UK Master's degree classifications
UK Master's degrees (MA, MSc, MRes, MPhil taught) are classified differently from undergraduate degrees. Instead of First / 2:1 / 2:2, they use three grades:
| Class | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 70% and above |
| Merit | 60–69% |
| Pass | 50–59% |
| Fail | Below 50% |
Note: some universities require a minimum mark on every module as well as the overall average, so a very poor mark on one module can prevent a Distinction even if the overall meets 70%.
How the dissertation is weighted
Most 1-year UK Master's degrees are 180 credits, split as 120 taught + 60 dissertation. That gives the dissertation a natural weight of 60 / 180 = 33.3%. Some programmes weight it more (up to 50%), especially research-focused MRes or MPhil degrees. Others use a smaller research project of 20–30 credits.
The calculator lets you set the dissertation weight to match your programme. A 25% dissertation is typical for some MSc degrees; 50% is common for MRes.
Distinction thresholds — the fine print
To be awarded a Distinction, most UK universities require both:
- An overall weighted average of 70% or above, and
- A dissertation mark of at least 70%.
Some universities are more lenient (overall 70% alone), others stricter (no marks below 60% on any module). Check your programme handbook.
Worked example
Six 20-credit taught modules with marks 68, 72, 75, 65, 69, 74 = weighted average of 70.5%. Dissertation of 71 with a 33% weight.
Overall: 70.5 × 0.67 + 71 × 0.33 = 70.7% — Distinction
How UK Master's degrees compare internationally
A UK Master's Distinction is broadly equivalent to a US graduate GPA of ~3.7+. A Merit maps to roughly 3.3+. For applications abroad, get an official WES or ECE evaluation of your transcript.