A UK First, Upper Second (2:1), Lower Second (2:2), or Third is an award classification. It does not have one universal U.S. 4.0 GPA equivalent.
The issuing university's regulations control how module marks, credits, stages, reassessment, and borderline rules produce the final classification. The receiving application controls how that record is reported or evaluated.
Preserve the original award
The QAA's qualifications frameworks recognize the principal honours degree outcome classifications. QAA does not publish a universal table such as “2:1 equals 3.3–3.7.”
QAA's resources on degree standards and algorithms also reflect the role of awarding bodies and their classification methods. Use the exact institution's regulation.
Build the record
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Awarding institution | ____ |
| Degree and honours classification | ____ |
| Overall mark, if shown | ____ |
| Module marks and credits | ____ |
| Classification regulation | ____ |
| Award year | ____ |
| Recipient instruction | ____ |
Do not attach a U.S. range unless the receiving institution publishes that exact equivalency for the credential and cycle.
Recipient-specific eligibility is not conversion
A U.S. program may state that a UK 2:1 or another named award satisfies an academic eligibility requirement. Record that as the program's eligibility rule. It does not transform the original award into a universal U.S. GPA.
Some applications accept the original scale; the University of Maryland Graduate School provides one example. Others may request an evaluation.
Avoid percentage shortcuts
Even when an institution uses familiar mark bands, the final classification can depend on credit weighting, year weighting, rounding, borderline rules, or excluded modules. Do not calculate a U.S. GPA by multiplying the overall mark by 0.04.
If a recipient requests course-by-course evaluation, provide the official transcript and grading/classification information it requires.
About this site’s UK reference tool
The UK honours band reference shows illustrative percentage bands only. It does not assign U.S. GPA values or apply your university’s complete award algorithm. A 67% lookup does not establish a 3.7 GPA.
FAQ
Does a First equal 4.0?
No universal equivalence is established by QAA. Report the First and follow the recipient's rule.
Is a 2:1 automatically competitive?
“Competitive” depends on the named program and cycle. A classification can satisfy eligibility without predicting admission.
Should I self-convert my UK degree?
Only if the application explicitly requests it and supplies the method. Otherwise preserve the original classification and marks.