature.   

Organising your time

Plan how you will be using your time up until your deadline. Factor in the time it will take to research, collect data, write up and edit your work as well as the time you will need for your other modules and commitments.  

Create a schedule that outlines all the tasks that you need to complete and the time that it will take to complete this. This will allow you to review your progress and adjust your timings if needed. 

Planning what you wish to discuss

While you may have been able to jump straight into writing your previous assignments without planning, this approach may not work for your dissertation. Spend some time developing a detailed plan that outlines all that you will be covering before you start writing. This will help you to ensure that you have covered all that is required whilst preventing you from going off topic.   

Writing up your dissertation

Justifying your work

It is not enough just to state what you are doing; you also need to justify why you are doing it in that way. This justification often involves you using other literature to support your approach. For example, in your methodology, it is not enough just to state that you will be conducting interviews. You must also explain why that method was the most appropriate method for the topic being researched. 

Writing critically

Critical writing is essential for your dissertation. It is not enough to just describe the literature or your results. You need to be able to critique the work of the existing literature and arguments on your topic areas as well as critique your own findings and assess the implications of your own work.  

Follow a structure

Look out for any guidance that outlines the structure of your dissertation and stick as closely as you can to this structure. If you are following a traditional structure (Literature review, Methodology, Results/Findings, Discussion), check out a recording of our  Structuring a dissertation  workshop that breaks down what to include in each chapter. 

Refining your dissertation

Editing and proofreading

Dedicate time for proofreading your work before your submission. You should be checking that your work makes sense, it is concise and to the point and that it is structured in a logical way. 

Ask members of your family or friends to read over your work and comment on the clarity of your ideas. Whilst they may not be subject specialists, they should be able to understand the general idea of your work and point out any grammar or spelling mistakes.

Formatting your work ­

Check back to the guidelines to see if there is any specific guidance on how your work should be presented. Areas such as font, font size, table of contents and line spacing can all be checked and finalised once you have finished writing, just be sure to give yourself enough time to do so.

Preparing for assessments

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Understanding the Undergraduate Grading System in the UK

Get a better understanding of the UK's university grading system for undergraduates. Learn the different degree levels from a “First” to a Third class, the pass rates for each and what they will mean for your further studying and career prospects.

Updated to include 21/22 HESA Qualifying Rates.

The British undergraduate degree classification system is a university grading scheme for undergraduate degrees (bachelor's degrees and integrated master's degrees) in the UK. It has been applied in other countries, with slight variations.

When applying to study for an undergraduate degree in the UK, many students are not aware that they have an option to study for a regular degree or a degree with honours. The latter is the most popular degree applied for in the UK. If applying for a bachelor’s degree in science, for example, you will see “Bsc (Hons)” as the qualifications you will receive. The “Hons” states that you will be studying an honours degree for that course. If you were to apply for an ordinary science degree, you will see “Bsc”.

When you study for an ordinary degree, the aim is to pass and achieve a degree in your subject. If you do not pass, you simply do not get a degree. You will not get a failed degree, but you will fail to achieve a degree. It is similar to a driving test, where passing will gain you a license and failing will not give you a licence.

An honours degree will not only give students a degree, but it will specify your level of achievement and speciality in that subject by awarding classifications. For this reason, it is far more popular, as it gives employers an opportunity to understand a graduate’s competency.

The table below shows the different honours degree classifications and their average alternative grading descriptions (it is worth noting that Open University (OU), which is a distance learning university with an open entry policy, has different grade boundaries):

What is a First degree?

First Class Honours degree (1st), commonly known as a “first”. A first class is the highest honours degree achievable. Although it is now usually impossible for students to study two full undergraduate subjects, some universities award “double firsts” when a student achieves a first class degree in two separate subjects, while studying one joint honours degree. The universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Glasgow have been known to award “double firsts”. A first class degree is achievable with very hard work and passion for your subject. Those who achieve this much desired classification are in the strongest position for employment, graduate programmes and acceptance for post-graduate study .

From 2016 to 2021, the percentage of students’ achieving first class honours has increased from 26% to 36% according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency .

What is 2:1 degree?

Second-class honours degree, upper division. A second-class degree is split into two divisions and the higher of the two divisions is the upper second class, commonly known as 2:1 (pronounced “two-one”) and often written as a 2.1. A 2:1 also puts you in a good position for employment, graduate programmes and post graduate study. For some institutions and for some employers, this is the minimum grade acceptable. Like a first class honours, the number of students achieving a 2:1 has increased significantly in the past few years. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 46% of all full-time graduates achieved a 2.1 in the academic year of 2020/21.

What is a 2:2 degree?

Second-class honours, lower division. This is the lower division of a second-class degree. It is commonly known as a 2:2 or (2.2 degree) “Desmond” (as in Desmond “two-two”). A 2:2 degree is often the minimum grade required for most opportunities in employment and further education. In the 2020/21 academic year, 14% of students achieved a 2:2.

Third class

Third-class honours (3rd). Commonly known as a “third”, this degree is the lowest level of honour's degree achievable. Very few graduates achieve a third-class honours. In 2020/21, only 3% of students graduated with a third. Receiving a Third-Class degree is going to severely limit your prospects for postgraduate study, particularly abroad.

Breakdown of qualifiers obtaining each classification in the UK, 2017 to 2022

In some institutions, if an honours student fails to achieve a third class by a small margin, they will be awarded an ordinary degree. Until the 1970s Oxford University awarded fourth class honours.

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How to apply to study in the UK

The British education system is one of the most prestigious in the world. A degree from a top UK university will certainly help you to succeed in your chosen career. However, with universities being well-known internationally, this leads to a competitive application process. In this article, we review and simplify the application process so you know exactly what to expect.   Understanding the higher education system in the UK  

Are international students eligible for Clearing?

