Awards and classifications
In this area
Undergraduate awards
The standard classification boundaries for Honours Degrees are:
| Boundaries | Classification |
|---|---|
| 70% | First class |
| 60% | Upper second class |
| 50% | Lower second class |
| 40% | Third class |
Minimum requirements for undergraduate awards
The standard requirements for the award of an undergraduate degree with Honours is for a student to have passed all of their modules and to have achieved 360 credits distributed over three levels of study. Where a student does not meet this standard, they may be eligible for a lower award, such as an ordinary degree (i.e. without Honours), or a Certificate of Higher Education.
The complexity of rules relating to awarding, the requirements of specific courses - particularly when they are accreditated by professional bodies - and the wide range of student individual circumstances means it is necessary to consult the specific Academic Regulations (section 6) and Course Specification in order for you to fully-understand this topic.
Happily, your local Registry team is on hand to help where regulatory matters are concerned and will be able to advise. You should pay particular attention to your official results after each Progression and Awards Board, and speak to Registry if you have concerns or need to clarify your academic standing.
Classification
How your classification is calculated can be found in section 6 of the Academic Regulations. A number of different ways are used to calculate the final classification percentage, and the highest percentage is always the one used to determine the ultimate award
Some courses require specific modules to be included in the classification calculations even if they do not carry the highest marks (e.g. final year project). Check your course specification for details.
Postgraduate awards
The credit requirements for (taught) postgraduate awards are as set out below:
| Academic Award | Total credits (at Level 7) |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate / Postgraduate Certificate in Education | 60 |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 |
| Master's | 180 |
Master's, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate qualifications may be awarded with Merit or Distinction, which normally require an overall mean mark of 60% and 70% respectively. How your classification is calculated can be found in Section 7 of the Academic Regulations.
If you have passed enough modules to be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma but intend to proceed to the next stage of your course, you are normally not entitled to receive a certificate, or to attend an awards ceremony, at that time. An award is only made when you have completed your course of study and you have informed the University of your decision.
If you do not meet the specific requirements for your named award, the PAB may consider you for an alternative or lower award, if this is available.
Last updated: 10 September 2025
