Hi everyone!
I'm Swedish, and thinking about doing my PhD in the UK. Could someone please explain what all these numbers, like 2.1 stand for? I know they have something to do with percentage, but of what? I would be very grateful if someone could explain this to me, as I have no knowledge of the British educational system whatsoever.

undergraduate degree classifications/grade
First: 1st
upper second: 2.1
lower second: 2.2
Third: 3rd

usually need a first or upper second (2.1) for your undergratuate degree for PhD place, or a lower second with a Masters degree for studentships.

Thanks Bob. Still I'm not sure where this leaves me. In Sweden we get grades in each course: G if we get at least 60% on the exam and VG if 80%. Suppose I get half of each so my mean is above 70%. What kind of degree would that be? (Hard to compare, I guess, but any thoughts are appreciated). This would be for an MSc.

It sounds like you will be fine, but we cannot give a definite answer.

In the UK MSc's are usually awarded with only two grades (pass or pass with distinction). Both are acceptable for a PhD application (providing your first degree grade is equivalent to a 2.2 (lower second) or above. If your first degree grade is equivalent to a 2.1 (upper second) then the MSc will not be needed (however, given that you've already started you'll need to pass it and a good grade will help).

Because there are so many different qualifications throughout the world it is difficult to find out what a particular degree grade in one country is equivalent to in another. It is likely that your course tutors will know (as other students may have done PhDs abroad in the past).