Percentage Grade Calculator UK
Convert marks to percentage grades for UK education. Supports GCSE 9-1, A-Level, and university degree classifications. Calculate weighted averages and understand grade boundaries.
Select Calculation Mode
Marks to Percentage
Weighted Grade Average
Add modules/assignments with their percentage grade and credit/weight value.
Calculate Required Marks
Find out how many marks you need to achieve your target percentage.
UK GCSE Grade Boundaries (9-1 System)
The GCSE 9-1 grading system was introduced in England in 2017. Grade boundaries vary by subject and exam board each year, but these are typical percentage ranges:
| Grade | Typical % Range | Description | Old Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 85-100% | Exceptional performance | High A* |
| 8 | 75-84% | Excellent performance | Low A* / High A |
| 7 | 65-74% | Very good performance | A |
| 6 | 55-64% | Good performance | High B |
| 5 | 45-54% | Strong pass | Low B / High C |
| 4 | 35-44% | Standard pass | C |
| 3 | 25-34% | Below standard pass | D/E |
| 2 | 15-24% | Limited achievement | F |
| 1 | 1-14% | Minimal achievement | G |
| U | 0% | Unclassified | U |
Note: Grade 4 is the "standard pass" required for many college courses and apprenticeships. Grade 5 is considered a "strong pass" and may be required for some sixth form courses.
UK A-Level Grade Boundaries
A-Level grades use the A*-E system. These are approximate percentage boundaries (actual boundaries vary by subject and year):
| Grade | Typical % Range | UCAS Points (2025) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 80-100% | 56 points | Exceptional achievement |
| A | 70-79% | 48 points | Excellent achievement |
| B | 60-69% | 40 points | Good achievement |
| C | 50-59% | 32 points | Satisfactory achievement |
| D | 40-49% | 24 points | Below average |
| E | 30-39% | 16 points | Minimum pass |
| U | 0-29% | 0 points | Unclassified (fail) |
UK University Degree Classifications
UK undergraduate degrees are classified based on your weighted average percentage across all years of study:
Employer expectations: Most graduate schemes require a 2:1 (60%+) as minimum. First class degrees (70%+) are achieved by approximately 30% of UK graduates. Some universities use 65% or 68% as the 2:1/1st boundary.
Quick Percentage to Grade Reference
| Percentage | GCSE (9-1) | A-Level | University | Traditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90-100% | 9 | A* | First (High) | A* |
| 80-89% | 8-9 | A*-A | First | A*-A |
| 70-79% | 7-8 | A | First | A |
| 60-69% | 6-7 | B | 2:1 | B |
| 50-59% | 5-6 | C | 2:2 | C |
| 40-49% | 4-5 | D | Third | D |
| 30-39% | 3 | E | Fail | E |
| Below 30% | 1-2 | U | Fail | F/U |
7 Tips for Understanding UK Grades
- GCSE Grade 4 is the "new C": Grade 4 is the standard pass that employers and colleges look for. Grade 5 is considered a "strong pass" and may be required for sixth form entry.
- A-Level grades matter for university: UCAS points from A-Levels determine university offers. Three A grades = 144 points, while three Bs = 120 points.
- UK percentages are lower than US: A UK 70% is equivalent to a US A grade. Don't expect 90%+ marks - even excellent work typically scores 70-80%.
- Weighted averages for degrees: Final year modules often count more (e.g., 60% final year, 40% second year). First year usually doesn't count toward classification.
- Check your exam board: Boundaries vary between AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC. Official boundaries are published after results day.
- Appeal if borderline: If you're 1-2 marks below a grade boundary, you can request a review of marking. Success rates vary by subject.
- Context matters for employers: A 2:1 from Oxford carries different weight than from other universities. However, most employers simply require "2:1 or above".
7 Common Grading Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing GCSE systems: Scotland uses National 5 qualifications (A-D grades), not the 9-1 system used in England. Wales and Northern Ireland have different arrangements.
- Assuming boundaries are fixed: Grade boundaries change every year based on exam difficulty. Last year's boundaries won't apply to this year's exams.
- Ignoring coursework weighting: Many subjects have different weightings for exams vs coursework. Missing coursework deadlines can heavily impact final grades.
