UK Degree Classification to GPA Converter

A UK 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours, 60–69%) typically converts to a 3.3–3.6 GPA on the US 4.0 scale. It is considered a strong academic result and is often the minimum grade requirement for admission to US graduate programmes.

A UK 2:2 (Lower Second-Class Honours, 50–59%) is generally equivalent to a 2.7–3.0 GPA in the US. While it is lower than a 2:1, it can still meet entry requirements for some US universities and professional programmes, particularly when combined with relevant work experience.

A UK First-Class Honours degree (70% and above) is generally considered equivalent to a 3.7–4.0 GPA in the US. Admissions officers recognise how competitive a First is, and it is viewed as the highest academic achievement in the UK system.

No. UK and US percentage marks are not directly comparable. In the UK, 70% is an excellent First-Class result, whereas in the US a 70% is typically a C grade. The grading curves and marking standards are fundamentally different between the two systems.

A UK Third-Class Honours degree (40–49%) is roughly equivalent to a 1.7–2.0 GPA in the US. It is the minimum honours classification in the UK and may limit admission options at competitive US universities, though some programmes still consider applicants with strong supporting materials.

Most US graduate schools are familiar with the UK system, especially highly ranked institutions that regularly receive international applications. It is still helpful to include a brief explanation of the UK grading scale alongside your application, particularly for US employers or smaller colleges that may be less familiar with the classification system.

Many US universities will accept a self-reported conversion or a brief explanatory note for initial applications. However, some institutions — particularly for immigration or official credential purposes — may require an evaluation from a recognised credential evaluation service such as WES (World Education Services) or ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC).

This tool provides a widely accepted approximation based on standard conversion guidelines used by US universities and credential evaluation services. Because grading standards can vary between UK institutions, the result should be treated as a useful estimate rather than an official equivalency. Always check with the specific institution you are applying to for their preferred conversion method.