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You will need to convert your UK grade to the US 4.0 GPA if you are a student in the United Kingdom and plan to apply to universities within the United States. This guide will help you understand the UK’s grading scale and how to translate it accurately for a US application.
The United Kingdom Grading System
The UK’s grading system varies according to the type of institution and the level of education. The following is a list of common grading systems used at various 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% |
The classification of university degrees:
The UK University degrees are not graded by GPA but rather categories.
| 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% |
Unique Aspects:
- The UK grades final exams more than coursework.
- Admission to university is heavily influenced by the results of external national exams.
- The UK’s degree classifications are recognized worldwide, but the conversion to a US GPA can be difficult due to differences in grading 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.
Conversion Process
It is easy to convert UK grades into the US 4.0 GPA. Follow these steps.
- Get Your UK Grades – Collect your report card or transcript. You should have a complete list of grades including your degree classifications, if you are a student at a university.
- Convert your UK grades to US equivalents using the table below.
- Assign GPA values: For each course assign the appropriate US GPA.
Calculate your average: Add all GPA values together and divide the total by the number courses. If you have a transcript that lists credit hours, multiply the GPA values by the credits and divide the sum 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:
You have achieved the following A-Level grades.
- A* (90%)-4.0 GPA
- A (85%) = 3.7 GPA
- B (75%) 3.0 GPA
- C (65%) 2.0 GPA
Calculate your GPA
(4.0 + 3.7+ 3.0 + 2.0 ) / 4 = 3 175 GPA
Use the highest degree classification as your reference.
Disclaimer: This table is based on general practices. Some US universities may use different methods to evaluate UK grades. Consult the admissions office of your chosen school for exact guidelines.
Verify your results using the GPA Calculator.
Answers to Common Questions
Q: What happens if my school uses a different system of grading?
Contact your chosen US university to get specific conversion instructions.
How do predicted A-Level grades work?
A: The predicted A-Level grades will be considered, but they won’t be converted to a GPA before the final results have been submitted.
Q: How are BTECs different from other BTECs?
A: BTECs can be evaluated differently from A-Levels, and converted in different ways depending on the policies of US institutions.
Q: What GPA is considered competitive for US Universities?
A GPA of 3.0 is considered competitive by most universities. However, top schools will expect a higher grade point average (3.7) or even more.
Final Tips
- Track your final grade as well as predicted grades for A Levels or degree classifications.
- Check each university’s website for specific GPA conversion instructions.
- Consult your academic advisor or a representative from the admissions office if you are unsure of how to convert your GPA.