UK Grade to US GPA Converter

An Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) from a UK university — typically awarded for a weighted average of 60–69% — converts to approximately 3.3–3.6 on the US 4.0 GPA scale. A 2:1 is the standard minimum requirement for most competitive US and UK postgraduate programmes, and most US admissions committees familiar with the British system view a 2:1 as the equivalent of a strong B+ to A− average. For US PhD programmes at research-intensive universities, a First Class (3.7–4.0 equivalent) is more competitive.

A First Class Honours degree (1st) from a UK university — awarded for a weighted average of 70% or above — converts to approximately 3.7–4.0 on the US 4.0 GPA scale. US graduate admissions committees recognise that 70% in the UK represents genuine academic excellence, not merely a 70% on a 100-point scale as in the US. WES and NACES-member evaluators assign letter grades based on the UK's 70-point ceiling rather than a simple linear percentage conversion.

Yes, WES accepts and evaluates credentials from UK universities accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). WES requires official transcripts sent directly from your UK university's registry office. UK students should note that many UK universities charge a fee for official transcript requests and have processing times of 5–15 business days. WES evaluations for UK credentials typically take 7–10 business days once all documents are received. For Canadian immigration purposes, a WES evaluation is required for Express Entry; for US graduate school, a WES or NACES-member evaluation is typically required only if the US institution specifically requests one.

A UK Lower Second Class (2:2) — typically 50–59%, equivalent to approximately 2.7–3.2 US GPA — falls at or below the minimum GPA threshold for many US graduate programmes. Some programmes accept a 2:2 with strong supporting materials: GRE scores in the 75th percentile or above, relevant research or professional experience, and strong letters of recommendation can offset a lower GPA equivalent. Programmes in fields with high demand for UK graduates — such as finance, consulting, or certain STEM disciplines — may also be more flexible. For PhD programmes, a 2:2 is generally not competitive at research-intensive US universities.

Scottish universities (University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, University of Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt University) use the same First/2:1/2:2/Third classification structure as English and Welsh universities, but the Scottish degree is a 4-year undergraduate programme (compared to 3 years in England and Wales) and students typically spend a broader first two years before specialising. The degree classification and percentage boundaries are equivalent for conversion purposes. A First Class from the University of Edinburgh converts to the same 3.7–4.0 US GPA range as a First from the University of Manchester.

Most US graduate programmes require a minimum GPA equivalent of 3.0, which corresponds to a solid UK 2:2 or 2:1. For competitive programmes at ranked research universities (the Ivy League, MIT, Stanford, Chicago, etc.), a UK First Class or strong 2:1 (equivalent to 3.5–4.0 US GPA) is typically expected. UK students with a 2:1 or First are generally in a strong position for US graduate admissions, particularly if they also have strong GRE scores and can demonstrate research experience or publications.