As an international student, it’s possible that you may have heard of a process called clearing. Although you may be aware of it, it may also be true that you’re not entirely sure what clearing is or how it relates to you. We’re here to take you through all aspects of the process, demystify any preconceptions that you may have and equip you with all the necessary knowledge should you go through clearing yourself.   What is clearing?  First

University applications: An admission officers top tips

As an international student getting to grips with the application process can sometimes seem like an uphill battle. You may not be sure what to include with your application, how long it will take to hear back from a university and how best to increase the chances of making a positive impact on the person evaluating your application. With this in mind we decided to pick the brains of those making the decisions, admissions officers. We give you exclusive access to

Undergraduate pathways in the UK

Access or foundation courses enable you to bridge the gap between the qualifications you already have and those required by the UK college or university of your choice. This gap often exists because students in many countries complete 12 years of education before they start university, but in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, they complete 13 years.   International Foundation Year (IFY) programmes offered by colleges in the UK lead to

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Degree classifications: How does each year of uni count towards a degree? 

Starting university is an exciting and transformative experience. As a potential or new student, you may be wondering how each year at university will contribute to your overall degree classification.  

In this article, we will explore the significance of each year throughout your university journey and shed light on how they contribute to your final degree.  

• What is degree classification?
• How does each year of uni count towards a degree?
• What is a dissertation and how does it affect your degree?
• What factors effect your final grade/ classification?
• More questions about degree classifications

What is degree classification?   

Before diving into the role of each year, let’s first understand what degree classification entails. Similar to there being certain qualifications you need to get into university , there is also a range of degree awards you can achieve when you leave uni.

Degree classification is a system used to assess and categorise your overall performance as an undergraduate student. It is a way to determine the level of academic achievement and assign an appropriate degree level based on the grades obtained throughout your degree.  

What are the different undergraduate degree classifications?   

There are several different undergraduate degree classifications. In the United Kingdom, the most common are: 

• First Class Honours (1st) 
• Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) 
• Lower Second Class Honours (2:2) 
• Third Class Honours (3rd) 
• Pass  

How is degree classification calculated?   

The degree classification is calculated using a weighted average of module marks. Every module you take during your degree is worth a specific number of credits, usually 15 or 30. The marks you receive for each module are then multiplied by the number of credits it carries. These weighted module marks are then combined to calculate your overall grade and classification.  

How does each year of uni count towards a degree?  

The number of credits you earn in each year, as well as the grades you achieve, will be used to calculate your degree classification. However, as you will discover, not all years contribute equally – and sometimes there are years that might not contribute at all.  It’s also worth noting that the specific weighting can vary significantly between different universities and degree programs. 

Does the first year count towards degree classification?  

Although the first year sets the foundation for your subsequent studies, it typically does not count towards your final degree classification. However, this may vary depending on the university and the degree course. Instead of directly contributing, the first year is usually considered a preliminary year or an ‘exploratory period’.  

How does the second year contribute to the final degree classification?   

What is the significance of the second year in an undergraduate degree? While the first year may not directly impact your final classification, the second year plays a more significant role: The module marks you achieve during your second year are crucial in determining your overall award.

How are module marks in the second year calculated?   

The module marks in the second year are calculated using the same methodology as explained earlier. Each module is assigned a certain number of credits, typically either 15 or 30 credits, and your performance in each module is graded accordingly. These grades are then multiplied by the number of credits and weighted to calculate your overall grade for the second year.  

Do I need to pass all modules in the second year to progress?   

While it is important to strive for success in all your modules, you do not need to achieve a pass in all your modules in the second year to progress to the next academic year. However, some degree programs may have specific requirements, so it is essential to check with your university and program guidelines.  

How are the final year marks weighted in the final degree classification?   

The final year marks are of utmost importance in determining your final degree.  The specific weighting may vary depending on the university and degree program, but the final year marks do contribute significantly to how your degree is calculated and your final degree classification. 

What is a dissertation and how does it affect your degree classification?   

A dissertation is a lengthy and detailed piece of research undertaken by students during their final year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The impact of a dissertation on your degree can vary depending on the educational institution and the specific degree.

In some cases, the dissertation may be weighted heavily and contribute a significant percentage to the final grade – from 30 to 60 credits. In such cases, performing well in the dissertation can improve the overall award.

It is important to refer to the specific guidelines and regulations set by the educational institution and the particular department or faculty to understand the exact impact of the dissertation on your studies.   

What factors determine the final degree classification?  

The final degree classification takes into account a range of factors, including the module marks achieved in the final year and sometimes the second year. Additionally, it may consider the overall average mark across all years of your degree, as well as any specific requirements outlined by your university or program guidelines.  

Are the final year marks based on a specific number of credits?   

Yes, the final year marks are typically based on a specific number of credits. Similar to the second year, modules in the final year are usually assigned a certain number of credits, often 15 or 30 credits.  

Does a placement year affect the overall degree classification?   

When you’re researching what subjects to study at university , you’ll see some include a placement year. If your degree does include a placement year, it is often marked as pass/fail or is not included in the final calculation. However, it is still an essential part of your degree course and can provide valuable industry experience and skills. 

What is the relevance of a placement year in achieving a good degree classification?   

While the placement year may not directly impact your final degree classification, it can enhance your employability and provide you with practical skills that can be advantageous in the job market. Employers often value students who have gained real-world experience through placements, which can contribute to your future career prospects.  

Is a placement year mandatory for all undergraduate degrees?  

No, a placement year is not mandatory for all university undergraduate degrees . Some programs offer optional placement years, allowing students to choose whether they want to undertake a placement. It is important to check the requirements of your specific degree program to determine if a placement year is mandatory or optional.  

Questions about UK degrees and their classifications   

Q: What is an honours degree?  

A: An honours degree is an undergraduate degree that demonstrates a higher level of academic achievement. It is typically awarded to students who have achieved a certain level of performance in their studies.  

Q: How are honours degree classifications calculated?  

A: Honours degree classifications are calculated based on the overall mark earned throughout the degree program. The specific calculation method may vary depending on the university’s specification, but it generally takes into account the grades achieved in each module or unit.  

Q: How are integrated master’s degree classifications determined?  

A: Integrated master’s degree classifications are determined using a similar calculation method as undergraduate honours degrees. The overall mark earned throughout the integrated master’s program, as well as the grades achieved in individual modules, are used to determine the final classification.  

Q: What is the pass mark for a degree?  

A: The pass mark for a degree may vary depending on the university and the specific program of study. Generally, students are required to achieve a minimum overall mark or average grade to pass their degree.  

