Education Calculator UK | Grade Calculator, GPA & UCAS Points 2025/26

Free UK Education Calculator. Calculate weighted grades, convert UK degree classifications to US GPA, calculate UCAS points.

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Education Calculator UK

Calculate weighted grades, convert UK degree classifications to US GPA, and calculate UCAS points for university applications.

Calculate Weighted Average Grade

Enter your module grades and their credit weightings to calculate your weighted average. This is commonly used for UK university degree classifications.

How Weighted Averages Work: Each module's grade is multiplied by its credit value. The sum is divided by total credits. For example, a 70% in a 30-credit module contributes more than 70% in a 10-credit module.

UK to US GPA Converter

Convert UK degree classifications and percentages to US GPA for international applications and comparisons.

Note: GPA conversions are approximate. Different US institutions may use slightly different conversion scales. Always check with the specific institution's admissions requirements.

UCAS Tariff Points Calculator

Calculate your total UCAS tariff points from A-Levels, BTECs, and other qualifications for university applications.

A*
56 pts
A
48 pts
B
40 pts
C
32 pts
D
24 pts
E
16 pts

UK Grading Systems Reference

University Degree Classifications

PercentageUK ClassificationUS GPA EquivalentMeaning
70-100%First Class4.0Outstanding achievement
60-69%Upper Second (2:1)3.3-3.7Very good performance
50-59%Lower Second (2:2)2.7-3.0Good performance
40-49%Third Class2.0-2.3Satisfactory pass
35-39%Ordinary Pass1.0-1.7Basic pass (some unis)
0-34%Fail0Below pass standard

A-Level Grades (Reformed 2017+)

GradeUMS RangeUCAS PointsDescription
A*90-100%56Exceptional performance
A80-89%48Excellent performance
B70-79%40Very good performance
C60-69%32Good performance
D50-59%24Satisfactory performance
E40-49%16Minimum pass
U0-39%0Ungraded (fail)

GCSE Grades (9-1 System)

New GradeOld EquivalentApprox. %Description
9A* (top)90%+Exceptional performance
8A*/A80-89%Excellent
7A70-79%Very good
6B (high)65-69%Good (strong)
5B/C55-64%Good (strong pass)
4C45-54%Standard pass
3D35-44%Below standard
2E/F25-34%Limited achievement
1G15-24%Minimal achievement
UU0-14%Ungraded

Understanding UK Education Grades

University Degree Classifications

UK universities use a unique classification system that differs significantly from other countries. Understanding how your grades translate is essential for postgraduate applications and employment.

  • First Class (1st): Awarded to approximately 30% of graduates. Indicates excellent academic performance and is highly valued by employers
  • Upper Second (2:1): The most common classification, achieved by around 50% of students. Often the minimum requirement for competitive graduate schemes
  • Lower Second (2:2): A respectable degree classification that may limit some career options but still demonstrates capability
  • Third Class (3rd): Less common and may affect graduate employment prospects

Grade Boundaries 2025/26

While the standard boundaries are listed above, some universities apply variations:

  • Some use 68% as First boundary
  • Professional courses may have higher thresholds
  • Borderline cases (e.g., 69.5%) may be reviewed
  • Final year typically weighted more heavily
  • Dissertation/thesis may carry extra weight
Tip: Many universities weight your final year more heavily (often 60-70% of your final mark). Focus on strong performance in Year 3/4 to improve your classification.

UCAS Tariff Points Explained

UCAS tariff points are used by UK universities to compare qualifications from different exam boards and qualification types. Understanding how points are calculated helps you compare university entry requirements.

How UCAS Points Work

The UCAS tariff assigns point values to qualifications based on their size and difficulty. Here's how different qualifications compare:

QualificationMaximum PointsSize (Equivalent)
A-Level (A*)561 A-Level
AS-Level (A)200.5 A-Level
BTEC Extended Diploma (D*D*D*)1683 A-Levels
BTEC Diploma (D*D*)1122 A-Levels
Extended Project (EPQ) (A*)280.5 A-Level
T-Level (Distinction*)1683 A-Levels
Important: Not all universities use UCAS tariff points. Russell Group universities typically make conditional offers based on specific grades (e.g., AAB) rather than tariff points. Always check individual university requirements.

UK to US GPA Conversion

Converting UK grades to US GPA can be challenging because the systems measure achievement differently. UK grades are based on absolute standards, while US GPAs use a relative scale.

