A UK 2:1 is roughly a 3.3 to 3.5 US GPA, and a first is roughly a 3.7. Those are the figures UK universities themselves use: LSE asks US applicants for a 3.3 GPA (or a B+ average) where it wants a 2:1 and 3.7 (A-) for a first, and Oxford asks for 3.5 for a strong 2:1 and 3.7 for a first. There is no single official conversion, so the university you apply to has the final say.
| UK classification | UK average | US GPA (LSE) | US GPA (Oxford) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First (1st) | 70% and above | 3.7, or A- average | 3.7 |
| Upper second (2:1) | 60 to 69% | 3.3, or B+ average | 3.5 for a strong 2:1 |
| Lower second (2:2) | 50 to 59% | No official figure published | |
| Third (3rd) | 40 to 49% | No official figure published | |
GPA figures are the minimums LSE and Oxford ask of US graduates for the equivalent UK requirement, checked September 2026. They work in both directions as a benchmark, not as a formal conversion.
UK undergraduate degrees are classified on a single scale applied to your final weighted average, though how UK university grade boundaries vary by subject can influence the final result. Roughly 30% of UK graduates now get a first and 49% a 2:1 (UK degree classification statistics). The standard boundaries are:
| Classification | Abbreviation | Typical % threshold |
|---|---|---|
| First Class Honours | 1st | 70% and above |
| Upper Second Class Honours | 2:1 | 60 to 69% |
| Lower Second Class Honours | 2:2 | 50 to 59% |
| Third Class Honours | 3rd | 40 to 49% |
| Ordinary Degree / Pass | None | Below 40% (no honours) |
For most UK employers and postgraduate programmes, a 2:1 is the standard minimum. A first is what the most competitive options ask for: top graduate schemes, law firms, investment banks, and the most selective postgraduate programmes internationally.
The US grades on a 4.0 scale, and there is no single official way to convert a UK classification. The most reliable benchmarks are the GPAs UK universities ask of US applicants, because they are set by admissions teams comparing the two systems every year. Those put a 2:1 at 3.3 (LSE) to 3.5 (a strong 2:1 at Oxford) and a first at 3.7.
Going the other way, many US graduate schools set a minimum around 3.0 and decide how your UK degree compares themselves. Some ask for a credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or a similar service rather than a self-reported conversion, so check each programme's international admissions page.
Each of these systems grades differently: Australia uses bands such as High Distinction and Distinction, Canadian universities use their own 4.0 or 4.3 scales, European universities use national scales alongside ECTS credits, and Indian universities use percentages or a 10-point CGPA. Cut-offs vary by institution, so a single conversion table would mislead you.
Instead, find the international entry requirements page of the university you are applying to. Most list the UK classification they need directly, usually a 2:1 for taught postgraduate courses and a first or high 2:1 for research degrees and scholarships.
Skip the tables. Enter your UK percentage mark or CGPA and get the equivalent classification, US GPA, or percentage instantly.
Open the Grade CalculatorA first class or strong 2:1 is the threshold that makes your degree internationally competitive. The gap between a 2:2 and a 2:1 is often just a few percentage points across your final year modules. That is where systematic revision makes the difference.
Students who use active recall, testing themselves rather than re-reading, consistently outperform those who use passive revision methods. AI flashcards let you generate a complete active recall deck from your lecture slides and module notes in minutes, so you cover every module systematically instead of guessing what to prioritise.
If you're aiming for a first to maximise your international options, see our guide to getting a first class degree and the UK university exam revision guide for a full strategy.
Your degree classification determines which international doors are open to you. A first or strong 2:1 makes you a competitive applicant at the world's best institutions, rather than one who just meets the minimum.
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UK universities treat a 2:1 as roughly a 3.3 to 3.5 GPA on the US 4.0 scale. LSE asks US applicants for a 3.3 GPA, or a B+ average, where it would ask UK applicants for a 2:1. Oxford asks for 3.5 where it wants a strong 2:1.
About 3.7 on the US 4.0 scale. Both LSE and Oxford ask US applicants for a GPA of 3.7 where they would ask UK applicants for a first, and LSE lists an A- average as the letter-grade equivalent.
There is no official figure. UK universities publish US equivalents for a 2:1 and a first because those are their usual entry requirements, but not for a 2:2. US programmes that need a formal conversion usually ask for a credential evaluation such as WES.
Usually. Many US graduate schools set a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a 2:1 is generally treated as above that. Check each programme, because some ask for a credential evaluation rather than accepting your own conversion.
It depends on the university. Some US and Canadian graduate schools require a WES or similar evaluation for all international degrees, while others accept a UK transcript directly. The programme's admissions page will say which.
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