Q: How many credits are needed for an undergraduate degree?  

A: The number of credits needed for an undergraduate degree varies depending on the university and the specific program. In general, a full-time undergraduate degree program will consist of 120 credits per year, with a total of 360 credits required to complete the degree.  

Q: What is a foundation degree?  

A: A foundation degree is a vocational qualification that is equivalent to the first two years of an undergraduate degree. It is typically awarded by universities or colleges and allows students to progress onto a full undergraduate degree program if they choose.  

Q: Can I repeat a year if I do not achieve the required grades?  

A: It is possible to repeat a year of study if you do not achieve the required grades in your modules or units. This will give you the opportunity to improve your grades and progress towards achieving your degree. 

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UK Grading System Guide 2024: Everything You Need To Know!

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Ace it as you face it!

Were you the one student who worried excessively about your grades? Although we recognise your concerns and anxiety, you should know how different grading systems work. The US grading system, Australian grading system, and others may differ from institution to institution within the same nation. Given its prestigious universities, quality education, and assurance of a high standard of grade system to establish a benchmark globally, the UK is a popular destination for students worldwide. In this blog, we decode the UK grading system and UK grading scale, student assessment, the differences between the American vs British grading system, and much more to help you better navigate through your education in the UK.

What is the UK Grading System?

Did you know that universities in the UK have a unique UK grading system? The UK grading system is a numerical or alphabetical scale used to evaluate students' performance in schools, colleges, and universities. The UK grading system is consistent across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, whereas the Scottish grading system differs from all three. The entire focus is on the holistic development of students.

It's one of the reasons the British grading system and higher education is so well-regarded around the world. Moreover, many countries have adopted the UK grading system or a variation of it. When you're looking to study abroad, familiarising yourself with the university grading system in the UK you want to attend is important. Remember that if you plan to study in the UK, you need to know everything about studying in the UK and applying for a UK visa; check out the UK student visa to know more. This way, you'll know how to convert your grades and see how they measure up to the requirements. Don't stress, though! We've got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about the UK grading system. 

How are UK university students assessed?

The students in the UK grading system are assessed using various methods, such as:

1. Exams - These assessments review the student's knowledge 2. Coursework - This assessment is practical or written and includes reports, projects, lab reports, and presentations. 3. Oral - Here, they check the student's ability to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively. 4. Practical - This assessment checks the student's ability to utilise theoretical knowledge in practical solutions. 5. Portfolios- This is a form of assessment that combines a student's work throughout their course. It is often found in art or fashion programs. 6. Dissertations-These are big research projects that students usually have to submit in their final year of study. Want to know the best ways to get started? Please read our blog on  Tips on Writing a Dissertation , and find your way!

What is GCSE?

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. These are the qualifications obtained by fifteen and sixteen-year-olds in the UK at the end of their Year 11 schooling. GCSEs provide a uniform framework for assessment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Schools in Scotland pursue Scottish Qualifications Certificates, and chosen subjects are studied over two years and assessed by final exams or coursework.

While students have the scope to choose some of their GCSE options, several subjects are obligatory. These are known as core subjects and include- Maths, English Literature, English Language, and Science (in varying forms). GCSE syllabuses are set, examinations administered, and certificates awarded by five primary examination boards: 

1. AQA  (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) 2. CCEA (Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment) 3. Edexcel 4. OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) 5. WJEC (The Welsh Joint Education Committee) These are overseen by regulatory authorities to ensure parity between schools using a different exam board.

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Understanding the 9-1 GCSE UK Grading System

The United Kingdom implemented the 9-1 grading system to replace the A*- G system. This updated grading system aims to offer evaluations of students' performance and better reflect their accomplishments. First, let's understand the UK grading scale of 9-1 GCSE UK grading system:

The 9-1 GCSE UK grading system provides more differentiation at the top end of the scale, allowing universities and employers to distinguish between high-achieving students more effectively. A grade that is four or higher is recognised as a "pass," which is approximately similar to the previous C grade. A grade of 5 or higher is viewed as a "pass." Grades 9, 8, and 7 are considered comparable to the systems A* and A grades. The UK grading system is used in various fields, including ancient languages (classical Greek and Latin), art and design, biology, chemistry, citizenship studies, combined science (double award), history, and geography.

Understanding the Undergraduate UK Grading System

The UK grading system is quite particular in how it assigns grades, implying that not all students who achieved an A are in the same class as you. The many components necessary for an individual's entire growth are taken into consideration when evaluating a student's overall performance in view. Although narrowing it down to the grades, the Undergraduate UK grading system is split into three major categories, which are further explained as follows:

1. First Class Degree

As per the UK grading system, a First Class Degree is the highest you can score during the undergraduate Degree and requires students to have a total score greater than 70%. It is also called a UK distinction grade. A first-class degree is highly valued in the UK grading system since it suggests that the student thoroughly understands the subject's material and content. Your prowess in a particular field is crucial to your career, especially your course of interest. A first-class degree with a UK distinction grade is also known as the First and is considered the most outstanding achievement in the undergraduate course. 

2. Second Class Degree

According to the UK grading system, the second-class Degree is further segregated into two categories - 

• Upper Second Class Degree, named 2:1, represents that the student has scored somewhere between 60-69%. However, because of the tough competition in the present times, first-class degree holders are captivating the opportunity market. This UK grading system says that you have performed well but can still work on and strive to develop yourself in numerous ways.
• Lower Second Class Degree, known as 2:2, comes right after the upper second-class Degree, which shows that your score ranges around 50%-59% according to the UK grading system. It indicates that you need to put in a lot of effort to improve your knowledge and understanding of the relevant subject because it is slightly below the upper second-class Degree. 

3. Third Class Degree‍

In the UK grading system, this is the lowest score an undergraduate candidate can achieve. Students who earn between 40% and 49% receive a third-class degree. Having this Degree indicates you have a lot of room to grow, so you should start advancing yourself and your field knowledge. Although we know you're a champ and that you would be scoring more than this and won't fall in this category. 

