Question about the book Atonement?

Question

In Atomentment firsts and thirds are often discussed. For example, Robbie did well in his firsts or Emily was jealous of his firsts, Cecilia got her third. This is obviously a Brittishism I don't get. What does it mean?

Answer 1

It's university degrees. Basically Robbie did brilliantly at university and his mother didn't get that opportunity.

Answer 2

This has to do with the British university system. First, second and third refers to the class of honours an undergraduate gets on their degree. Honours are awarded based on the average mark of the undergraduate's work. First-class honours are the best, followed by upper second-class and lower second-class and finally third-class. Some people, however, don't attain honours and just get an ordinary pass (or fail).