Double first?

Hi, may I ask what's the meaning of a double first in Cambridge?
I know it's defined as getting firsts in two Parts of tripos..
but for example the Economics tripos has Part I, Part IIA and Part IIB
does it mean that one needs to get Firsts in all three years to get a 'double first'?

Reply 1

jjarvis

14

Original post by bumble.bee

Hi, may I ask what's the meaning of a double first in Cambridge?
I know it's defined as getting firsts in two Parts of tripos..
but for example the Economics tripos has Part I, Part IIA and Part IIB
does it mean that one needs to get Firsts in all three years to get a 'double first'?

I don't know how it works with econ. Law has part IA, part IB, and part II--a double first is a first in parts IB and II. I'd talk to an econ tutor. I doubt you need firsts in all three years for a double first, though.

Reply 2

nuodai

17

I believe it's usually taken to mean someone who gets a 1st in their final Part, and a 1st in another Part.

So for example if in Parts IA/IB/II (or I/IIA/IIB) a candidate gets 1/2:1/1 or 2:1/1/1, then that's a double-first; whereas 1/1/2:1 isn't. For those subjects (e.g. English) that just have Part I and Part II (no subdivisions into IA/IB or whatever), then you'd need a 1st in both. I seem to remember someone made an in-depth post about this a few years ago, so it's worth searching to see if you can find it.

Reply 3

rdka

1

Sorry you're all wrong. A double first is a first in two subjects. Hard to do. A first in parts I and II is just a first, as there is really nothing double about it.

Reply 4

Doones

21

Original post by rdka

Sorry you're all wrong. A double first is a first in two subjects. Hard to do. A first in parts I and II is just a first, as there is really nothing double about it.

You've replied to a thread from 2011. And certainly for Cambridge you are wrong.

At Cambridge (which is the host forum for this thread) a Double First means you achieved Firsts in both parts of the Tripos. e.g. for Economics year 1 is Part I, and year 2 & 3 is Part IIa & IIb. Getting a 1st in year 1, and a 1st in year 3 is a Double First.

cf. https://www.camdata.admin.cam.ac.uk/structure-undergraduate-courses-cambridge

You can also get a Starred First if your First is particularly high.

I'm now closing the thread. :smile:

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 5

rdka

1

Original post by Doonesbury

You've replied to a thread from 2011. And certainly for Cambridge you are wrong.

At Cambridge (which is the host forum for this thread) a Double First means you achieved Firsts in both parts of the Tripos. e.g. for Economics year 1 is Part I, and year 2 & 3 is Part IIa & IIb. Getting a 1st in year 1, and a 1st in year 3 is a Double First.

cf. https://www.camdata.admin.cam.ac.uk/structure-undergraduate-courses-cambridge

You can also get a Starred First if your First is particularly high.

I'm now closing the thread. :smile:

thats wrong. At Cambridge, a double first is a first in two different subjects at the same time. Hence 'double'. Thats why its so hard to get.

Reply 6

Doones

21

Original post by rdka

thats wrong. At Cambridge, a double first is a first in two different subjects at the same time. Hence 'double'. Thats why its so hard to get.

Looks like I forgot to close the thread - lol.

I linked you to Cambridge's own info about it above - I'll repeat what the link leads to:
"You may have heard the phrase "a double first", which means that a first class was achieved in two sets of examinations corresponding to two different Parts of Triposes."

There's no mention of having to do two different courses, because you don't.

And here's some real life examples
http://www.cam.ac.uk/news/pembroke-college-elects-new-master
Chris Smith, an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke since 2004, took a double first in English at Pembroke

http://www.cam.ac.uk/news/distinguished-lecture-on-the-outcome-of-the-economic-downturn
His Excellency Mr George Yeo, who graduated with a Double First in Engineering from Christ’s College in 1976

http://www.cam.ac.uk/news/closing-the-gender-gap-0
The students received a welcome message from Carolyn Fairbairn, who gained a double first in economics at Caius

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 7

Parliament

12

Original post by Doonesbury

And here's some real life examples
http://www.cam.ac.uk/news/pembroke-college-elects-new-master
Chris Smith, an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke since 2004, took a double first in English at Pembroke

Absolute GOAT

In my first year I heard a rumour of a philosophy fellow at Trinity/John's with a quadruple-starred first in philosophy - I've always assumed this is nonsense, but is it possible? lol

Reply 8

Doones

21

Original post by Parliament

Absolute GOAT

In my first year I heard a rumour of a philosophy fellow at Trinity/John's with a quadruple-starred first in philosophy - I've always assumed this is nonsense, but is it possible? lol

Nah. It's possible to get a Double Starred First in a course with 2 Parts (like Philosophy).