In the UK grading system, a fourth-class degree was offered by a few universities, including Oxford University . A student who narrowly missed earning a Third-Class Degree is now granted an ordinary degree marked Pass.

Dive deeper into the intricacies of the UK grading system with our comprehensive PDF guide. Uncover the nuances that set it apart from the US grading system, explore recent changes and reforms, and discover how these shifts are revolutionising education.

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Master's Grading System in the UK 

The postgraduate Master's grading system in the UK is slightly different compared to the scheme used for undergraduate degrees. If you are planning your Master's in the UK, make sure you understand their process. The Master's grading system in the UK differs from all the countries worldwide. Like the undergraduate Degree, postgraduate degrees offer grades using four levels:

UK Master's Degree Requirements

1. Distinction: When students receive a distinction grade UK, they are considered to have achieved a master's degree score of at least 70%. 2. Merit: Students who receive grades from 60% to 69% are granted a merit grade.

3. Pass: Passing is defined as having an overall grade between 50% and 59%.

4. Borderline Pass/ Fail: As the name implies, this category includes students who narrowly avoid failing or passing but receive a score between 40% to 49%.

The Master's grading system UK also depends upon the type of Master's course you are pursuing. The three most popular categories of Masters in the UK are as follows:

1. Integrated Master's Degree

This is an integrated degree that combines both a graduate and postgraduate Degree. It generally consists of three years of undergraduate and one year of postgraduate study. It means that when you apply for an undergraduate degree, you are already aware of the Master's you will pursue post that. It is a more specialised qualification and requires a commitment of four years. The grade is given as follows:

1. Distinction: Minimum 70% 2. Merit: Between 60% to 69% 3. Pass: Between 50% to 59% 4. Borderline Pass/ Fail: Between 40% to 49%

2. Taught Master's Degree 

Lectures, seminars, and tutorials are the main components of this master's program. Although the public speaking requirements of this course may seem intimidating at first, we assure you that you will become more confident with practice! These courses usually include research and dissertation elements, making it essential for you to work around the year. 

The grades provided in a taught master's Degree typically go as fail, pass, merit, and distinction and usually have the same percentage and markings as an Integrated master's Degree. However, a taught master's Degree often calls for 180 credits of study, which includes modules, dissertations, assignments, and research. The number of credits you get for each module varies from 10 to 30, depending on the quantity and quality of the work.

3. Master's Degree Research (MRes)

Considering pursuing a Master's in research? The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme, similar to the Taught Master's Degree, is the standard credit structure for MRes. The course's research component might result in 160 credits, 20 of which would be given for training. The overall course may include one single research and dissertation or multiple projects at the same time. The grading is usually done as Pass or fail, but usually, some universities also offer UK distinction Grades as a classification for students who score higher than 70%. Want more in-depth information on the degrees in the UK? These types of degrees in the UK guide will answer every question you have regarding the different degrees in the UK.

Difference between the US and UK grading systems

The main difference between the UK vs the US grading system is that exams and things like your dissertation or work you produce for the final semester of your course are given a lot more weight than GPA, which is an amalgamation of your marks over the academic year. To understand the UK grading system vs the US better, remember this: the United Kingdom uses letter grades, but not in the same way that the United States does. In the UK, an A is anything above 70%, rather than each letter representing 10%. And each letter after that represents a 10% reduction. A failing grade is also unique. For example, a score of less than 59% in the United Kingdom is sufficient to obtain an undergraduate or postgraduate Degree. This, however, is not possible in the United States. If you’d like to know more about how the grading system works in the US, have a look at our Comprehensive Guide On The US Grading System In 2024 , and you’ll be able to make a quicker decision on where you’d like to study!

UK Grading System and ECTS Grades

The UK grading system used in higher education institutions is based on a UK grading scale that ranges from A* to E for undergraduate degrees and A to D for postgraduate degrees. The A* to E scale is further divided into subgrades such as A*, A, B, C, D, and E, where A* is the highest grade, and E is the lowest passing grade.

It's important to note that while the UK and ECTS grading systems may have similar grades, the criteria for earning each can differ from institution to institution and from country to country. Therefore, students need to understand the specific grading criteria for their program and university.

University and College Admission Service Point (UCAS)

UCAS Points, which are also known as UCAS Tariff Points, is an adjacent way to measure and compare the achievements of a student studying in the UK. These points are basically assessed by the university grading system UK to ensure the suitability of a student for their chosen course. These points assign a numerical value to the different qualifications and grades, making it convenient for the universities to make a fair and uniform comparison among applicants.

It directly impacts the UK grading system as it provides a common metric for comparing diverse qualifications. As the UCAS points assign a number to different qualifications and grades of students, universities and colleges in the UK, usually set their entry and admission parameters based on the same factor.

For instance, a grade B might only be worth 100 UCAS points, but an A might be worth 120. By establishing the number of UCAS points necessary for admission, institutions establish uniform standards in the selection process for the candidates. Want to know more about UCAS? Here is our comprehensive guide to help you understand what UCAS is all about !

Top UK Universities

Knowing that the UK is home to some of the most outstanding universities in the world will make your decision to study there worthwhile. These universities are well known for offering a top-notch education that fosters students' personal and professional development. The leading global universities in the UK are listed below.

1. University of Oxford ‍ 2. University of Cambridge ‍ 3. University College London ‍ 4. Imperial College London ‍ 5. University of Edinburgh ‍ 6. King's College London ‍ 7. University of Manchester ‍ 8. University of Glasgow ‍ 9. University of Birmingham ‍ 10. University of Bristol

Thus, the UK grading system is intricate for distributing grades and rewarding diligent students. Therefore, even though everything feels overwhelming and too much right now, you won't feel as overwhelmed when you get there if you are well-prepared. We have tried to give you the crucial advice you need in this detailed article so that you can prepare and achieve your Degree. Now that you are planning to study in the UK make sure you know you do your research on the highest-paying jobs.

If you're a student planning to study in the UK, finding suitable accommodation might be a concern. Explore the amazing student accommodation in the UK to discover your ideal student housing. Now that you know the UK grading system, it is also important that you know more about the entrance exams required to get into the top universities in the UK. You can read more on our exam preparation blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation

How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

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Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

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The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

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• UK Honours Degree System

The UK Honours Degree System for Undergraduates

The UK university undergraduate degree system has historically been different from most other systems around the world. The system is likely to differ from what you are used to from school or college.

