How Do UK Grades Translate to GPA?

If you're a UK student applying to universities abroad—especially in the US—you've probably come across the term "GPA" and wondered how your A Level grades or degree classification stacks up. Converting UK grades to GPA isn't straightforward, but with the right guidance, you can get a good estimate of where you stand.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about translating UK grades to the American GPA system, complete with conversion tables and practical tips for international applications.

Key Takeaways

• There's no official UK-to-GPA conversion, but many universities offer rough equivalents based on established patterns

• A Level grades and degree classifications can be compared to the US GPA scale using widely accepted conversion tables

• GPA is a 4.0 scale commonly used in the US, whereas the UK uses letter grades (A*-E) and classification systems (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third)

• Any conversion is an estimate—different universities may interpret UK grades differently

• Use conversion tables as a guide, but always check individual university policies when applying abroad

What Is GPA and How Is It Used?

GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It's the standard way American schools and universities measure academic performance. Think of it as a numerical summary of all your grades rolled into one.

The GPA system typically runs on a 4.0 scale, where:

• 4.0 = A (excellent)

• 3.0 = B (good)

• 2.0 = C (average)

• 1.0 = D (poor, but passing)

• 0.0 = F (fail)

Some American schools also use plus and minus grades, which adjust the GPA slightly. For example, an A- might be worth 3.7 points, whilst a B+ would be worth 3.3 points.

Your GPA is calculated by averaging the grade points from all your courses. If you've taken more challenging classes (like Advanced Placement or Honours courses), some schools weight those more heavily, which can push your GPA above 4.0. Our article on AP vs Honours courses will tell you more or learn more about how AP exams are scored.

In the US, GPA matters a great deal. It's used for university admissions, scholarship decisions, and job applications. American universities often set minimum GPA requirements—many graduate programmes require at least a 3.0 GPA.

The UK system uses letter grades (like A*, A, B, C) for GCSEs and A Levels, and classification systems (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third) for university degrees. There's no single number that summarises your entire academic performance the way GPA does in America.

Why It's Difficult to Convert UK Grades to GPA

Here's the thing: there's no official, standardised way to convert UK grades to GPA. The UK and US education systems measure performance in fundamentally different ways, which makes direct comparison tricky.

• Different assessment styles: UK qualifications rely heavily on final exams. In the US, grades are cumulative: they include coursework, tests, homework, class participation, and projects through the school year.

• Lack of standardised weighting: In the US, every assignment contributes to your overall grade in a course, and every course contributes to your GPA. In the UK, your GCSE or A Level grade comes from externally marked exams set by examination boards, not from your teachers' assessments.

• The UK has no official GPA: British universities simply don't use GPA. We use degree classifications instead. When you graduate, you don't get a number—you get a "First-Class Honours" or a "2:1" or similar classification.

• Percentage systems are different: Perhaps most confusingly, getting 70% in the UK is excellent—it's a First-Class degree. But in the US, 70% would typically be a C grade (2.0 GPA), which is just average. This is because UK marking schemes are designed to be much tougher. Getting 80-90% in a UK university essay is incredibly rare, whereas it's quite common in American schools.

Because of these differences, any UK-to-GPA conversion you see is an estimate based on how international universities typically interpret UK qualifications. 

Converting UK GCSE and A Level Grades to GPA

Whilst there's no official conversion, educational organisations and universities have established widely-used approximations. Here's how GCSE and A Level grades roughly translate to GPA:

GCSE Grades (9-1 Scale)

The new GCSE grading system in England uses numbers from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest). Here's the estimated GPA equivalent:

Example: If you've got mostly grades 9, 8, and 7 across your GCSEs, that would average to about a 3.8-4.0 GPA equivalent—excellent performance by US standards.

Note that in Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs still use the traditional letter grades (A*-G), where A* = 4.0, A = 4.0, B = 3.0, and so on.

You can find out more about GCSE grades in our guide.

A Level Grades

A Level grades convert to GPA as follows:

Example: If you achieve AAA at A Level (three A grades), American universities would typically view this as equivalent to a 4.0 GPA—the highest possible. Even AAB would be seen as excellent, averaging around 3.8 GPA.

It's worth noting that many US admissions officers often view A Levels as comparable to—or even more challenging than—Advanced Placement (AP) courses in American high schools.

Find out more about A level grades. 

Converting UK Degree Classifications to GPA

University grading in the UK uses classifications rather than GPA. Here's how UK degree results roughly translate according to Fulbright Commission (opens in a new tab):

Undergraduate Degrees

Why there's a range: Different universities and different evaluators may place UK classifications at different points within the GPA range. Some might consider a First equivalent to a perfect 4.0, whilst others might place it at 3.7-3.9.

Postgraduate Degrees (Master's)

UK Master's degrees use slightly different classifications:

The minimum passing mark for UK Master's degrees is typically 50%, compared to 40% for undergraduate degrees.

How International Universities Interpret UK Grades

The good news is that universities around the world are familiar with UK qualifications. Admissions officers at international institutions regularly evaluate British applicants.

US Colleges and Universities

American universities view UK qualifications favourably. They understand that the UK system is rigorous and that achieving high grades is challenging.

