UK Degree Class to US GPA — Approximate Reference

See how a UK First / 2:1 / 2:2 / Third might compare to a US 4.0 scale for planning only — not instructions to self-report on applications.

Do not self-convert your GPA unless the receiving institution specifically asks you to. Report grades in your transcript's original format when the application instructs you to do so. Harvard GSAS tells applicants to report grades in the same format as the transcript; Stanford Graduate Admissions says to enter GPA exactly as it appears and not convert to a 4.0 scale. Credential evaluators (e.g. WES) use their own methodologies — this page is an approximate reference only.

Input

UK degree classification

Illustrative US 4.0 comparison (not for self-report)

3.70

Upper Second (2:1)

Upper Second (2:1) → about 3.7 on a US 4.0 scale in some informal comparison charts only — do not enter this on applications that ask for transcript format (Stanford: enter GPA exactly as on the transcript)

Often cited near 3.6–3.7 — not a reporting rule

How it works

Pick your UK degree class or enter a UK percentage mark.
We map it to the standard UK classification bands (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third).
See an illustrative US 4.0 comparison only — not a number to enter on US applications that request transcript-format grades.

Formula

Illustrative US 4.0 ≈ planning comparison only (varies by evaluator)

Example: Upper Second (2:1) may appear near 3.7 on informal charts — Stanford and many US schools want the classification or transcript GPA, not a self-converted 4.0. Letter cut-offs use the unrounded result.

Primary sources

Confirm rules with the authority or institution — our models are planning aids only.

FAQ

Helpful resources

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