How to get a 1st class degree instead of 2:1?

First and second year is very easy, especially considering my uni only counts the highest 90 credits for both of them. 3rd year seems really scary considering I'll likely need a high grade on every assignment to average a first and can't afford to slip up since every module credit counts. I can get a 67-70 frequently, but every now and then I slip up and get a 61-64. Is the trick in getting your 1st and 2nd year as high as possible? I hate that you don't have much leeway and need a high grade every assignment.

I go UCL so it is 1:3:5 and I'm doing a BA Humanities degree so it's like a degree where you can't as easily get a good grade since theres no clear right or wrong answer/mark scheme. So though I can obviously study extra and do further reading, but there's no clear sturdy ground level.

I'm really really stressed out because I'm scared I'm on the very border and it'll really hurt me if I mess up by a few credits

Reply 1

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi there,

One thing that really helped me move from a 2:1 to a First was how I organised my reading and planned assignments. I’ve written a few tips below—no pressure to do all of this, just some ideas you might try if you’re looking to lift your grades.

1. Use a literature matrix It’s basically a simple table or spreadsheet to organise your readings so you can see what’s important and how it links to your essays. Columns I use:

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Author/Year

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Key concepts/themes

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Methods used

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Evaluation (strengths/weaknesses of the material)

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How to use (supports your argument or offers a counterpoint)

2. Think critically: High marks usually come from analysis, not just description. While reading or writing, ask yourself:

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What’s the main argument or conclusion?

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Are the methods appropriate and trustworthy?

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Do the conclusions follow logically from the evidence?

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Are there gaps, assumptions, or alternative viewpoints?

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How does this connect to other readings or ideas?

3. Use assessment criteria: Markers look for argument, structure, evidence, critical analysis, and originality. Check the grade descriptors or example essays—it helps you see exactly where your work could be stronger.

4. Take notes that actually help you address the assignment: Different assignments or topics might need different approaches, so focus on notes you can actually use when writing. There’s no point writing absolutely everything down—prioritise ideas, evidence, examples, or quotes that are directly relevant to the essay question or task. Some methods that work well:

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Cornell notes for structured summaries

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Mind maps to see connections between ideas

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Tables/charts to compare evidence or arguments

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Flow/personal style with sketches, shorthand, or annotations if that helps you make sense of the material

5. Use digital tools: I personally like Obsidian—it automatically creates a mind map showing how your notes and papers connect. Zotero is great for storing PDFs, annotating papers, and generating accurate references. Both are free and really help keep everything organised.

6. Get feedback: Most unis have a designated team, often part of the library, that can look at drafts and give pointers on structure, referencing, and clarity before submission.

Hope that helps, and good luck with your assignments!

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 2

Old Skool Freak

Original post

by sanwwio

First and second year is very easy, especially considering my uni only counts the highest 90 credits for both of them. 3rd year seems really scary considering I'll likely need a high grade on every assignment to average a first and can't afford to slip up since every module credit counts. I can get a 67-70 frequently, but every now and then I slip up and get a 61-64. Is the trick in getting your 1st and 2nd year as high as possible? I hate that you don't have much leeway and need a high grade every assignment.
I go UCL so it is 1:3:5 and I'm doing a BA Humanities degree so it's like a degree where you can't as easily get a good grade since theres no clear right or wrong answer/mark scheme. So though I can obviously study extra and do further reading, but there's no clear sturdy ground level.
I'm really really stressed out because I'm scared I'm on the very border and it'll really hurt me if I mess up by a few credits

For most unis, the first year doesn't count to your final grade; it's only if you're considering doing a sandwich* year (a year working in industry), where they look closely at your 1st year grades. Other than that, different courses / universities place different weightings on how the 2nd and 3rd year count for the final grade; some have a 50:50 split, others it can be 20:80 for the second and third years respectively. You'll need to check what it is for your course.

When it comes to those people whose grades are right on the borderline, what often makes the difference between them getting the "upper" and the "lower" of the two grades, is something like the final year project / dissertation. If you're doing Humanities, it's more likely you'll be doing a dissertation... and, as you say (unlike a core science), there's no "right" or "wrong" answer(s); it's all about how well you back-up or justify your conclusions.

It's only January, so you've still got time... but you need to act fast (N.B. this is assuming you're currently in your final year). First thing you should do is emphasise to your dissertation supervisor how important it is for you to get a 1st class, and then they should go through the sort of things that (from their experience) differentiates a "good" report from a "great" report. What have you done or planning to do to make your dissertation stand out from the rest? Have you contacted industrial professionals in your field for additional input? Have you allocated dedicated time to work on your dissertation?

The other thing is I'm assuming that some of your modules have coursework assessment, as well as exams (maybe some are entirely assessed by coursework?). Again speak to those lecturers and find out the specific things they're looking for. Alternatively, if you know any masters or research students, who've done your module(s) (or have good knowledge on the subject matter), then again ask them for the certain things that's likely to put your work over the edge. Again, it's probably best to prioritise the coursework that has the highest percentage to that module.

Apart from that, remember to have some time to yourself, and relax from time to time. When you're stressed, your body may go into "fight or flight" mode, which may make it difficult to focus on your work or think rationally. On the other hand, when you're rested, you'll concentrate better, calmer and retain much more information. If you do find yourself getting stressed, then take a break... I would recommend doing some kind of exercise, rather than jumping on Social Media... maybe take a 10 minute walk outside and get some fresh air. I'm almost certain you'll work much better after said break.

Spoiler

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post

by sanwwio

First and second year is very easy, especially considering my uni only counts the highest 90 credits for both of them. 3rd year seems really scary considering I'll likely need a high grade on every assignment to average a first and can't afford to slip up since every module credit counts. I can get a 67-70 frequently, but every now and then I slip up and get a 61-64. Is the trick in getting your 1st and 2nd year as high as possible? I hate that you don't have much leeway and need a high grade every assignment.
I go UCL so it is 1:3:5 and I'm doing a BA Humanities degree so it's like a degree where you can't as easily get a good grade since theres no clear right or wrong answer/mark scheme. So though I can obviously study extra and do further reading, but there's no clear sturdy ground level.
I'm really really stressed out because I'm scared I'm on the very border and it'll really hurt me if I mess up by a few credits

Hi there,

I thought I could give you some of my best tips to getting a first too just in case any of these help you:

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Make the most of any feedback you are given. I like to write down the feedback I am given after each assignment and put it all into one document so that whenever you are writing an essay/assignment, you can look at this document and see what feedback you have previously been given to check you have implemented this in your work.

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Similarly, if there is a chance for formative feedback, use it. If you ever have a chance to show some work to your tutor make sure you do it as they are the best people to read over your work and give you some pointers about what you can improve on.

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I also like printing the marking rubric out so that I can see exactly what I need to put in my work and highlight it when I have done it so that I know I have got all of the elements in that I need to in order to get a first instead of a 2:1.

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If you ever have any questions, try and ask your tutor as soon as you can. If you think of something, either email them, ask after a lecture or ask in a seminar as they will want to help you if they can. They may not respond straight away, but it is better to know as soon as possible rather than remembering that you don't understand it when you start the assignment.

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Ask your peers for help if you are stuck too as they will likely understand some things that you might not and vice versa so it is worth asking them too if you need any help at all.