How GPA Works at UC Berkeley
At UC Berkeley, your grade point average (GPA) is a numerical representation of your academic performance. It’s based on the grades you earn in your classes and the number of units (or credits) each course is worth.
UC Berkeley GPA Calculation Basics:
- GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Units Attempted
- Only letter-graded courses are included in your GPA
- Pass/No Pass (P/NP) grades do not affect your GPA
- Repeated courses can affect your GPA under certain policies (see below)
UC Berkeley Grade Scale
Here’s the standard UC Berkeley grading scale used for GPA calculation:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A− | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B− | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C− | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D− | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
GPA Types at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley calculates multiple types of GPAs:
1. Cumulative GPA
- Includes all UC coursework
- Calculated at the end of each term
2. Major GPA
- Only includes courses used to satisfy major requirements
- Often used for honors or eligibility within a department
3. Upper-Division GPA
- Includes only upper-division (100–199) courses
4. Semester GPA
- Includes all courses taken during a single term
Grade Forgiveness and Repeat Rules
- Courses taken for a letter grade can be repeated if you received a D+, D, D−, or F.
- Only the first 12 units of repeated coursework with grade replacement count toward GPA improvement.
- After that, repeated grades appear on your transcript, but both grades are calculated into your GPA.
Faculty or Departmental GPA Policies
Some UC Berkeley colleges and departments may have stricter GPA requirements or grading curves. Here are a few highlights:
| College/School | GPA Requirement or Note |
|---|---|
| College of Letters & Science | 2.0 minimum GPA to remain in good standing |
| College of Engineering | 2.0 overall and 2.0 major GPA required for graduation |
| Haas School of Business (Undergrad) | Minimum GPA required for admission is very competitive, around 3.7+ |
| College of Chemistry | GPA heavily monitored, especially for core chemistry and math |
Be sure to check your department or major advisor for more specific GPA requirements or honors policies.
GPA Calculation Example
Let’s say you took these four classes:
| Course | Grade | Units | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math 1A | A− | 4 | 3.7 × 4 = 14.8 |
| History 7B | B+ | 3 | 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 |
| Chemistry 1A | B | 5 | 3.0 × 5 = 15.0 |
| English R1A | A | 4 | 4.0 × 4 = 16.0 |
Total Grade Points = 14.8 + 9.9 + 15.0 + 16.0 = 55.7
Total Units = 4 + 3 + 5 + 4 = 16
GPA = 55.7 ÷ 16 = 3.48