What is a GPA at UCT?

Asked by: Felicita Kris  |  Last update: February 7, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes)

The University of Cape Town (UCT) uses a percentage-based grading system, similar to the British model, and does not have a U.S.-style GPA (Grade Point Average); instead, you receive percentage marks (e.g., 75-100% is a First Class, 60-69% is a Second Class Division Two) for individual courses, with a common pass at 50% (Third Class) and failures below 50%. For international equivalency, 75% often maps to a U.S. GPA of 3.0 or an 'A' grade, but it's best to check specific equivalency charts for transfers.

What is the grading system at UCT?

The UCT grading system is one of percentage marks for course assessments with grades classified as first, second (with divisions one and two), and third.

Is 70% a 2.0 GPA?

A 70% is often a C letter grade, which usually translates to a 2.0 GPA, but it can be a C- (1.7 GPA) or even a D+ (1.3 GPA) depending on the specific grading scale used, as some scales place 70-73% as a C- and others use a wider 70-79% range for a C grade. While a 2.0 is generally considered a C average, a 70% might be a passing grade but below the national average GPA of 3.0, say experts on gpacalculator.net. 

Is 60% at uni a 2:1?

Yes, 60% at a UK university is typically the start of a 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours), falling within the 60-69% range, making it a solid achievement, though a higher mark (like 65%+) is a "strong 2:1," while 50-59% is a 2:2 (Lower Second). 

Is a 2.1 GPA good in university?

Is a 2.1 GPA good? A 2.1 GPA indicates that you have around a C average across all of your classes. This is a low GPA, so you may end up experiencing some difficulties in the college admissions process. 0.32% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.1.

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18 related questions found

What does 2.1 and 2.2 mean in university?

Degree classifications

Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2. i) (60-70%) Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2, 2. ii) (50-60%)

Is a 3.0 GPA all a's?

No, a 3.0 GPA is typically a straight "B" average, not all "A's," because an "A" is usually 4.0 points and a "B" is 3.0 on a standard 4.0 scale; you'd need consistent A's (4.0s) across your classes, with potentially a few B's to average out to a 3.0 if you also had some A- or B+ grades.
 

Is a 2.3 GPA failing?

A 2.3 GPA is generally considered below average (a low C average) and is not ideal for competitive college admissions or most graduate programs, but it's typically not a failing GPA in itself (which is usually below 2.0), though it signals a need for significant academic improvement to open more opportunities. While it might limit choices for selective schools, you can still get into some colleges, especially with strong extracurriculars or by showing upward trends in grades, as many focus on holistic reviews.
 

Can I get into Harvard with a 2.0 GPA?

Can I Get into Harvard with a Low GPA? While it's certainly possible to get into Harvard with a low GPA, as the numbers bear out, it's improbable. For the Class of 2028, a mere 1.28% of admitted students to Harvard had GPAs below 3.5.

What mark is a distinction at UCT?

The degree may be awarded with distinction (75% - 100%).

Is 3.0 GPA failing?

In general, a 3.0 GPA or higher is widely accepted by college advisors, internship programs, and potential employers. Anything above a 3.5 is often considered outstanding and may lead to honors designations at graduation and special distinctions/designations on your actual diploma.

What is a 3.2 GPA called?

3.2 GPA is a B Letter Grade or 83–86% – GPA Calculator.

How do I calculate my university GPA?

Calculate GPA

  1. Multiply the point value of the letter grade (see values below) by the number of credit hours (credits, units). ...
  2. Total the quality points for all terms.
  3. Total the credit hours for all terms.
  4. Divide the total quality points for all terms by the total credit hours for all terms.

Can I do masters with 2.3 GPA?

Generally, a GPA below 3.0 is considered low for graduate admissions, though what counts as 'low' can vary by program or field. Many grad program admissions ask for a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. However, some programs may admit you with a 2.5 or even 2.0 GPA.

Is a 2.0 GPA horrible?

Is a 2.0 GPA good? A 2.0 GPA means that you have a solid C average across all of your classes. This GPA is essentially the unofficial cut off point for how low your GPA can be in order to get into college. With a 2.0 GPA, there are only a couple schools in the country where you'll have a high chance of being accepted.

What is my GPA if I have all A's?

If you have all A's, your unweighted GPA is a perfect 4.0, as an 'A' typically equals 4 grade points on the standard scale, making your average score 4.0. However, a weighted GPA could be higher (even 5.0 or more) if your school gives extra points for advanced courses (like AP, IB, or Honors), but a straight 'A' on the core 4.0 scale is always a 4.0.
 

Will Harvard accept 3.0 GPA?

It's extremely unlikely to get into Harvard with a 3.0 GPA, as most admitted students have averages near 4.0, but not impossible due to their holistic review; you'd need truly exceptional achievements in essays, extracurriculars, test scores, and recommendations to offset it, often involving unique talents or significant upward trends in grades. While there's no official minimum, a 3.0 is far below the typical academic profile, making success dependent on extraordinary strengths elsewhere in your application. 

What will an F do to a 4.0 GPA?

An "F" (0.0 grade points) will significantly lower a 4.0 GPA because it adds zero points to your total while still counting as a course in the calculation, drastically pulling down the average, with the impact depending on the course's credit hours and your total credits; for example, a 4-credit F with three A's can drop a 4.0 to around a 2.76. 

Can I recover from a bad GPA?

A low GPA can affect college admissions, scholarship eligibility, and early career opportunities, yet it is possible to recover through improved grades, strong extracurriculars, and honest explanations.

Can a 2.2 graduate do masters?

Yes – it's possible to do a Masters with a 2.2, and even with a third class degree in some cases. But it depends on the course, the university, and how you present yourself.

Is it too late to improve my GPA?

You're looking at your grades right now thinking, "Is it too late to fix this mess?" You're not alone. Most students face the same stress, especially when graduation looms closer or when scholarship deadlines approach. The good news is that, yes, you absolutely can improve your GPA—and probably faster than you think.

Is 2.1 bachelor's good?

If you're close to finishing your undergraduate degree, you've probably asked yourself: is a 2.1 degree good? The short answer is yes. A 2.1 is widely seen as a strong academic result. For many employers and postgraduate admissions teams, it's the benchmark.