US GPA To UK Degree Classifications Calculator
Enter your GPA and the calculator shows which UK degree classification band it falls into: First class honours, 2:1, 2:2, Third, Pass, or Fail, using the standard UK percentage thresholds applied to your normalised score.
One important distinction before you calculate: the tool uses proportional percentage mapping, not the admissions GPA thresholds that UK universities publish for international applicants.
Both are useful, but they answer slightly different questions. The calculator there shows a table of what Oxford, UCL, and other institutions require from US applicants by GPA, which is what matters most when you are applying.
If you need to understand how your GPA compares to UK A-Level entry standards, the GPA to A-Level calculator provides a subject-level comparison used for many undergraduate offers.
GPA to UK Degree Class: Quick Reference Table
How common GPA values on a 4.0 scale map to UK classification bands using proportional percentage thresholds:
| GPA (4.0 scale) | Normalised % | UK Degree Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 100% | First class honours (1st) |
| 3.7 | 92.5% | First class honours (1st) |
| 3.5 | 87.5% | First class honours (1st) |
| 3.3 | 82.5% | First class honours (1st) |
| 3.0 | 75% | First class honours (1st) |
| 2.8 | 70% | First class honours (1st) — threshold |
| 2.7 | 67.5% | Upper second class (2:1) |
| 2.4 | 60% | Upper second class (2:1) — threshold |
| 2.0 | 50% | Lower second class (2:2) — threshold |
| 1.7 | 42.5% | Third class honours |
| 1.4 | 35% | Pass / ordinary degree — threshold |
| Below 1.4 | Below 35% | Below Honours / Fail |
The thresholds follow standard UK degree classification boundaries: First = 70%+, 2:1 = 60–69%, 2:2 = 50–59%, Third = 40–49%, Pass = 35–39%. These are the calculator’s defaults, fully editable to match any institution’s published boundaries.
Two Ways to Read a GPA into a UK Class Result
This is where most online converters leave users confused, and it is worth taking a minute to explain clearly.
The proportional method (what this tool calculates): Your GPA is expressed as a percentage of the maximum scale and then mapped to the UK band that percentage falls into. A 3.7 on a 4.0 scale = 92.5%, which sits above the 70% First class threshold. Result: First class.
The admissions-criteria method (as published by UK universities): Oxford, UCL, and other universities set specific GPA floors for each degree class they require from US applicants. These floors are lower than proportional mapping would suggest, because UK and US percentage achievement levels are not directly comparable. A UK First-class student typically averages 72–75% actual marks; a US student averaging 92.5% is performing at a genuinely different level.
If you are also considering universities in Europe, the GPA-to-ECTS calculator shows how the same GPA translates to the European credit grading system.
In practice, Oxford’s published guidance is clear: a UK first-class undergraduate degree equates to an overall US GPA of at least 3.7. For courses requiring a strong upper second-class degree (2:1), this is broadly equivalent to a GPA of at least 3.5.
The tool is useful for determining which UK percentage band you fall into. The university’s own published table is what you should consult before applying.
What UK Universities Actually Require: GPA Minimums by Institution
Published GPA thresholds from UK universities for US applicants, verified from official admissions pages:
| UK Requirement | Oxford GPA Minimum | UCL GPA Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First class honours | 3.7 | 3.7 | Oxford official page |
| Strong upper second (2:1) | 3.5 | 3.5 | Oxford official page |
| Standard 2:1 | — | 3.3 | UCL minimum floor |
| Lower second (2:2) | — | 3.0 | UCL minimum floor |
Generally, a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive for many UCL master’s programmes, though some programmes in highly competitive fields may expect a higher GPA.
For programmes that publish a 2:1 requirement as their standard, a 3.3 GPA meets the UCL floor and a 3.5 meets Oxford’s standard for a “strong” 2:1. For master’s qualifications, Oxford typically expects a GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0 as the minimum guideline, with successful applicants in competitive fields often at the upper end of these ranges.