A 3 Part course (such as NatSci or Maths) usually awards Distinction / Merit for the Part III and I don't think they are ever Starred. But could be wrong.

There's no 4 Part courses...

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 9

rdka

1

Original post by Parliament

Absolute GOAT

In my first year I heard a rumour of a philosophy fellow at Trinity/John's with a quadruple-starred first in philosophy - I've always assumed this is nonsense, but is it possible? lol

doubleˈdʌb(ə)l/adjective

1.

1. consisting of two equal, identical, or similar parts or things."double doors"People who believe that a first in part I and part II in the same subject is a double first need to explain what they mean by 'double'. It cannot refer to the degree class as clearly that is awarded for two separate stages of the same tripos and therefore lacks the essential quality of comprising two equal parts.

Reply 10

Doones

21

@Parliament this guy apparently has a triple starred First in History but the citation doesn't support it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Ascherson

Original post by rdka

doubleˈdʌb(ə)l/adjective

1.

1. consisting of two equal, identical, or similar parts or things."double doors"People who believe that a first in part I and part II in the same subject is a double first need to explain what they mean by 'double'. It cannot refer to the degree class as clearly that is awarded for two separate stages of the same tripos and therefore lacks the essential quality of comprising two equal parts.

Good luck telling the Registrary her Statutes and Ordinances are incorrect!

Reply 12

Doones

21

Original post by rdka

doubleˈdʌb(ə)l/adjective

1.

1. consisting of two equal, identical, or similar parts or things."double doors"People who believe that a first in part I and part II in the same subject is a double first need to explain what they mean by 'double'. It cannot refer to the degree class as clearly that is awarded for two separate stages of the same tripos and therefore lacks the essential quality of comprising two equal parts.

Next you'll be saying Cambridge doesn't begin their academic week on a Thursday. Or that Full Term is longer than Term.

Original post by Doonesbury

Next you'll be saying Cambridge doesn't begin their academic week on a Thursday. Or that Full Term is longer than Term.

Or that dogs aren't recognised as 'large cats' at Selwyn

Reply 14

Doones

21

Original post by threeportdrift

Or that dogs are recognised as 'large cats' at Selwyn

Like bears at Trinity.

Is YoYo still going?

Original post by Doonesbury

Like bears at Trinity.

Is YoYo still going?

Not sure, but Coco is :wink:

Reply 16

shamika

16

Original post by Doonesbury

You've replied to a thread from 2011. And certainly for Cambridge you are wrong.

At Cambridge (which is the host forum for this thread) a Double First means you achieved Firsts in both parts of the Tripos. e.g. for Economics year 1 is Part I, and year 2 & 3 is Part IIa & IIb. Getting a 1st in year 1, and a 1st in year 3 is a Double First.

cf. https://www.camdata.admin.cam.ac.uk/structure-undergraduate-courses-cambridge

You can also get a Starred First if your First is particularly high.

I'm now closing the thread. :smile:

Worth bearing in mind that a starred first is only offered in some triposes (the example I know is History, definitely not one in maths). Not to downplay the achievement but a friend got one in history after a 2:2 the previous year, so not entirely convinced they’re 100% robust :tongue:

Reply 17

Doones

21

Original post by threeportdrift

Not sure, but Coco is :wink:

But no sign of Rocket :frown:

Reply 18

Doones

21

Original post by shamika

Worth bearing in mind that a starred first is only offered in some triposes (the example I know is History, definitely not one in maths). Not to downplay the achievement but a friend got one in history after a 2:2 the previous year, so not entirely convinced they’re 100% robust :tongue:

Ah, interesting. CompSci does, so it's not a humanities-only thing.