How to Get a First Class Degree in the UK

How to Get a First Class Degree in the UK

Achieving a first-class degree at a UK university is a coveted goal for many students, and with good reason. A first-class honours (typically 70% or above overall) represents the pinnacle of academic achievement in the British system. Whether you’re a prospective student, a fresher just starting out, or in your early undergraduate years, this comprehensive guide will show you how to get a first-class degree through effective study strategies, expert-backed tips, and smart planning.  

At Dukes Plus, we have helped countless students reach top grades, and we’ve distilled insights from educational research and university advice into practical steps you can follow. From first year university tips on building a strong foundation, to advanced study techniques for later years, this guide covers everything you need for academic success in UK higher education. Let’s dive in and set you on the path to graduating with first-class honours!

What Is a First-Class Degree?

A first-class honours degree – often simply called a “first” – is the highest classification in UK undergraduate degrees. It usually means scoring an overall weighted average of 70% or higher in your coursework and exams. Universities classify honours roughly as follows: 70%+ for a First, 60–69% for a 2:1 (upper second), 50–59% for a 2:2 (lower second), and 40–49% for a Third. (Marks below 40% typically do not receive an honours degree.) This system is consistent across British universities, though exact grading policies may vary by institution.

How rare is a first-class degree?

It’s an elite achievement, but it has become more common over time. In 1997 only about 7% of UK graduates earned a First; by 2017 this had risen to 26%. During the pandemic years, first-class awards spiked further due to “no detriment” policies – reaching a peak of 36.4% of graduates in 2020/21. Universities have since pledged to curb grade inflation, so the share of firsts has begun dropping back to pre-pandemic levels. In 2021/22, around 32% of UK undergraduates earned first-class honours (down from 36% the year before). By 2022/23, roughly 29.5% of students graduated with a First, the lowest in five years. The table below shows this trend:

Academic Year	% of UK Students Graduating with First-Class Honours
2020/21	36.4% (peak of pandemic grade inflation)
2021/22	32.1%
2022/23	29.5% (back to ~2018/19 level)

As you can see, roughly 3 in 10 students achieve a First under current conditions. So while it’s more attainable now than decades ago, a first-class degree still signifies exceptional performance relative to your peers. It requires consistently high marks in assignments and exams across your degree. Most importantly, it reflects a deep understanding of your subject and strong academic skills – which is exactly what we’ll help you develop in this guide.

Why Aim for a First-Class Degree?

Securing a first-class degree is about more than bragging rights. There are concrete benefits to graduating with a First, both for further study and your career.

Better Employment Prospects

On average, graduates with first-class honours enjoy higher full-time employment rates and lower unemployment than those with lower degrees. For example, 15 months after graduation 60% of First graduates were in full-time jobs (with only 4.5% unemployed), compared to 57% and 6.1% respectively for 2:1 graduates. First-holders are also more likely to land professional-level positions – 82% of first-class grads were in professional occupations, versus 71% of 2:1 grads. Clearly, achieving a First can give you an edge in a competitive job market.

Higher Earnings

Data suggests a First can lead to higher pay. A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that five years after graduation, graduates with Firsts earned significantly more on average than those with 2:1 degrees. Even when controlling for background factors, a First conferred a notable earnings premium over an upper-second. While a 2:1 is usually the minimum for many graduate schemes, a First helps you stand out and may fast-track you in recruitment.

Postgraduate Opportunities

If you aim to pursue a master’s or PhD, a first-class degree strengthens your applications. Top universities and competitive funding programs often prefer or require a First for entry. It demonstrates you’ve mastered undergraduate material and can handle advanced research. Even for fields like law or finance, many ambitious graduates pursue postgraduate study – and having a First (plus relevant experience) will make you a more attractive candidate for prestigious programs and scholarships.

Personal Achievement

Completing your degree with first-class marks is a gratifying payoff for years of hard work. It reflects intellectual growth, deep engagement with your subject, and excellent self-discipline. This sense of accomplishment can motivate you in future challenges and impress academic referees or employers when they ask about your university experience.

Of course, a First is not the only path to success – plenty of graduates thrive with a 2:1 or 2:2, especially by leveraging extracurricular achievements and soft skills. But if your goal is academic excellence, aiming for a first-class degree is well worth it.  

First Year University Tips: Laying the Foundation

Your first year of university is the launchpad for your degree – it’s when you transition from structured school learning to the more independent study style of university. Many UK courses place little or no weight on first-year grades in the final degree classification, which might tempt students to slack off. Avoid that trap. First year does count – not necessarily in your final mark, but in equipping you with the skills and habits needed to excel later on. As UCAS advises, “First year is incredibly important in giving you the tools to help you through until third year… Just because it doesn’t count doesn’t mean it isn’t important.” Here are some first-year tips to set yourself up for first-class success:

Choose a Subject You Love (if you haven’t already)

If you’re still in the application stage or have flexibility in modules, align your studies with your genuine interests. Passion makes it much easier to stay motivated through challenges. Students who truly enjoy their course tend to engage more deeply and perform better, which is crucial for attaining a First. It’s never too late to kindle interest in your subject – seek out aspects that fascinate you and dive into those.

