UK Degree Classification to US GPA Calculator
Select your UK degree classification, First, 2:1, 2:2, Third, or Pass, and the calculator shows the equivalent GPA across five scales simultaneously: 4.0 (US standard), 4.3, 5.0, 7.0, and 10.0.
Before diving in, there is no single universally agreed-upon formula for converting a UK degree class to a US GPA. UCL, LSE, Oxford, and WES all use slightly different values. This calculator uses widely cited reference values that sit at or near the floor of each published range, useful for understanding where you stand, but not a substitute for an official credential evaluation when one is required.
UK Degree Classification to GPA: Reference Table
Approximate GPA equivalents for each UK honours degree classification on a 4.0 scale, with the ranges cited by named institutions:
| UK Classification | Percentage Range | This Calculator (4.0) | Published Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Class (1st) | 70%+ | 4.00 | 3.7–4.0 |
| Upper Second (2:1) | 60–69% | 3.30 | 3.3–3.7 |
| Lower Second (2:2) | 50–59% | 2.70 | 2.7–3.2 |
| Third Class | 40–49% | 2.00 | 2.0–2.7 |
| Pass / Ordinary | 35–39% | 1.30 | 1.0–1.3 |
| Fail | Below 35–40% | 0.00 | — |
Where the ranges come from: UCL uses 2:1 = 3.3 as its minimum entrance GPA. LSE considers 3.5 the equivalent of a 2:1. Durham University’s North American guide gives 1st = 3.8–4.0 and 2:1 = 3.3–3.7. Oxford’s graduate admissions pages state that First Class requires a GPA of 3.7. This calculator’s values correspond to the lower floor of each published range.
Why 68% in the UK Is Not the Same as 68% in the US
This is the most important thing to understand about UK-to-US grade conversion, and the reason a bare percentage comparison misleads almost everyone.
In the US, 68% is a D+, below passing for most purposes. In the UK, 68% is a solid 2:1, the second-highest degree classification, considered a strong performance and meeting the minimum requirement for most graduate programmes and competitive employers.
UK university marking is deliberately conservative. Scores above 70% are genuinely rare in most subjects, and anything above 80% is exceptional. A student averaging 72% over three years has earned a First Class degree, the highest classification awarded. That same 72% in the US would be a C–.
This conservatism is not a quirk of one university; it is a structural feature of how UK academic marking works. The percentage ranges (70%+ = First, 60–69% = 2:1) reflect a system in which high marks are harder to achieve, not a system in which standards differ. US admissions offices familiar with UK transcripts understand this. The GPA conversion exists to express UK performance in a framework that American systems can compare directly.
How the Five-Scale Output Works
The calculator shows your GPA on five scales at once: 4.0, 4.3, 5.0, 7.0, and 10.0. Every value is derived from the same proportional formula; the base 4.0 GPA value is multiplied by (target scale ÷ 4.0).
For a 2:1 (base value 3.3):
| Scale | GPA Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 4.0 (US standard) | 3.30 |
| 4.3 (some US/Canadian institutions) | 3.55 |
| 5.0 | 4.13 |
| 7.0 (Australian universities) | 5.78 |
| 10.0 (India and some international) | 8.25 |
If you are applying to a Canadian university on a 4.3 scale or an Australian postgraduate programme on a 7.0 scale, the conversion table gives you the right number directly, without needing a separate tool.
Why Your Percentage Score Does Not Change the GPA Result
The calculator includes an optional percentage field. Entering your percentage does not affect the GPA calculation; the result is determined entirely by your degree classification, not the specific percentage within that band.
A 62% and a 68% are both 2:1s. Both produce a 3.30 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The underlying percentage is shown as context, but the classification is what drives the conversion.
This reflects the reality of how UK degrees work: your transcript shows a classification (2:1), not a percentage, and that classification is what credential evaluators, universities, and employers use when assessing your academic standing. If you need a GPA calculated from individual module marks and percentages, an official evaluation service like WES or ECE processes your full transcript rather than working from the final class alone.
UK Degree Classifications and US Graduate School Requirements
For UK graduates applying to US graduate programmes, the classification-to-GPA question is almost always about admission eligibility. Here is what that looks like in practice:
Most US graduate programmes set a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A 2:1 at 3.30 on this calculator clears that minimum. A 2:2 at 2.70 falls below the threshold for many programmes, though not all; some master’s programmes accept 2:2 graduates with strong supporting materials, relevant work experience, or competitive GRE scores.
A First Class degree at 4.0 exceeds the minimum for virtually every US programme. Oxford’s graduate admissions pages cite a 3.7 GPA as the US equivalent of a First Class for their international requirements, placing a First comfortably above most cutoffs.
Important: Most competitive US graduate programmes require an official credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency such as WES or ECE rather than a self-calculated GPA. WES evaluates your transcript module by module, which often produces a GPA slightly different from a classification-based estimate. Treat this calculator’s output as an orientation, and budget for an official evaluation if your target programme requires one.
FAQ: UK Degree Classification to US GPA
What GPA is a 2:1 degree?
On a 4.0 scale, a 2:1 (Upper Second Class Honours) is commonly cited as 3.3–3.7 GPA. This calculator uses 3.30, the floor of that range, which aligns with UCL’s published entrance equivalency. LSE uses 3.5, and the Durham North American guide cites 3.3–3.7 as the full range.
What GPA is required for a First Class degree?
A First Class (1st) honours degree is generally equivalent to 3.7–4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. This calculator returns 4.00. Oxford’s graduate admissions pages state that 3.7 is equivalent to a First Class degree at most international institutions. Durham’s guide gives 3.8–4.0.
What GPA is a 2:2 degree?
A 2:2 (Lower Second Class) converts to approximately 2.7–3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. This calculator uses 2.70. Some US graduate programmes set their minimum at 3.0, which means a 2:2 may fall short, though programme-by-programme policies vary significantly.
What GPA is required for a Third Class degree?
A Third Class degree converts to approximately 2.0–2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale. This calculator uses 2.00. A Third is a passing honours degree, but is rarely sufficient for competitive postgraduate entry in the US or UK without additional qualifications or experience.
Is a 2:1 good enough for US graduate school?
For most US graduate programmes, yes, a 2:1 at 3.3 GPA meets or exceeds the standard 3.0 minimum. Competitive programmes (top-20 US universities) typically prefer a First Class equivalent or a high 2:1 with a strong application overall. Check each programme’s specific requirements, as some publish explicit UK equivalency statements.
Does my class percentage affect my GPA?
Not in this calculator, the GPA is derived from the classification itself. A 62% and a 68% are both 2:1s and both return 3.30 on a 4.0 scale. If you need a GPA that reflects your specific module marks, a service like WES evaluates your transcript course by course.
Why does this calculator give a different value from WES?
WES converts UK degrees by assigning a US grade to each module mark and then computing a weighted GPA across your full transcript. A classification-based calculator uses a fixed value for each class. The two methods can yield different results, often by 0.1–0.3 GPA points, because a single class-to-GPA mapping does not account for module-level variation within a classification.
What is the difference between a UK degree classification and an A-Level grade?
A-Levels (A*, A, B, C, D, E) are pre-university qualifications taken at age 16–18. Degree classifications (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third) are awarded at university after three or four years. They are completely separate systems. For converting A-Level grades, see the GPA to A-Level calculator.
Select your degree classification above to see the GPA equivalent on all five scales at once. For official US graduate school applications, most programmes require a credential evaluation from WES or a NACES-approved agency alongside your actual transcript. Treat this calculator’s output as your starting reference, not your final submission.