How do you define British degree system? e.g. What does 2.1 etc mean?

Answer 1

the degrees are graded like this

First-Class Honours (First or 1st)
Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1)
Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2)
Third-Class Honours (Third or 3rd)
Ordinary degree (Pass)
Fail (no degree is awarded)

So first being the best and an ordinary degree being the worst

Answer 2

A First (1st) is the top grade (avearge mark 70%+)
2.1 = average mark of 60-69%
2.2 = average mark of 50-59%
Third (3rd) = 40-49%

Answer 3

At the end of your degree you get different classifications based on the grades you received during the three or four years of your degree:
Pass (average of 40% over three years)
Third Class (average of 40% -50% over three years)
2.2 (average of 50% -60% over three years)
2.1(average of 60% -70% over three years)
First.(over 70% average over three years)

The average class of a degree is a 2.2 but these days employers prefer people to have a 2.1 or a First.

Answer 4

It's like getting an A, B ,C or D.
A 1st is and A
A 2:1 is a B (upper second)
A 2:2 is a C (lower second or a Desmond (Tutu))
A 3rd is a D
if you don't get one of those, you fail.