You can find out more about the way your work will be marked/assessed in your Student Handbook, which provides general information and key information relating to your degree programme. 

If you study for an undergraduate degree at UCL, you are aiming to graduate with a degree with honours. With this type of degree, the level of your academic performance on your programme is indicated by the ‘class’ of degree – or honours - you are awarded. Most universities award a class of degree based on the marks from the assessed work you have completed. To distinguish between students on the basis of their academic achievement, undergraduate degree awards are classified as follows:

• First-Class Honours (70% and above): a first class degree, usually referred to as a ‘first’ or 1st, is the highest honours degree you can achieve 
• Upper Second-Class Honours (60-70%): there are two levels of second class degree. An upper second class, known as a 2:1 or two-one, is the higher of the two levels 
• Lower Second-Class Honours (50-60%): a 2.2 or two-two is the lower level of the second class degree 
• Third-Class Honours (40-50%): known as a ‘third’ or 3rd, this degree is the lowest honours degree achievable
• Ordinary Degree: If an honours student fails to achieve a third class by a small margin, they may be awarded an ordinary degree i.e. without honours.

UK-wide award of different classes of honours degrees 

The table below shows the percentage of each class of honours degree awarded across the UK, by year.

How does UK marking compare to other countries?

Please note this section is intended to provide general information on how marking in the UK higher education sector compares to marking systems in other countries. This information does not apply to admission to UCL and should not be construed within the context of UCL’s entry requirements.

Read further information on UCL’s international academic entry requirements.

A full range of equivalencies, can be found on the website of the UK Graduate Recruitment Bureau – the table below gives some comparisons.

UCL Honours Degree Outcomes Statement

The Honours Degree Outcomes Statement is available via the UCL Honours Degree Outcomes Statement website.

• Study and research support
• Academic skills

Dissertation examples

Listed below are some of the best examples of research projects and dissertations from undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Leeds We have not been able to gather examples from all schools. The module requirements for research projects may have changed since these examples were written. Refer to your module guidelines to make sure that you address all of the current assessment criteria. Some of the examples below are only available to access on campus.

• Undergraduate examples
• Taught Masters examples

• UK Education Grading System 2024

UK Universities 48 views 13 May

The United Kingdom is a top destination for many students across the world. Understanding the UK grading system is quite important if you want to succeed as a UK student.

In this post, we'll discuss the UK Education Grading System 2024, the student assessment criteria in the UK, GCSE grading system and the grading system for 16 different Universities in the UK. 

If you're considering studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK, then you'll find the article very helpful. Here, you'll learn how to calculate your grades and familiarise yourself with the grading system of Universities you're interested in studying in the UK.

What is the UK Grading System?

The UK Grading System is a numerical or alphabetical scale that evaluates students academic performance in the United Kingdom. 

This grading system is highly regarded for its excellent structure and is adopted across many countries in the world. Schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the UK grading system to assess their students test scores and general academic performance.

Scotland however, uses a different grading system.  In the UK, the grading system varies at different levels of education.

Undergraduate Grading System

The United Kingdom is one of the best places to pursue an undergraduate degree. The undergraduate graduate system is a standard scale that assesses undergraduate students’ knowledge and skills on a course they're studying.

This grading system has been proven very effective and adopted in Canada, India and many other countries with little variations to fit their educational system. 

Here are the 5 grade classes of the undergraduate grading scale in the UK.

Masters Degree Grading System

The Master's degree grading system is used to evaluate postgraduate students in the UK. It is divided into four. Check the table below for the percentage and respective grades.

For Integrated Masters, the results differ a little. The grading for Integrated Masters is similar to the undergraduate grading system degree:

What are the Assessment Criteria at UK Universities 

In the UK, students are assessed in different ways. UK universities use  the the following methods to measure the level of the students academic performance.

Tests & Examination

Students are given tests and exams to determine how well the students understands the course.

Coursework are written or practical assessments such as reports, projects, lab reports and presentations.

Dissertation 

Dissertation are research projects used to assess Ph.D students in the university. It is usually expected to be submitted at the end of the student's final year.

A portfolio is an accumulation of a student's work throughout their course of study.

Practical assesses the students practical knowledge.

Oral assessment 

The oral assessment is used to evaluate the student's ability to express their understanding of their study program.

What is the GCSE Grading System

GCSE is an exam that students in the UK must undertake after completing high school.

The GCSE grading system in the UK uses a standard  scale from 9 to 1. The system was introduced in 2017 to replace the old GCSE letter grading system that scored students from A - G.

The new GCSE grading system awards 9 as the highest grade and 1 the lowest. So if you get a 9, you have an outstanding academic knowledge whereas if you get a 1, you have failed poorly.

To pass their GCSE, students will need a 4 or 5.

Birmingham City University Grading System 

Birmingham city university is a popular UK university that uses the general UK grading system.

First Class Honours (1st) – this is the highest grade you can obtain and you will receive this if you achieve 70% or above in your assignments.

Second Class Honours: upper division (2:1) – following a first, this is the second highest grade you can attain and you will receive this if you achieve 60–69% in your assignments.

Second Class Honours: lower division (2:2) – if you receive 50-59% in your assignments, you’ll be graded a 2:2.

Third Class Honours – you’ll receive this classification if you’re graded 40–49% in your assignments.

Coventry University Grading System

This table below shows Coventry grading system used to assess students in the university of Coventry.

Glasgow University Grading System

Here is Glasgow university grading system for honours GPA.

Liverpool Hope University Grading System

This liverpool hope university grading system assesses student's coursework and examinations.

Loughborough University Grading System

The type of degree classification students achieve depends on how they perform in each module they take in either their undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Nottingham Trent University Grading System

Here's Nottingham trent university grading system used in Nottingham trent university system.

UK Higher Education Grading System

The UK higher education grading system is divided into 4 sections. It varies from university to university but generally this is how students academic performance is graded in the United Kingdom.

