What is a first-class degree in the UK?

A first-class degree is a mark above 70%. That's the technical definition. It's also the thing every student has heard of but doesn't really understand until they're three years into their degree and suddenly wondering whether they should have chosen different modules.

Here's what a first actually is, what it's worth, and whether you should care about getting one.

The mark threshold

Every UK university uses the same classification system. A first is 70% and above. Below 70% is a 2:1. Below 60% is a 2:2. Below 50% is a Third.

The actual mark that counts toward your final average depends on your university's weighting system (which varies wildly — see how does degree classification work for the detail). But the threshold is always 70%.

70% is not a universal standard. It's what UK universities agreed on decades ago, and nobody's bothered to change it. The US uses a 4.0 scale. Some universities use 85% as the cutoff for a distinction. The UK has 70%, and that's what we're working with.

What separates a first from a 2:1 in practice

On paper, 1% separates a first from a 2:1. In practice, it's the difference between:

• The first-class candidate has typically engaged deeply with their subject. Not necessarily spending more hours — but spending them more strategically. They've often chosen modules where they could excel. They front-load harder modules in earlier years to give themselves a cushion for year 3.

• The 2:1 candidate is often just as smart. But they've either chosen modules that didn't play to their strengths, or they've struggled to get above the 70% bar in high-ceiling modules, or they started year 3 with insufficient buffer in their average to recover from a weaker module.

The data shows that module choice is the dominant variable — more so than raw ability, more so than hours spent revising.

What a first is actually worth

This depends heavily on what you want to do.

It matters a lot if: You're applying for a graduate scheme in finance (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, etc.), law (top 20 law firms), management consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain), or the Civil Service Fast Stream. These employers explicitly filter for firsts or high 2:1s, and a first often shortens your path to interviews. If you're aiming for these careers, a first is worth the effort.

It matters some if: You're applying for postgraduate study (master's degrees, PhDs). Most UK universities require a 2:1 minimum, but competitive programmes often expect a first or a very high 2:1. If you're PhD-bound, a first matters.

It doesn't matter much if: You're going into most other careers. Tech companies don't care about degree class — they care about what you've built. Startups don't care. Most media, marketing, and creative roles don't care. Recruiting firms care somewhat (they might filter for 2:1+), but once you're in the interview, your portfolio matters far more than your degree class.

The honest truth: a first is a signal, not a guarantee. It signals that you performed well in a system where everyone else was also performing. It doesn't tell an employer that you can code, or think, or work with people. It just says you got 70%+ in a UK degree.

Is it worth sacrificing other things for?

This is where it gets personal.

Some students prioritise a first above everything — they'll skip social life, skip internships, skip entrepreneurial projects, all to get the grades. That's a bad trade in most careers. An employer would rather see that you did two internships and a 2:1 than got a first and have nothing else to show.

Other students treat their degree as one component of their three years, alongside internships, societies, side projects, and relationships. Most of them graduate with a 2:1, and they're fine. They're often better positioned for jobs because they have experience to show.

The strategic middle ground: get a strong 2:1 (65%+) and spend your remaining energy on internships, projects, and skills that matter in your actual career. A first is a nice bonus. It's not worth sacrificing the experience.

How close is a 2:1 to a first?

Closer than you'd think.

If you're averaging 68% and your final year counts for 67% of your grade, you'd need to average just 71% in final year to graduate with a first. If you're at 65%, you'd need 73%. If you're at 60%, you'd need 77%.

The exact number depends on your university's weighting. But the point is: if you're in the upper 60s, a first is often within reach with a decent final year.

This is why final-year module choice matters so much. You might be two years in thinking "I'll never get a first", but if you pick modules with high first-rate distributions and you perform at a decent level, you can flip it.

FAQ

Is a first better than a 2:1 for all jobs?

No. For grad schemes in finance and law, yes. For most other jobs, a 2:1 with internship experience beats a first with nothing. Think strategically about your career path.

Can you get a first if you didn't do well in year 1?

If year 1 doesn't count toward your classification (it doesn't at most universities), then yes. You can get a 2:2 in year 1 and still graduate with a first if you do well in years 2 and 3. If your university counts year 1 (uncommon but happens), you'd need to be stronger in years 2–3 to compensate.

What's the average degree class in the UK?

About 30% of students graduate with a first, 50% with a 2:1, 15% with a 2:2, and 5% with a Third. That's rough — it varies by university and subject. STEM subjects have lower first rates; some humanities subjects have higher first rates. But roughly: a first is in the top third of your cohort.

Is it shameful to graduate with a 2:2?

No. There's weird social stigma around it in some university circles, but employers don't care. A 2:2 with good internships is perfectly respectable. And plenty of successful people graduated with 2:2s.

Can I improve my degree class with a resit?

Depends on your university's regulations. Some allow resits with your mark capped at 40% (pass only). Others let you sit the exam again and take the better mark. Check your regulations before you plan on this.

The real situation

A first-class degree is useful if you're applying for particular careers (finance, law, consulting, academia). For everyone else, it's a nice thing to have but not worth sacrificing your entire three years for.

A strong 2:1 with internships and projects you're proud of is a better outcome for most people.

If you're in the position where you could reasonably aim for a first without giving up other important things — internships, skills, balance — then it's worth trying. But don't treat it as a make-or-break metric.

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Want to improve your chances of hitting a strong classification? Start by choosing modules strategically. GradeHack gives you module-level grade distribution data from UK universities. Join the waitlist to see which modules historically produce high first-rates.