What Is an Upper Second Class Honours Degree?

The upper second-class honours degree is a classification in the United Kingdom’s university undergraduate degree structure. Degrees are awarded with or without honours, thereby distinguishing the achievements of graduates. Almost all graduates sit for honours and the majority of these graduates fall into either the upper or lower second-class divisions.

The divisions are first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours, third-class honours and ordinary degree. Upper-second class honours is abbreviated as 2:1, and lower second-class honours as 2:2. The 2:1 is a minimum requirement for entry to many postgraduate courses and research council postgraduate studentship awards. Some subjects, such as medicine, do not use these categories.