If you’re a student from the United Kingdom planning to apply to universities in the United States, you’ll need to convert your UK grades to the US 4.0 GPA system. This guide will walk you through the UK’s grading system and the steps to accurately translate your achievements for a competitive US application.
UK to US GPA Calculator
The United Kingdom Grading System
UK High School Grades to GPA
A-Levels → GPA Conversion
| A-Level Grade | US Letter | GPA (4.0 scale) |
|---|---|---|
| A* | A+ | 4.0 |
| A | A | 4.0 |
| B | B+ | 3.3 |
| C | B- / C+ | 2.7 |
| D | C | 2.0 |
| E | D | 1.0 |
| U (Ungraded) | F | 0.0 |
So, a student with AAA at A-levels would normally present a 4.0 GPA equivalent.
GCSEs → GPA Conversion
With the new 9–1 grading system, here’s how GCSEs map to US GPA values:
| GCSE Grade | Old Grade | US Letter | GPA (4.0 scale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 / 8 | A* | A+ / A | 4.0 |
| 7 | A | A- | 3.7 |
| 6 | B | B+ | 3.3 |
| 5 | C+ | B- | 2.7 |
| 4 | C | C | 2.0 |
| 3 | D | D | 1.0 |
| 2–1 | E–G | D- / F | 0.3 – 0.7 |
| U | Ungraded | F | 0.0 |
The grading system in the UK varies depending on the level of education (secondary school, A-levels, or university) and the type of institution. Below is a breakdown of the common grading scales used at different levels of education:
Secondary School (GCSE) Grading Scale:
| Grade | Description | Percentage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Exceptional | 90–100% |
| 8 | Excellent | 80–89% |
| 7 | Very Good | 70–79% |
| 6 | Good | 60–69% |
| 5 | Strong Pass | 50–59% |
| 4 | Standard Pass | 40–49% |
| 3 | Below Standard | 30–39% |
| 2 | Poor | 20–29% |
| 1 | Very Poor | 10–19% |
| U | Unclassified/Fail | Below 10% |
A-Level Grading Scale:
| Grade | Description | Percentage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| A* | Outstanding | 90–100% |
| A | Excellent | 80–89% |
| B | Very Good | 70–79% |
| C | Good | 60–69% |
| D | Satisfactory | 50–59% |
| E | Passing | 40–49% |
| U | Unclassified/Fail | Below 40% |
University Degree Classifications:
UK university degrees are classified into categories rather than GPA values:
| Degree Classification | Description | Percentage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Honours (1st) | Excellent | 70% and above |
| Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) | Very Good | 60–69% |
| Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) | Good | 50–59% |
| Third-Class Honours (3rd) | Satisfactory | 40–49% |
| Fail | Below Standard | Below 40% |
Notes:
- UK grading emphasizes final exams more heavily than coursework.
- External national exams (GCSE and A-Levels) play a major role in university admissions.
- Degree classifications in the UK are widely recognized globally, but converting them to a US GPA scale can be tricky due to differences in evaluation methods.
The US 4.0 GPA System
The US 4.0 GPA scale is the standard metric used by US universities to assess academic performance. Each letter grade corresponds to a numerical value:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
- An A (4.0) signifies excellent performance.
- A D (1.0) is the minimum passing grade.
- An F (0.0) indicates failure.
- US universities also differentiate between weighted and unweighted GPAs:
- Unweighted GPA: Based purely on the letter grade.
- Weighted GPA: Extra points are added for honors, AP, and IB courses. For this guide, we’ll focus on the unweighted GPA.
International Comparisons
Here’s how UK grades line up against a few other systems:
| Country | Top Grade Equivalent | GPA (4.0 scale) |
|---|---|---|
| UK | First (70%+) | 4.0 |
| US | A (90%+) | 4.0 |
| Canada | 90%+ / A+ | 4.0 |
| India | 70%+ (Distinction) | 4.0 |
| China | 85%+ | 4.0 |
The Conversion Process
Converting UK grades to the US 4.0 GPA scale is relatively straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Gather Your UK Grades: Collect your transcript or report card. Ensure you have the full list of your grades, including degree classifications if you’re a university student.
- Match to US Equivalents: Use the table below to convert your UK grades into the US GPA system.
- Assign GPA Values: For each course, assign the appropriate US GPA value.
- Calculate Your Average: Add up all the GPA values and divide by the number of courses. If your transcript lists credits, multiply each GPA value by the credit hours, sum them, and divide by the total credits.
