First Year Grades: Do They Actually Count Towards Your Degree?

The Biggest Myth in University History

"First year doesn't count! You just need 40% to pass!"

You will hear this phrase screamed in student unions across the UK. It is the mantra of the Fresher. It is the justification for missing that 9 am lecture to sleep off a hangover.

And technically? It is usually true.

For the vast majority of UK universities (including Russell Group unis), your first year is known as a "Qualifying Year". This means:

You need to pass it (usually getting 40%+) to progress to the second year.
The actual mark you get (whether it's 41% or 90%) does not contribute to your final degree classification (First, 2:1, etc.).

Your final degree is typically weighted:

Year 1: 0%
Year 2: 33% or 40%
Year 3: 67% or 60%

Note: This varies by uni. Some, like LSE or specific science courses, DO count first year. Always check your handbook!

So, if it counts for 0%, why should you care? Why not just aim for 40% and enjoy the "best year of your life"?

Here is why that strategy is a trap.

1. The "Internship" Trap

If you want a high-paying graduate job (banking, law, consulting, tech), you need a Summer Internship at the end of your second year. But when do you apply for those internships? At the start of your second year.

When you apply in October of Year 2, you have no Year 2 grades yet. So, what do employers look at? Your First Year Grades.

If you scraped a 41% in first year, your CV goes straight in the bin. Employers want to see a 2:1 (60%+) or a First (70%+) in your first year modules to prove you are academically competent. Verdict: First year grades don't count for your degree, but they count for your career.

2. The "Study Abroad" Requirement

Dreaming of spending your third year in California, Melbourne, or Tokyo? Study abroad placements are competitive. Universities allocate them based on academic performance.

If you want to go to the top partner universities (like UCLA or University of Toronto), you often need a First-Class average in your first year. If you just scraped a pass, you'll be stuck in rainy England while your mates are on the beach in Sydney.

3. The "Knowledge Pyramid"

University modules are not standalone. They are built like a pyramid.

Year 1: Introduction to Macroeconomics.
Year 2: Intermediate Macroeconomics.
Year 3: Advanced Macroeconomic Theory.

If you slack off in Year 1 and barely understand the basics, you will be destroyed in Year 2. You cannot build a house on shaky foundations. Students who "coast" in first year often find second year incredibly stressful because they are trying to learn Year 1 concepts and Year 2 concepts at the same time.

4. The "Habit" Formation

First year is when you learn how to be a university student.

How to reference (Harvard vs Oxford style).
How to structure an academic essay.
How to revise for university-level exams.

If you spend first year doing the bare minimum, you build bad habits. When second year hits and the pressure ramps up, you won't have the discipline or the skills to cope. It is much harder to "switch on" academic rigour after 12 months of slacking than it is to maintain a steady pace.

5. What If You Fail? (The Resit Nightmare)

"I just need 40%." That sounds easy. But if you aim for 40% and have a bad day, you get 38%. That is a fail.

If you fail a module in first year:

Resits: You have to come back in August (ruining your summer) to retake the exam.
Capped Grades: Your resit mark is usually capped at 40%.
Retaking the Year: If you fail the resit, you might have to retake the entire year. That costs you another £9,250 in tuition fees + another year of rent. That is a very expensive hangover.

🎯 The Strategy: The "Safe" First

You don't need to get 90% in first year. But you should aim for a solid 2:1 (60-69%). This keeps your doors open for internships and study abroad, ensures you understand the content, and gives you a buffer if things go wrong.

Want to know where you stand? Use our Degree Grade Calculator. Even if your first year is weighted at 0%, you can use it to simulate your second and third years to see exactly what you need to achieve your dream degree classification.

Summary: First year is "free" in terms of marks, but expensive in terms of opportunity. Don't waste it. Work hard, play hard, and secure that 2:1.