GPA Calculator UK Guide: Convert Grades to GPA

If you're applying to US universities, graduate programmes, or international jobs, you may need to convert your UK grades to GPA. This guide explains the UK grading system and provides conversion tables to help you understand your equivalent GPA.

UK vs US Grading Systems

The UK and US use fundamentally different approaches to grading:

UK Degree Classifications

UK undergraduate degrees are classified based on your final average:

UK Percentage to GPA Conversion

There's no official conversion, but here's a commonly used scale:

Degree Classification to GPA

How to Calculate Your GPA

UK A-Level to GPA

GCSE to GPA (9-1 Scale)

Masters Degree Classifications

Why UK Grades Look "Lower"

Tips for US Applications

1. Explain UK grading: Many US schools understand UK grades
2. Provide context: Mention that 70% is "First Class"
3. Use credential evaluation: Services like WES convert officially
4. Include class rank: If known, mention percentile
5. Highlight achievements: First Class = top ~25% of students
6. Check requirements: Some schools state "UK 2:1 or equivalent"

Credential Evaluation Services

For official GPA conversions for US applications:

• WES (World Education Services): Most widely accepted
• ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators): Alternative option
• NACES members: Various approved evaluators
• UK ENIC (NARIC): Official UK credential service

Distribution of UK Degree Classes

Understanding how common each classification is:

Note: These figures have increased over time (known as "grade inflation"). A First is now more common than historically.

Conclusion

Key conversion points to remember:

• First Class (70%+) ≈ 3.7-4.0 GPA
• 2:1 (60-69%) ≈ 3.3-3.7 GPA
• 2:2 (50-59%) ≈ 2.7-3.3 GPA
• UK grades are conservative—65% UK ≈ 85% US
• Use official credential services for formal applications
• Many US institutions understand UK classifications directly

When in doubt, contact the institution you're applying to—many have experience with UK qualifications and can advise on their requirements.

UK Degree Classification System Explained

The UK degree classification system is unique among global higher education systems. Unlike the American GPA which provides a continuous numerical scale, UK universities award one of several discrete classifications based on the weighted average of module marks across the final years of study. The classification boundaries are: First Class Honours (70 percent and above), Upper Second Class (2:1, 60 to 69 percent), Lower Second Class (2:2, 50 to 59 percent), Third Class (40 to 49 percent), and Ordinary Degree or Pass (without Honours, typically 35 to 39 percent).

The weighting of marks across years varies between universities and programmes. Most commonly, the final year contributes the largest proportion (often 60 to 70 percent), the penultimate year contributes the remainder, and the first year either does not count or has minimal weighting. Some universities use a weighted average calculation, while others use algorithms that consider the best performing modules or the volume of credits achieved at each classification level. Understanding your university's specific classification algorithm is essential for strategic module selection and effort allocation.

One significant difference between the UK and US grading systems is that UK marking is considerably more conservative. A mark of 70 percent or above in the UK represents an outstanding achievement equivalent to a First Class degree, whereas in the American system, 70 percent would typically represent a C grade or approximately 2.0 GPA. UK examiners rarely award marks above 80 percent in humanities and social sciences, and marks above 90 percent are virtually unheard of. In contrast, American students regularly achieve scores of 90 to 100 percent on individual assessments. This difference in marking culture means that direct percentage comparisons between the two systems are misleading.

Practical Impact of UK Grades on Career and Further Study

In the UK job market, degree classification remains a significant factor in graduate recruitment. Research by the Institute of Student Employers indicates that approximately 60 percent of UK graduate employers specify a minimum of a 2:1 degree in their entry requirements. Some competitive sectors, including investment banking, law, and management consultancy, effectively require a First or high 2:1. However, there is a growing movement among UK employers to reduce reliance on degree classification as a screening criterion, with companies including PwC, Ernst and Young, and Penguin Random House removing degree requirements entirely or adopting contextual recruitment approaches.

For UK graduates applying to US graduate programmes, the GPA conversion is critical because many American institutions use minimum GPA cutoffs in their admissions processes. Most competitive Master's programmes require a minimum GPA of 3.0, equivalent to a UK 2:1. PhD programmes at top-tier US universities typically expect a GPA of 3.5 or above, equivalent to a strong 2:1 or First. Some US universities have specific policies for evaluating UK qualifications and may state their requirements in terms of UK degree classifications rather than GPA, simplifying the process for British applicants.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) publishes annual data on degree outcomes across UK universities. In the most recent data, approximately 30 percent of graduates achieved a First Class degree, 46 percent achieved a 2:1, 19 percent achieved a 2:2, and 5 percent achieved a Third or Pass. These proportions have shifted significantly over the past two decades, with Firsts nearly doubling in frequency. This trend, often termed grade inflation, has led to debate about whether employers and international institutions should place more emphasis on individual module marks rather than the overall classification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a UK First Class degree the same as a 4.0 GPA?

A UK First Class Honours degree is broadly equivalent to a GPA of 3.7 to 4.0, but the two are not identical. A First in the UK requires achieving a weighted average of 70 percent or above, while a 4.0 GPA in the US requires straight A grades across all courses. A student who narrowly achieves a First with a 70 percent average would typically be evaluated at the lower end of this range (around 3.7), while a student with an 80 percent average or above would be closer to a 4.0. Some credential evaluation services use specific conversion tables that map percentage ranges to GPA values for greater precision.

Do Scottish degrees convert to GPA differently?

Scottish undergraduate degrees are typically four years in duration compared to three years in England and Wales, which can affect how American institutions perceive them. The degree classification system is the same (First, 2:1, 2:2, etc.), and GPA conversions are equivalent to those for English degrees. However, some US universities may view the four-year Scottish degree more favourably because it more closely mirrors the typical four-year American bachelor's degree. Scottish Master's degrees (which are often five-year integrated programmes) may also receive different evaluation depending on the credential evaluation service used.

What if my university uses a different marking scale?

Some UK universities, particularly for certain professional programmes, use marking scales that differ from the standard percentage system. Medical schools may use Pass/Fail or distinction/merit/pass grades, while some art and design programmes use their own criteria. In these cases, credential evaluation services will request additional information from the university, such as the grading scale used and the student's position within their cohort. Obtaining a transcript with a detailed explanation of the grading system used is advisable when applying to international institutions.