How GPA Is Calculated at Korean Universities
Korean universities compute GPA using the same credit-weighted average formula as US institutions. Each course earns grade points based on the letter grade and those points are multiplied by the course's credit hours. The total quality points are then divided by the total credit hours attempted:
One practical note: at most Korean universities, the cumulative GPA (known as seongjeok or transcript GPA) covers every course attempted since enrollment, while the term GPA covers only the current semester. Repeat course policies vary: SNU and KAIST typically record both attempts but may allow a grade replacement for a limited number of courses. Check your academic regulations before omitting an earlier attempt from the calculator.
A note on the standard 4.0 GPA scale: the Korean 4.5 system is not directly comparable to the US 4.0 ceiling, which is why a conversion formula is necessary for international applications. The calculator above handles both Korean scales and outputs the US 4.0 equivalent automatically.
South Korea 4.5 Grading Scale Explained
The 4.5 scale is the dominant grading standard at South Korean universities. It was adopted widely in the 1990s as universities moved from percentage-only grading to letter-grade systems aligned with international practice. The scale uses a zero-to-one step between A0 and A+, which is unique compared to the US 4.0 system that caps at 4.0. The rationale is to distinguish truly exceptional performance (A+ = 4.5) from strong performance (A0 = 4.0) within the A band.
On the 4.5 scale, A0 (4.0) corresponds approximately to 90 to 94 percent, while A+ (4.5) corresponds to 95 to 100 percent. The B range runs from B0 (3.0) at 80 to 84 percent up to B+ (3.5) at 85 to 89 percent. Minimum passing in most Korean university programmes is D0 (1.0), corresponding to 60 to 64 percent. An F (0.0) is awarded below 60 percent and contributes zero quality points while still counting in the credit-hours denominator, which pulls the GPA down.
4.3 vs. 4.5 GPA Scale: Which Korean Universities Use Which?
The 4.5 scale is used at the majority of Korean universities, including all six SKY and STEM flagship institutions: SNU, KAIST, POSTECH, Yonsei, Korea University, and SKKU. The 4.3 scale is used at a smaller number of private universities, most prominently Ewha Womans University. Hanyang University has programmes on both scales depending on the college within the institution. A handful of smaller Korean universities use a 4.0 scale in specific departments, though this is less common.
The practical difference between the two scales is the shape of the top grade band. On the 4.5 scale, there are only two A grades (A+ at 4.5 and A0 at 4.0). On the 4.3 scale, there are three: A+ (4.3), A (4.0), and A- (3.7). Students moving between institutions or applying to graduate programmes abroad should confirm the scale on their transcript before computing a US-equivalent GPA, since the two scales produce different US 4.0 conversions for the same raw GPA number.
| 4.5 Scale Grade | Grade Points | 4.3 Scale Grade | Grade Points | Approx. Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.5 | A+ | 4.3 | 95 to 100% |
| A0 | 4.0 | A | 4.0 | 90 to 94% |
| A- | 3.7 | 87 to 89% | ||
| B+ | 3.5 | B+ | 3.3 | 85 to 89% |
| B0 | 3.0 | B | 3.0 | 80 to 84% |
| B- | 2.7 | 77 to 79% | ||
| C+ | 2.5 | C+ | 2.3 | 73 to 76% |
| C0 | 2.0 | C | 2.0 | 70 to 74% |
| C- | 1.7 | 67 to 69% | ||
| D+ | 1.5 | D+ | 1.3 | 63 to 66% |
| D0 | 1.0 | D | 1.0 | 60 to 64% |
| F | 0.0 | F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Relative Grading at Korean Universities
One aspect of Korean grading that directly affects your GPA is the relative grading system (sangtaepyeongga) used at most universities. Rather than grading on an absolute percentage scale alone, many courses enforce grade caps so that only a fixed proportion of students may receive each letter grade. Typical caps at Korean universities are:
- A grades (A+ and A0 combined): 20 to 30 percent of enrolled students
- B grades: 30 to 40 percent of enrolled students
- C grades and below: the remaining students
In practice, this means that earning an A+ requires not just scoring 95 percent or above, but also finishing in the top fraction of the class. A student who would receive a 4.0 GPA under absolute grading at a US institution might receive a 3.5 GPA under the Korean relative system in a competitive cohort. This is one reason Korean GPAs can appear lower than US GPAs when compared side by side, and it is a factor international credential evaluators account for when reviewing Korean transcripts.
Graduate programmes at Seoul National University and KAIST tend to use less strict grade caps at the graduate level; some advanced seminars allow all participants to receive A grades if the coursework justifies it. Check your course syllabus or department handbook for the specific grade distribution policy applied to your courses.
Honor Classifications at Korean Universities
Korean universities do not use the British honours classification system, but most award graduation distinctions based on cumulative GPA. On the 4.5 scale, the typical thresholds are:
- Dean's List / Summa Cum Laude: GPA 4.0 or above on the 4.5 scale. Generally awarded to the top fraction of each cohort each semester; many universities reserve Summa Cum Laude for students maintaining this average throughout their degree.
- Magna Cum Laude: GPA 3.5 to 3.99. Competitive for most domestic and international graduate programmes; meets GKS scholarship academic thresholds.
- Cum Laude: GPA 3.0 to 3.49. Solid academic standing; eligible for most graduate school admission in Korea and competitive entry-level employment.
