The Student Room Group

Degree Classification

Sorry this may be a bit of a stupid question but i dunno the answer so here goes.
Are Med/Dentistry/VetMed degrees given classifications like 1st, 2:1 etc.? Its just you never hear any1 talk about them in this way, you only ever hear 'I have a Medicine Degree' or 'I have a Dentistry degree'.
If they do still have certain levels, is it as improtant for these degrees? I mean is a doctor with a 3rd likely to get a job?

Thanks

Reply 1

I can answer your question for medicine, I'd imagine the others would be the same. There aren't any classifications primarily for the "i don't want a 3rd class doctor" reason. There are opportunities to achieve distinctions and get an "honours" degree e.g MB ChB(Hons). Degrees with honours are typically awarded to about 15-20% of the year but this varies with medical schools, each having their own issue criteria.

Reply 2

Miles
Degrees with honours are typically awarded to about 15-20% of the year...


15-20%? Woah! I thought most people got honours! Oh well, I've learned something! (I'm only 15 so I don't know much about uni degrees! So no, i can't answer your question either :frown: )

MissSurfer

Reply 3

At Nottingham, everyone does a BMedSci (Hons) degree which is classified just like any other degree in addition to the MBBS

A small proportion (5 to 10%ish) graduate with honours.

To achieve Honours, you have to have scored over 70% in 4 out of 8 of the assessments in the 4th year, including some of the clinical exams (which is harder than it sounds!) and average over 70% in 5th year.

You can also get a distinction in a particular specialty if you perform outstandingly in it and are asked to (and pass) a distinction viva

Reply 4

MissSurfer
15-20%? Woah! I thought most people got honours! Oh well, I've learned something! (I'm only 15 so I don't know much about uni degrees! So no, i can't answer your question either :frown: )

MissSurfer


With 99% of degrees, you're correct. Degrees with honours outside medicine/vetsci/denistry (I think that's all) are given to students who achieve 1sts, 2.1s, 2.2s and even 3rds.

With medicine, honours = a collection of distinctions/merits, so it's not gonna be as widespread (I suppose you could equate distinctions with 1sts).

joyabbott
A small proportion (5 to 10%ish) graduate with honours.


Yeah, I think I was being a bit optimistic with the 15-20% figure, I checked and it's more like 10% for Bristol. Got the feeling that it's too much hard work and I'd rather get a 1st in my intercalation year and forget about the "hons" afterwards :redface:

Reply 5

I see. Thanks for clarifying that, Miles!

Reply 6

At Sheffield, for BDS:

BDS Honours if you get over 65% in most of your exams
BDS Distinction if you get over 75% in most of your exams and pass vivas in the subjects.