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Posted June 4, 2025

How are masters degrees graded in the UK?

Think you know the UK university grading system following your graduation? Think again!  In most circumstances (more on this later!), the undergraduate grading system differs from the way postgraduate degrees are assessed and credited. Read on to discover exactly what to expect from the grading process for each postgraduate degree type.

Taught masters

The first of our standalone masters degrees, a taught postgraduate program – such as an MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science) and LLM (Master of Laws) – is graded as either a distinction, merit, pass or fail.

Taught masters degree students need to complete modules worth at least 180 credits. Credits can be earned through a combination of routes, including the completion of taught modules (i.e. lectures, seminars, assignments and exams), projects and a 10,000- to 20,000-word dissertation, and are weighted differently.

Here Newcastle University explains more about the credit value to expect and how modules are typically weighted throughout the academic year:

“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.”

You must achieve a percentage range of 70% or above on these modules to be awarded a distinction. Merits are awarded for a mark of 60 to 69%, whilst a pass result is 50 to 59%. Students scoring below 50% will not meet the minimum academic standard and will be given a fail. If your percentage mark is considered to be ‘borderline’, i.e. within 0.5% of the stated requirement, the final mark will be given at the university’s discretion.

Many people find it helpful to compare classifications with undergraduate marks. A distinction is equivalent to a first, a merit to a 2.1, a pass to a 2.2, and a fail or borderline pass to a third. Discover more about the degree classification for an MSc and other taught masters degrees here.

Research masters

Another standalone masters type is the research degree. This includes the MRes (Master of Research), MPhil (Master of Philosophy) and MLitt (Master of Letters). While graded in a similar way to taught degrees, the thesis or a main research project accounts for a huge chunk of that final grade.

Masters degrees by research are usually graded as pass or fail, with only a select few institutions awarding distinctions. This is similar to the grading system used for PhDs.

Integrated masters

An integrated masters combines both undergraduate and postgraduate syllabuses to provide a continuous program of study. An integrated masters degree, like the MChem and MPhys, lasts four or five years, with the final year dedicated solely to a masters level project.

Unlike the previous postgraduate degree types, it is graded in the same way as an undergraduate degree. With this in mind, you’ll receive a first, second class honours upper division (2.1), second class honours lower division (2.2), third, or fail.

Still yet to find the postgraduate course for you? Join the 10 million+ students who have already used our site to search for your perfect program here.

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