Understanding the GPA System at the University of Kentucky
At the University of Kentucky—often called UK or Kentucky—the GPA system is designed to reflect your academic performance on a 4.0 scale. Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is a snapshot of how well you’re doing in your courses and is used for everything from scholarships to academic standing and graduation eligibility.
Let’s break it down clearly, so there’s no mystery behind how those numbers show up on your transcript.
The Standard UK Grade Scale
Here’s how grades are converted to GPA points at UK:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points (per credit hour) |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| E (Fail) | 0.0 |
| P (Pass) | Not included in GPA |
| I (Incomplete) | No GPA impact until resolved |
| W (Withdrawal) | No GPA impact |
Note: Only the grades A through E contribute to your GPA. Pass/fail courses and withdrawals don’t affect your average.
How GPA Is Calculated
Your GPA is calculated using this formula:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total GPA Hours
- Quality Points = Grade Point × Credit Hours for each course
- GPA Hours = Total number of credit hours for courses that count toward GPA
Example:
If you took three 3-credit hour classes and got an A (4.0), B (3.0), and C (2.0), your GPA would be:
- (3 × 4.0) + (3 × 3.0) + (3 × 2.0) = 12 + 9 + 6 = 27 Quality Points
- 27 Quality Points ÷ 9 Credit Hours = 3.0 GPA
Departmental Grading Differences
UK does not publicly list college-wide GPA scale variations. However, some programs—especially in Health Sciences, Engineering, and Law—may have stricter academic policies or minimum GPA requirements for progression or graduation. You should always check with your academic advisor or department for specifics if you’re in a competitive or specialized program.
Important Notes
- Repeated Courses: If you retake a course, only the most recent grade is calculated into your GPA—though both appear on your transcript.
- GPA for Honors: To graduate with honors, you need a GPA of at least 3.4 for cum laude, 3.6 for magna cum laude, and 3.8 for summa cum laude.
- Academic Probation: A cumulative GPA below 2.0 may place you on academic probation.