First-Class Honours (First or 1st) (70% and above) 

Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2.i) (60-70%) 

Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2, 2.ii) (50-60%)

Third Class (less than 50%)

University of Dundee Grading System Percentages

This is a standard grading system used for assessing the academic performance of undergraduate degrees in the university of dundee.

University of Essex Grading System

This is the University of Essex grading system.

University of Hertfordshire Grading System

University of leicester postgraduate grading system.

University of Leicester postgraduate grading system is used to assess the postgraduate students in leicester university 

University of Portsmouth Grading System

Here is the University of Portsmouth grading system. It provides a transparent way of evaluating students academics.

University of Salford Grading System

The University of Salford Grading System uses the first class, second class, third class, pass and fail grading system.

University of Sunderland Grading system

Here is the University of sunderland grading system

First class honours (1st)

Second class honours, upper division (2:1)

Second class honours, lower division (2:2) 

Third class honours (3rd)

Ordinary degree (Pass)

University of West London Grading System

University of west london grading system provides a reliable way of assessing student’s grade in london

University of Wolverhampton Grading System

The University of wolverhampton grading system uses the following percentage grading system to evaluate students per

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Bachelor Dissertation Structure Guidelines

A dissertation is academic writing based on original and deep research as a part of the master and bachelor degree. However, writing a bachelor dissertation is less intimidating than the master’s dissertation.

A well-structured and well-written dissertation can increase the grades of the students.

A dissertation supports your central point it may consist of some special topics. However, if you are doing empirical research in the field of social sciences, you can gain high grades. Students cannot write a high-quality dissertation without the proper information. Having improper information can lose their grades; therefore, they want to get complete information about the structure and format of a dissertation.

Word Count For Bachelor Dissertation

A bachelor dissertation is completely different from postgraduate dissertations and it is less lengthy than postgraduate. The word count of a bachelor dissertation is only 10,000 -15000 words. Yes, of course, it is much shorter than master dissertation. On the other hand, an undergraduate dissertation does not contain on the originality and students are independent to do their work.  Writing a bachelor dissertation demonstrates original and critical thinking skills and also shows the ability of the students.

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Bachelor Dissertation Requirements

• Topic selection
• Finding supervision
• Early research
• Good outline
• Refined research and writing
• Final dissertation
• Binding and submission

Bachelor Dissertation Structure And Format Guidelines

If you are searching complete information about dissertation structure and format then stop here, we are sharing complete information how to structure and format a dissertation. If you will follow all the instructions that are given below, you can write a high-quality dissertation and can increase your grades.

In dissertation writing, title page is the first document that contains your name, department, and degree program and submission date. In the bachelor’s dissertation, you should include supervision’s name and the university’s logo. However, you should bind and print your title page very carefully. The title pages should consist of 500 words.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement is the section of a dissertation that provides space for you to dedicate some special comments and thanks to all the teachers, friends and people who helped you in writing your dissertation. You should pay thanks to them, because, without their support, you are not able to write a strong dissertation.

In the dissertation structure, abstract section is most important, because, it is a detailed summary of your whole process. Most students don’t know how much words they should write in the abstract section. But know no need to worry about it, as we know that it is a summary of your writing process, therefore, you can include 3000-4000 words. Don’t write it too much longer, because, it will create a feeling of boredom. You should state the main aims of your research in this section, indeed, give information about the method that you have used. State your conclusion in strong manners. The abstract section should be included in 3000 words.

Table Of Contents

Table of contents another important section in the dissertation structure; you should make a list of all your chapters in this section. Conducting a god structure navigate the document. It will be batter to make a list of all contents; if you are typing your dissertation on Word then it will generate automatically a list of chapters.

List Of Figures And Tables

Most students use bullets and tables in his dissertation, so after including figures, tables and bullets you should itemize them in a number list. Instead of that, you should make a list of abbreviations in your dissertation. The use of glossary will be amazing for you, so, don’t forget to include a glossary.

Introduction

Write 1500 words in the introduction section. Not only in bachelor dissertation, indeed, but introduction is also most important and essential part of any piece of writing, you should write your main purpose, relevance and topic detail to the readers.  

Highlight your topic and give background information to your readers. Defining the scope of your research and stating your past research will highlight your broad vision of writing a dissertation.

Indicate your objects and research question and give a complete overview of the dissertation structure. You should keep in mind that writing everything in a unique manner can increase your grades.

Literature Review

The chapter of literature review will highlight your method of research and all important points that you have included in your dissertation. Approximately, word count for literature review is 3000 words. The theoretical framework will offer you deep understanding of the academic work that you have included in your dissertation. You should write collecting sources and critical evaluation of sources. You need to draw a deep connection between the themes and patterns.

Here are some points that you should follow in order to conduct a literature review

• Find a gap in the literature
• Adopt a new methodological approach to the topic
• Give a solution to the problem
• Write a theoretical debate
• Build new data with existing knowledge

In the results chapter, highlight your objectives and research questions. The questions should be relevant to the objects. If you are unsure about your results section then you should consult with your supervision.  You should include tables, graphs and charts in the result sections. Present your data and avoid including tables as well as figures. You can write 2000 words in results section.

This is another important section that you should keep in mind during structuring your essay. In this section, you can include hypothesis and topics. Explore what are the meanings of your implications. Write a discussion chapter in 2000 words. Discuss your results what you were expecting and what you have selected. You should discuss the limitations that you have made in your dissertation writing .

Writing a great and concise conclusion is the symbol of good work, so, you should write concise and to the points this section. Define all your points of view with deep understanding. If you will clear your point of view then the reader can understand it easily. Write the conclusion chapter in 1500 words.

Your bachelor dissertation should contain essential information about your research question. You should highlight interview transcript and survey questions. Use 1500 words in appendices chapter. After writing your dissertation, make sure that all the sections are well-written. Don’t mistake grammar mistakes, because, it can drag down the quality of your work.

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When Peters, who is now the general manager of the Washington Commanders , first arrived with the San Francisco 49ers his title was vice president of player personnel. Ahmad’s new title is director of player personnel, which he shares with R.J. Gillen.