- Pass: GPA 2.0 to 2.99. Meets graduation requirements at most Korean universities. Below this range, students face academic probation.
- Academic Probation: GPA below 2.0. Typically triggers a mandatory academic counseling requirement and may restrict course enrollment.
Individual universities may adjust these thresholds slightly. For instance, KAIST sets its academic probation threshold at a semester GPA below 2.0 on the 4.3 scale for graduate students. Always verify the exact thresholds in your university's academic regulations.
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) GPA Requirements
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS, also known as KGSP) is South Korea's main government-funded scholarship for international students. GPA requirements are a key component of the eligibility check. The GKS accepts transcripts on five scales: 4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0, or 100-point percentage. The table below shows how the 80-point minimum threshold maps across the scales most commonly used by Korean universities:
| GPA Scale | Minimum GPA (GKS) | 100-pt Equivalent | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 scale | 2.64 to 2.71 | 80 points | Minimum eligibility |
| 4.3 scale | 2.33 to 2.40 | 80 points | Minimum eligibility |
| 4.0 scale | 2.64 to 2.71 | 80 points | Minimum eligibility |
| 5.0 scale | 3.23 to 3.33 | 80 points | Minimum eligibility |
| 100-point | 80.0 | 80 points | Minimum eligibility |
The GKS official application guidelines specify that applicants whose transcripts use a scale other than these five must submit a converted transcript officially confirmed by their home university registrar. Tools such as WES or Scholaro are acceptable only when the home university confirms the converted document. GKS graduate programme applicants typically need a higher GPA: competitive funded applicants usually clear the equivalent of 3.0 on the 4.5 scale (about 88 to 90 percentage points). The GKS programme is administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED).
Major Korean Universities and GPA Scales
The eight universities below represent the leading research and teaching institutions in South Korea. Six use the 4.5 scale; Ewha uses the 4.3 scale; Hanyang uses both depending on the college. Use the scale toggle in the calculator above to match your institution.
| University | Abbrev. | City | GPA Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul National University | SNU | Seoul | 4.5 |
| Korea Advanced Inst. of Science and Technology | KAIST | Daejeon | 4.5 |
| Pohang Univ. of Science and Technology | POSTECH | Pohang | 4.5 |
| Yonsei University | Yonsei | Seoul | 4.5 |
| Korea University | KU | Seoul | 4.5 |
| Sungkyunkwan University | SKKU | Seoul | 4.5 |
| Ewha Womans University | Ewha | Seoul | 4.3 |
| Hanyang University | HYU | Seoul | 4.3 / 4.5 |
Convert Korean GPA to US 4.0
The standard method for converting a Korean GPA to the US 4.0 scale is a linear proportion. For the 4.5 scale, multiply the Korean GPA by 4.0 and divide by 4.5 (the multiplier is 0.889). For the 4.3 scale, multiply by 4.0 and divide by 4.3 (the multiplier is 0.930). Use the GPA converter for multi-scale conversions across other international systems. The table below shows representative values:
| Korean GPA (4.5) | US 4.0 Equiv. | Korean GPA (4.3) | US 4.0 Equiv. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 4.00 | 4.3 | 4.00 |
| 4.0 | 3.56 | 4.0 | 3.72 |
| 3.75 | 3.33 | 3.7 | 3.44 |
| 3.5 | 3.11 | 3.3 | 3.07 |
| 3.0 | 2.67 | 3.0 | 2.79 |
| 2.64 | 2.35 | 2.7 | 2.51 |
| 2.5 | 2.22 | 2.0 | 1.86 |
| 2.0 | 1.78 | 1.0 | 0.93 |
For official US graduate school applications, the calculator result is a planning estimate. Most US universities require an official credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or a similar accredited evaluator, which produces a course-by-course transcript with US grade equivalents. The linear formula above is consistent with WES methodology for Korean institutions. You can also use the GPA to percentage converter to work backwards from a target US GPA to the percentage score you need at your Korean institution.
For UK graduate applications, a Korean GPA of 4.0 or above on the 4.5 scale typically maps to a First Class equivalent; 3.5 to 3.99 maps to Upper Second Class (2:1); and 3.0 to 3.49 maps to Lower Second Class (2:2). See the GPA scale reference for a complete breakdown of classification thresholds used internationally.
Korean GPA vs. Japanese University GPA
Students comparing Korean and Japanese university GPAs for international applications often encounter both the Korean 4.5 scale and the Japanese 4.0 and 4.3 scales. The key difference is at the top grade: the Korean A+ earns 4.5, while the Japanese S grade earns 4.0 or 4.3 depending on the institution. A Korean student with a 4.0/4.5 GPA and a Japanese student with a 3.75/4.0 GPA both convert to approximately 3.56 on the US 4.0 scale, making them roughly equivalent for US graduate school benchmarking. Both systems use credit-weighted averages, and both require WES evaluation for binding US graduate applications.
This South Korea GPA calculator estimates your GPA on the Korean 4.5 and 4.3 scales using the credit-weighted average formula. Universities apply institution-specific rules for grade replacement, repeat courses, and academic progression; always verify against your programme regulations and registrar handbook. For US graduate school applications, consult World Education Services (WES) for the canonical credential evaluation. GKS scholarship thresholds sourced from the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) official application guidelines. Grading scale data sourced from Seoul National University Academic Affairs Division and KAIST Academic Registry publications. Last verified: May 2026.