CGPA Calculator for UAE
Calculate your CGPA using the UAE's CAA/MOE 4.0 grading system. Credit-weighted as used by UAEU, Zayed, Khalifa, AUS and other accredited universities.
The UAE higher education system is federally regulated by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and follows a US-style credit system. Students graduate with a specific CGPA (Cumulative GPA) on a 4.0 scale rather than a degree classification.
- Letter Grades: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F are the standard output on transcripts.
- GPA: A number between 0.00 and 4.00 representing average performance, rounded to 2 decimal places.
- Credit Hours (C.H.): The unit of currency. A standard course is 3 Credit Hours. Engineering/Science courses with labs may be 4 Credit Hours.
- Pass Threshold: D (1.0) for Undergraduates; C (2.0) for Graduate programs (Masters).
- Continuous Assessment: Grades are rarely based on a single exam. They aggregate Coursework (quizzes, projects, attendance) + Final Exam.
- Convert Letter Grade to Points: Every letter grade corresponds to a number (e.g., B+ = 3.3). Percentage grades (e.g., 85%) are internal; only the Letter/Points are used for GPA.
- Calculate Quality Points (Per Course): Multiply the Grade Points by the Credit Hours for that course. Formula: Quality Points = Grade Points × Credit Hours.
- Sum the Totals: Add up all Quality Points. Add up all Credit Hours attempted (including failed courses).
- Divide for GPA: Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Hours = GPA.
- Rounding: GPA is rounded to 2 decimal places (e.g., 3.45).
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Typical Percentage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.00 | 90 – 100% | Excellent |
| A- | 3.70 | 87 – 89% | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.30 | 84 – 86% | Very Good |
| B | 3.00 | 80 – 83% | Good |
| B- | 2.70 | 77 – 79% | Good |
| C+ | 2.30 | 74 – 76% | Satisfactory |
| C | 2.00 | 70 – 73% | Satisfactory |
| C- | 1.70 | 67 – 69% | Passing (Low) |
| D+ | 1.30 | 64 – 66% | Poor |
| D | 1.00 | 60 – 63% | Min. Pass (Undergrad) |
| F | 0.00 | 0 – 59% | Fail |
Note: Some universities (like UAEU) treat "A" as 90-100 and "A-" as 87-89, while others might map "A" to 93-100. However, the Point Value (4.0, 3.0) is consistent across CAA-accredited institutions.
| Course | Credit Hours | Grade | Points | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Culture | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Calculus I | 4 | C+ | 2.3 | 9.2 |
| Physics Lab | 1 | B | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| English | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| TOTALS | 11 | 34.1 | ||
| Honor | CGPA Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.90 – 4.00 | Highest Distinction |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.70 – 3.89 | High Distinction |
| Cum Laude | 3.50 – 3.69 | Distinction |
| Good Standing | 2.00 – 3.49 | Satisfactory |
Note: Some universities (like UAEU) use terms like "Distinction" and "Excellent" instead of Latin terms, but the GPA thresholds (3.5+) are similar.
Failing a course (F = 0.0) is punitive. It adds 0 points to the numerator but adds credits to the denominator, drastically lowering the GPA.
Strict attendance rules exist in the UAE. If you miss more than 15% of classes, you may automatically receive an FA (Fail due to Absence), which counts as 0.0 GPA. This is the most common mistake for UAE students—always check your portal for your absence percentage.
Most Common Rule: If you retake a course, the new grade replaces the old grade in the GPA calculation. The old grade usually remains visible on the transcript but is excluded from the average. Many universities limit retakes (e.g., you can only retake if you got a C- or lower).
If your CGPA falls below 2.0, you are placed on probation. You are restricted to taking fewer courses (usually 12 credits) and cannot hold leadership positions in clubs until you raise your GPA.
Dropping a course after the deadline results in a WF, which counts exactly like an F (0.0 points) in your GPA. A regular "Withdrawal" (W) has no impact on GPA.
Direct Transfer. Because the UAE uses the US credit/GPA system, transcripts are often accepted directly without complex conversion. A 3.0 GPA in the UAE is viewed equivalently to a 3.0 in the US.
CGPA 3.50+ ≈ First Class Honours, CGPA 3.00-3.49 ≈ Upper Second (2:1), CGPA 2.50-2.99 ≈ Lower Second (2:2).
The UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) attestation is the "gold standard" required for checking the validity of a degree inside and outside the UAE.
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
Scale: 4.0 GPA
Federal university using strict US 4.0 scale. Pass: D (1.0). Uses 'Excellent with Distinction' terminology.
Visit WebsiteAmerican University of Sharjah (AUS)
Scale: 4.0 GPA
US-style system with Latin Honors (Summa/Magna/Cum Laude). Pass: D (Undergrad), C (Graduate).
Visit WebsiteKhalifa University
Scale: 4.0 GPA
CAA-accredited. Pass mark: D (Undergrad), C (Graduate). Strict attendance policy.
Visit WebsiteZayed University
Scale: 4.0 GPA
Federal university. Uses 'Withdrawal with Failure' (WF) which counts as 0.0 in GPA.
Visit WebsiteUniversity of Sharjah
Scale: 4.0 GPA
CAA-accredited with comprehensive GPA calculation guide.
Visit WebsiteConfidence Level: High
Basis: Official CAA standards and institutional policies.