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Peters operated out of team headquarters in Santa Clara when he was with the 49ers. Ahmad will spend more time in the office now, but his home base will continue to be in New Jersey, which will allow him to continue to play to his strength: attending college practices and games and seeing prospects in person.

“I love going to games,” he said. “I don’t love the travel. But I do love the ability to go watch things live and observe players in those settings, not just what you see on tape.”

With Peters now in Washington, Ahmad is now the 49ers’ top college scout, which made him the perfect candidate for our annual peek behind the draft curtain. Ahmad spoke for just short of an hour at team headquarters last week. Here’s what he had to say about the eight picks:

San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft picks 2024: Grades, fits and scouting reports

Ricky Pearsall , WR, first round

Ahmad said that when Kyle Shanahan first arrived in 2017, he sat down with the scouting department and went into detail about what he looks for in wide receivers. And with Shanahan, who is exacting when it comes to receiver play, there were a lot of details.

“He went through all the things he looks for, from the start of the route to the intangibles, throughout the entire play and the way they finish,” Ahmad said. “So as part of that exercise, he definitely coached up movement skills: lower-body looseness, how they moved their shoulders — all the things that (a scout) needs to go through. I was an area scout at the time. And that drill told me that when I’m on the road, I’m going to be looking for this, this and this.”

Suffice to say, Pearsall has the qualities Shanahan described seven years ago, especially the movement skills. Pearsall’s 4.05-second time in the short shuttle was the sixth-fastest of any prospect at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and he was even disappointed in the time. He said he went there thinking he might set the record.

“The testing confirmed what we saw on the field,” Ahmad said. “It told us exactly what our eyes thought the numbers would be.”

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Pearsall contemplated entering the draft after the 2022 season, so the 49ers evaluated him last year, too. Ahmad said by the end of the 2023 season there were few questions about him and a lot of consensus within the building. So much so that the 49ers didn’t bring in Pearsall for an official visit, which is rare for a 49ers’ first-round pick. The only other first-rounder in the Shanahan-John Lynch era who didn’t visit Santa Clara was offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey in 2018.

Ahmad said that Pearsall’s lower-body looseness — something Shanahan liked about 2018 second-round pick Dante Pettis — always has stood out. Unlike Pettis perhaps, Pearsall also showed impressive toughness with the Gators last season.

“The physicality jumped off the tape this (past) year,” Ahmad said. “The demeanor going over the middle, the demeanor with the ball in his hands. The physicality jumped off the tape there.”

Renardo Green , CB, second round

The 49ers took Green earlier than he was expected to be taken. The Athletic’ s Dane Brugler, for instance, rated him as a fourth-round pick and the No. 17 cornerback in the draft. He went at the end of the second round and was the 10th cornerback selected.

Green didn’t participate in the marquee end-of-season all-star game, the Senior Bowl. Instead, he was an East-West Shrine Bowl invitee and was one of the first Shrine Bowl players drafted last month.

None of his measurables — size, speed, arm length — stood out, and he had just one interception in five seasons at Florida State. For the 49ers, however, toughness and physicality supersede measurables, and Green leaped out to them in those areas. Ahmad said the feedback the 49ers received from Florida State coaches lined up very nicely with what they saw on the field.

“When you hear, ‘He likes hitting, he likes tackling more than he likes interceptions’ — that leaves such a strong memory of who he is,” Ahmad said. “He fits our culture, the way that we want to play defense.”

The 49ers learned that lesson in 2021 when they took two cornerbacks, Ambry Thomas in the third round and Deommodore Lenoir in the fifth. Thomas was faster and had better measurables. Lenoir, however, exuded feistiness and has been the superior player.

Ahmad said there were similarities between Green and Lenoir.

“As far as the type of guy, definitely,” he said. “The demeanor, the mentality, the passion for football, the competitiveness, the toughness. (Green) checks all those boxes at a really, really high level.”

Like Lenoir, the 49ers will look at Green at both outside cornerback and the grittier nickel spot during upcoming practices.

“When we were in draft meetings and watching him, I remember Kyle really enjoying his tape because of those reasons,” Ahmad said. “The physicality, the willingness to aggressively work to the football. That was a really strong part of his game.”

Dominick Puni , G, third round

One of the things that impressed the 49ers about Puni was that he was asked to play center at the Senior Bowl.

He has the length — 6-5 with 33 3/8-inch arms — to play tackle, which is what he mostly played (left tackle) last year at Kansas. Still, he looked natural at center against defensive tackles like Ohio State’s Mike Hall Jr. , Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus and Clemson’s Tyler Davis , all of whom were drafted last month.

“And I thought he got better every single day,” Ahmad said. “He competed immediately and his technique improved. He looked really good by the end of the week.”

That convinced the 49ers that Puni had the quickness to play on the inside, and he’ll get his start at guard. His quickness also was underscored by his impressive 4.4-second showing in the short shuttle, a drill that illustrates how fast a player can fire out of his stance and change directions.

How impressive is 4.4 seconds for someone who weighs 313 pounds? Some of the bigger-bodied receivers in this year’s draft didn’t time as well.

Ahmad noted that lateral quickness not only is critical for staying in front of fleet-footed three-techniques in pass protection, but in the 49ers’ zone-blocking scheme, it’s essential that offensive linemen get an initial step on their opponents and then hit their aiming points.

“If you’re not quick-footed, if you don’t have the initial suddenness to get there, then you lose quickly,” Ahmad said.

Malik Mustapha , S, fourth round

For some reason, this year the 49ers aren’t revealing which draft picks earned “gold helmet” status, which means the prospect was “exemplary” in several areas, including performance, leadership and intelligence. Only about 15 to 20 players per draft class get that designation and the 49ers might be lucky to snag one or two each year. Ji’Ayir Brown and Brayden Willis were gold-helmet guys in 2023. The team had none in 2022.

The best guess on who might have earned the status this year? Mustapha. Not only was he a team captain at Wake Forest, he nailed his interview with the 49ers at the combine. Ahmad said it was one of the best sessions the team had this year.

“Mature, extremely bright, confident,” Ahmad said. “He left a very positive impression.”

So positive, in fact, the 49ers also didn’t feel the need to bring him in for an official visit. The team reached a consensus on him quickly and easily.