Embrace the Step-Up in Academic Rigor

University coursework demands more critical thinking and self-directed learning than A-levels or IB. Use first year to adapt to the academic standards expected. This means reading beyond lecture slides, researching independently, and learning how to structure essays or lab reports properly. Attend any study skills workshops your university offers for freshers, as they often cover research techniques, note-taking, and academic writing. Getting to grips with these early on will pay off when assignments intensify in later years.

Build Good Habits from Day One

Treat first year as a training ground for excellence. Establish a routine of attending all lectures and tutorials, doing weekly readings, and starting assignments early. Develop a note-taking system that works for you, and find a study timetable that balances your work and free time. By falling into a pattern of regular work in first year, you’ll be far better prepared to handle the workload of final year when every mark counts. It’s much easier to maintain good habits than to fix bad ones later on. For example, if you always review each lecture within 24 hours and consolidate your notes, you’ll thank yourself when revision period arrives.

Master the Basics (Referencing, Library Research, etc.)

First year is the ideal time to learn foundational academic skills. Two common pain points are referencing and literature research. Instead of procrastinating, learn how to reference properly in your first term – whether it’s Harvard, APA, or another style, use library guides or tools (like reference managers) to get it right. Nothing is worse than scrambling to format citations in your final dissertation! Similarly, familiarise yourself with the university library’s resources. Attend an induction on how to find academic journals and use databases for your subject.  

Don’t Underestimate First-Year Assessments

Even if first-year grades don’t count heavily, take all assignments seriously as practice. They often mirror the style of tasks you’ll face later. Use them to gather feedback and improve. For instance, write your essays with an aim to get a First – this helps you understand what professors are looking for. If you get a 2:1 on it, find out why. Did you need deeper analysis or better structure? Use each coursework and exam as a learning experience to close the gap to first-class standard. By second year, you should have a clear idea of how to meet (and exceed) the marking criteria.

Find Your Academic Support Network

University isn’t meant to be a solitary journey. Early on, identify where you can get help and encouragement. This might be your personal tutor, a study group with coursemates, or student services like writing centres. Engaging with peers is especially useful – discussing lecture topics or forming a study group can keep you motivated and clarify understanding. (In fact, studying with others can push you to do your best and help everyone improve, as you exchange ideas and keep each other accountable.) The friends you make in first year can be your support system through finals. So, connect with like-minded students who also aspire to high grades, and lift each other up.

In summary, use first year wisely: pick a course you’re excited about, develop solid study habits, and seek out skills training and support. By laying this groundwork, you’ll enter second year and beyond with momentum – ready to implement the advanced strategies that truly set first-class students apart. Speaking of which, let’s move on to the key study tips and habits that you should cultivate throughout your degree.

Study Tips for UK University Success (Strategies to Achieve a First)

Now we turn to the core question: how do you actually study and perform at a first-class level? The following strategies are proven tactics for academic success in UK universities. These study tips (UK-focused) draw on educational best practices and experiences of high-achieving students. No matter your subject, these approaches will help you work smarter, learn deeply, and consistently score high marks:

1. Attend All Lectures and Tutorials, and Engage Actively

It may sound obvious, but regular class attendance is the foundation of doing well. University lectures and seminars deliver key concepts, exam hints, and discussions that you won’t get from slides alone. Skipping classes can seriously hurt your chances of a First – you might miss crucial insights or tips on assignments. Make it a point to show up and to participate: ask questions, take thorough notes, and join discussions. Active engagement helps you retain information and shows lecturers you’re committed (which can be helpful if you ever need reference letters or leniency).

2. Manage Your Time and Coursework Effectively

Time management is one of the most critical skills for a first-class student. At university you’ll juggle multiple modules, each with readings, coursework deadlines, and exams. To avoid last-minute cramming or missed deadlines – which virtually guarantee lower grades – you need to plan ahead. Start by getting a semester or term planner (digital or paper) and map out all your key dates and deadlines as soon as you know them. Break down big tasks (e.g. a 3000-word essay) into smaller milestones: research, outline, first draft, etc., each with its own deadline well before the final due date. This way, you ensure you’re never handing in work late or rushing through an exam unprepared – behaviours utterly incompatible with a First.