Conversion Table:
| UK Grade (GCSE/A-Level/Degree) | US Letter Grade | US GPA Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9 (GCSE) / A* (A-Level) / First-Class Honours | A | 4.0 |
| 8 (GCSE) / A (A-Level) / Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) | B+ | 3.5 |
| 7 (GCSE) / B (A-Level) / Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) | B | 3.0 |
| 6 (GCSE) / C (A-Level) / Third-Class Honours (3rd) | C | 2.0 |
| 5 (GCSE) / D (A-Level) | D+ | 1.5 |
| 4 (GCSE) / E (A-Level) | D | 1.0 |
| 3–1 (GCSE) / U (A-Level) / Fail (Degree) | F | 0.0 |
Example:
Let’s say you have the following A-Level grades:
GPA Calculation:
(4.0 + 3.7 + 3.0 + 2.0) ÷ 4 = 3.175 GPA
✅ If you’re calculating based on degree classifications, use the highest classification achieved as your primary reference.
Disclaimer: This conversion table provides estimates based on common practices. Individual universities in the US may have their own methods for evaluating UK grades. Always check with your target school’s admissions office for precise guidelines. You can also use the GPA Calculator to verify your results.
Imagine you’re looking at your own transcript and wondering how it converts. Here are some simple examples:
Worked Examples
Example 1 – UK University (2:1 degree)
Emma graduates with an average of 68% from her university in Manchester. That’s an Upper Second (2:1). On the US scale, this comes out to about a 3.5 GPA — strong enough for most master’s programs in the US.
Example 2 – UK University (First at Cambridge)
James earns 74% at Cambridge. Even though that number looks like a “low B” in the US, American schools know how tough Cambridge grading is. His mark is treated as a near-perfect GPA — around 3.9 to 4.0.
Example 3 – A-Level Conversion
Sarah finishes A-levels with A, A, and B*. Converted to GPA, that’s 4.0, 4.0, and 3.3. Averaged together, her GPA is about 3.8.
Example 4 – GCSE Conversion
Daniel earns GCSE grades of 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5. On the GPA scale, that’s 4.0, 4.0, 3.7, 3.3, and 2.7. Taken together, his average GPA is around 3.5.
Common Questions
What GPA is a UK 2:1 degree in the US?
A UK 2:1 degree (Upper Second-Class Honours, 60–69%) usually converts to a 3.3–3.6 GPA on the US 4.0 scale. It’s considered a strong grade and is often the minimum requirement for admission to US graduate schools.
What GPA is a UK 2:2 degree in the US?
A UK 2:2 degree (Lower Second-Class Honours, 50–59%) is typically equal to a 2.7–3.0 GPA in the US. While lower than a 2:1, it can still meet entry requirements for some universities and professional programs.
Is a UK First-Class Honours the same as a 4.0 GPA?
Yes. A UK First-Class Honours degree (70% and above) is generally viewed as a 3.7–4.0 GPA in the US. Admissions officers recognize how rare Firsts are and often treat them as equivalent to a 4.0 GPA.
Does 70% in the UK equal 70% in the US?
No. A 70% in the UK is excellent and falls in the First-Class range, while in the US a 70% would be considered average (a C grade). This is why official GPA conversion is important.
How do UK A-levels convert to US GPA?
UK A-levels map to GPA as follows: A* and A = 4.0, B = 3.3, C = 2.7, D = 2.0, E = 1.0. For example, three A grades at A-level would be a 4.0 GPA equivalent in the US.
How do UK GCSEs convert to US GPA?
UK GCSE grades on the 9–1 scale convert like this: 9/8 = 4.0, 7 = 3.7, 6 = 3.3, 5 = 2.7, 4 = 2.0. A mix of high GCSEs such as 9, 8, and 7 would average to about a 3.7–4.0 GPA.
Do US universities understand UK grading?
Yes. US admissions offices and evaluation agencies like WES are familiar with UK grading. They know that marks above 65% are strong and interpret UK transcripts fairly when converting to GPA.
Do I need WES or ECCTIS to convert UK grades to GPA?
Most US graduate programs require an official evaluation from WES or ECCTIS. These agencies convert your UK marks into an official US GPA for applications. The tables and calculator on this page give you an estimate, but universities usually want the certified version.
Final Tips
- Keep track of your final grades and predicted grades for A-Levels or degree classifications.
- Double-check each university’s admissions page for any unique GPA conversion guidelines.
- If you’re unsure about your GPA conversion, consult your academic advisor or an admissions representative.
Good luck with your applications!