What is a Final Degree Grade?
A final degree grade is a numerical representation of your overall academic performance throughout your degree program. It is a crucial factor that determines the classification or level of your degree, such as First Class Honours, Upper Second Class Honours, Lower Second Class Honours, and Third Class Honours.
Step 1: Determine Your Course Weightings
The first step in calculating your final degree grade is to determine the weightings assigned to each of your courses. Course weightings are usually expressed as a percentage and reflect the importance of each course towards your overall degree grade. For example, a 20-credit course may carry a weight of 30%, while a 10-credit course might have a weight of 20%.
To find the weightings, refer to your degree program’s handbook or consult with your academic advisor. Make a list of all your courses and their respective weightings for future reference.
Step 2: Calculate Your Course Grades
Once you have identified the weightings, it’s time to calculate your course grades. This step involves determining your individual grades for each course, usually in the form of a percentage or a grade point.
Check your course syllabus or consult with your professors to understand how your grades will be calculated. Some professors use a point-based system, while others may employ letter grades such as A, B, C, etc. Calculate your percentage or grade point for each course according to the specified criteria.
Step 3: Apply Weightings
Now that you have your course grades, it’s time to apply the weightings determined in Step 1. Multiply each course grade by its corresponding weighting, and obtain the weighted score for each course. For example, if you received a grade of 80% in a course with a weighting of 30%, the weighted score for that course would be 24 (80% x 30%).
Repeat this calculation for all your courses, ensuring you assign the correct weightings to each grade.
Step 4: Calculate the Weighted Average
To determine your overall degree grade, calculate the weighted average of all your courses. Sum up all the weighted scores obtained in Step 3 and divide the total by the sum of all the weightings. The resulting value is your weighted average, which represents your overall academic performance.
For example, if you obtained a total weighted score of 400 and the sum of all weightings is 150, your weighted average would be 2.67 (400 / 150). This value is usually calculated to two decimal places.
Step 5: Check the Degree Classification Table
Finally, consult your university‘s degree classification table to determine the classification or level of your degree based on your weighted average. Different institutions have varying criteria for degree classification, so it’s essential to refer to your university’s guidelines.
Your weighted average will likely fall within a specific range that corresponds to a particular degree classification. The table will help you identify whether you achieved a First Class Honours, Upper Second Class Honours, Lower Second Class Honours, or Third Class Honours.
In Conclusion
Calculating your final degree grade may seem daunting at first, but by following these step-by-step instructions, you can easily determine where you stand academically. Remember to accurately determine the weightings, calculate your course grades, apply weightings, calculate the weighted average, and consult your university’s degree classification table for an accurate assessment of your degree classification.
- Determine your course weightings
- Calculate your course grades
- Apply weightings
- Calculate the weighted average
- Check the degree classification table