UK masters

[Judth]

I have a 62% overall grade for my individual units and a 58% for the masters dissertation. Overall, this counts as a 'pass' classification. Will this count against me for the US Ph.d fellowships/funding?This is, for an English Ph.d

Edited December 1, 2009 by Judth

[Venetia]

I have a 62% overall grade for my individual units and a 58% for the masters dissertation. Overall, this counts as a 'pass' classification. Will this count against me for the US Ph.d fellowships/funding?This is, for an English Ph.d

So did your university not use the first, 2.1, 2.2 system for classifying degrees? What are the other classifications other than a pass? Without any knowledge of the other levels, I couldn't judge.

[Ziz]

I think the original poster meant those were his/her grades for the masters, not undergrad. If that's the case, most UK PhD programs I saw expected a merit on the masters for acceptance, and I would imagine US schools would be similar. That said, at 62% you're not that far off, especially since masters aren't expected in the US and many come straight out of undergrad. So if your undergrad grades are good, I wouldn't worry too much.

[Ziz]

So did your university not use the first, 2.1, 2.2 system for classifying degrees? What are the other classifications other than a pass? Without any knowledge of the other levels, I couldn't judge.

Most UK masters have fail, pass, merit and distinction. Some will also distinguish between merit and high merit.

[Venetia]

Most UK masters have fail, pass, merit and distinction. Some will also distinguish between merit and high merit.

Really? I thought they continued with the whole first, 2.1 etc shebang at a graduate level. I went to graduate school in Ireland and they did the whole distinction merit thing, but I thought it was unique to them. I shall take note...

[JustAnotherModernGuy]

I have a 62% overall grade for my individual units and a 58% for the masters dissertation.

Here is the "conversion chart" at the bottom of my transcripts from Sussex:

"100% to 70%" assessment grade = US letter grade "A" = "I" degree classification = Pass

"69% to 60%" assessment grade = US letter grade "A- to B+" = "IIi" degree classification = Pass

"59% to 50%" assessment grade = US letter grade "B to B-" = "IIii" degree classification = Pass

"49% to 40%" assessment grade = US letter grade "C+ to C" = "III" degree classification = Pass

"39% to 30%" assessment grade = US letter grade "D" = "PASS" degree classification

"29% to 0%" assessment grade = US letter grade "F" = "FAIL" degree classification

I hope this helps with the conversation!

Best,

JAMG

[Ziz]

Really? I thought they continued with the whole first, 2.1 etc shebang at a graduate level. I went to graduate school in Ireland and they did the whole distinction merit thing, but I thought it was unique to them. I shall take note...

Can't speak for every school of course but mine (LSE) did pass, merit, distinction. I was accepted into Oxford and did a fair amount of reading their student handbooks, etc. and they do pass, merit distinction as well. Other than those two though, I don't know. I always just assumed it was common to all of them.

[Judth]

Can't speak for every school of course but mine (LSE) did pass, merit, distinction. I was accepted into Oxford and did a fair amount of reading their student handbooks, etc. and they do pass, merit distinction as well. Other than those two though, I don't know. I always just assumed it was common to all of them.

Thanks, all for replying.

I have finished my masters, so the 2:1 classification system doesnt apply. But a week after these results have been up, I guess it doesn't really matter. Trying to make sure that my SOP and WS assesses me better as an applicant!

[Judth]

Thanks, all for replying.

I have finished my masters, so the 2:1 classification system doesnt apply. But a week after these results have been up, I guess it doesn't really matter. Trying to make sure that my SOP and WS assesses me better as an applicant!

My undergrad's a 69%, so I guess it should be fine!