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US-UK grade equivalents

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bm4844

Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
US-UK grade equivalents
Mon Apr 17, 2006 08:40 PM
I'm a little frustrated trying to figure out how American grade point averages translate into English assessment standards. (Suppose, hypothetically, that I have grades around a 3.5 (top 15% of class) in my JD program and a 3.95 in my masters program.)

Also, I'm a little confused about university rankings between the two countries. If a UK university states that applicants should have a degree in law from a "First Class . . . or a very good Second Class university," does that translate, roughly to the USNews first tier/second tier distinction??

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
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studentbarista

Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 47
US-UK grade equivalents
Mon Apr 17, 2006 08:57 PM
I posted a reply up ages ago to a similar question (can't be bothered to find it - it's on this board under my name) this is what I said:

"A First Class paper is one that is graded 70%+. The Second Class runs from 50% - 60%, but there is a cleavage between the 'Upper' Second Class (60%+) and the 'Lower' Second Class (50%+). So a '2.1' is an Upper Second and a '2.2' is a Lower Second. A Third is anything below 50%.

Firsts are very difficult to achieve. You will hear many people in the UK saying things like 'Strong 2.1', or 'Good 2.1'. That means that they will have been awarded a cluster of marks in 65%+ region.

A 2.1 is the most common mark, and the low numbers of students attaining Firsts or 2.2s has led to charges against universities of grade inflation and/or poor differentiation between able students. But the reason why so many people get 2.1s is that, realistically, you need a 2.1 for a decent job."

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Hope that helps! Can't provide a precise equivalency between UK and US system. You sound like you're a 1st/high 2.1 equivalent.

Unsure about first class/second class university. Probably first class if the admissions tutor has heard of it.

[Edited 17 Apr 2006 by studentbarista]
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