There’s no set standard, but according to Fullbright US UK Commission, here’s the comparable scale to convert UK grades to a 4.0 GPA scale.
UK module marks | UK degree classification | GPA |
70+ | First class honours | 4.0 |
65-69 | Upper-second class honours | 3.7 |
60-64 | Upper-second class honours | 3.3 |
55-59 | Lower-second class honours | 3.0 |
50-54 | Lower-second class honours | 2.7 |
45-49 | Third class honours | 2.3 |
40-44 | Third class honours | 2.0 |
35-39 | Ordinary/Unclassified | 1.0 |
Below 35 | Ordinary/Unclassified | 0.0 |
The percentage range for each class varies from institution to institution. Individual modules on the transcript carry only the percentage mark. The pass mark is 40% at most UK institutions. The lower end of the scale may vary. In the UK system, it is often more difficult to obtain the higher grade designations than in the US system. Don't panic if you are usually a highachieving student but receive a grade that appears low according to your home university's grade scale; it may actually reflect very good performance on the UK scale. Grades are given as percentages rather than letter grades. Forty percent is the minimum passing grade and high minimum passing grade and high percentages are rarely awarded. A grade of 70% or higher is considered "with distinction." In general, percentages increase from 40 rather than decrease from 100.