UK Degree Classification
UK degrees aren't graded with a GPA — they're classified: First, 2:1, 2:2, or Third. Enter your module marks below to find your classification, and see how each class converts to a US GPA.
Classification calculator
Enter your module marks (0–100) — the weighted average determines your class.
The classification thresholds
| Classification | Overall mark | US GPA equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Honours (1st) | 70–100% | 3.7–4.0 (A) |
| Upper Second-Class (2:1) | 60–69% | 3.3–3.7 (A−/B+) |
| Lower Second-Class (2:2) | 50–59% | 2.7–3.2 (B) |
| Third-Class Honours (3rd) | 40–49% | 2.0–2.7 (B−/C+) |
| Ordinary (pass, no honours) | 35–39% | 1.0–2.0 (C) |
How each class is viewed
- First (70%+) — exceptional, top ~10–20%. Expected for competitive PhD programmes, elite graduate schemes, and Oxbridge postgraduate study. Learn more →
- 2:1 (60–69%) — the standard 'good degree', minimum for most graduate jobs and taught master's. Learn more →
- 2:2 (50–59%) — acceptable but below the 2:1 bar; many employers and courses still accept it with experience. Learn more →
- Third (40–49%) — the lowest honours class; postgraduate study usually needs extra supporting evidence.
Converting to US GPA
US universities and employers often ask for a GPA. There's no single official conversion, but the major evaluators agree closely. See the full table and sources in ourUK Degree to US GPA guide, or use ourOxford,Cambridge andUCL GPA calculators for module-level conversion.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK degree classification?+
UK undergraduate honours degrees are classified (not graded by GPA) into four classes based on your weighted average mark: First-Class Honours (70%+), Upper Second-Class or 2:1 (60–69%), Lower Second-Class or 2:2 (50–59%), and Third-Class Honours (40–49%). Below 40% but passing is an Ordinary degree. The classification appears on your certificate and is the UK's shorthand for academic performance.
Is a 2:1 a good degree?+
Yes. A 2:1 (Upper Second-Class) is the standard 'good degree' — it's the most common classification awarded and the minimum requirement for most graduate schemes, professional qualifications, and taught postgraduate courses in the UK. Roughly 45–50% of graduates achieve a 2:1 or higher.
How is my degree classification calculated?+
Universities calculate it from a weighted average of your module marks, usually giving later years more weight (Year 3 often counts 50–60%). Some use a 'best N modules' or 'majority of credits' rule. The exact method varies by university — always check your institution's regulations, but the overall percentage thresholds are near-universal: 70/60/50/40.
What does a UK degree equal in US GPA?+
A rough conversion: First ≈ 3.7–4.0 US GPA, 2:1 ≈ 3.3–3.7, 2:2 ≈ 2.7–3.2, Third ≈ 2.0–2.7. Official conversions come from credential evaluators like WES — a First is an A, a 2:1 is an A−/B+, a 2:2 is a B. For US graduate applications, use WES evaluation for an authoritative number.
What percentage do I need for a First-Class degree?+
70% or above overall (weighted average). A First is exceptional — typically only the top 10–20% of graduates achieve one. Note that UK marking is much stricter than US: a 70% in the UK represents work that would score 90%+ in the US, so a UK First is genuinely elite.