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Classification

As a student you need information about how your degree classification works so you can understand it and plan for your future.

Find out how to estimate your final degree classification with our classification calculators.

For full details of the classification process, see the academic regulations for taught programmes page.

How your degree is classified

Degree classifications are calculated by an algorithm, which is an agreed set of rules, processes and calculations. Degree classification algorithms are designed to reflect your overall performance during your studies.

Undergraduate awards

The degree classification for Bachelor's Degrees with Classified Honours is determined according to credit-weighted average grades. The classification average is determined according to the 1:2 weighting of grades between programme years 2 and 3. There are special rules for skills electives and for four-year programmes, and alternative arrangements for other types of undergraduate qualifications.

The degree classification for Integrated Degrees of Master and Bachelor is determined according to credit-weighted average grades. The classification average is determined according to the 1:2:2 weighting of grades between programme years 2, 3 and 4. There are additional rules for some accredited programmes and some differences for 2+2 programmes.

The classification thresholds at class boundaries are the following. Classification averages within 0.5 of the next class boundary will be awarded the higher classification.

Thresholds for degree classes

  • The threshold for Class IIi / Class I degrees is 70.0
  • The threshold for Class IIii / Class IIi degrees is 60.0
  • The threshold for Class III / Class IIii degrees is 50.0
  • The threshold for Fail / Class III is 40.0

The approach applies to your award if you started your current programme at Leeds during or after the 2022/23 academic year and began your final year during or after the 2024/25 academic year.

If you started your current programme at Leeds before the 2022/23 academic year, or commenced your final year before the 2024/25 academic year, your award will be classified under the previous Rules for Award (replaced by the Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes from 2024/25).

To determine the classification rules that apply to your award, 'current programme of study' means the programme you were originally admitted to the University to study (if you have yet to complete a programme or an award).

Your current programme of study and start date will normally only change if you are readmitted to the University.

Please check with your parent school if you are unsure which regulations apply.

Professional qualifications

Your programme may lead to a professional qualification. This means you may be subject to the requirements of an external body, for example the Law Society or the General Medical Council.

If this applies to you, your school will let you know how your degree classification will work.

They will also share the approach to progression, so that it still meets the programme’s accreditation requirements.

Electives, 4-year programmes, other qualifications

There are special rules for skills electives and for four-year programmes. Other types of undergraduate qualifications also use alternative classification methods.

If you are a student on an integrated Masters and Bachelor degree, your classification will use average grades with credit weighting.

The classification average is determined according to the 1:2:2 weighting of grades between programme years 2, 3 and 4. There are additional rules for some accredited programmes and some differences for 2+2 programmes.

Taught postgraduate awards

Taught postgraduate awards are classified by credit-weighted average grades across all modules studied as part of the programme.

Classification calculator

Our Classification Calculators are downloadable Excel spreadsheets that you can use to estimate your final degree classification.

There are different calculators depending upon your award and when you started your programme of study.

The calculators will generate your average mark per year and your final estimated overall average. Please note, the Classification Calculators are for guidance only. There is no guarantee that the classification you will calculate by this method is the one which will be finally awarded. All marks and classifications must be confirmed by the Progression and Awards Board on behalf of Senate before they become final.

Selecting the correct calculator

To select the right calculator for your award, please follow this guidance (note the further guidance section): 

  • If you started your current programme at Leeds before the 2022/23 academic year, OR began your final year before the 2024/25 academic year use Set 1.
  • If you started your current programme at Leeds during or after the 2022/23 academic year AND began your final year during or after the 2024/25 academic year use Set 2.

To determine the classification rules that apply to your award, 'current programme of study' means the programme you were originally admitted to the University to study (if you have yet to complete a programme or an award). 

Your current programme of study and start date will normally only change if you are readmitted to the University. Please check with your parent school if you are unsure which regulations apply.

Set 1 calculators

There are five versions of the classification calculator; choose the one that corresponds to your award title:

Note: for Integrated Master and Master (first degree) which calculator you need to use will depend on whether your programme of study is classified over penultimate and final years only (Calculator 1), or Years 2, 3 and 4 (Calculator 2).

For Integrated Master degrees with a study abroad variant, which is not included in the classification average, Calculator 1 may be appropriate. Please check with your parent school first.

Set 2 calculators

There are five versions of the classification calculator; choose the one that corresponds to your award title:

Note: for Integrated Master and Master (first degree) which calculator you need to use will depend on whether your programme of study is classified over penultimate and final years only (Calculator 1), or Years 2, 3 and 4 (Calculator 2). For Integrated Master degrees with a study abroad variant, which is not included in the classification average, Calculator 1 may be appropriate. Please check with your parent school first.

Further classification calculator guidance

This is an indicative list, used for guidance only, and may not cover every circumstance. If you are unsure, or need further help, please contact your parent school.

  • For Intercalating students, on a 1-year intercalating programme, please use Set 2 if you are taking this intercalating programme during or after the 2024/25 academic year. 
  • For students who have had a period of temporary leave from their studies, please use the academic year in which you first started your programme to determine which set of calculators you should be using, even if it was several years ago.
  • For students who have changed from studying full-time to part-time, please use the academic year in which you first started your programme to determine which set of calculators to use, not the year that you changed to studying part-time.
  • For students who started a programme at Leeds, and then transferred to study a different programme, use the academic year you started your original programme as your ‘start’ date.
  • For students who have transferred to the University of Leeds from a different institution, use the academic year in which you started at Leeds, not when you started studying your programme elsewhere.

How to use the classification calculators

  1. Find and download the relevant calculator for the award you’d like to calculate, by navigating to either Set 1 or Set 2.
  2. Enter your module marks as a whole number in the blue shaded boxes.
  3. Enter the credit value of each module as a whole number in the blue shaded boxes.

An estimated overall average will be generated.

Marking scale

The University uses a 0-100 numerical marking scale as well as non-numeric marks and suffixes, which are letters applied against marks. To find out more about the marking scale and what all the letters and suffixes mean, visit the explanation of marks page.

If you are having problems downloading or using the classification calculators email the Student Information Service: studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk.

Your award status

If you are a finalist student, when you visit Results and resit application on Minerva, you will see:

  • your results
  • award status
  • and classification.

For more about the classification boundaries and thresholds,read academic regulations for taught programmes on the explanation of marks page.

Award status explanations

To help you understand the meaning of your award status you should read the different award status explanations.

You can also find these explanations on the Results and resit application page on Minerva. They should follow your award status and classification.

After your classification award

You will receive your degree certificate at your graduation ceremony. For further details, see graduation.

Following the publication of official results, you will get a digital proof of your award. It provides formal confirmation of your degree. You can also request additional copies of your documents, or a statement for third parties. For further details, read get a proof of award, statement, transcript, academic verification or diploma supplement.

Academic appeals

For information about the appeals procedure, see Appeals.

Get help and advice

If you have questions about degree classification this year, or how the principles apply to you, contact the Leeds University Union (LUU) helpdesk or contact your parent school.

Studies