• A Levels are seen as equivalent to AP courses: Advanced Placement (AP) courses are the US equivalent of advanced-level study. Admissions officers recognise that A Levels demonstrate subject mastery and readiness for university-level work.

• Strong A Level results = competitive applications: Top US universities typically look for students with mostly A and A* grades at A Level. For instance, Harvard's UK admissions (opens in a new tab) guidance suggests that competitive applicants usually have three or more A Levels at grade A or above, combined with strong SAT or ACT scores.

• University degrees are evaluated fairly: US graduate schools understand that a UK First-Class Honours degree represents exceptional achievement. They know that 70% in the UK is not the same as 70% in America. Credential evaluation services like World Education Services (WES) (opens in a new tab) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) (opens in a new tab) specialise in converting international grades fairly for US institutions.

Check out our guide to UK vs US universities to learn more. We also have plenty of AP revision resources written by experts to help you achieve top grades.

Canadian Universities

Canada follows similar conversion principles to the US, though with some regional variations since each Canadian province has its own education system.

A UK First-Class Honours typically converts to an A grade (4.0 GPA), whilst a 2:1 converts to a B+ or A- (3.3-3.7 GPA). 

Canadian universities often consider the reputation of your UK institution when evaluating grades. So, a 2:1 from Oxford or Cambridge might be weighted more favourably than a 2:1 from a less well-known university.

European Universities

Many European universities use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) (opens in a new tab), which provides a framework for comparing grades across different countries. However, each country still has its own grading system.

For example, German universities use a 1-5 scale (where 1.0 is the highest), whilst French universities use a 0-20 scale. UK students applying to European institutions should check specific university guidance on how they convert British qualifications.

Important Note on Credential Evaluation

Many US graduate programmes require official credential evaluation from recognised agencies. These organisations specialise in translating international qualifications into US equivalents. Common evaluation services include:

• World Education Services (WES)

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

• International Education Research Foundation (IERF) (opens in a new tab)

These evaluations aren't free (they typically cost around £100-200), but they provide an official, recognised conversion that US universities trust.

Should You Report a GPA If You're from the UK?

This is a common question, and the answer depends on the situation.

For US university applications: Usually no, unless required

Most American universities don't expect UK students to convert their grades to GPA. Admissions officers are trained to evaluate international qualifications in their original format. On the Common Application (opens in a new tab) (used by many US universities), you simply report your A Level grades or predicted grades as they are.

When you might need to convert:

1. If the application explicitly asks for GPA: Some applications have a required GPA field. In these cases, use a standard conversion table to estimate your GPA, but be clear that it's an estimate based on UK qualifications.

2. For graduate school applications: Some US graduate programmes have minimum GPA requirements (for example, 3.0 or 3.5). If your UK degree classification meets this threshold according to conversion tables, you can note the equivalent in your application materials.

3. For scholarship applications: Certain scholarships may list GPA requirements. Convert your grades using standard tables and explain in your application that you're providing an estimated equivalent.

Best practice for presenting UK grades internationally:

• Be clear and descriptive: Instead of trying to convert to GPA, write something like "Achieved Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) in BSc Economics" or "Predicted grades: A*AA at A Level."

• Provide context: If relevant, explain that your grade represents a high achievement in the UK system. For example, "Graduated with First-Class Honours (top 20% of cohort)."

• Let the university convert: Many universities prefer to do their own conversions using their established methods. Don't risk underselling yourself with an incorrect conversion.

• Ask if unsure: If you're genuinely unsure whether to convert your grades, contact the admissions office and ask. They'll tell you exactly what they need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an official UK-to-GPA conversion?

There's no official, government-approved conversion system. The UK and US education systems are too different to have a standardised conversion formula. However, universities, credential evaluation services, and education organisations have developed widely-accepted approximations that may vary slightly. 

Can I convert A Level grades to GPA for US college applications?

You can estimate a GPA equivalent using conversion tables, but most US universities don't require you to do this. American admissions officers are familiar with A Levels and can evaluate them directly. In fact, the Fulbright Commission and many university admissions offices recommend not converting your own grades, as self-conversions can be misleading. 

How do UK universities use GPA?

British universities don't use the GPA system at all. If you're applying to a UK university with qualifications from the US or another country that uses GPA, the UK university will convert your GPA to UK equivalents.

Final Thoughts

Converting UK grades to GPA isn't a perfect science, but understanding the rough equivalents is helpful when you're navigating international applications. The key things to remember are:

• Use conversion tables as a guide, not as gospel

• Don't undersell yourself—UK grades are rigorous and internationally respected

• Check individual university policies before converting grades

• When in doubt, present your grades in their original UK format and let admissions officers do the evaluation

Whether you're applying to American graduate schools with your UK degree, or you're an A Level student eyeing universities in the US, knowing how your grades stack up globally gives you confidence in your applications.

Best of luck!

References

• GPA and Other Grading Systems Around the World – A 2025 Guide (opens in a new tab) 

• Who Are We Looking For? - Harvard UK Admissions (opens in a new tab)

• WES (opens in a new tab)

• ECE (opens in a new tab)

• IERF (opens in a new tab)

• European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) (opens in a new tab)

• Common App (opens in a new tab)