University grading systems vary by country. The US uses the GPA scale (0.0–4.0), the Philippines uses the GWA scale (1.00–5.00, lower is better), the UK uses classes (First, Upper Second, Lower Second), and many EU countries use a 1–10 or percentage system. All serve the same purpose: measuring academic performance.
Most universities in the Philippines use the General Weighted Average (GWA) on a scale of 1.00–5.00, where 1.00 is highest and 3.00 is the passing mark. Some universities assign Latin honors based on GWA thresholds.
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1.00 | Excellent |
| 1.25–1.75 | Very Good |
| 2.00–2.50 | Good |
| 3.00 | Passing |
| 5.00 | Fail |
US universities use the Grade Point Average (GPA), typically on a 0.0–4.0 scale. Letter grades are converted into grade points, which are weighted by credit hours.
| Letter | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
UK universities grade degrees using classifications rather than numeric averages. These classifications summarize a student’s performance across all courses.
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
| First Class | 70% and above |
| Upper Second (2:1) | 60–69% |
| Lower Second (2:2) | 50–59% |
| Third Class | 40–49% |
| Fail | Below 40% |
Many EU universities use either a 1–10 scale or the ECTS letter grades (A–F). The 1–10 scale is common in Spain, Netherlands, and other countries.
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 9–10 | Excellent |
| 7–8 | Good |
| 5–6 | Passing |
| Below 5 | Fail |
International students often face grade conversion challenges when applying abroad. Universities may ask for both the original GWA or percentage and an equivalent GPA. Always provide your official transcript and, if possible, the school’s grading scale.
GPA is used in the US on a 4.0 scale, while GWA is used in the Philippines on a 1.00–5.00 scale where lower is better.
The UK uses degree classifications such as First Class, Upper Second (2:1), Lower Second (2:2), and Third Class.
No. Some use a 1–10 numeric scale, while others use the ECTS letter system (A–F).
Yes, but conversions vary. Always check the official equivalency used by the receiving institution.