A-Level to GPA Converter (Advanced)
Default mapping uses a common admissions heuristic: A* → 4.0, A → 3.7, B → 3.3, C → 3.0, D → 2.0, E → 1.0, U → 0.0. Policies vary by university—use the “Custom Mapping” panel if needed.
Custom Mapping (override defaults)
Tip: These values will be capped to your selected scale maximum.
Weighting: Full A-Level counts as 1.0 credit; AS counts as 0.5 credit. If a boost is selected, AS receives half the boost.
| Subject | Level | Grade | Points | Credit | Weighted Pts |
|---|
Disclaimer: US universities may calculate A-Level GPA differently. Always check institutional policy.
Why this conversion exists (and why it’s messy)
Many US forms (Common App supplements, scholarship portals, summer programs, employer ATS, even a few graduate gateways) ask for a GPA—usually on a 4.0 scale. The UK A-Level system doesn’t produce a GPA. Universities and credential evaluators typically evaluate A-Levels directly (subject rigor, grades achieved, syllabus) without converting to GPA.
But when a form won’t submit without a number, you need a defensible approximation. That’s what this article gives you: clear methods, typical mappings used in 2025, and transparent caveats you can attach in notes.
Key truth: there is no single official A-Level→GPA formula. Institutions use different policies. Your goal is to pick a sensible, widely used framework, apply it consistently, and disclose your method.
Core ideas you’ll use throughout
Scale: What maximum does the GPA top out at? Commonly 4.0, sometimes 4.3 (A+ scale), and for “weighted” contexts 5.0 (AP/Honors analog).
Grade points: A*, A, B, C, D, E map to points. Some frameworks treat A = A* on 4.0; others award a bonus for A* (4.3 or 4.33).
Credits (weights): Treat each full A-Level as 1.0 unit. An AS is 0.5 unit. (If your school uses different weightings, use those instead—and disclose.)
Computation:
Transparency: Wherever possible, add a short note: “A-Levels converted to GPA using [chosen table], full A-Level = 1.0 unit, AS = 0.5.”
The three common frameworks (choose one and be consistent)
Below are widely used approximation schemes for 2025. Pick the one that best matches the portal’s instructions (or lack of them), your school’s profile, and the expectation of the audience.
Framework A — Unweighted 4.0 (A* treated as A)
When to use: Most generic US forms that only accept a 0.0–4.0 GPA and don’t mention A+ or weighting.
| A-Level grade | Points (4.0) |
|---|---|
| A* | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| E | 0.0–1.0 (policy varies; see note) |
Note on E: Some US comparators count E as a pass (≈1.0). Others treat it as below college-ready (≈0.0). If the portal is strict about “passing grades only,” use 1.0. If in doubt, include a parenthetical note.
Pros: Simple, commonly accepted.
Cons: Doesn’t distinguish A* from A; coarse steps between letters.
Framework B — Unweighted but finer (4.0 with steps; A* either 4.0 or 4.3)
When to use: Portals or programs that acknowledge A+ (4.3) or accept nuanced mapping.
Option B1 (A = A = 4.0; finer steps for B–E):*
| A-Level grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A* | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.3 |
| C | 2.3 |
| D | 1.3 |
| E | 1.0 (or 0.7—confirm policy) |
Option B2 (A bonus on a 4.3 ceiling):*
| A-Level grade | Points (4.33/4.3 top) |
|---|---|
| A* | 4.33 (or 4.3) |
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.3 |
| C | 2.3 |
| D | 1.3 |
| E | 1.0 (or 0.7) |
Pros: Rewards A*; closer to many US A+/A scale practices.
Cons: Some portals cap at 4.0; you may need to normalize down to 4.0 if they don’t accept >4.0.
Framework C — Weighted “AP/Honors-like” (5.0 style)
When to use: High schools that weight advanced courses or portals asking for a weighted GPA. Many US schools treat AP/IB HL as weighted; A-Levels are similar in rigor.
| A-Level grade | Weighted (5.0) |
|---|---|
| A* | 5.0 (some schools use 5.3 for A+) |
| A | 5.0 |
| B | 4.0 |
| C | 3.0 |
| D | 2.0 |
| E | 1.0 |
Pros: Reflects rigor; familiar to US readers who know AP weighting.
Cons: Not all universities recalculate weighted GPAs; some ignore school weightings and use their internal formula anyway. If the portal only accepts 4.0, submit unweighted and add weighted in comments if allowed.
How to treat AS-Levels, EPQ, and retakes
AS-Levels: Count as 0.5 unit unless your school transcript says otherwise. The letter uses the same grade points as A-Level in your chosen framework, then multiply by 0.5.
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification): Usually not part of GPA but is a strong qualitative boost. Mention it in activities/awards; don’t bake it into GPA unless the portal explicitly says to.
Retakes: Some universities consider the most recent grade; some see all sittings. For a self-reported GPA on a general portal, include final achieved grades and note retakes in the comments section if asked.
Step-by-step examples (copy this logic for your own grades)
Example 1 — 3 A-Levels + 1 AS, Unweighted 4.0 (Framework A)
Grades: A* (Maths), A (Chemistry), B (Economics), AS A (Further Maths)
Units: A-Levels = 1.0 each; AS = 0.5
Points: A* = 4.0, A = 4.0, B = 3.0, AS A = 4.0 × 0.5 = 2.0
Total points = 4.0 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 = 13.0
Total units = 1.0 + 1.0 + 1.0 + 0.5 = 3.5
GPA = 13.0 / 3.5 = 3.714… → 3.71 (unweighted 4.0)
Note to portal: “A-Levels converted using unweighted 4.0 mapping; A*/A=4.0, B=3.0; full A-Level=1.0, AS=0.5.”
