How Edinburgh classifies Honours degrees
The University of Edinburgh classifies most undergraduate Honours degrees on the average mark of all courses taken in the third and fourth years, the Honours years, weighted by each course's credits. Every 10 credits count the same, so a 40-credit dissertation weighs four times as much as a 10-credit course. The first two years don't count towards your class, so you can take a broad range of courses there without it affecting your degree result.
There are exceptions. BSc Honours degrees in the School of Biological Sciences, the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry weight Senior to Junior Honours 2:1. Integrated Masters degrees use their three Honours years weighted 20, 40 and 40. For degrees with optional study abroad in third year, only the final year counts.
Edinburgh Common Marking Scheme (undergraduate)
| Mark % | Note | Honours class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | A1 | 1st | Excellent |
| 80–89 | A2 | 1st | Excellent |
| 70–79 | A3 | 1st | Excellent |
| 60–69 | B | 2.1 | Très bien |
| 50–59 | C | 2.2 | Bien |
| 40–49 | D | 3rd | Admis |
| 30–39 | E | Échec | Marginal fail |
| 20–29 | F | Échec | Clear fail |
| 10–19 | G | Échec | Bad fail |
| 0–9 | H | Échec | Bad fail |
Rounding and borderlines
Each final course mark is rounded to a whole number before it is released: 59.50 becomes 60 and 59.49 becomes 59. Those rounded course marks are used to work out your overall mean, and the overall mean itself is not rounded. So a mean of 69.90 is not a First on its own.
However, the regulations define borderline marks as those from two percentage points below a class boundary up to the boundary, for example 68.00% to 69.99% for a First or 58.00% to 59.99% for a 2:1. The Board of Examiners must consider every borderline student, using factors it has published in advance, such as better performance in higher-level courses.
| Honours course | Crédits | Mark | Credits × mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Honours courses | 120 | 66 | 7920 |
| Senior Honours courses | 80 | 70 | 5600 |
| Dissertation | 40 | 73 | 2920 |
| Total | 240 | 16440 |
Mean = 16440 ÷ 240 = 68.50 → 2:1, borderline for a First
Edinburgh marks and GPA
Edinburgh doesn't use a GPA. If you apply abroad, send your transcript with your marks and class; the receiving university or employer will convert them with its own rules.
Edinburgh CGPA calculator FAQs
Which years count towards an Edinburgh Honours degree?
For most degrees, the third and fourth years (the Honours years). Courses are weighted by credits. Some programmes differ, for example Integrated Masters weight their three Honours years 20, 40 and 40.
What mark is a First at Edinburgh?
An overall mean of 70 or more. Grades A1 (90–100), A2 (80–89) and A3 (70–79) are all in the First Class band.
Does Edinburgh round the final average?
No. Course marks are rounded to whole numbers before they are released, but the overall mean used for your class is not rounded.
What is a borderline mark at Edinburgh?
A mark from two percentage points below a class boundary up to the boundary, such as 68.00% to 69.99% for a First. The Board of Examiners must consider these cases.
What does a B grade mean at Edinburgh?
A B is a mark of 60–69, described as very good, and is in the Upper Second (2:1) band.
Does Edinburgh have a GPA?
No. Edinburgh uses marks out of 100 and Honours classes. A university or employer abroad will convert your transcript with its own rules.
Sources
- University of Edinburgh: Taught Assessment Regulations 2024/25 (regulations 44, 55 and 63)
- University of Edinburgh: Common Marking Schemes
- University of Edinburgh Academic Services: Degree classification
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