Key Differences

UK System

  • Percentage-based assessment
  • 70%+ is exceptional (First)
  • 40% is typically passing
  • Rare to score above 80%
  • Based on absolute standards

US System

  • 4.0 scale (or 4.33 with A+)
  • 90%+ typically equals 4.0 (A)
  • 60% typically passing
  • Common to score 90%+
  • Often curve-graded

Recommended Conversion Scale

This conversion is recognised by most US graduate schools and follows WES (World Education Services) guidelines:

UK PercentageUK ClassificationUS GPAUS Letter Grade
80-100%High First4.0A+
70-79%First4.0A
65-69%High 2:13.7A-
60-64%2:13.3B+
55-59%High 2:23.0B
50-54%2:22.7B-
45-49%High Third2.3C+
40-44%Third2.0C

Frequently Asked Questions

How do UK degree classifications convert to US GPA?
UK First Class Honours (70%+) converts to approximately 4.0 GPA, which is equivalent to an A grade in the US system. Upper Second (2:1) at 60-69% converts to 3.3-3.7 GPA, Lower Second (2:2) at 50-59% converts to 2.7-3.0 GPA, and Third Class at 40-49% converts to approximately 2.0-2.3 GPA. These conversions follow WES guidelines used by most US universities.
How are UCAS tariff points calculated for different qualifications?
UCAS tariff points vary by qualification size and grade. A-Levels range from 16 points (E) to 56 points (A*). BTECs award more points due to their larger size - an Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A-Levels) can earn up to 168 points. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) adds up to 28 points. AS-Levels earn approximately half of A-Level points. Always check the UCAS tariff tables for the most current values.
What is a weighted average and how is it calculated?
A weighted average considers the credit value of each module when calculating your overall grade. The formula is: (Sum of Grade × Credits for each module) ÷ Total Credits. For example, if you score 70% in a 30-credit module and 60% in a 10-credit module, your weighted average is (70×30 + 60×10) ÷ 40 = 67.5%. This method ensures larger modules contribute more to your final classification.
What grades do I need for university admission in the UK?
Requirements vary significantly by university and course. Russell Group universities typically require AAA-AAB at A-Level for competitive courses. Medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses often require A*AA or higher. Oxbridge may require A*A*A. Other universities may accept BBC-CCC. Many universities also specify GCSE requirements, commonly grade 4/C or above in English and Maths. Always check the specific university and course requirements.
How do the new GCSE 9-1 grades compare to old A*-G grades?
The new GCSE grades 9-1 were introduced from 2017. Grade 9 represents the very top performers (top 3-5% of those getting grade 7+). Grades 7-9 broadly cover what was previously A*-A. Grade 4 is the standard pass equivalent to a C. Grade 5 is a strong pass, positioned between C and B. Grades 1-3 cover D-G equivalents. Employers and universities typically look for grade 4+ (standard pass) or grade 5+ (strong pass).
Do all universities use UCAS tariff points for admissions?
No, not all universities use UCAS tariff points. Russell Group and many selective universities typically make offers based on specific grades (e.g., AAB in A-Levels) rather than tariff points. Less selective universities and colleges often use tariff points as they allow for easier comparison across different qualification types. Even when tariff points are used, universities may still require specific grades in certain subjects relevant to the course.
How is my final degree classification calculated?
Most UK universities weight later years more heavily. A common structure is: Year 1 (0% - doesn't count, but must pass), Year 2 (33-40%), Year 3/Final Year (60-67%). Some universities use the best 100 credits from Years 2-3, or apply borderline algorithms where students within 2% of a boundary may be upgraded based on performance trends. Dissertations often carry extra weight. Check your specific university's regulations in the student handbook.
What happens if I'm on a borderline classification?
If your overall grade is within 1-2% of a classification boundary (e.g., 68-69% for a First), many universities apply borderline algorithms. These may consider: the proportion of credits at the higher classification, performance trajectory (improving grades count favourably), dissertation/final project grade, or individual module grades. Some universities convene borderline boards where academics review cases. Contact your university's registry or academic office for their specific policy.
SM

Dr Sarah Mitchell

PhD Education, MA Higher Education Policy | FHEA

Dr Mitchell is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with over 15 years' experience in UK higher education. She specialises in assessment policy, grade standardisation, and international credential evaluation. Previously Senior Lecturer at a Russell Group university and consultant for NARIC UK.

Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: January 2026.

Last updated: January 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates

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