Example 2 — 3 A-Levels, 4.3-style with A* bonus (Framework B2)
Grades: A* (History), B (Biology), C (Psychology)
Points: A* = 4.33, B = 3.3, C = 2.3
Total points = 4.33 + 3.3 + 2.3 = 9.93
Units = 3.0
GPA = 9.93 / 3 = 3.31 (on 4.33 scale)
If the portal demands 4.0 max, normalize:
Submit 3.06 (state your normalization in notes).
Example 3 — 4 A-Levels, Weighted (Framework C, 5.0)
Grades: A (English Lit), A (Politics), B (Sociology), B (Geography)
Points (weighted): A = 5.0, B = 4.0
Total points = 5.0 + 5.0 + 4.0 + 4.0 = 18.0
Units = 4.0
Weighted GPA = 18.0 / 4 = 4.50 (on 5.0 scale)
If form requests unweighted 4.0 and weighted separately:
Unweighted (Framework A) points = 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 14 → 14/4 = 3.50 (4.0 scale)
Weighted = 4.50 (5.0 scale)
Notes: “A-Levels treated as AP/Honors for weighting; school uses [policy].”
How admissions actually read A-Levels (so you don’t overthink the number)
Admissions teams do not rely on your self-made GPA to judge A-Levels. They look at subject rigor, achieved grades, and context (school profile, syllabus).
Many US universities award advanced standing/credit for A-Levels (varies by subject and grade). That’s separate from GPA.
For merit scholarships and third-party portals that force a GPA, provide your number and a one-line disclosure. Where free-text is available, also list your actual grades (e.g., “A-Levels: A* A B; AS: A”).
2025 trends & tips
Test-optional remains common in 2025, which increases the weight of course rigor and grades. A-Levels signal rigor strongly.
More portals are adding a weighted GPA field. If yours does, use Framework C and also provide unweighted if asked.
Some systems accept a transcript upload in lieu of GPA. If available, upload your official school report and enter “N/A” or “School does not compute GPA (A-Level system)” where permitted.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Mixing UCAS points with GPA. They’re different currencies. You can mention UCAS Tariff in notes, but don’t blend it into a GPA formula.
Ignoring AS weights. AS is half a full A-Level unless your school says otherwise.
Hiding your method. A vague number looks worse than a transparent approximation with a footnote.
Inventing A increments on a 4.0 system without permission.* If the portal caps at 4.0, don’t input >4.0.
Over-weighing EPQ inside GPA. Celebrate it in activities/awards instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (2025)
1) Is there an official A-Level to GPA conversion?
No. There’s no universal formula. Use a reasonable, disclosed mapping like the frameworks above. Universities will read your actual A-Level grades anyway.
2) Should A be above 4.0?*
Depends on the portal. If it accepts 4.3 (A+), you can set A = 4.3/4.33*. If it caps at 4.0, keep A* at 4.0 and call it out in your notes.
3) Do I include predicted grades?
Only if the form requests them. For GPA math, use achieved grades unless a portal explicitly wants a projected GPA.
4) How do I handle an E?
Policies differ. Many treat E as a pass akin to 1.0 on a 4.0 scale; others treat it as non-credit. If unclear, use 1.0 and disclose. If a portal rejects passes below “D,” you may need to exclude it.
5) I took 4 A-Levels. Does that inflate my GPA?
More subjects don’t automatically inflate the average; GPA is points/units. Four strong A-Levels can help because they show rigor; the math still averages out.
6) Can I submit weighted and unweighted?
If both fields exist, yes. Otherwise, submit what the portal asks for and explain your school’s non-GPA context in notes.
7) Will US universities accept my self-computed GPA?
They’ll recalculate using their policy or evaluate A-Levels directly. Your number is for form compatibility; your actual A-Level grades drive decisions.
8) Do I count GCSEs in the GPA?
No—GPA is usually upper-secondary coursework akin to US grades 9–12. For A-Level systems, stick to AS/A-Level unless told otherwise.
9) How do I convert to a 100-point scale?
Unless the portal demands it, don’t. If required, some evaluators map 4.0 → 100, 3.0 → 85, etc., but this varies. Stick to the scale requested.
10) Can I use UCAS Tariff to compute GPA?
No. UCAS points measure UK university admissions currency, not GPA. You can list UCAS points separately.
11) Does an EPQ change my GPA?
Normally no. Mention it as an academic distinction; it strengthens your narrative, not your GPA math.
12) My school uses Cambridge International/Edexcel/OCR. Does the board matter?
Not for the letter-to-points mapping. A*, A, B, C, D, E map the same across boards for GPA approximation.
13) I sat A-Levels in two sessions (Y12/Y13). Combine them?
Yes—GPA is an aggregate. Use the final achieved grades; note multiple sittings in your application context if asked.
14) Should I include coursework grades separately?
No—use the final subject grade that appears on your certificate.
15) The form asks for class rank. What do I do?
If your school doesn’t rank, enter “School does not rank” and provide context in the school profile or notes.
16) What if the portal rejects decimals beyond two places?
Round to two decimals (e.g., 3.71). If normalization was needed (e.g., 4.33 → 4.0), mention this briefly.
17) My counselor/school computes a different GPA. Which do I use?
Use the official figure your school provides when available. If the portal still forces your entry, mirror the school’s method as closely as possible and disclose.
18) Do A-Levels earn college credit in the US?
Often yes (varies by institution and subject). This is separate from GPA. Check each university’s A-Level credit policy.
19) Do universities prefer a certain framework?
They don’t rely on your framework. They’ll read the grades and may recalc in-house. Your aim is a faithful, documented conversion for form compliance.
20) Can I put N/A instead of GPA?
If the portal allows it and you’re uploading transcripts, yes. Many third-party portals don’t; hence this guide.