What Does That Mean?

This section will help you understand the meaning of some of the words and terms we use to describe our study programmes.

Foundation programme: a course that prepares a student for entry onto an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Foundation programmes help you improve your understanding of one or more subjects necessary to study for a degree. The programme will often include a study of English to help improve a students' language ability.

Undergraduate: a range of courses for students going to university for the first time. In international terms, an undergraduate programme may be called a 'bachelor' or 'first degree' or 'pre-graduate'.

Postgraduate: a range of courses for students that have already completed an undergraduate degree. At Newcastle University, our range of postgraduate programmes can be studied by taught methods, by research, or a combination of both. In international terms, a postgraduate programme may be called a 'masters', 'graduate' 'doctoral' or 'PhD'.

The Honours system of degree grades: all undergraduate (Bachelor) degree programmes at Newcastle University are Honours degree programmes.

A degree awarded 'with Honours' is of a higher standard than one awarded without Honours (known as an ordinary or pass degree).

Students may follow an Honours degree course but not be awarded Honours if their academic performance fails to reach a specified standard.

Degrees are typically graded on a five point scale:

  • The highest grade is a First class honours degree (1st) which is generally given to a student who achieves an average of 70% or above.
  • An Upper Second class honours degree (2:1) is given to students who achieve an average of 60-69%.
  • A Lower Second class honours degree (2:2) is given to students who achieve an average of 50-59%.
  • A Third class honours degree (3rd) is given to students who achieve an average of 40-49%.
  • An average below 40% is usually graded as a Fail.

To achieve an honours degree you need to pass the required number of modules at these average marks. If you pass fewer modules you may qualify for a degree without honours.