- Not understanding UMS (Uniform Mark Scale): Raw marks are converted to UMS for A-Levels. A raw mark of 60% doesn't always equal 60% UMS.
- Overlooking resit rules: GCSE students can resit English and Maths until they pass. A-Level resits have specific rules about timing and components.
- Comparing UK to US grades directly: A UK 60% (2:1) is equivalent to a US B+/A-. UK marking is deliberately more rigorous.
- Forgetting module credits: For degree classification, higher-credit modules have more impact on your average. Focus revision on high-credit modules.
Frequently Asked Questions
To calculate percentage from marks, divide your marks achieved by the total possible marks, then multiply by 100.
Formula: Percentage = (Marks Achieved ÷ Total Marks) × 100
Example: If you scored 68 out of 80 marks: (68 ÷ 80) × 100 = 85%
Approximate GCSE grade boundaries (these vary by subject and year):
- Grade 9: 80-90%+
- Grade 8: 70-79%
- Grade 7: 60-69%
- Grade 5 (strong pass): 50-54%
- Grade 4 (standard pass): 40-49%
Exact boundaries are set after marking each year and published on results day.
A-Levels use grades A* to E (plus U for unclassified):
- A*: 80-90%+ (56 UCAS points)
- A: 70-79% (48 UCAS points)
- B: 60-69% (40 UCAS points)
- C: 50-59% (32 UCAS points)
- D: 40-49% (24 UCAS points)
- E: 30-39% (16 UCAS points)
UK degree classifications based on weighted average:
- First Class (1st): 70%+
- Upper Second (2:1): 60-69%
- Lower Second (2:2): 50-59%
- Third Class (3rd): 40-49%
Most graduate employers require at least a 2:1 (60%+).
For weighted averages:
- Multiply each grade by its credit/weight value
- Sum all results
- Divide by total credits
Example: Module A (70%, 20 credits) + Module B (55%, 40 credits)
= (70×20 + 55×40) ÷ (20+40) = (1400 + 2200) ÷ 60 = 60%
- GCSE: Grade 4 (~40%) is standard pass, Grade 5 is strong pass
- A-Level: Grade E (~30%) is minimum pass
- University: 40% for individual modules and overall degree
Professional qualifications may require higher pass marks (50-60%).
UK grades are typically lower than US/European equivalents due to different marking philosophies:
- UK 70% (First) ≈ US 3.7-4.0 GPA (A-/A)
- UK 60% (2:1) ≈ US 3.3 GPA (B+)
- UK 50% (2:2) ≈ US 2.7 GPA (B-)
UK universities rarely award marks above 80%, while US systems commonly award 90%+.
Grade boundaries are set after exams are marked to ensure consistency. This "comparable outcomes" approach means:
- If an exam is harder, boundaries are lower
- If an exam is easier, boundaries are higher
- A Grade 7 in 2025 represents the same standard as in 2024
Exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC) publish boundaries on results day.
Official UK Education Resources
Authoritative sources for UK grading information:
Ofqual
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation - regulates GCSEs and A-Levels in England.
Visit OfqualUCAS
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service - official guide to A-Level points and university entry requirements.
UCAS Tariff CalculatorAQA Grade Boundaries
Official grade boundaries for AQA GCSE and A-Level qualifications.
AQA BoundariesEdexcel/Pearson
Grade boundaries for Pearson Edexcel qualifications including BTEC.
Edexcel BoundariesGOV.UK Education
Official government guidance on UK qualifications and grading systems.
GOV.UK EducationAbout This Calculator
This free Percentage Grade Calculator has been developed specifically for UK students and educators. It converts raw marks to percentages and maps them to the appropriate UK grading system, whether you're studying for GCSEs, A-Levels, or a university degree.
The calculator includes weighted average calculations for degree classification, target mark calculations for exam preparation, and comprehensive reference tables for all UK grading systems. All information is based on current Ofqual guidelines and exam board specifications.
All calculations are performed locally in your browser for instant results. No personal data is stored or transmitted.
Pro Tips for Accurate Results
- Double-check your input values before calculating
- Use the correct unit format (metric or imperial)
- For complex calculations, break them into smaller steps
- Bookmark this page for quick future access
Understanding Your Results
Our Percentage Grade Calculator provides:
- Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
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