With Talanoa Hufanga still recovering from last year’s ACL tear, Mustapha seems to have a good shot at landing a prominent role as a rookie. His intelligence and experience — he played in 35 games at Wake Forest — hint at someone who could play immediately. So does his physical style of play, which the 49ers say was similar to Green’s.

“We just love the way he plays the game, plays our style,” Lynch said last month of Mustapha. “We talk a lot about running to the football and getting there with bad intentions, and Malik kind of embodies that. One of our favorite interviews, one of my favorite interviews at the combine.”

Isaac Guerendo , RB, fourth round

Guerendo is a good example of a player who was liked in every corner of 49ers headquarters.

The team’s research and development department, which creates analytic data for every position, highlighted Guerendo early in the college season. The 49ers also got a detailed report from Midwest area scout Ryan Kessenich about Guerendo’s five, largely injury-filled seasons at Wisconsin.

One of the knocks on Guerendo is that he started just one of the 41 games in which he played since 2018. He dealt with hamstring issues in 2019 and 2020, then suffered a Lisfranc injury (left foot) in 2021. His lone start came last year after he transferred to Louisville.

“(Kessenich) sent me a dissertation on this kid and why he was under the radar on every single step along the way,” Ahmad said. “I didn’t ask for this. He just saw (Guerendo’s) name on the list as one we were going to talk about and thought he should go above and beyond. And it answered a ton of questions that we had and helped the momentum of why we liked him so much. We were not rationalizing why he didn’t have starting experience. There were reasons every single step of the way.”

The team’s R&D department, meanwhile, really liked Guerendo’s speed and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Ahmad said the GPS data the 49ers had on Guerendo was in line with his eye-catching 4.33-second 40 time at the combine. The 49ers were especially impressed by his game last year against USC.

Ahmad also said the 49ers spent a lot of time discussing the new kickoff rules and the type of prospect who could take advantage of the changes. The ideal return man, for instance, is someone who gets up to speed quickly and who can break tackles, which seems to describe Guerendo. Not only was his 40 time impressive for someone who weighs 221 pounds, so was his 1.54-second 10-yard split.

“When you watch the tape, he really jumps out,” Ahmad said. “You see the speed, you see the power, you see the size. You see a really, really talented runner that all of us were excited about.”

He's rushed for 7 touchdowns and averages nearly 80 yards per game in the last 6 matchups! 💥 Isaac Guerendo is a threat all over the field! @LouisvilleFB | #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/kJMAmAMWdt — ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 29, 2023

Jacob Cowing , WR, fourth round

The 49ers’ experience with Cowing, who was taken with the final pick in the fourth round, was similar to last year’s with cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. , a fifth-round pick.

The 49ers hosted both players on official visits and were impressed by their maturity.

“I wouldn’t say that he stood out above this year’s group,” Ahmad said of Cowing. “I think this is a really impressive group from top to bottom. But it was how mature he was, how thoughtful he was, the questions he asked. It just showed his maturity and told us it would be a good transition to the NFL.”

Scot McCloughan praises 49ers draft pick Jacob Cowing: 'He’s like a little bolt of lightning'

Ahmad said he saw Cowing in person twice when Cowing was at Arizona, once at a practice in 2022 and once for the Nov. 25 game at Arizona State. Cowing was sensational that day — nine catches for a season-high 157 yards and a touchdown — but Ahmad was struck more with how he conducted himself during the pre-game period. That also gives some insight into what scouts like Ahmad are interested in when they attend games.

“He was dialed in and focused,” he said. “He had an awesome routine: headset on, going through all these steps. In that setting his professionalism was impressive. It really stood out. “

Jarrett Kingston , G, sixth round

Like Puni, Kingston ran an impressive short shuttle at the combine (4.47 seconds). And only three other guard prospects had faster 10-yard splits than his 1.72-second mark: First0rounders Troy Fautanu (1.7) and Jordan Morgan (1.69) and fourth-rounder Mason McCormick (1.71).

Ahmad said Kingston was a favorite of offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who is famously picky about which prospects he likes in the draft.

“He has a lot of that quickness and power and explosiveness that we want,” Ahmad said. “He’ll get on guys quickly, he’ll get on great angles. He’s got power and he can sustain blocks.”

Kingston’s biggest drawback is his length. His 32 1/8-inch arms certainly are shorter than what the 49ers want at tackle and aren’t quite ideal — though they’re serviceable — at guard, which is where Kingston will begin his 49ers career.

“It’s definitely still a factor, but it’s reduced when you slide inside,” Ahmad said.

Ahmad said Kingston looked good at the combine and was really impressive at USC’s pro day where he blasted out 36 bench press repetitions of 225 pounds, one of the highest counts in this year’s draft class.

“To me, bench press doesn’t always translate to power on the field,” Ahmad said. “But it does tell me a lot about how hard you trained for the last four or five years. And it tells me how hard and long you trained for pro day. Because you’ve got to stay healthy to be able to do that consistently throughout your career — you build on your strength every single year.”

Tatum Bethune , LB, seventh round

Only a handful of players remained on the 49ers’ draft board when it was their turn to pick at the end of the seventh round. Linebackers coach Johnny Holland’s conviction in Bethune in the run-up to the draft pushed him over the top.

Holland likes how quickly Bethune processes and works toward the ball.

“I was walking by his office one day and he pulled me in,” Ahmad said. “And he started showing me all these clips of run fits, how he took on blocks, his short-area quickness.”

The 49ers took two linebackers late in last year’s draft, Dee Winters in the sixth round and Jalen Graham in the seventh. Ahmad said linebackers always are valuable for special teams coverage units, especially now considering the new kickoff rules.

Said Ahmad of Bethune: “He’s got the mentality, the demeanor, the movement skills — all the things to be a very good special teamer.”

(Top photo of Ricky Pearsall: Robert Kupbens / USA Today)

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Matt Barrows is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the 49ers. He joined The Athletic in 2018 and has covered the 49ers since 2003. He was a reporter with The Sacramento Bee for 19 years, four of them as a Metro reporter. Before that he spent two years in South Carolina with The Hilton Head Island Packet. Follow Matt on Twitter @ MattBarrows