What Mark Do You Need for a First-Class Degree?
A First-Class Honours degree usually starts at 70%. Whether you can reach it depends on your current weighted average, remaining credits and the weighting rules used by your university.
High-credit final-year work often has the biggest effect on whether a First is still reachable.
Because most UK degrees apply year weighting (final year usually counts for more than earlier years), it's possible to still be on track for a First even if an earlier year's average sits a little below 70%, as long as remaining higher-weighted modules can bring the overall figure up.
What It Typically Takes to Reach a First
A First-Class Honours degree is most commonly awarded for an overall weighted average of 70% and above. It does not usually require every single module to individually reach 70%, since a credit-weighted average allows stronger modules to offset weaker ones.
If you already know your credit-weighted average so far, this calculator can help estimate what average you would need across your remaining modules to bring the overall figure above the First-Class boundary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What average do I need overall for a First?
Most UK universities set the First-Class boundary at 70% and above for the overall weighted average, though a small number of institutions or courses use slightly different thresholds.
Can I still get a First if my first year doesn't count?
Yes. At many universities first year only needs to be passed, so your First-Class classification is calculated purely from your later, credit-weighted years.
Do all modules need to be 70% or above for a First?
No. Because classification is usually based on a credit-weighted average, stronger modules can offset weaker ones, so not every individual module needs to reach 70%.
Is there a safety margin universities allow near 68-69%?
Some universities operate a borderline review for averages just below 70%, considering how many credits were above the boundary, but this is discretionary and not guaranteed.
Does a First always require passing every module first time?
Not necessarily, but any failed module usually needs to be passed eventually (sometimes via capped resit) before classification is confirmed, even if the overall average already clears 70%.
How do I estimate what I need in remaining modules for a First?
Enter your completed modules with their credits and marks, then add your remaining modules with target marks to see whether the resulting weighted average reaches the First-Class boundary.