British undergraduate degree classification: Difference between revisions

 

At the [[University of Oxford]], a formal degree Class is given, and this is typically based on the final examinations. In Oxford, examinations for [[Prelims]] or [[Honour Moderations]] are also undertaken in first/second year, but these results do not typically affect the final degree classification. Until the 1970s, the four honours divisions in Oxford's moderations and final examinations were named first, second, third and fourth class, but eventually Oxford gave in and adopted the numbering used by other English universities.<ref name="Alderman"/>

 

At the [[University of Cambridge]], [[Tripos]]es (undergraduate degree examinations) are split into one or more Parts. Attaining First Class Honours in two Parts culminates in graduating with a 'Double First'.<ref name="Cambridge"/> It is possible in some Triposes to be awarded a 'Starred First', for examination scripts that "consistently exhibit the qualities of first class answers to an exceptional degree."<ref name="CambStarred">{{cite web | url=http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/curr-students/ugrads-exam-folder/marking-criteria-new | title=Undergraduate Examinations Guidelines for Examiners and Assessors for Tripos Examinations 2015 | publisher=University of Cambridge Faculty of Philosophy | access-date=21 January 2015 | pages=9 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121114046/http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/curr-students/ugrads-exam-folder/marking-criteria-new | archive-date=21 January 2015}}</ref> Some Cambridge alumni who achieved Firsts in three Parts of the Tripos are described by their colleges and others as having achieved a 'Triple First'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/art-centre/past-exhibitions.html|title=Past exhibitions|at=King's College Exhibition for Black History Month 21 – 28 October|publisher=[[King's College, Cambridge]]|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/archaeology-and-anthropology-careers-and-talks/ |title=Archaeology and Anthropology: Careers and Talks |access-date=2016-08-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819042048/http://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/archaeology-and-anthropology-careers-and-talks/ |archive-date=19 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/once_a_caian._issue_8.pdf |work=Once a Caian|publisher=[[Gonville and Caius College]]|title=Music Ancient & Modern |access-date=2016-08-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818193029/https://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/once_a_caian._issue_8.pdf |archive-date=18 August 2016|page=14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.society.caths.cam.ac.uk/Public_Magazines/1950r.pdf |title=St Catharine's Society Magazine |publisher=[[St Catharine's College, Cambridge]]|date=July 1950| access-date=2016-08-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006040604/http://www.society.caths.cam.ac.uk/Public_Magazines/1950r.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2016|page=17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HrJp7LU5NL0C&pg=PA318|page=318|title=Musik im Exil: die Schweiz under das Ausland 1918–1945|first1=Chris|last1=Walton|first2=Antonio|last2=Baldassarre|date=2005|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=9783039104925|via=Google Books}}</ref>