What exactly is an "Upper Second Class Honours Degree"?
 

Hello folks,
I'm planning (sort of) to take a postgraduate course on translation studies at the UK, but the two universities I've looked in so far (over the internet), demand an "Upper Second Class Honours Degree" -or equivalent- as an entry requirement. I searched on wikipedia, and it says the British degree classification has some similarities to the latin honours system used in the US (which is also used here). I have some questions, though: what exactly do they take into account in the honours system? Is it only the overall qualifications obtained during the entire studies at a given undergraduate course, or do they take something else into account? Are the British universities too strict regarding this requirement? In one of the universities I looked, they say they take into account applicants who don't have this honours degree, but have working or life experience in the area of the course (I don't have an honours degree or working experience in the field of translation, but I have a universitary degree in language and literature, which is one of the entry requirements for this course, so I'm not sure about what to expect if I register as an applicant).

Any information and advices regarding this, will be greatly appreciated. :)

I can't answer your question, but I did spend my third (junior in the US) year in college in the UK on an exchange and as best as I could tell there was no resemblance between UK and USA degree nomenclature except that they both use English words.

This might help:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...lassifications

Thank you frankbell, that link explains pretty well the classification system and what they take into account for it (the information I had read before was not very clear).

I think you'll find that they are flexible for foreign students. Our universities have large numbers of overseas students and are used to evaluating their qualifications.

It's good to know that; thanks for answering!

DavidMcCann is correct. The university will have an idea of the equivalence of qualifications from other countries and if they are not sure they will contact the institution.

In response to your original question, generally in the UK you do 3 years which gets you a standard Degree (Bachelor of Science etc) and you can then do a fourth year which is considered your honours year. Honours degrees are graded (awarded) according to the standard of your work, so you can get a first class honours, a second class honours etc. The second class award is then split up further so you can get a 2:1 (upper second) or a 2:2. In general most employers ask for a degree at a 2:1 grade. Hope that clears it up a bit.

Yes, that clears things up, thanks :). Then I guess I do have the honours year, since university lasts 5 years here. As for the degree, I guess if my qualifications are equal to 70% (or above), I fall in the 2:1 category (judging from the link provided by frankbell)?

1st class; a 2:1 is usually 60-70%.

No! That's what they do in Scotland; in England and Wales, the degree course is 3 years and leads to honours. A "pass degree" without honours is usually what they give to marginal exam failures.

Good, then I should have no problems with the entry requirements!

Thank you all for your answers; you've been really helpful.