Convert your UK marks or classification to a US 4.0 GPA
Need the full UK module-credit and year-weighting calculator? See the UK uni grade calculator, the primary UK hub. This page focuses on the US 4.0 GPA conversion.
Enter each module with its credit value (10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, or 120) and your mark percentage. The calculator returns the credit-weighted percentage, the UK classification (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third), and the US 4.0 GPA equivalent for grad-school applications.
| Module | Credits | Mark (%) | Remove |
|---|
UK classification and US 4.0 GPA reference
| UK Classification | UK Marks | US 4.0 GPA | WES Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Class Honours | 70 to 100 | 4.0 | 3.7 to 4.0 |
| Upper Second (2:1) | 60 to 69 | 3.7 | 3.3 to 3.7 |
| Lower Second (2:2) | 50 to 59 | 3.3 | 2.7 to 3.3 |
| Third Class | 40 to 49 | 3.0 | 2.3 to 3.0 |
| Ordinary Pass | 35 to 39 | 2.7 | 2.0 to 2.7 |
| Fail | below 35 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Standard UK degree classification thresholds (Russell Group registrar pages). US 4.0 GPA values are the typical WES-aligned midpoints; individual US graduate schools may differ by 0.1 to 0.3 points. Commission a WES or ECE credential evaluation for binding applications.
How the UK GPA Calculator Works
The UK GPA calculator above runs two related calculations on the standard UK university model. Marks mode (the default) takes your module marks as percentages weighted by module credits and returns the credit-weighted average, the UK degree classification (First, Upper Second 2:1, Lower Second 2:2, Third, or Pass), and the US 4.0 GPA equivalent used by World Education Services and most US graduate schools. Quick mode is a one-step dropdown that maps a UK classification directly to a US 4.0 GPA when you do not have your raw marks handy.
This page is the secondary UK hub. UK universities do not natively issue a GPA on their transcripts; they issue a credit-weighted percentage and a degree classification. The US 4.0 GPA equivalent on this page is the figure US graduate-school applications, US employers, and US credential evaluators expect. For the deep UK percentage calculation (module credits, year weighting for 3-year and 4-year degrees, dissertation handling, integrated masters programmes), use the primary UK hub at UK uni grade calculator; the GPA calculator on this page is intentionally narrower.
UK Degree Classification to US 4.0 GPA Mapping
UK marks above 70 percent are genuinely rare; anything above 80 percent is exceptional. The same numeric percentage produces very different US letter grades. A UK 70 percent is an A (First Class), while a US 70 percent is a C grade. The mapping below is the typical WES-aligned conversion most US graduate schools accept on application forms.
| UK Classification | UK Mark Range | US 4.0 GPA (typical) | WES Range | US Letter Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class Honours (First) | 70 percent and above | 4.0 | 3.7 to 4.0 | A to A+ |
| Upper Second Class (2:1) | 60 to 69 percent | 3.7 | 3.3 to 3.7 | B+ to A- |
| Lower Second Class (2:2) | 50 to 59 percent | 3.3 | 2.7 to 3.3 | B- to B+ |
| Third Class | 40 to 49 percent | 3.0 | 2.3 to 3.0 | C+ to B |
| Ordinary Pass | 35 to 39 percent | 2.7 | 2.0 to 2.7 | C to B- |
| Fail | below 35 percent | 0.0 | 0.0 | F |
There is no single universally agreed formula. UCL, LSE, Oxford, and WES each publish slightly different conversion tables; some US graduate schools apply their own internal table. The values above are the typical midpoints used on self-reported GPA fields on US application forms. For binding submissions (admission offers, professional accreditation), the official transcript from your UK university or a WES or ECE credential evaluation is canonical.
Working Out Your UK Degree Classification
UK degree classifications are calculated from a credit-weighted average across the modules in your final degree years. Year 1 typically counts toward progression but not toward the final classification; Year 2 and Year 3 carry the classification weight. The most common 3-year undergraduate weighting splits are Year 1 = 0 percent, Year 2 = 33 percent, Year 3 = 67 percent (the strict variant), or 0 / 40 / 60 (the alternative variant used at several Russell Group institutions). A 4-year programme with a placement year usually counts the placement at zero and weights the remaining years at 20 / 40 / 40 or 20 / 30 / 50 (integrated masters variant).
