4.0 GPA on the ECTS, UK and Polish grading scales

    Convert grades between four international systems: US GPA (0-4.0), ECTS letter grades (A-F), UK degree classification (First/2:1/2:2) and Polish scale (2.0-5.5). Built for Erasmus students and international applicants.

    A grade point average of 4.0 does not travel between countries as a number. European admissions read ECTS letters, British universities read degree classes, and Polish universities work on a scale that runs from 2 to 5. The converter above places 4.0 on all three at once and names the band rather than inventing a decimal, because each system groups a range of GPAs into a single grade. That grouping is why two nearby averages can land on the same letter, and why the boundary matters more than the exact figure when you are close to one.

    Parameters

    Enter data for calculations

    Which grading system is your grade from?

    Form progress0 / 1 fields

    💡 Fill in all required fields to unlock the calculate button

    Same student, four different grades - why conversion matters

    A Polish 4.5 becomes a 3.7 GPA in the US, an A- on a transcript to Harvard, a B in the ECTS system used across Europe, and an Upper Second (2:1) at a British university. All four numbers describe the same level of performance - but writing the wrong one on an application can cost you an offer. This converter translates between all four systems in one click.

    Before and after - what changes when you convert

    BEFORE (wrong format)

    You write "4.5" on your Erasmus application. The German coordinator reads it as barely passing (German 4.0 = D). Your application lands in the rejection pile.

    AFTER (converted correctly)

    You write "ECTS B - Very Good" on the same application. The coordinator sees a strong student. Same grade, completely different outcome.

    Complete conversion reference table

    Polish US GPA ECTS UK Class
    5.0-5.5 4.0 (A) A Excellent First Class
    4.5 3.7 (A-) B Very Good Upper Second (2:1)
    4.0 3.3 (B+) C Good Lower Second (2:2)
    3.5 3.0 (B) D Satisfactory Third Class
    3.0 2.7 (B-) E Sufficient Ordinary Pass
    2.0 2.0 (C) F Fail Fail

    These mappings follow the European Commission ECTS Users' Guide and the most common US-to-European grade equivalency tables used by credential evaluation services (WES, ECE).

    Practical examples

    Example 1: Polish 5.0 for a US graduate school application
    Result: GPA 4.0 (A) - top of the scale, meets most PhD program minimums
    Example 2: US GPA 3.5 for an Erasmus semester in Spain
    Result: ECTS B (Very Good) - well above average for most European programs
    Example 3: UK 2:1 (Upper Second) for a job application in Poland
    Result: Polish 5.0 (Very Good) - recognized as a strong academic record
    Example 4: ECTS C (Good) listed on a German transcript
    Result: GPA 3.3 (B+) and UK 2:2 (Lower Second)
    Example 5: Polish 3.0 (Satisfactory) for a scholarship application
    Result: GPA 2.7 (B-), ECTS E (Sufficient) - below most scholarship minimums

    FAQ - frequently asked questions

    Is the conversion exact or approximate?
    Approximate. There is no universal 1:1 mapping between grading systems because they measure performance differently. The table follows the most widely accepted equivalencies used by WES, ECE and the ECTS Users' Guide. For official purposes, always check with the specific institution.
    Why does Polish 4.5 map to ECTS B and not A?
    ECTS A corresponds to the top 10% of students. In the Polish system, 5.0 and 5.5 represent that top tier. A 4.5 is above average but not in the top bracket, which maps to ECTS B (Very Good).
    Which system should I use on my international CV?
    Use the system recognized in the target country. For US employers: GPA. For European companies: ECTS. For UK firms: UK classification. When in doubt, list both your original grade and the converted equivalent.
    What GPA do I need for a US graduate school?
    Most programs require a minimum GPA 3.0 (B). Top programs (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT) typically expect 3.5+. A Polish 4.5 (= GPA 3.7) is competitive for most schools. A Polish 5.0 (= GPA 4.0) is the maximum.
    Is a UK 2:1 the same as a Polish 5.0?
    Approximately yes. A UK 2:1 (Upper Second, 60-69%) and a Polish 5.0 (Very Good) both represent strong academic performance. Both are commonly required for competitive graduate programs and professional roles.
    Do credential evaluation services use the same conversion?
    WES (World Education Services) and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) use similar but not identical scales. This calculator follows the most common mappings. For official evaluations required by universities or employers, request a formal credential report from WES or ECE.

    Related tools

    Grade Average Calculator

    Calculate your simple or weighted GPA from any grading scale - Open calculator

    Needed Grade Calculator

    Find out what grade you need on your next exam to reach your target GPA - Open calculator

    See also

    2.0 GPA Converted to ECTS, UK and Polish Grades2.5 GPA Converted to ECTS, UK and Polish Grades2.7 GPA Converted to ECTS, UK and Polish Grades3.0 GPA Converted to ECTS, UK and Polish Grades3.5 GPA Converted to ECTS, UK and Polish Grades3.7 GPA Converted to ECTS, UK and Polish Grades

    Calculator verified by the LiczGrupa.pl team

    Content, formulas and results have been reviewed for accuracy and relevance by our team of specialists.

    Natalia Skrzek

    Reviewed by: Natalia Skrzek

    Related topics

    grade system converter
    GPA to ECTS conversion
    UK degree classification equivalent
    convert Polish grades to GPA
    international grade converter
    ECTS to GPA calculator
    Erasmus grade conversion table
    US GPA equivalent calculator
    2:1 degree equivalent GPA
    first class honours GPA equivalent
    grade conversion for study abroad
    Polish 5.0 what GPA
    ECTS grade A equivalent
    international grade comparison tool
    convert university grades between countries