Remember that good time management also means not overloading yourself. It’s okay to say no to the 10th society or an extra shift at work if you feel your study time is shrinking. Use a calendar to allocate specific hours for lectures, studying, part-time jobs, and relaxation. By organising your time, you’ll find you can stay on top of coursework and still enjoy university life without the toxic stress of all-nighters.  

3. Study Smart: Use Active Learning Techniques (Not Just Harder, But Smarter)

Top students distinguish themselves not just by how much they study, but how they study. Simply reading textbooks or highlighting notes is not enough to secure a First. You need to adopt active learning strategies that improve retention and understanding:

Active Recall

Don’t just re-read notes – quiz yourself on the material. This could be through flashcards, practice questions, or teaching the concept aloud from memory. Research shows active retrieval practice strengthens memory much more effectively than passive review.  

Spaced Repetition

Plan to revisit topics multiple times over the term, spacing out your revision rather than cramming. Spaced intervals (e.g. reviewing a lecture after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month) combat forgetting. By the time exams come, you’ll have seen the content several times, making recall faster and more accurate – a hallmark of first-class exam answers.  

Practice with Past Papers and Examples

If your course has exams, past papers are gold. Obtain previous years’ exam questions or example problems and practice under timed conditions. This not only tests your knowledge but also accustoms you to the exam format and time pressure.  .

Multi-Modal Learning

Engage with material in multiple ways – write notes, draw diagrams, discuss with a friend, watch tutorial videos, etc. The idea is to activate different parts of your brain and make the content more memorable. For instance, if you’re learning a complex process, you might read about it, then sketch a flowchart from memory, then explain it to a coursemate. The widely accepted model of memory (Baddeley’s model) suggests combining verbal and visual information aids recall. Variety also keeps study interesting and fights off fatigue.

4. Leverage Feedback and Ask for Help

No one achieves a First in isolation. Feedback – from professors, tutors, or peers – is an invaluable tool to improve your performance. Whenever you get back an essay or exam result, carefully review the feedback/comments given. Instead of feeling defensive about criticism, react positively and use it to get better. If a lecturer notes your argument lacked depth or your calculations had errors, that’s guidance on what to fix next time.

Don’t hesitate to seek help when you’re struggling. Lecturers and TAs hold office hours specifically to answer questions and support students. Coming to office hours with specific queries (e.g. “I didn’t understand this lecture concept” or “Can you look over my essay plan?”) can clarify doubts and show your commitment.  

If you find a module especially challenging, consider getting a private tutor or mentor. A tutor can provide detailed feedback on practice essays, grill you with mock viva questions, or explain difficult concepts in another way until you master them. The key message here is: never suffer in silence. Whether it’s a difficult assignment, personal issues affecting your study, or uncertainty about academic expectations, reach out for support sooner rather than later.  

5. Utilise University Resources (Library, Online Journals, Workshops, Mentors)

Universities are rich in resources that can propel your studies from average to excellent – if you make use of them. We’ve mentioned the library, but it bears repeating: the library is your best friend. Get familiar with its layout, catalogue, and online systems early on. Rather than relying only on your lecture notes or one textbook, explore the vast academic literature available. Reading a range of sources (journal articles, books, reports) will deepen your understanding and provide the kind of evidence and references that impress markers. By third year, for a first-class dissertation or project, you’ll likely need dozens of scholarly sources – a strong library habit from first year will make this a breeze. Also take advantage of interlibrary loans if your library doesn’t have something; most institutions can obtain books or papers from elsewhere for you.

Most universities provide access to powerful online databases and journals (like JSTOR, ScienceDirect, etc.). Learning to search these effectively is a game-changer, as you can find up-to-date research and niche information beyond your reading list. If you’re unsure how to begin, ask a librarian or attend a library training session.

6. Maintain a Healthy Study-Life Balance

Burning out is a real threat on the road to a first-class degree. Hard work must be balanced with rest and well-being. Top achievers manage their energy as well as their time. Make sure you schedule regular breaks in your study sessions and take days off to recharge. Research and anecdotal evidence alike show that downtime – whether it’s hitting the gym, enjoying hobbies, or just relaxing with friends – actually improves your productivity when you return to study. After a focused study block, give yourself a short reward (a walk, a coffee, a chat). You’ll come back sharper and more creative.

Remember, a first-class degree is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to pace yourself and stay healthy to perform consistently over 3 or 4 years. Don’t sacrifice all social life or extracurricular interests on the altar of a First – in fact, employers and grad schools prefer well-rounded individuals. Involvement in societies, volunteering, or part-time work can develop soft skills and relieve academic pressure.  

In summary, taking care of yourself is not slacking off; it’s part of a winning strategy. When you strike a healthy balance, you’ll find you have more focus, creativity, and stamina to produce the first-class work you’re aiming for.  

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