These figures are minimums. Entry to competitive programmes is holistic; a GPA at the minimum threshold does not guarantee an offer.
The UK Threshold Editor: When to Adjust
The default thresholds (First = 70%, 2:1 = 60%, 2:2 = 50%) match the standard UK degree classification system used at most universities. They are editable because institutions and exam boards occasionally apply slightly different boundary values.
Some specific reasons to adjust:
- University policy: A small number of UK universities apply a 72% or 73% threshold for First class rather than the standard 70%
- Integrated master’s degrees: MEng and MPhys programmes at some universities use different internal classification rules
- Post-2020 recalculations: Some institutions modified classification boundaries during and after the pandemic assessment period
For standard use, checking which band a US GPA falls into, the default thresholds are correct and do not need adjustment.
This Tool vs the Reverse Direction
This calculator takes a GPA and returns a UK classification. The reverse, taking a UK classification and returning a GPA, is handled by the UK degree classification to US GPA calculator.
Note that the two tools use different methods and will not always produce perfectly symmetrical results. That is because there is no single universally agreed formula for converting between the two systems it reflects a genuine ambiguity in international credential comparison, not an error.
FAQ: US GPA to UK Degree Classification
Is a 3.7 GPA a First-class degree in the UK?
By proportional threshold: yes, 3.7 on a 4.0 scale = 92.5%, comfortably above the 70% First class boundary. By admissions criteria, Oxford requires a minimum GPA of 3.7 for courses requiring a First-class equivalent, placing 3.7 at the floor of First class for UK graduate admissions.
Is a 3.5 GPA enough for a 2:1 equivalent at Oxford?
Yes. Oxford’s published guidance states that a strong upper second-class (2:1) requirement is broadly equivalent to a GPA of at least 3.5. A 3.5 GPA meets the bar for 2:1-entry programmes at Oxford.
What UK class is a 3.3 GPA?
By proportional threshold: 3.3 / 4.0 = 82.5% → First class band. By admissions criteria: UCL uses 3.3 as the minimum floor for a 2:1 equivalent. The distinction matters; 3.3 passes UCL’s 2:1 minimum, but it does not exceed Oxford’s 3.5 threshold for a “strong” 2:1.
What UK degree class is a 3.0 GPA?
By proportional threshold: 3.0 / 4.0 = 75% → First class band (above 70% threshold). By admissions criteria: UCL uses 3.0 as the minimum floor for a 2:2 equivalent. Many UK master’s programmes set their minimum at 3.0 as the lower bound for competitive consideration.
What UK degree class is a 2.7 GPA?
By proportional threshold: 2.7 / 4.0 = 67.5% → Upper second (2:1) band. Most UK graduate programmes require a minimum equivalent of 2:1 or 3.0 GPA; a 2.7 typically falls below standard entry requirements for competitive postgraduate programmes.
Is a 3.8 GPA a First at Oxford?
Yes, by both measures. The Department of English Language and Literature at Oxford considers a GPA of about 3.8 equivalent to a first-class degree. A 3.8 on a 4.0 scale also normalises to 95%, well into the First class band by proportional threshold.
What is the difference between this calculator and the UK to GPA calculator?
This calculator converts a US GPA to the corresponding UK classification band. The UK degree classification-to-US GPA calculator does the reverse: it takes a UK classification and returns a GPA across five scales. Use this page if you have a GPA and want to know its UK equivalent. Use the other if you have a UK degree and need a GPA for US applications.
Does this tool give the same result as the official UK ENIC or WES evaluation?
No. This tool provides a proportional approximation for orientation. UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC) is the official body for international qualification recognition in the UK, and the UK ENIC website can provide an official evaluation service for a fee. WES evaluates transcripts module by module. Official evaluations from these bodies carry weight that a calculator cannot replicate.
Enter your GPA above to see which UK degree classification band it falls into. For actual application decisions, check the published entry requirements for your specific programme. Oxford, UCL, and most UK universities list their GPA equivalents for US applicants on their international admissions pages. No calculator replaces that step.