How GPA Is Defined at UC San Diego
At the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated on a 4.0 scale using letter-graded coursework. Each letter grade carries a specific point value, which is multiplied by the course’s unit value. The total grade points are divided by the total number of letter-graded units attempted to produce the GPA. Non-letter grades such as Pass/Not Pass, Incomplete, or Withdrawn do not factor into GPA calculations. Under University of California policy, an A+ carries the same grade-point value as an A and does not exceed 4.0.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| UC San Diego undergraduate students | UC San Diego Extension or non-credit coursework |
| UC San Diego graduate students with letter-graded courses | Courses graded Pass/Not Pass |
| Quarter and cumulative GPA calculations | Transfer coursework not included in UCSD GPA |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
Before entering your courses, confirm the following:
- Only include courses graded with letter grades.
- Exclude Pass/Not Pass, Incomplete, and Withdrawn grades.
- Enter the correct quarter unit value for each course.
- Confirm whether a course applies to a major GPA, if applicable.
This calculator is designed to match UC San Diego’s official quarter and cumulative GPA calculations.
Types of GPA Reported at UC San Diego
UC San Diego officially reports several GPA types:
- Quarter GPA: Calculated using courses taken in a single academic quarter.
- Cumulative GPA: Calculated using all UC San Diego letter-graded coursework.
- Major GPA: Calculated using designated upper-division courses applied to a student’s major.
Not all students will have every GPA type reported, depending on their program and academic status.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA at UC San Diego is calculated using all letter-graded courses completed in UC San Diego undergraduate standing. Major GPA calculations follow Academic Senate regulations and generally include only approved upper-division courses required for the major.
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate programs | Yes | 4.0 scale | Letter-graded coursework only |
| Major GPA (departmental) | Yes | 4.0 scale | Applies to designated upper-division courses |
| Extension or continuing education | No GPA reported | N/A | Not included in UCSD GPA |
Official GPA Scale
UC San Diego uses the following official grade-point scale:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A+, 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 | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
An A+ does not carry a higher value than an A.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded UC San Diego courses | Pass/Not Pass grades |
| Repeated courses, per policy | Withdrawn courses |
| Major-applicable coursework | Incomplete grades |
| Courses taken in UCSD standing | Transfer coursework |
Miscounts often occur when non-letter grades or transfer courses are mistakenly included.
How Course Units Affect GPA at UC San Diego
Each course contributes to GPA based on its unit value. Courses with more units have a proportionally greater effect on GPA than lower-unit courses.
How GPA Is Calculated
Official Formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Letter-Graded Units
Example:
- 4-unit course with an A: 4 × 4.0 = 16.0
- 4-unit course with a B+: 4 × 3.3 = 13.2
- Total grade points: 29.2
- Total units: 8
- GPA: 3.65
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
UC San Diego follows University of California policies for repeated courses. Repeats may affect GPA according to registrar and Academic Senate rules, and all attempts may still appear on the transcript.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some grades appear on the academic transcript but do not affect GPA. These include Pass, Not Pass, Withdrawn, and Incomplete grades.
Graduate GPA
Graduate students at UC San Diego receive GPAs calculated on the same 4.0 scale, using letter-graded graduate-level coursework taken in graduate standing. GPA reporting may vary by program.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass/Not Pass courses in GPA calculations.
- Assigning extra weight to A+ grades.
- Entering incorrect unit values for quarter-system courses.
- Including transfer coursework that does not count toward UCSD GPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GPA calculated at UC San Diego?
UC San Diego calculates GPA by dividing total grade points earned by total letter-graded units attempted. Only UCSD letter-graded courses are included.
Does an A+ raise my GPA above 4.0 at UCSD?
No. At UC San Diego, an A+ is valued the same as an A and does not exceed 4.0.
Do Pass/Not Pass courses affect GPA?
No. Pass/Not Pass grades are excluded from GPA calculations.
Are transfer courses included in my UCSD GPA?
No. Transfer coursework may appear on the transcript but is not calculated into the UC San Diego GPA.
Is major GPA different from cumulative GPA?
Yes. Major GPA includes only designated courses applied to the major, while cumulative GPA includes all UCSD letter-graded coursework.
Is the GPA scale the same for undergraduate and graduate students?
Yes. Both undergraduate and graduate GPAs use the same 4.0 letter-grade scale.
Related Official University Links
- UC San Diego Registrar
https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/grades-and-transcripts/index.html - UC San Diego Academic Senate — Grading and GPA Calculations
https://senate.ucsd.edu/Operating-Procedures/Senate-Manual/Regulations/500 - UC San Diego Academic Catalog
https://catalog.ucsd.edu/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based on publicly available UC San Diego academic policies. Official registrar records and transcripts govern final GPA calculations.