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Masters Degree Grades
So you’ve finished your bachelors and you're thinking of studying a masters program. You may find during this process that the UK masters grading system is slightly different to the grading system for a bachelors.
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:
|
Percentage |
Bachelors Degree Grade |
Masters Degree Grade |
|---|---|---|
|
70%+ |
1st |
Distinction |
|
60-69% |
2.1 |
Merit |
|
50-59% |
2.2 |
Pass |
|
40-49% |
3rd |
Fail/borderline pass |
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:
Find your PERFECT MASTERS COURSEIntegrated 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;
-
Fail.
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:
Distinction: Sophisticated understanding of topic, with high degree of competence, excellent usage of relevant literature, theory & methodology.
Merit: Has a critical understanding of the topic, a significant degree of competence and has appropriate usage of the relevant materials.
Pass: Evidence of some critical understanding of topic, can use structured argument, has degree of competence when using relevant materials.
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?
In order to get a distinction in your masters degree you will need to demonstrate exceptional academic performance as well as an advanced understanding of the subject matter. If this is the masters degree grade that you are aiming for – we have are some tips that could help you achieve your goal.
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?
In the unlikely event that your masters grades start to drop, rest assured that you are unlikely to fail because the university would not have admitted you onto the masters course in the first place if you weren’t ready for the academic challenge. However, sometimes the unexpected does happen and if your grades do start to go awry, there are various options available to you:
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.
|
Year |
Adults with masters degrees |
|---|---|
|
1995 |
5.3% |
|
2000 |
5.9% |
|
2005 |
6.8% |
|
2010 |
7.6% |
|
2015 |
8.7% |
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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