Once the year-weighted overall percentage is known, the UK classification thresholds apply: First Class Honours at 70 percent and above, Upper Second 2:1 at 60 to 69 percent, Lower Second 2:2 at 50 to 59 percent, Third Class at 40 to 49 percent, Ordinary Pass at 35 to 39 percent. The calculator above accepts either single-year module marks (Marks mode) or a known classification (Quick mode); the full year-weighting calculation lives at UK uni grade calculator. Borderline rules vary by institution: some round 69.5 percent up to 70 for First, others apply a strict cut, and a handful look at the proportion of marks above the higher threshold rather than only the average.
How to Calculate UK GPA: The Formula
The credit-weighted average formula behind the UK GPA calculator is the same formula that drives UK module averages on every UK university transcript. Each module contributes its mark weighted by the module credit value; the total weighted marks divided by total credits gives the overall percentage that maps to the UK classification.
- Credit Value = the credit weight of each module (10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, or 120 in the standard UK system)
- Module Mark = the percentage mark for the module (0 to 100, including failed marks at the actual mark)
- Sum = the total across every module in the relevant year or across the degree as a whole
Once the credit-weighted percentage is known, the UK classification mapping returns the matching band (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third, Pass) and the calculator looks up the US 4.0 GPA equivalent from the standard WES-aligned table. The same formula applies to a single year (Year 3 average) or to a full degree (degree-level average across all year-weighted contributions); the calculator above computes the average over whichever modules you enter and treats them as a single set.
Convert UK Grades to a US GPA for Graduate School
UK students applying to US graduate schools, US professional programmes, or US research positions typically need to report a US 4.0 GPA on application forms. The conversion is approximate because UK and US scales use very different band granularity, but the typical WES-aligned mapping gives a defensible figure that admissions committees recognise. Use the GPA calculator to build a standard US 4.0 GPA from US course grades once you have the converted figure.
- For First Class Honours (70 percent and above): report 4.0 on the US 4.0 scale. WES typically reports a UK First in the 3.7 to 4.0 range; some US schools use a strict 4.0 cap regardless of how high the UK mark went above 70.
- For Upper Second 2:1 (60 to 69 percent): report 3.7 on the US 4.0 scale; the WES range is 3.3 to 3.7 depending on where in the band the marks landed (closer to 60 = lower end; closer to 69 = upper end).
- For Lower Second 2:2 (50 to 59 percent): report 3.3 on the US 4.0 scale; the WES range is 2.7 to 3.3.
- For Third Class (40 to 49 percent): report 3.0 on the US 4.0 scale; the WES range is 2.3 to 3.0. Most US graduate schools consider a Third borderline for admission; expect to need other strong application elements.
- WES (World Education Services) and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators): for official US graduate-school applications, commission a course-by-course credential evaluation. WES costs approximately 200 to 250 USD and takes 7 to 14 business days. The resulting US 4.0 GPA usually lands within 0.1 to 0.3 points of the linear estimate above; some US universities and most professional programmes (medicine, law, MBA) require a WES or equivalent report.
UK Masters and Honours Classifications
UK masters degrees use a different classification system from undergraduate degrees. The pass threshold is higher (50 percent rather than 40 percent) and the bands are tighter. Most taught masters (MA, MSc, MBA) classify as Distinction (70 percent and above), Merit (60 to 69 percent), Pass (50 to 59 percent), or Fail (below 50 percent). Research masters (MRes, MPhil) often use a Pass or Fail outcome only, with no merit or distinction band.
- Masters Distinction (70 percent and above): US 4.0 GPA equivalent. Comparable to a First Class undergraduate classification on the same numeric threshold but at masters level.
- Masters Merit (60 to 69 percent): US 4.0 GPA equivalent of approximately 3.5 (range 3.3 to 3.7). Comparable to a 2:1 undergraduate classification at the masters level.
