Hi I'm currently in my third and last year looking for a master degree. Since I've not applied before I'm not sure how it works. A few of the courses that I'm interested in require a 1st class, does that me they would expect student to achieve a 1st at the end of their undergraduate course or at the time or application? Since I have only got an overall grade of 2:1 in my first two years. But I'm hoping to get a 1st this year. Thank you for your help!

The qualification they're after is your final degree. Most masters courses will accept you provisionally, particularly if your references predict a first.