- Masters Pass (50 to 59 percent): US 4.0 GPA equivalent of approximately 3.0 (range 2.7 to 3.3). Comparable to a 2:2 undergraduate classification at the masters level.
- First Class Honours degrees (undergraduate): First Class Honours is the highest undergraduate classification, awarded for an overall mark of 70 percent and above. The honours element comes from the UK degree structure: most three-year UK undergraduate degrees are honours degrees by default. Non-honours ordinary degrees exist but are now rare.
US graduate schools typically focus on the undergraduate GPA equivalent for admission, even for applicants who already hold a UK masters; the masters classification is reported as supporting evidence rather than the primary application figure. Convert both your undergraduate and masters to US 4.0 GPA equivalents on application forms; the WES or ECE report will produce both.
Convert a US GPA to a UK Degree Classification
The reverse direction (US to UK) matters for US students applying to UK postgraduate programmes (UCL Masters, LSE MSc, Oxford BPhil, Cambridge MPhil), for US students transferring credit into a UK undergraduate programme, and for UK universities evaluating US transcripts in admissions decisions. The conversion uses the same band structure in reverse.
- US 4.0 GPA maps to UK First Class Honours (70 percent and above).
- US 3.7 GPA maps to the upper end of UK 2:1 (typically 65 to 69 percent equivalent).
- US 3.3 GPA maps to the lower end of UK 2:1 or the upper end of 2:2 (typically 58 to 64 percent equivalent).
- US 3.0 GPA maps to UK 2:2 (around 50 to 58 percent equivalent).
- US 2.7 GPA or below typically maps to UK Third Class or Pass and is below the standard threshold for UK masters admission.
Most UK postgraduate programmes require a US 3.3 to 3.5 minimum (UK 2:1 equivalent) for admission. Competitive UK programmes at Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, LSE, and Imperial typically expect a US 3.7 (UK First equivalent). Always verify against the specific programme entry requirements on the UK university website; UCAS and UKVI publish guidance for international applicants but do not bind individual admissions committees. For a full multi-scale GPA conversion across more than 9 source systems, see the GPA converter; for the standard US 4.0 grade-points reference, see the GPA scale.
Common UK Module Credit Values
UK undergraduate modules use standardised credit values aligned to the UK Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) and the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). A typical UK undergraduate year carries 120 credits; a typical taught masters carries 180 credits (120 taught + 60 dissertation). The calculator above accepts the seven standard credit values.
- 10 credits: half-module or short-course unit. Often used for foundation modules, optional half-units, or summer-school equivalents.
- 15 credits: common single-module value at universities using a 15-credit base (Edinburgh, Bristol, Sheffield, Warwick for some programmes).
- 20 credits: standard single-module value at most UK universities (UCL, LSE, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, King's, Glasgow).
- 30 credits: double-module or substantial single-term module. Common for core modules and dissertation prep.
- 40 credits: year-long module or extended dissertation. Less common but appears in joint-honours and integrated programmes.
- 60 credits: taught-masters dissertation (Master of Arts, Master of Science) or half-year project. The standard masters dissertation value across most UK universities.
- 120 credits: full year-equivalent. Use this when entering a single-year overall mark rather than per-module marks.
1 UK credit equals 2 ECTS credits at most universities (the standard CATS to ECTS conversion); a 20-credit UK module is therefore equivalent to a 10 ECTS course at a European partner institution. The US semester-hour equivalent depends on the specific US institution's table; WES typically maps a 20-credit UK module to 4 US semester hours.
This UK GPA calculator estimates the US 4.0 GPA equivalent from UK module marks and degree classifications using the WES-aligned conversion most US graduate schools accept on self-reported application forms. UK universities do not natively issue a GPA; the figure here is for cross-system comparison only. For binding US graduate-school applications, commission a credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE); expect the official report to differ from the linear estimate by 0.1 to 0.3 GPA points. For the underlying UK module-credit and year-weighting calculation, see the UK uni grade calculator. UK university guidance on classifications is published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the Russell Group, and individual registrar pages at UCL, LSE, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol.
Last verified: May 2026